New Electronics Store, hhgregg, Opening In Niles

Electronics and appliances retailer hhgregg is coming into the Chicagoland in a big way, launching 14 stores on Sept. 15.

The Niles store, which had its layout and displays in place Friday, is stocking merchandise and planning a soft opening Saturday. 

"We'll open the doors and start business," Noah Williams, the store's appliance sales manager, said Friday. He was standing in the store's brightly lit space, which had a mostly-white background with displays installed in blue, yellow and green shades.

"We'll get the new associates ready to go and go through our process to make sure everything works smoothly."

The store is filling a location at 5701 W. Touhy, Niles, where the defunct Circuit City once stood. While hhgregg will have competition from other big box stores as well as department stores and discount retailers, Williams says the company's strong suit is customer service.

"What differentiates us from other retailers is how we treat our customers," he said. "At other retailers, you don't necessarily have someone who knows the product inside out, and who greets you at the door."

Williams, who is originally from North Carolina, started as a sales associate at hhgregg which, when the Illinois stores are factored in, will have 204 stores, mostly in Midwestern and Eastern states. Williams relocated to Philadelphia to manage a store and has relocated again to work at the Niles store.

He notes hhgregg carries a large selection of flat panel TVs, computers, including laptops, tablets, notebooks and touchscreen PCs, a full range of appliances on display, an audio section featuring home theater, TV stands and entertainment centers and mattresses. It offers same-day and next-day delivery.

"Customers don't need another place to shop, they need another way to shop," Williams said. "We've become a self-service culture. 

"We carry name-brand products, we guarantee the best price, but what makes us different is the way we help customers."

The Niles store will have a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony at 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 15, followed by the official opening at 3 p.m.

Here's a complete list of the Chicagoland hhgregg stores which will have their grand opening on Sept. 15:

Gurnee: 6911 Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031

Vernon Hills: 555 E Townline Road Suite 19, Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Geneva: 710 Commons Drive, Geneva, IL 60174

Schaumburg: 1470 East Golf Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Downers Grove: 1508 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove, IL 60515

Bloomingdale: 340 West Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale, IL 60108

Arlington Heights: 35 West Rand Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Merrillville: 2757 East 81^st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410

Joliet: 3150 Tonti Drive, Joliet, IL 60431

Naperville: 460 South Route 59, Naperville, IL 60540

Orland Park: 1385 Orland Park Place Dr. #206, Orland Park, IL 60540

Niles: 5701 West Touhy Ave, Niles, IL 60714

Crystal Lake: 4483 US Route 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Norridge: 7100 W. Forest Preserve Ave, Norridge, IL 60706

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