Could Walmart Come to Deerbrook?

Could Walmart take its North Shore wish from Northbrook to Deerfield?

Walmart had been seriously considering a store at 1000 Skokie Valley Road in Northbrook but withdrew its application with that village after its Plan Commission placed a number of restrictions on any potential zoning change.

Deerbrook Mall has enough vacant space to accommodate a Wal-Mart and the shopping center at the intersection of Waukegan and Lake Cook Roads has been looking for solutions to fill its available space.

More than 18 months ago, Deerbrook proposed changes to move Jewel into the space vacated by Best Buy, move T.J. Maxx into a renovated Jewel space and eliminate the interior of the mall. That problem ran into a snag when Jewel was sold.

Deerbrook had proposed certain tax concessions to the Village Board of Trustees and Deerfield was giving it a serious look before uncertainty arose over the future of Jewel. Once new ownership took control of Jewel, mall management indicated the grocery chain needed 90 days to decide what it would do with its Deerbrook store. That was nearly six months ago.

Though Walmart could jump at the chance, it will not be easy to take up residence at Deerbrook, according to a story in the Northbrook Star. With lease renewals, Jewel could remain for 15 years and keep another grocery store out. Sears controls the former Wonder! space continuing to pay rent. Would it try to keep Walmart from taking it?

Even if Jewel and Sears agreed, would there be room for the two of them and Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, which got the final go ahead to move into Cadwell Corners located diagonally across from Deerbrook?

Walmart has never approached Deerfield to come into town, according to a statement by Village Manager Kent Street in the Northbrook Star Story. “As of today’s date, they have not reached out to us to locate in Deerfield,” he said in the story. “We really have high hopes for this center. It’s a great location, and we want to help make it work.”