What Happened to North Park Plaza Mall in Villa Park, IL?

Commercial Development and Retail Beginnings

North Park Plaza began its journey in 1973 in Villa Park, Illinois. The shopping center launched as an enclosed mall, covering 340,000 square feet. At the time, enclosed malls were the hallmark of suburban retail success, drawing shoppers into a climate-controlled environment with a variety of stores under one roof.

The mall initially featured 12 stores, with five anchor tenants leading the way. Robert Hall Village, a popular clothing store, occupied one of these key spaces. Dominick’s Finer Foods, a well-known grocery chain in the region, provided essential shopping options for residents. Another anchor, JCPenney, offered a wide range of goods, from apparel to home furnishings.

In its early years, North Park Plaza attracted a steady stream of shoppers from Villa Park and neighboring communities. The mall’s design followed the prevalent trend of the 1970s, where large indoor malls served as social and commercial hubs.

The opening of North Park Plaza coincided with a period of growth in Villa Park, Illinois, contributing to the town’s economy. It became one of the go-to places for things to do in Villa Park, IL, as residents and visitors alike explored the offerings within the mall’s walls.

However, as the years passed, the retail environment began to change, setting the stage for the mall’s evolving identity.

The Rise and Fall of Anchor Stores

In the 1980s and 1990s, North Park Plaza experienced changes that would reshape its future. Robert Hall Village, one of the original anchor stores, closed its doors.

Kmart quickly moved in, taking over the space and bringing its discount retail model to Villa Park. This change marked the beginning of a new era for the mall, as Kmart became a key draw for shoppers in the area.

However, the 2000s brought challenges. Kmart struggled with declining sales nationwide, and by 2000, it shut down its North Park Plaza location. This closure left a void in the mall, reducing foot traffic and leaving a large space unoccupied.

Around the same time, JCPenney also exited the mall in March 2001, signaling a downturn in the mall’s retail strength. Ames Discount Department Store briefly filled the JCPenney space in November 2001, but Ames’ bankruptcy in 2002 led to another closure.

HOBO, a home improvement outlet, eventually moved into the former Ames location, temporarily boosting the mall.

Dominick’s, the grocery chain that had been an anchor since the mall’s inception, closed its doors in the mid-1990s. The closure reflected broader changes in the grocery industry and the shifting dynamics of suburban shopping centers.

The space didn’t stay vacant for long; Fruit Market and later Staples filled the gap, but the loss of Dominick’s marked the end of an era for North Park Plaza.

Transition to a Strip Mall

As the original anchors left, North Park Plaza evolved from an enclosed mall into a more fragmented strip mall. By the mid-2000s, new tenants like Staples and Pet Supplies Plus joined the mall, taking over spaces vacated by earlier retailers.

In late 2014, Forman Mills opened a store in the mall, bringing discount apparel and home goods to the community. This addition provided some relief to the mall’s declining fortunes, attracting budget-conscious shoppers.

In 2016, the mall saw further changes. A new strip plaza was constructed on the property, bringing in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Firehouse Subs, and Dunkin’ Donuts. These national chains added a mix of dining options to the area, diversifying the offerings at North Park Plaza.

The strip mall model continued to shape the mall’s future. The once-enclosed shopping center had become a collection of smaller, more focused retail spaces. In August 2017, Wendy’s opened a location on the property, further solidifying the shift away from a traditional mall format.

In 2018, HOBO, the home improvement store that had replaced Ames, closed its doors. This closure marked another chapter in the mall’s decline. Retailers that once thrived in enclosed malls struggled to adapt to the new consumer preferences.

The transformation reflected the broader trends in retail, where convenience and accessibility became more important than the enclosed mall experience.

VASA Fitness in Villa Park, IL

VASA Fitness has become a cornerstone of the fitness community in Villa Park, IL. Located in the former HOBO spot, this gym offers a wide range of amenities and services designed to cater to all fitness levels.

VASA Fitness stands out for its comprehensive facilities, including state-of-the-art workout equipment, group fitness classes, and personal training services. The gym offers a variety of classes, such as Vinyasa Yoga, Zumba, and their signature Studio Red classes, which focus on high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

These classes are scheduled throughout the day to accommodate different lifestyles, whether you prefer early morning workouts or evening sessions.

One of the key attractions at VASA Fitness is the Studio Red experience, a high-energy group training program that combines intense cardio with strength training. This program is designed to push members to their limits, helping them achieve personal bests in a supportive environment.

Additionally, the gym provides specialized facilities like a sauna and steam room, which are popular among members for post-workout recovery and relaxation.

With amenities like basketball courts, aqua fitness, and even a kids’ club for child care, VASA Fitness has become a go-to destination for fitness enthusiasts in Villa Park. Its presence in North Park Plaza has helped revitalize the area, drawing in both local residents and visitors looking for top-tier fitness facilities.