Lace Up 4 Learning Set for Memorial Day

The District 128 Foundation for Learning will host its third annual Lace Up 4 Learning 5K Run/Walk on Monday, May 27.

5K to Benefit District 128 Foundation

Register today for the 3rd Annual Lace Up 4 Learning 5K Run and Walk on May 27.

The District 128 Foundation for Learning will host its third Annual Lace Up 4 Learning 5K Run/Walk on Monday, May 27. The race benefits the foundation and its mission to provide resources for innovative and creative instructional ideas that enrich the experiences and programs for Libertyville and Vernon Hills high school students. There is a new location for this year's event—Westfield Hawthorn Mall. The cost to register is $30 before the race and $35 on the day of the event. For more details and to register, visit www.signmeup.com/D128laceupforlearning.

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AMC Theater, Dave & Buster's Move Closer to Reality

Vernon Hills officials granted permission this week for a series of plans related to the proposed Hawthorn mall redevelopment.

Westfield Hawthorn's renovation and expansion plans gained more traction this week with the approval of a series of requests pertaining to proposed new entertainment venues. "It's the closest we've been in nine years," Village Manager Mike Allison said in reference to the multi-faceted redevelopment proposal. Vernon Hills trustees granted permission Tuesday to AMC Theater to serve alcoholic beverages in its proposed building on the mall's campus. They also signed off on an ordinance allowing other restaurants within the mall to serve alcohol, and specifically gave permission for Dave & Buster's to serve adult beverages and offer up to 200 amusement devices. Officials also expressed preliminary approval for a special liquor license for the …

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Hawthorn Redevelopment Plans Move Forward

Proposals for an AMC Theater with its own bar and large, eye-catching signs outside of Westfield Hawthorn Mall were discussed this week by Vernon Hills officials.

Plans to expand and improve Westfield Hawthorn Mall moved a step forward Tuesday when Vernon Hills officials expressed preliminary support of a new movie theater and exterior signage on the mall’s campus. Village trustees heard a presentation from AMC Theater officials who said a modern theater between Sears and JC Penney, complete with the latest amenities, would help bring new life to Hawthorn. Redevelopment plans call for a theater that would offer luxury recliner seating; a menu that would include such fare as pizza, chicken tenders, hot dogs and fries; and a bar. “We have to do this to remain relevant,” AMC executive George Patterson told village officials. “The bottom line is, we’re trying to change the experience.” A full-service …

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Hawthorn Mall Awaits the OK for New Theater, Dave & Buster's

Vernon Hills to vote on concept plan Feb. 19.

Westfield Hawthorn Mall's plans to bring in a new AMC theater and Dave & Buster's have the thumbs up from the Vernon Hills Plan Commission. All that's left is village board approval on Feb. 19. Conceptual plans were approved by planning and zoning last month. Mall renovations are expected to cost $40 million to $50 million, reported the Lake County News-Sun. The planned AMC complex would be a 44,000-square-foot addition to the mall, with Dave & Busters encompassing 39,000 square feet of existing space on two levels. “This game changer is needed at this mall,” said John Genovese, Westfield’s senior vice president of development, in the Lake County News-Sun. Dave & Buster's representatives approached the village board with a concept …

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Dave & Buster's May be Coming to Westfield Hawthorn Mall

The store would be located between Sears and Carson Pirie Scott.

New Restaurant Coming to Westfield Hawthorn Mall

The new Vernon Hills restaurant will be located in the space formerly occupied by McCarthy's.

A new restaurant will soon be coming to Westfield Hawthorn Mall. Peter Sayegh is planning to open All Stars on Board in the spot formerly occupied by McCarthy's, located near the mall entrance by Macy's on the upper level of the mall. Sayegh describes the restaurant as one with "simple sports bar food—quality food and a clean atmosphere." Sayegh, who has been in the restaurant business for 15 years, said the restaurant will have 60-inch televisions for patrons to enjoy. Sayegh and Architect John E. Berta went before the Vernon Hills Village Board Tuesday night seeking approval for the façade improvements for the restaurant. Berta said the windows will be left as-is, as will the doors. The exterior will include porcelain tile that looks …

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Snickelfritz Toys to Participate in Neighborhood Toy Store Day

The store, located in Westfield Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills, will offer customer discounts and a visit from Santa.

Snickelfritz Toys at Westfield Hawthorn Mall will celebrate the third annual Neighborhood Toy Store Day Nov. 10 with customer discounts, game and product demonstrations, and even a visit from Santa. "We use it as a great time to have a party and celebrate," said spokeswoman Rachel Bailey. The celebration will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Located on the lower level near JC Penney, the locally-owned Snickelfritz is home to unique toys and games for children of all ages. For Neighborhood Toy Store Day, customers can enjoy a 20 percent discount on the toys that were selected as the Best Toys for 2012 by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, said Bailey. Five representatives will be at the store to demonstrate various games …

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Doc Popcorn Holding Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research

Donate $1 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure at Doc Popcorn's Vernon Hills location and receive a $1 coupon to use during your next visit.

Want to help raise money for breast cancer awareness and enjoy a tasty treat? Doc Popcorn stores, including the one inside Westfield Hawthorn Mall, are participating in a "Popping for Pink" campaign through the month of October. When a customer donates $1 to breast cancer awareness at Doc Popcorn, he or she will receive a $1 coupon to use during his or her next visit. "It's a great way for us to help create funds for breast cancer awareness," said Mehb Khoja, owner of the Vernon Hills location. Khoja said the proceeds from his store will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The donations will be partially matched by Doc Popcorn's headquarters. Khoja said he got the idea to donate the funds to Susan G. Komen from a colleague, as well …

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Kelly Miller Circus Coming to Vernon Hills

The circus will take place in the Westfield Hawthorn mall parking lot.

The Vernon Hills Lions Club will sponsor the Kelly Miller Circus in the Westfield Hawthorn mall parking lot this weekend. The shows will be held the following dates and times: Tickets can be purchased on the Vernon Hills Lions Club website, at the Vernon Hills Village Hall, the Vernon Hills Park District Sullivan Center or the Westfield Hawthorn Concierge Desk. Tickets online are $11 for adults and $7 for children and include a $1 convenience fee for online purchases.

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