Arlington Heights Welcomes New Businesses

The Annex of Arlington is experiencing a renaissance. La-Z-Boy recently moved in and Petco is coming soon.

The annex is about 68 percent occupied and will be 100 percent occupied soon, John C. Melaniphy, business and development coordinator.

“The economy dictates a lot of the growth,” Melaniphy said.

Whle the econmy has not perked entirely, Arlington Heights continues moving forward with economic development and creating a renaissance throughout the village.

In 2011, Arlington Heights had a very depressed rental rate and several retailers took advantage of that trend and were able to lease space at a significantly lower rental rates that helped reduce occupancy costs, he said.

Jersey Mike’s Subs, Binny’s Beverage Depot and Caribou Coffee came to town that year, renting space in different areas of the village in vacant spaces. “If you are going to expand in the Chicago market, this is a great time to be a tenant because landlords were willing to sacrifice rent to fill vacant space.”

There is a need to fill vacant spaces because “commercial blight leads to additional blight,” Melaniphy said.

This year looks bright for the village with some major businesses coming to town. Star Cinema Grill will be opening in the former Arlington Heights Theater.

 And the Bob Rohrman Auto Mall is continuing to make progress and should open later this year. It is one of the dealerships opening in that location.

 Auto dealerships are something the village wants to see because of the sales tax revenues generated, Melaniphy said.

While dealerships have struggled in recent years, the village finds creating a “critical mass of car retailers” draws consumers, he said.

The Napleton Dealership Group is opening at 1155 W. Dundee Road in April.

 “We think this is an automobile dealer that will continue to expand,” Melaniphy said.

A focus this year will be attracting more retailers along with light manufacturing. Melaniphy also wants to continue filling office space.  The village recently secured ITT Technical Institute to fill 25,000 square feet in an office building on Wilke Road.