Business Leaders Don't Expect Borders, Blockbuster Locations to Be Empty For Long

The book may be closing on one of Bolingbrook’s retail-giant bookstores, but village business leaders are optimistic that the space won’t be empty for long.

Borders, which announced in February it would shut down Bolingrook’s store amidst its bankruptcy woes, will close its doors for good by the first week in April—until then, all books and merchandise are up to 60 percent off.

The closing is just one of a handful of businesses leaving the village’s west side, .

But that’s not to say the location isn’t prime real estate.

Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar said several businesses have already drummed up interest for both the Blockbuster and Borders location.

Claar also said the village plans to announce the addition of two more stores along the Weber Road strip of retailers.

“We’ve had several businesses kicking the tires,” Claar said. “But there are also several new stores coming soon. We have two more that haven’t been announced yet—the leases have been signed.”

Mike Evans, the executive director of the , said the Blockbuster and Borders closings were just a matter of time and were not to be confused with the market.

“Irrelevant of recent trends in the economy, Borders and Blockbusters would have eventually closed their doors,” he said. “It’s very similar to ten years ago, where every shopping center had a Sam Goody and a Musicland or a CD Land. Those aren’t there anymore and they didn’t close their doors because of the recession. Those closed because there was no demand in the consumer market.

“The same goes for Blockbusters and Borders. The market can’t support the Borders’ and Barnes & Nobles’,” he said.

Evans said there are likely dozens of big-name retailers likely eying the soon-to-be empty retail spaces.

“I expect they will get leased,” Evans said. “Both of those locations have great leasing companies in charge of the property. And it’s a great corner … a very busy shopping center.”

One option for the Borders location could be Walmart's new Walmart Express concept, which is targeting 15,000-square-foot spaces similar to Borders'.

Both Evans and Claar said they had not heard from Walmart officials of moving to Bolingbrook. But according to a report, Walmart is looking to place its Express concept in rural markets and penetrate urban areas, including Chicago.