Journal & Topics Media Group

Hobby Lobby Opening In Niles

Craft Store To Fill Sports Authority Space; Milwaukee Oakton Site Under Contract

Several vacant retail stores in Niles may soon be filled by new tenants, although some details are as yet unclear.

Hobby Lobby is moving into the former Sports Authority store on Dempster Street just west of Harlem Avenue. Construction crews are currently in the space building it out. Ross Klicker, Niles economic development coordinator, said although Hobby Lobby officials would like to see the new store open in time for the Christmas holiday shopping season, it is not likely to open before the start of the new year.

The former Toys R Us at the corner of Golf Road and Milwaukee Avenue was sold by Toys R Us LLC at auction in late August to 2016 TRS Trust LLC, another subsidiary of the company, Klicker said. Both the Toys R Us and a Babies R Us store on Touhy Avenue in Niles closed earlier this year as part of Toys R Us bankruptcy process.

Recent media reports say the hedge fund Solus Alternative Asset Management and Angelo Gordon & Co., who own the remnants of Toys R Us, canceled further sales of Toys R Us and Babies R Us intellectual and physical properties. Reports say hedge fund managers told the judge overseeing Toys R Us bankruptcy, the Toys R Us and Babies R Us brands would be more profitable if they were relaunched.

Klicker confirmed the former Riggio’s restaurant property at Oakton Street and Milwaukee Avenue has a potential purchaser. Although tight lipped about any details, Klicker did confirm the Riggio’s property is under contract for sale. He said the closing on the property is not expected until after the start of the new year.

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