Around Town: Ulta Opening Soon; New Play Cafe

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – When it comes to businesses in the Crystal Lake, Cary, Algonquin and Lake in the Hills area, it seems like there is something new always coming and something old always going. We touched base with area economic development coordinators to get updates on some projects planned around town and included information below. If we missed a business that is opening soon, or one that is closing, please let the editor know by e-mailing Amie at amie.schaenzer@patch.com.

Ulta Set To Open Soon

Crystal Lake will soon get its Ulta at Crystal Point Shopping Center. Heather Maieritsch, Crystal Lake's Economic Development Manager, told Patch the beauty retailer is tentatively planning to open on Aug. 1. Ulta will be opening in a portion of the former Sports Authority space. As of late last week, crews were putting the finishing touches on the building with signs advertising beauty products all up in store windows.

Construction Underway on Steinhafel's, TJ Maxx

Speaking of the Crystal Point Shopping Center, located at the northeast corner of Route 14 and South Main Street, construction is underway on the Steinhafel's furniture store, which will fill a massive vacancy left when Kmart closed. The 99,089-square-foot furniture superstore, which will open between Best Buy and Ross Dress for Less, plans to offer an extensive selection of home décor and furniture including seasonal furniture and a clearance center. The build out on the property is moving forward as planned, Maieritsch said.

Meanwhile, work is also underway on a vacant space on the eastern portion of the shopping center. Crews are working to transform a 23,000-square-foot space into a TJ Maxx. The current TJ Maxx, located about a mile down the road at the Country Corners Shopping Center, which also houses Savers, will close and move into the new space. The new TJ will also occupy a portion of the former Sports Authority next to the new Ulta. Maieritsch said she has not heard of a date, yet, when TJ will make that move but said the turnaround from operating in their old space to operating in their new space should be quick.

She also said the city, of course, is thrilled by the additions at Crystal Point.

"It's amazing. At the beginning of 2018, we had 150,000-square-feet of vacant space at Crystal Point," she said.

New Play Cafe In Algonquin
I happened upon a sign advertising the opening of a Kinderland Play Cafe in the the vacant space in the Algonquin shopping center at the corner of Algonquin Road and Talaga Drive (which also houses Buddyz Pizza and the newly-opened Picante Mexican Grill). I do not have much more information but will update Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch readers when we do.

My guess is that parents with little ones will appreciate this addition.

Jump Zone

While driving around, I spotted a sign advertising Jump Zone Party and Play Center "Coming Soon" outside The Commons of Crystal Lake shopping center. It caught my eye since Mega Trampoline Fun Zone recently opened about a mile down the road. And Pump It Up isn't that far away either. Maieritsch said Jump Zone will be an inflatible play business.

OrthoIllinois Nears Opening Date

Many who frequent Randall Road have most likely noticed the massive OrthoIllinois injury clinic under construction in recent months. The business, at 650 S. Randall Road, will offer orthopedic specialty appointments, rehabilitation, walk-in injury care, and MRI imaging, according to the business's website. And the website also notes an opening date: Sept. 4.

What To Do With Former Toys R Us, Babys R Us Spaces?

The closure of the adjoining Toys R Us and Babys R Us spaces along Randall Road has left a massive vacancy. Russell Farnum, Algonquin's Community Development Director, said brokers and owners of both properties are working with "a number of potentially interested retailers." But no solid word, yet, on whether any will submit plans to the village to move forward with occupying the space.

SO, what would you like to see move into the former Babys R Us and Toys R Us stores in Algonquin? (Let us know in the comments section).

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