Glen Ellyn Downtown Retail Occupancy Rates Rise

Despite continuing challenges in the greater economy, the Glen Ellyn downtown retail core is showing signs of strength with the year to date occupancy rate now at 88.2 percent.

Occupancy rates continue to trend upward from 86.1 percent at the end of 2009 and 86.6 percent in 2010.  

“This has been a positive year for new retail and restaurant activity in the downtown,” said Janie Patch, executive director of the Glen Ellyn Economic Development Corporation (EDC). 

A new anchor retailer opens their doors next week – Marcel’s Culinary Experience at 490 N. Main Street is a gourmet kitchen store offering cooking classes, fine cookware, kitchen tools, tableware and specialty foods. 

“Recruiting a kitchen store had been a top priority for downtown Glen Ellyn,” said Patch.  “The retail kitchen niche helps to diversify the downtown store mix.  We believe the cooking classes will add a highly desirable entertainment and learning value, and encourage high-frequency visits and further strengthen our already successful downtown.”

Other adds in recent months include the new pan-Asian and sushi bar restaurant Asian Pearl, sports and live entertainment venue Cantina restaurant, vintage shop Gather and Collect, high-end brands women’s apparel reseller, The Swap Shop, and a new bridal boutique, Veiled by ChaCha. 

Retention has also been strong in the past year with several retailers --  MandEms’s, Larc Jewelers and Enchantments -- repositioning for growth through relocations within the downtown and expanding their retail floor area.  In addition, Costello Jewelry Company invested in a significant interior remodeling to update their customer experience.

“The vitality of our downtown has caught the attention of new businesses considering Glen Ellyn,” said Patch.  “The business prospects I’ve talked to are definitely tuning in to the positive business climate.”