Business & Tech

Change Coming to Palatine's Rand Road Corridor

Harley Davidson, Caputo's and Arlington Toyota are all expanding, and Palatine is taking steps to attract more development.

A number of businesses along the Rand Road corridor are expanding, and new businesses are being sought to fill vacant spots between Hicks and Dundee Roads.

At the Monday village council meeting, Arlington Toyota at 2095 N. Rand Road received approval to demolish a portion of the self-serve car wash located adjacent to the south end of the showroom.

“The changes will provide additional and much needed storage area for more vehicles, which will allow for expansion of the dealership,” Village Manager Reid Ottesen said.

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Joe Caputo and Sons at 2070 N. Rand Road is nearing completion on an expansion. Part of the retail space in the Foxfire strip mall near Hicks and Rand Road was demolished to make way for the 9,000 square foot addition.

City Limits Harley Davidson, currently housed at 2200 N. Rand Road just north of Hicks Road, also will be expanding its operations. It will be moving down the street to 2001-2015 N. Rand Road, across from Foxfire Condominiums. Ottesen said the motorcycle retailer will be tripling its size and is expected to open the doors of its new location by end of summer.

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Steps also are being taken to fill vacant spaces along the corridor.

The village council approved an extension of the contract with Bradford Real Estate Companies, the broker that was hired in 2009 to market properties such as the old Menard's building at 1775 N. Rand Road. Bradford’s contract was extended until May 2012.

“Bradford has had good contacts and hopefully something will come forward in the next year,” Ottesen said.

The broker is charged with finding a permanent occupant for the former Menard’s building which Wolff’s Flea Market operates in. If a permanent commercial or retail business is found, the lease with Wolff can be terminated in three months.

“We continue to get a good amount of businesses interested in the nearly 10-acre property, but nothing has materialized yet,” Ottesen said.

Bradford is responsible for bringing Bridgestone Retail Operations to Palatine. The tire retailer is planning to build a store on the property adjacent to Tore and Lukes restaurant.

“We have a letter of intent from the company and are waiting for a contract,” Ottesen said.

Another large and vacant property is the building formerly inhabited by Idol’s Bar and Grill. The bar closed its doors in November 2010 after the owner’s liquor license was revoked by the village.

Ottesen said though there has been no movement in the last several months, CVS Pharmacy is a potential business for the building at the corner of Rand and Dundee.

“We’ve clearly stabilized and we’re doing well despite the economy,” Ottesen said.


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