Patch Readers Share Town Center Wish Lists

Buffalo Grove residents’ ideas about what would be successful in Town Center are similar to those of experts who say that an anchor store, restaurants and entertainment venues would give the development a boost. 

When Patch asked readers for input on possible Town Center stores, comments poured in. A few people suggested children’s and women’s clothing stores. More people, however, said restaurants, a grocery store and entertainment centers, such as Pinstripes or a laser tag facility, would draw them to the area. 

Some, such as Patch reader Jilly, offered detailed plans.

“How about a nice coffee shop, NOT another Starbucks, that serves different gourmet coffees, teas and quality pastries, with space for local performers to play softly in the background as you sit at little bistro tables? And I agree with another poster that a Corner Bakery would be a wonderful addition as well,” she wrote.

Reader Eleanore Rathke suggested restaurants, as well as one retail shop, she’d like to frequent.

“I would love to see: Trader Joe's - Hallmark - Corner Bakery - Don's Dock. Now I have to go to Arlington Heights and Des Plaines to shop at those stores. Bring better and more interesting shops to Buffalo Grove!” she wrote.

Others noted the development’s limited visibility. While at the intersection of busy Lake-Cook Road and Route 83, the buildings are set back from the roads, which are lined with trees and obscured by other buildings.

“Westbound Lake Cook traffic view is blocked by the Shell station, Burger King and Boston Market and eastbound traffic by the "L-shape" of TC building (Versailles). Maybe a sign showing the businesses will help as most centers have them,” suggested Patch reader Lynn D.

Reader Ed Muldoon agreed, and offered another idea. 

“Alternatively, the entire Center should be rebuilt, inverted, with the shops on the rim for street visibility and parking and store entrance behind, like many new malls,” he wrote.

And then there was reader Jeff, who offered another suggestion for increasing visibility while providing an eye-catching village brand stamp.

“Love to get rid of that Shell station, one extremely busy place. The Shell unfortunately blocks the eye from the potential it could be. Imagine a massive buffalo on a large rock on the corner; it could be iconic if done right. Oh, people will come. People will most definitely come,” he wrote.

Find more input from community members at What's Missing from Town Center? and join the conversation, too!