Comments on: Harlem Irving Plaza; Norridge, Illinois

By: Jayne

Jayne — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:25:44 +0000

The deli is gone, Madigans was replaced by some stores (Limited/Express), the indoor walkway to Best Buy, and the parking lot between the mall and BB.

This mall is still thriving, and the expansion will only make it better.

By: Lisa J.

Lisa J. — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:42:26 +0000

Wow, I have not been to the HIP in years. I spent my last 2 years of school living in the area. I did work in the HIP for a bit also.
Swiss Colony was my 2nd job & I loved working in the mall. So convenient to be able to blow my while paycheck when on break!
I distinctly remember Madigans and Woolworths. I wonder if the deli is still there? They had the best pickles.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:48:16 +0000

In reference to the style of the Carson’s sign, the location at Ford City is the same kind of sign.

By: Nathan Bush

Nathan Bush — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:48:00 +0000

I saw this mall and I want to visit it. !!! It was nice to see a modernized Kmart (wish they would remodel a few here in Iowa…naming the University Ave. location in Clive (Des Moines suburb) for an example). I know the malls here in Des Moines are nice, but there is soooooo much empty space downtown (well not as much as exaggerated) but if anyone is familiar with The Plaza Downtown area on Locust (and I think it’s 6th or 5th Av maybe?) and it’s nice on the outside but when you go in there’s nothing….barely anyways…it’s not to be a mall per se but there are spaces available and would be awesome to throw a few in there. FedEx Kinko’s occupies a space with both a mall and store entrance…and this plaza connects to the city’s skywalk system, which would increase traffic in the latter area. Starbucks would make a great addition…especially in the night hours. Sorry i’m rambling this was supposed to be about Chicago right lol?

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:04:57 +0000

Kroger departed Chicago around 1970, but had been there sicne at least the 30s. Dominick’s bought their stores through two purchases; the latter one included the Northlake distribution center. Dominick’s bought about 70 stores, altogether, which was about 1/3 the number that Jewel or National had in the Chicago area at that time. One of the very last Chicago Kroger’s to open was on Broadway in Lakeview (it burned a few years ago, but had had a long life as a Dominick’s). Kroger did not make much of an investment in the Chicago area during the 60s and had only one or two SuperX drug stores (Super X stores accompanied most of their 1960s remodels or new builds). It would have been more typeical to find a Jewel and a National in a 1950s shopping center.

By: Allan M.

Allan M. — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:16:57 +0000

Should also add I remember when Walgreens anchored this mall, but not when Woolworth, W.T. Grant’s, Kroger, and Wieboldt’s anchored this mall. I was also slightly surprised to hear Kroger once anchored this mall, since the only stores they operate in the Chicago area anymore are a couple Food 4 Less stores that exist in suburban Chicago. Wieboldt’s, not so much, since they used to have dept. stores all over the Chicago area. (and evidenced by their wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieboldt’s )

As for Steven Swain’s question, the only time I see Carson Pirie Scott go by the Carson’s name is on their radio and TV ads. In addition, most people(including myself) call the store Carson’s for short, otherwise it still goes by the name Carson Pirie Scott.

By: Allan M.

Allan M. — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:53:06 +0000

Thanks for profiling this mall, Prange Way. I’ve been to this mall before, and always thought this mall was interesting, though also strange since it isn’t 2 stories like many other malls are(but has a large enough 1-story footprint to make up for that). Haven’t been here real recently though, since a friend told me about small changes done to this mall, such as close the arcade inside this mall, and add a Panda Express. Do hope though I can revisit here soon enough, since I’m in this area every once in a while.

Mike is right about this mall is soon going to expand north towards a parking lot and a LaSalle Bank building, since I recall reading that recently in one of the Chicago newspapers. I’d also be interested in knowing which Carson’s still have the older 1970s/80s(?) signage on them, since this is one of the few locations I can recall seeing it on(besides the former Lakehurst Mall location).

By: Mike (Norridge)

Mike (Norridge) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:27:48 +0000

It was a Venture.

The mall is expanding into an unused parking lot and a LaSalle Bank’s property.

By: Jonah Norason

Jonah Norason — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:16:29 +0000

Matt: Perhaps HIP can add an additional level on top of the existing mall.

By: SEAN

SEAN — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:02:48 +0000

I also saw the press release, checked out the development pipeline of projects as well. What an interesting development company , on the residential side.