Posts filed under 'closings'
November 5th, 2008
Saks Inc. announced plans today to discontinue its line of Club Libby Lu stores, one of which is located in the CherryVale Mall. All stores are expected to be closed by May 2.
Club Libby Lu caters to “tween” girls aged four to 12. The company acquired Club Libby Lu in 2003 and operates 78 stand-alone stores in malls nationwide and 20 Club Libby Lu store-in-stores within former Saks Department Store Group stores. The employees will be offered severance packages, according the company’s statement.Â
“Club Libby Lu is an innovative concept that was a better strategic fit with our traditional department store business,” said Steve Sadove, chairman and chief executive officer of Saks Inc. “Discontinuing the operations of Club Libby Lu is the appropriate decision so that we can focus 100 percent of our time and resources on executing the strategies of our core Saks Fifth Avenue business.”
October 30th, 2008
I’d been holding out hope that downtown martini bar Zambuca, 514 E. State St., was closed on a temporary basis. Not so much. Owner Peter Andreakos said he’s shut down for good.
Andreakos blamed the economy in Rockford for the closing and also said he’s been busy with plans to open a new optometry office in Madison. At this point, he’s got no plans for the space — he’s not putting it up for sale or lease, either.
Andreakos recently added a patio to the bar and was in a constant process of bringing new items to the menu.
October 17th, 2008
Beleaguered retailer Linens-N-Things has started to liquidate its stores as part of its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. Anyone driving near East State Street and Perryville Road this week likely saw the ubiquitous placards at the intersection advertising store-wide savings of 10 to 30 percent off at the 249 Deane Drive location. Expect those sales to get even deeper as time goes on.
The company had filed for bankruptcy protection in May and has already closed more than 100 stores. It had been under pressure from its creditors to rush closing its remaining 371 stores, according to court documents.
October 17th, 2008
Cannoli Cafe, 1620 N. Bell School Road, closed Oct. 5.The eatery opened in November 2005 in Bell School Plaza and offered pastries, sandwiches, coffees and teas.
The shopping center’s owner, Joe Verace, said he’s now marketing the space to interested clients. It seats 65 and has brand-new equipment included.
The store’s owner, Greg Sandahl, couldn’t be reached for comment. A second Cannoli Cafe location was planned for The District at CherryVale, the outdoor shopping area that recently opened at CherryVale mall, but it didn’t materialize.
September 25th, 2008
Lula’s Vintage Boutique, downtown’s source for vintage clothing and accessories, is closing by year’s end.
Slow business didn’t claim the store, however. Co-owner Luan Dean said she had become a destination for downtown shoppers.
“I could definitely stay open if I wanted to, but working six days a week and being a business owner, I just need a break,” she said. She’s not sure what her next business venture will be.
Dean said she’s having a going-out-of-business sale at the 221 E. State St. store, and plans to stay open until late November or early December. The store is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
September 24th, 2008
Get your Girlie Girl Shoes while you can. The boutique on the upper level of Edgebrook Center, 1641 N. Alpine Road, is closing its doors. According to an e-mail from the store sent to its customers, a clearance sale is ongoing through Oct. 4 with sales on fall merchandise and remaining summer stock. Bids are also being taken on the furnishings and decorations.
A farewell party will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 3 at the store.
September 5th, 2008
Two chain restaurants have shut their doors in recent weeks. Bakers Square, on Cherryvale Boulevard near the mall, shut down as of Aug. 26. Company representatives didn’t return calls for comment, but the restaurant’s corporate owners, Vicorp Restaurants Inc., have been going through bankruptcy proceedings.
Also, the Kentucky Fried Chicken, 2328 Charles St., has closed its doors. The chain is franchised, and representatives from the company didn’t return calls for comment. But the signs have been pried off the walls and handwritten signs announcing the store is closed lead me to believe it’s not shut down for some minor remodeling.
September 4th, 2008
Figli’s restaurant, 200 E. Riverside Blvd., closed this week for some retooling. New managers Joanne and Terry Carner are transforming the site to Northwoods Grill & Bar, which will retain some of the original bar atmosphere but also offer a setting conducive to sit-down dining.
Joanne Carner said the menu will include lots of fish entrees, plus steak, pork and lots of appetizers. The decor will be “outdoorsy,” inspired by the couple’s many trips to Wisconsin.
They’re planning a soft opening sometime next week, so stay tuned to the blog for more details.
September 3rd, 2008
The Monical’s Pizza at 1570 W. Lane Road in Machesney Park closed Aug. 20, according to information from the company. The franchise’s owner, Tom Geissler, opened the location in 2006.
September 3rd, 2008
Captured Moments Scrapbook Superstore, 6551 E. Riverside Blvd. in Loves Park, is closing its doors after nine years in business. Owner Laurie Fehlberg said she’s had the store up for sale, but several promising offers petered out in August. Plus, she’s engaged and plans to move to Wisconsin.
The store’s having a going-out-of-business sale now; Fehlberg said it will last until all or at least most of the merchandise is gone.
