With the recent closures of two downtown Libertyville businesses—Wisma and Soccer Plus—we want to know: what would you like to see in those spots?
Soccer Plus announced earlier this month that it would close its Libertyville and Palatine stores. The Libertyville store closed and its merchandise was moved to the Palatine store for a liquidation sale, according to the Daily Herald Business Ledger.
More recently, Wisma closed its doors Jan. 15. A sign on the door read: "Thank you for your patronage. Effective 1/15/13 Libertyville Wisma is closed. Please visit us at our Lake Bluff Wisma Store."
Wisma owner John des Rosiers couldn't be reached for comment.
What would you like to see in these vacant storefronts? What do you think is missing downtown?
Share your thoughts in the comment section!
P.S. A Pita Inn will open in feb. in Mundelein-try the shish-kabob sandwich.
libertyville never was the city and probably never will be. it was a small farm town that got transformed into a bed room suburb.
Libertyville could definitely be an upscale shopping destination like Highland Park, Evanston, Geneva, etc. However, it will never happen if people continue to have a negative attitude about what is already trying to take root in town. Niche stores can do well, but residents will have to understand that these stores are not trying to be like or compete with chains like Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma. As of right now, those stores are the Gold Standard, which is not setting the bar very high at all.
Large chains receive large tax incentives and through loop holes and do not contribute their fair share (based on sales) to the community, actually only about $43 out of every $100 that is spent vs. $68 in an independently owned store/ restaurant. Ask Mariano's to donate to your church's fundraiser or your child's little league, it won't happen. But, more than likely if you come downtown you're going to get some support because they believe in the power of community. Community is a two way street, both ends need to support one another. So, basically the town will be great if we just allow "successful" chains that are a dime a dozen to open and become a glorified outdoor mall? As a town that is on the national historic record, I can't see how that would be beneficial to any of us.
Between Someone's in the Kitchen and Oh Olive, we basically have the independent counterparts to WS.
Having owned a store in down town Libertyville, I can attest to the fact that these retail, niche stores have a rough time. Let's face it: you don't shop down town because it's too expensive. The rents are fairly high, and small shops have a lot of overhead to cover. Even if you carry things that you can't readily get anywhere else in person, you are still competing with the Internet. People will walk into your store and pull up Amazon on their phones and order it right there, usually for 30%-50% less. Niche stores have no buying power if they are not a chain. Real money is at risk in these shops, and they shouldn't be viewed as window dressing for the town's main drag. You have to shop at these stores, or they will close.
shopping in town is not too expensive. the cooking store has comparable prices to william sonoma and is more convenient. the bootery has good shoes reasonably priced and again very convenient. the chocolate shop must be doing ok. it has been there over ten years. perhaps your store did not work because the goods offered were not what the public wanted to buy. rents now should be low. there are empty stores here and elsewhere. those who charge rents too high continue to have vacancies.
Someone else made a comment that school enrollment is down. Most of the people who raised their kids when mine were growing up are still here, which may indicate that the market shift has to do with those children now being 20-somethings who were raised here and their parents. Again, it is just an observed shift in the market, and the stores you mentioned would do as well in a primarily adult market as in the family-centered market. That said, too expensive is a subjective concept. A lot of people are struggling right now, and they are looking for bargains, making it even tougher for niche retailers.
the goods were great. reasonably priced and the owners very helpful. we were told there were about 100 loyal customers but they needed 300. it seems to me that they did not seek them out by advertising.
We also had a base of loyal customers, and we really appreciate those who came by often. But to cover all of your overhead you need a larger average ticket or more customers or better wholesale pricing. I agree that we did not invest as much time and money as we should have in advertising and promotion. I'm not expressing sour grapes here, but using my experience to illustrate what I have observed as a change in Libertyville. There may be others reading this that are thinking of opening up here, and Main St. and the EDC are not going to give them anything but positive feedback on whatever they want to open up, regardless of the market. If someone is thinking of opening a store in Libertyville, they should look at what kinds of stores have not made it over the past several years and study that. Can they do it better? Maybe. We don't regret the experience, because many good things came out of it. In any case, other than a baby boutique, not one person here has expressed a desire for something specifically family-oriented. Tea rooms, Trader Joe's, spice shops...you get the picture.
Another great addition would be an Art Gallery with original Art. We need places to enrich our lives, not places to just numb our senses
Another cool idea is we always visit in Key West. Called "Better Than Sex," it's wine, coffees, teas, and lavish desserts ONLY, open from 9p-1a. Almost pitch dark, a flashlight is provided to read the entertaining menu. The place does fabulous business! I'd love one here!
That said, I will be happy to refund your unused gift certificate if you still have it.
A retailer that survives will have to attract walking-distance residents on a regular (weekly) basis. I would love to see a butcher/fresh produce shop in town. As a resident right off Milwaukee, I can walk to get almost anything but fresh groceries. I could see making daily trips into town with my kids when I get home from work to see what we can make for dinner. A focus on locally sourced produce would guarantee a constant variety. All of the new residents on School Street in 2013 would probably keep such a place alive single-handedly. A tea shop might work, but it would have to drive either Starbucks or Caribou out - there's not room for 3. A good one probably would drive one of them out. I think a good deli downtown would also work. NYC Bagel on North Ave in the city is a good example of what a crowd a delicious breakfast sandwich can bring. Even better, put in a deli that serves good coffee....