Suburban downtowns -- where, how many? (Evanston, Lake Forest: offer, community, buy)

[Drover]

I think it also stands to reasons that towns that existed before they became part of suburbia will tend to have more traditional downtown cores. A handful of suburbs were incorporated before Chicago was: St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Naperville to name a few. Not coincidentally, they all have traditional downtown cores.

[illinoisboy]

What about Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, and Wheaton? They all have nice downtowns. Almost every Chicago suburb has someplace that they like to call they're "downtown." An example would be Roselle. A few years ago, they built a small strip of stores along the train tracks next to Roselle Road, and called it they're "downtown." They have been having a hard time getting businesses to open up, because, I think, they haden't built it by the actual train station. Bloomingdale, also, has their Old Town, wich I guess would qualify for a downtown, too. It is a mix of historical buildings and buildings made to look like their old. They have a hard time, too attracting businesses, but they do host many festivals during the year in the Old Town park, which gives the busnesses that are there a little boost. At least for a day.

[Paige65]

Originally Posted by HockeyFan

So... hopefully this thread can be a discussion of suburban downtowns -- some discussion about what's there, what purpose they serve (retail, restaurant/bar, entertainment, housing, etc), and how busy they are.

Thanks!

Highland Park has a fabulous downtown. It has a solid mix of local retail (really too many to list, but some notables include Uncle Dan's Outfitters, Betts, E Street, Lori's Shoes, Confection Connection, Paper Source, Forest Bootery, Jolie Maison, Cheeky, Ross Drug Store, Addesso), and national retail (Saks Fifth Avenue, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Ann Taylor, Talbot's, L'Occitaine, Borders, Williams Sonoma, Smith and Hawken, Joseph A. Bank, The Right Start). Restaurants range from Potbelly, Corner Bakery, Rosebud, Cosi, Chipotle, and Dairy Queen, to several very good locally owned restaurants (Cafe Central, Sushi Kushi, Hot Tamales, Lincolnshire Gourmet, Norton's, Citi Park Grill, Michaels, Bella Via, Stash's, New York Slices, Walker Brothers). There is a second run movie theatre (Highland Park Theater) and an independent "artsy" theatre (Landmark Renaissance Place).

Highland Park also has something called Late Night HP. The downtown area stays open late on Friday nights with musicians at many of the venues (mostly restaurants), including the plaza across from Border's.

It's a great blend of old and new architecture, and national retail and local boutiques. I think HP was really on the forefront of revitalizing their downtown area, which seemed to begin in earnest about 15 years ago. Given the number of merchants, it's fairly compact and very walkable. It's big without being too big, or feeling too big or out of place. Most of the main drag along Central Avenue consists of pre-war architecture, with a mix of other buildings along the route.

There is also quite a bit of housing, both rental and condo (some above storefronts). The larger condo buildings are on the perimeters of the downtown, but all within walking distance. Most of the condo buildings, many built in the last 10 years or so, were done well.

For a town of its size (about 30,000) I think it's one of the best in the suburbs.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Paige65

Highland Park has a fabulous downtown.

...

For a town of its size (about 30,000) I think it's one of the best in the suburbs.

Do you think Ravinia crowds help keep downtown Highland Park going? I know Ravinia Park is a bit far from the downtown, but the concerts definitely bring people to Highland Park from all over Chicagoland.

[Paige65]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Do you think Ravinia crowds help keep downtown Highland Park going? I know Ravinia Park is a bit far from the downtown, but the concerts definitely bring people to Highland Park from all over Chicagoland.

No, I don't think so. The season is too short (if you exclude the low attendance Martin Theatre nights) and generally, people who park in the downtown area for the shuttles are pretty focused on getting the shuttle and getting to the concert. I bet most don't take the opportunity to roam around and spend money. No facts or figures to back that up. Also, the majority of people are bringing their own food to participate in the whole Ravinia "experience", and while local restauranteurs probably get a boost from those concert goers that have pavilion seats and aren't doing the whole lawn thing, I don't think it's probably a huge boost. Again, I don't know that for sure. Obviously, having the Ravinia Festival is nothing but positive for the community, and I'm sure many merchants benefit to varying degrees, but I'm not sure if it's enough to keep the downtown going.

What I do think is that people who are shuttling from downtown to Ravinia may see the downtown and think it looks lively and interesting and that may make them consider coming back to shop and/or dine. I also think part of what keeps HP going is the fact that it sort of established itself early as "the" downtown of the North Shore (the downtown is bigger because the community is larger), so lots of neighboring residents from Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield and Lake Forest, shop there as well. While I like all that it has to offer, sometimes it's a little too crowded. But, you take the good with the bad!

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by illinoisboy

Almost every Chicago suburb has someplace that they like to call they're "downtown."

I dont think Carol Stream and Hanover Park have anything that remotely resembles a downtown.

Other honorable mentions: Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Richmond, Long Grove, Elburn, West Chicago, Warrenville, Joliet, Winfield.

[HockeyFan]

Thanks for all the replies -- it certainly seems that downtown areas are more prevalent in Chicago suburbs than they are in many metro areas. Ideally, a suburban downtown would have a mix of retail, bar/restaurant, residential, office space -- basically, somewhere you can walk from place to place, street front businesses, and it's nice if there's some larger shopping areas. One thing I like in suburban downtown -- I'm far more into the average, down-to-earth type of places -- JCPenney over Saks, Bennigan's over expensive restaurants.

I will definitely look these up -- unfortunately, I can not find that Chicago Tribune article. If anyone comes across it, could you please post a link here? Thanks!

[Lookout Kid]

In rural areas the bare minimum for a "downtown" is a post office, a bar, and a bowling alley. If there's no bowling alley, it's not a real downtown. Period.

Kidding, of course.

[chet everett]

I wonder how many downtowns today do have bowling alleys?

Besides Chicago and Downers Grove I am hard pressed to think of any that are truly within walking distance of the actual "downtown", maybe you could walk to the alley in Wilmette, but it'd be a long walk...

[skyeINIL]

Lansing's bowling alley is a little less than a mile from it's downtown area. A nice walk when the weather is good.