Lincolnwood Town – Lincolnwood officials say the mall is not closing immediately, but the site will be demolished in phases as redevelopment moves forward.
A long-familiar retail landmark at the edge of Chicago’s north boundary is slipping toward its next chapter, as Lincolnwood prepares to dismantle Lincolnwood Town Center in stages.
The 36-year-old shopping plaza has been steadily losing tenants, with rising vacancies that have left fewer storefronts operating.. While some online chatter has suggested the mall would shut down on Friday. village officials said that is not the case.. Instead. they described a gradual wind-down over the coming months tied to a broader redevelopment effort for the property at 3333 W.. Touhy Ave.
For shoppers and workers, the timeline is likely to feel uneven. Some smaller stores are expected to close soon, and uncertainty continues around the future of Kohl’s, the center’s biggest remaining department-store anchor.
In this context, Lincolnwood’s decision to move forward matters because it reflects a wider shift in how communities are managing struggling retail corridors. Instead of waiting for a last-minute turnaround, officials are planning for what comes next, even as familiar brands navigate the transition.
Lincolnwood passed an ordinance on April 21 laying out a phased demolition approach. with the first phase expected to begin later in May.. That initial step would target the mall’s southern portion, once home to Harlem Furniture and The RoomPlace.. Village leaders characterized the measure as a “nonbinding roadmap. ” allowing the town or developer to exit the arrangement while emphasizing cooperation and good-faith progress.
Under the ordinance. demolition is tied to permitting and approval milestones. including requirements for zoning finalization by November and a separate timeline for a building permit related to a large retailer by April 2027.. The plan also calls for letters of credit or cash deposits of $1.5 million provided through the construction phases.
Another key question is what replaces the mall.. The site’s ownership includes Prairie Ridge Development and XR Advisors, which took over the 35-acre property in December 2025.. A proposal from the development team points to a new mix of uses. including a big-box discount store. a car dealership. and smaller commercial space. while excluding warehouses or office space.
However, the proposed direction may face hard competition from nearby retail already positioned for value-focused shoppers. Lincolnwood officials said they are working with the development team but would not disclose whether specific retailer discussions are underway.
Phasing will continue beyond the first demolition stretch, with additional work expected in later phases as remaining large tenants depart.. The ordinance indicates that the second phase would cover the midsection. potentially beginning this summer when Old Navy is expected to leave. while the final phase includes Kohl’s.
In the end, Misryoum sees the story as more than one mall’s decline. It signals how local governments, property owners, and major retailers are increasingly forced into long, complex negotiations when traditional mall models no longer match how Americans shop.