Empty Sears At Louis Mall To Become Car Dealership: Report

JOLIET, IL — The Sears property at the Louis Joliet Mall has been left vacant for more than three years, but there's now a new buyer for the parcel, according to a story published this week by The Real Deal, a Chicago real estate news website.

According to The Real Deal article, Ghaben Auto Group paid $4.3 million for the 16.7-acre former Sears store at the southwest corner of the Louis Joliet Mall. Ghaben owns and operates a Mazda dealership in Oak Lawn and Ultimo Motors used luxury car dealerships in Northbrook, Westmont, Warrenville and Hickory Hills, the publication noted.

Joliet Patch has left a message seeking comment from Joe Ghaben, managing member with the Ghaben Auto Group, on South Cicero Avenue in Oak Lawn.

In October 2018, Patch reported that the Joliet Sears store, 3340 Mall Loop Drive in the Louis Joliet Mall, was one of four Illinois Sears and Kmart locations that will shutter after the struggling retailer announced a bankruptcy filing, according to court documents. A total of 142 additional stores will close nationwide.

Along with the Joliet Sears store, Kmart locations in Norridge, Quincy and Moline shut their doors. The closing was identified as another economic blow to Joliet, where stores including Carson's and Toys R Us recently suffered a similar fate.

The Real Deal reported that Ghaben’s plans for the Joliet Sears site have not been disclosed, but a car dealership would be a new redevelopment option.