Wayfair has eyes on the Windy City

2022.06.21

The Boston-based retailer has plans to open a 152,000-square-foot retail space in the Edens Plaza shopping center in Wilmette, Ill. This development would fill the vacant two-story building formerly home to Carson Pirie Scott, according to a press release issued by the Village of Wilmette.

WS Development, a privately held developer based in Massachusetts, purchased Edens Plaza and has executed a lease with Wayfair. Longtime home furnishings journalist Warren Shoulberg reported that the plan received final approval from the Wilmette Village Board in March after being approved in February by the village’s Appearance and Review Commission.

The Edens Plaza location will be the first to feature this brand-new retail concept for Wayfair, with plans for opening in mid-2023.

“Filling this strategic space has been a long-standing economic development priority of the Village Board, and we are thrilled that WS Development and Wayfair will help to reinvigorate Edens Plaza,” Village President Senta Plunkett said. “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for our community, and I am happy to welcome WS Development and Wayfair to Wilmette.”

WS Development plans to revitalize the shopping center with Wayfair at the core of this effort. The former Carson’s space, which has been vacant for four years, will be transformed into the new Wayfair space, and WS Development plans to invest in modern facade updates and landscape upgrades.

“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to bring a first-to-market experience to the community of Wilmette in Wayfair and to help steward the evolution of a place that’s served the community so well and for so long. We look forward to working with the Village to position Edens Plaza for its next chapter,” said Dick Marks, vice chairman and partner at WS Development.

Brick-and-mortar has been top of mind lately for Wayfair, as reports indicate it is planning to open a store near Philadelphia. It also recently opened an AllModern store near its hometown of Boston.

See also: Sneak a peek at Wayfair’s new AllModern store