Best Buy in Matteson is Closing Down on May 12th (Chicago: hotel, construction)

[linicx]

What I saw in various states, and what I see in downstate, is venues moving away from the sterile malls that opened in the 60s to what used to be called the "outdoor mall". It is a well designed trendy collection of mixed venues, with parking outside the door, that is located on a large expanse of land. It is 10 times larger than the strip malls or shopping centers, and it contains more stores than the old mall. It beats parking and walking a mile inside the mall to my favored store.

The truth is if you live long enough you see many of your favorite stores close and be recycled. .

[urza216]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

No, not much on Halsted.

Target
Menards
Home Depot
Best Buy
Kohl's
JoAnn Fabrics
Jewel
Bed Bath & Beyond
Kmart
Office Max
Petco
Buffalo Wild Wings
Starbucks
Boston Market

That's not very much at all.. If I were to actually take the time to list all the big box stores and resturants in Matteson, it will be more than three times as long. And saying only "three times" is being incredibly nice to Halsted. And then if we listed how many chains were near Orland Square, forget about it..

Halsted is healthy and thriving. It is in Homewood, after all. But there's not a whole lot there..

[Drover]

Originally Posted by linicx

What I saw in various states, and what I see in downstate, is venues moving away from the sterile malls that opened in the 60s to what used to be called the "outdoor mall". It is a well designed trendy collection of mixed venues, with parking outside the door, that is located on a large expanse of land. It is 10 times larger than the strip malls or shopping centers, and it contains more stores than the old mall. It beats parking and walking a mile inside the mall to my favored store.

The truth is if you live long enough you see many of your favorite stores close and be recycled. .

They're not "outdoor malls" any more, they're "lifestyle centers."

[prairiestate]

Originally Posted by urza216

That's not very much at all.. If I were to actually take the time to list all the big box stores and resturants in Matteson, it will be more than three times as long. And saying only "three times" is being incredibly nice to Halsted. And then if we listed how many chains were near Orland Square, forget about it..

Halsted is healthy and thriving. It is in Homewood, after all. But there's not a whole lot there..

Actually, the list wouldn't be much longer in Matteson. You could add Sears, Carson's, Penny's, and Wal Mart (which is right down the street from Homewood in Glenwood). Toys R Us, Ross Dress for Less, Sports Authority. That doesn't even double the number of stores. Otherwise, the stores are pretty much the same, or their equivalent (Petsmart vs. Petco). Several of those stores in Homewood (and I forgot TJ Maxx), left Matteson for Homewood.

[urza216]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

Actually, the list wouldn't be much longer in Matteson. You could add Sears, Carson's, Penny's, and Wal Mart (which is right down the street from Homewood in Glenwood). Toys R Us, Ross Dress for Less, Sports Authority. That doesn't even double the number of stores. Otherwise, the stores are pretty much the same, or their equivalent (Petsmart vs. Petco). Several of those stores in Homewood (and I forgot TJ Maxx), left Matteson for Homewood.

There is no equivilent to Cracker Barrel over there, for one. A place to get breakfast after 3AM.. Tobacco Plus and Red Lobster are two more. Fedex AND UPS locations are in Matteson. Since you included Glenwood, I honestly think Halsted should be compared to everything between I-57 and Hiltop Avenue in Chicago Heights on Lincoln Highway. You know, everything between I-57 and Ultra Foods. After all, it was the Ultra Foods and Food 4 Less down the street that contributed to Jewel's demise. So Lincoln Highway also has two discount grocery stores and a movie theater. No equivalent.

The stretch of land on Lincoln Highway is almost twice as long. And the space is just more built up. This is why there is more there. Yes, I know Matteson has empty storefronts but these empty storefronts aren't gonna be too noticeable for a casual observer just passing through..

[prairiestate]

Actually, there is a Fedex store in Homewood. And there's a Chili's, which isn't in Matteson. So yes, they seem pretty comparable at this point. There's probably a tobacco store too, but I'm talking about big box stores and chain restaurants that highlight a significant shopping destination. I think it would be hard for the casual visitor not to notice all the vacant boxes in Matteson.

