As redevelopment talks continue, two new businesses are opening this month on the north end of Golf Mill Shopping Center in Niles.
Chick-Fil-A is expected to open Oct. 12 at the corner of Golf Road and Greenwood Avenue, while Burlington is scheduled to open Oct. 29 in the former Kohl’s space, also along Golf Road, said John Melaniphy, director of economic development for the village of Niles.
This is the second Niles location for Chick-Fil-A, which has operated a restaurant at 5650 W. Touhy Ave. since 2019.
Burlington is relocating from the Talisman Shopping Center at 2614 W. Golf Road in Glenview, Melaniphy said.
“These two new tenants will strengthen the tenant mix and generative attraction of Golf Mill Mall for years to come,” he said.
According to Melaniphy, the village of Niles and representatives of Golf Mill ownership have been discussing “a variety of different concept site plans” for the shopping center, which has seen an exodus of tenants over the last several years. These plans involve creating a “mixed-use development, which may include retail, restaurant, entertainment, residential, hotel, medical office and recreational uses,” he said.
“We’re really encouraged,” Melaniphy said last month. “We think there’s been a lot of progress, but there’s a lot more work that has to be done to ensure the village gets the highest quality redevelopment.”
Melaniphy said it has not been determined whether sections of the indoor mall will be converted to outdoor space, as has been done at other malls around the country.
Uncertainty about the future of the JC Penney store had a “major impact” on what the site could look like, but the company has extended its lease to remain at Golf Mill, Melaniphy said.
In addition to JC Penney, the mall’s major retailers include Target, Ross, AMC Theatres, Ulta and Value City Furniture.
Kohl’s at Golf Mill closed last year and relocated to the new Sawmill Station at Dempster Street and Waukegan Road in Morton Grove.
Work has also begun on the redevelopment of Golf Mill Park, located south of the shopping center along Church Street. Current construction includes building a new stormwater basin on the western portion of the property.
Plans for the park include a soccer field, open lawn space for events, a playground, walking path, splash pad and other amenities.
Village officials have suggested the new park could benefit Golf Mill economically by bringing additional people to the area, particularly for festivals and other events.
