dd's Discounts Disappears From North Ridge Plaza Sign

JOLIET, IL — If you were looking forward to a dd's Discounts store opening at the North Ridge Plaza along Larkin Avenue, then prepare yourself for some bad news. It now looks like dd's Discounts may not be expanding to Joliet, after all.

Back in February, Joliet Patch reported that a sign company had just installed a new marquee for dd's Discounts at the large shopping plaza along Larkin Avenue that also includes Office Max, Hobby Lobby and Ross Dress For Less.

At the time, one of the workers using a utility truck to install the sign told Patch he knew nothing about the plans for the dd's Discounts to open a storefront somewhere within the plaza. The worker told Patch that he was from out of town and he was sent to Joliet to update the sign marquee.

Joliet Patch later spoke with city of Joliet officials, and they were caught by surprise as well. They were not aware of plans for a dd's Discounts to open in Joliet at the North Ridge Plaza.

There are several dd's Discounts stores in Chicago and the Chicago area including one in Aurora.

The business website proclaims: "We have deals on everyday essentials like masks, hand sanitizers, baby necessities, cleaning products, tool sets, pet supplies and more."

When the dd's Discounts sign went up three months ago, the only major store vacancy at the North Ridge Plaza was the Marshall's that closed last year after opening its new store in Shorewood along Route 59 and Black Road.

This week, Joliet Patch returned to the plaza and noticed that the dd's Discounts sign has been removed from the North Ridge Plaza.

Although the dd's Discounts sign has been taken away, a sign for the BioLife Plasma Services has been added toward the top area of the business marquee.

Both the Vasa Fitness and the BioLife Plasma Services will be occupying the former Ultra Foods grocery store that closed a few years ago.

The opening of the Vasa Fitness health club is still likely many months away, but the BioLife Plasma Services looks like it will be opening very soon. There is a small sign in the parking lot for the business informing people that the BioLife Plasma Services is now hiring.

Additionally, the Joliet City Council approved plans last August for a Starbucks drive-thru. Construction for the new Starbucks on one of the outlots on Larkin Avenue has yet to happen.

If the prospects of bringing dd's Discounts to Joliet are history, that still leaves one remaining major vacancy at the North Ridge Plaza, the former Marshall's store.

What would you like to see open at this location?

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