BRADLEY – Last week, Mayor Mike Watson went on record indicating an ‘entertainment business’ was interested in occupying the former JCPenney building at Northfield Square. Based on the context, it’s anticipated a developer would come in to transform the location inside and out.
So who’s out there that could offer up this sort of revolutionary transformation to a three decade old commercial building? Which ones have a history of using former mall anchor locations and transforming them into something new and unique the surrounding community can enjoy?
Here are four companies currently expanding their footprints across the U.S. that have a history of filling former mall anchors we’d love to see settle in Bradley.
Dave & Busters
The Nationwide chain already has a footprint in Orland Park, some 43 miles from Bradley. A location directly off I-57 would offer a solid alternative for folks not willing to make that sort of commute. The company already has two locations less than 15 miles apart in the Chicagoland, so it doesn’t seem like that much of a stretch to us.
Round One Bowling and Amusement
Round One is a growing player in the entertainment industry in U.S.
It began in Japan and has over 100 locations now worldwide, with three now in Illinois in Peoria, North Riverside and Aurora.
The chain offers bowling, arcade games, kids’ zones and more. Looking at businesses in the area doing the same, it looks like a major corporate machine that could be more than ready to put a squeeze on local competitors trying to do the same.
Main Event Entertainment
With locations in Warrenville and Hoffman Estates, Main Event offers bowling, arcade games, laser tag, VR entertainment and billiards. While the exterior reminds us of a rogue Best Buy store, the interior offers up quality fun for both adults and kids alike.
Crayola Experience
The company has a history of sticking to cities with a population over 250,000 or larger including Chandler, AZ and Plano, TX, so the chances of this happening are next to nothing. Still, the idea of seeing a few giant crayons off the interstate would definatly inject a positive light on the area.