[allen2323]

If the goal is to promote area growth and residents able to enjoy quality retail, restaurants, and entertainment establishments. Then it would make sense for quality retail, restaurants, and entertainment establishments to be more spread out in the heavily traveled areas like matteson, homewood, and country club hills. For one, if the far southern suburbs is going to continue to grow as a middle class racially diverse area then much more in the lines of quality entertainment establishments in majority black middle class neighborhoods like matteson that cater to young black professionals and black middle class families would make the far south suburbs more appealing. Bar Louie opening in matteson was a very good step in the right direction for matteson. It's a very popular establishment that attracts a good professional and middle class crowd. It's the first entertainment venue of it's kind catering to this crowd in the far southern suburbs. They are expanding it to two levels next month to include an upscale club.

As far as which neighborhood is better between matteson and homewood. Who really cares. That's what diversity is all about. Having choices that cater to the entire demographic that live in the area. And also having quality establishments that cater to everyone. Both areas are somewhat the same and also somewhat different and should be able to cater to all demographics. When I go into the panera bread in matteson. The patrons are atleast 60/40 between black and white. The same for five guys and starbucks, Carsons, and jcpenneys. The only Red Lobster and olive garden in the far southern suburbs is in matteson. Majority of the auto dealerships in the far southern suburbs are located in matteson. I like living around and hanging out in both neighborhoods. And know people living in both homewood and matteson. Homewood has a lot of charm. Matteson on the other hand is more indicative of current middle class growth patterns in the far southern suburbs and has seen the most middle class population growth out of any neighborhood in the far southern suburbs. Matteson seeing middle class residential growth is a net positive far all of the far southern suburbs, including homewood.

Matteson's population was 11,920 in 1990. And as of 2010 is 19,009. The median family income in matteson is currently $74,608. The median family income in homewood is $87,843 . Majority of those new middle class residents moved to matteson from outside of the area. So that is a huge net positive in midddle class residents living in the far southern suburbs. I don't think neither homewood or matteson can be described as anything but middle class. Maybe you should actually drive through some of the newer large subdivisions in matteson such as Newbury Estates and get a first hand look at the growth.

[urza216]

"Everything's closing down in Matteson. It's gonna be the new Chicago Heights"

My friend reading over my shoulder just said this. And no, Allen, he's not white..

Nor do I agree with him, for that matter. I have a little more hope for the future. The first step to creating a better future is admitting the challenges that face us..

[urza216]

Originally Posted by allen2323

Bar Louie opening in matteson was a very good step in the right direction for matteson. It's a very popular establishment that attracts a good professional and middle class crowd.

Really, Allen? Look, me and my boys have been to that sports bar and grill twice since it opened. I plan on going alone on nights when I work till midnight.. But last time I was there, we walked by a car in the parking lot with HUGE custom chrome rims with black accents. I'm not gonna lie, it looked pretty tight. The windows rolled down and the place reeked of marijuana smoke as they listened to their tunes with the bass up high.. Nothing wrong with that. I'm not a "good professional" and neither were the people in that car, haha. The security guards on Friday night were jerks. I tried to walk in and out with my phone like three times and they said "Hey, my man. You can't be coming in and out like that. This a business." At the door, they told me to put my knife back in the car. I'm not complaining about it. I'm just saying it ain't no country club. It's a sports bar and grill in Matteson..

[allen2323]

I like it. I have no idea where you like to hang out. But the crowd looks similar to what I see when going to trendy places that I like to hang out at in the city. It's a classy looking place. One of the few spots in the southern suburbs where black women actually hang out in large numbers. Great place to take your date or meet someone if you are single. And I think it's great to finally have at least one decent establishment like that out here that caters to that particular crowd. Other than having to drive to the city all of the time for that. Although as I said the far southern suburbs has very little in the line of quality entertainment establishments. So that is much welcomed in my opinion.