Walter E. Smithe is set to move into the former Great Escape space at Edens Plaza, with an expected 2027 opening.
A once-vacant storefront at Wilmette’s Edens Plaza is set to get a major second life, with Walter E. Smithe planning a new showroom in the space previously occupied by The Great Escape.
Misryoum reports that village officials announced the furniture and design retailer’s plans during a Village Board meeting. pointing to Suite 390 as the intended location.. The company’s goal is to open in 2027. a timeline discussed alongside details about how the large. newly empty space would be updated.
The Great Escape’s departure from Edens Plaza in late 2025 helped create a rare opportunity: a large footprint that can reshape the tenant mix of the center.. After the meeting. Misryoum notes that business development planner Lisa Brosnan described the appeal of the space and suggested improvements were likely to make the storefront feel more inviting.
This matters for Wilmette residents and shoppers because Edens Plaza’s success depends on keeping momentum when large spaces turn over. A strong anchor-style tenant can stabilize foot traffic and encourage other businesses to take a closer look at what the center offers next.
In connection with the proposal. a letter sent to the village by Edens Plaza’s owner. WS Development. described intended interior and exterior modifications for the suite.. The submission package referenced in the announcement reflects the scale of the work expected to prepare the site for Walter E.. Smithe’s showroom.
Meanwhile, the mall has already been actively reshaping itself in recent years. Misryoum details how WS Development has previously filled major vacancies by reconfiguring large storefronts, including an earlier decision to break up the former Bed Bath and Beyond space into multiple units.
Since then. Edens Plaza has continued adding new names to its roster. including an established retail anchor arriving in the last few years and a stream of other businesses following.. Brosnan characterized the overall situation as “positive momentum,” emphasizing that the center’s growth has been steady rather than sudden.
For the community, the renewed focus on storefront design and tenant mix signals how local shopping centers are evolving: not just replacing what left, but upgrading what comes next. A showroom-style tenant can also change the rhythm of how people discover and spend time in the center.
Walter E. Smithe is also not new to the area, with a nearby location in Skokie. Misryoum reports that, in Skokie, the company continues operating there while the property owner has sought changes to allow new tenants, underscoring that the brand is actively planning its broader footprint.
As Edens Plaza moves toward a fresh chapter for Suite 390. the coming months will likely focus on approvals. construction. and the final fit between the space and the showroom concept.. If the timeline holds, 2027 could mark another visible sign that Wilmette’s retail landscape is continuing to adapt.