When Brad Byarski and his development company purchased 53,000 square-feet of vacant land five years ago at the southeast corner of 127th and State streets, they were confident the commercial property could thrive.
On the verge of doing so, the owners could not be happier.
“We’re ecstatic,” said Byarski, a partner with OS Lemont Development, who owns the Lemont Village Square, 1243 State St. “We felt it was a great area to be in and a great opportunity to pursue in 2005.”
Eight new businesses have signed leases and are expected to open in the square by the end of the year.
The three remaining vacant units also are expected to be filled by next year, said Theresa Schulz, of Schulz Properties, who was contracted to lease out the plaza.
“My shopping center is at the prime intersection in the center of Lemont,” said Schulz. “Being off I-355, I see a lot of businesses that want to attract that traffic.”
The eight tenants who have signed leases this year include a mix of franchised and independently-owned businesses. The new merchants will bring a variety of services to the village, including a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop that many residents have requested.
“A lot of the services we’re bringing in are things that have lacked in Lemont,” Schulz said.
The Lemont Village Square, which is currently anchored by Starbucks, Aldi Grocery and American Mattress, is a prime location for a business to open, especially with the increase in traffic that comes with filling the plaza, business owners said.
Tom Ganas, owner of Slammers Pub & Grill, said the location was great to open a sports-theme restaurant.
“The site was pretty much already built out, so expenses are less,” Ganas said.
Slated to open in early September, Slammers will offer option to Lemont’s restaurant menu, Ganas said.
“This place is going to be like Cheers, where everybody knows everybody,” he said.
Kim Cochrane, owner of Deja Vu Rack, was familiar with the area and said the location within the strip mall will benefit her business.
The Deja Vu Rack will be an upscale women and teen girls consignment store, where used clothes can be brought it and will be sold in the store for the individual, Cochrane said, adding she also will sell brand new jewelry, clothes, purses and evening shoes. The store is expected to open by September, she said.
The down economy can be tough on businesses, but owners willing to work hard can still succeed, said Byarski.
“People are still buying clothes and eating lunch,” Byarski said. “There is a need to be filled. We look at all the tenants as partners, and we treat it like a partnership.”
But the Lemont Village Square is not the only location Lemont residents can expect to see new businesses. Downtown Lemont will soon add a family Mexican restaurant, an ice cream parlor and a deli.
Ben DeVee, a partner with Front Street Cantina, 319 Front St., said there is growth potential in the area.
The restaurant is scheduled to open in early September.
“It seems the (village) is motivated to bring more businesses downtown,” DeVee said. “The downtown itself is very unique.”
The recent influx of businesses interested in opening in the village is a big benefit for Lemont, said Joanna Kmiec, executive director of the Lemont Area Chamber of Commerce.
“I’ve already had contact with some of these people,” Kmiec said. “We want to do their ribbon cuttings and grand openings.”
The addition of so many businesses means additional revenue for the village.
“We’re thrilled,” said Lemont village planner Charity Jones. “Obviously, the economy has been hard and there have been businesses that have closed, but I think the openings are a sign of the confidence businesses have in the Lemont market.”
Coming soon to Lemont
Lemont Village Square, 1243 State St.
- Slammers Pub & Grill
- Deja Vu Rack
- YK Martial Arts
- Ultimate Tan
- Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches
- Verizon Wireless
- Global Learning
- The Learning Experience
Historic Downtown Lemont
- Front Street Cantina, 319 Front St.
- Sweetwater Deli, 316-318 Canal St.
- Muffin’s Old Fashion Ice Cream, 400 Illinois St.
