Journal Reporter

Value City Furniture Store should open a Golf Mill location by March, according to Gary Tittle, the company's vice president.

The confident announcement from the Columbus, Ohio-based furniture giant ends almost one year of haggling and frustration that stalled and nearly blocked Golf Mill's acquisition of Value City.

Tittle said in June that he had anticipated a July 2004 opening date, but several delays and nearly $400,000 later the company is establishing another kick-off date.

"We're now on the final stages," he explained Friday, "everything for the most part has been worked out and we're just waiting for some paperwork."

Value City officials must review a document from Golf Mill's management company -- General Growth, explained Tittle, then sign the papers before the deal is finalized.

The shopping center's marketing director, Pat Pierce, referred all questions on the pending agreement to Value City's front office.

"We're hoping to open in March," Tittle said noting that construction could begin this week. "Everything looks good," he added.

The proposed 52,000 square foot Value City would sit between the Kohl's and Sears department stores in Golf Mill's north end. Earlier this year the 18 smaller shops that occupied the north end relocated to the mall's south side. According to Tittle, a wall of glass would face Milwaukee Avenue displaying the store's interior. Renovating Value City's proposed spot in Golf Mill will cost the company a reported $3 million.

During the first half of 2004, officials from Golf Mill and the Village of Niles spoke confidently about the proposed furniture store. In June, however, the Journal learned that Value City had placed the project on temporary hold.

The north end anchor stores, it was reported, held some sway over the leasing agreement and at least one store had not OK'd the contract with Value City. Golf Mill's north side anchor stores include Kohl's, Sears and Target. J.C. Penney, located on the south end, is the mall's fourth anchor store.

Creating a Niles location coincides with the opening of a Value City in Arlington Hts. Store officials have said both new stores begin an effort to expand north in the Chicago area beyond O'Hare Airport.