Starbucks Coming to Oak Forest

OAK FOREST, IL — Oak Forest will see several national brands find new homes within city limits in 2016, according to a release.

Incoming retailers include Starbucks at the northwest corner of 159th and Cicero Avenue, Family Dollar at 5400 W. 159th Street, and Ace Hardware at 15426 S. Cicero Avenue. ATI, a nationally-recognized physical therapy provider, will join Starbucks in the Gateway Development.

“Oak Forest has a lot to look forward to in the New Year,” said Mayor Hank Kuspa in a release issued by the City. “I know I will be first in line to welcome these businesses to our community, especially the Ebel family at Ace Hardware. It feels a little like a homecoming to have Ace back on Cicero Avenue.”

Construction at the three sites is expected to begin in March, according to the City. Family Dollar will build a new 8,300-square-foot facility while Starbucks and ATI will share space in a newly constructed 5,000-square-foot building. Ace Hardware will transform the former House of Brews/Numero Uno site into an 11,000-square-foot retail center with a log-cabin exterior and a garden center in the rear parking lot.

“We realize that residents have been anxious to see some progress at many of these locations,” said Community Development Director Adam Dotson. “Development can be a slow process, but we believe that we are picking up momentum and that more good things are in store for our community.