Charlestowne Mall, or What's Left of It

The Charlestowne Mall, circa 2013

I just had one of the creepiest experiences as a Postgrad in Suburbia.  As I was taking a phone call, I ended up turning east onto Route 64.  As the road was under construction, my choices were quite limited regarding getting back downtown; and I decided to turn around at a location that at one point was a booming hangout for local teens: The Charlestowne Mall.  The last time I visited this location, I was roughly 16 and went there with a few friends to hang out in the food court and shop for various items.  Packed with people, I thought that nothing could happen to it, and it was much cooler than Westfield Fox Valley or the Geneva Commons.

Seven years later, things have certainly changed.  Currently home to 18 stores, many of which are not open on weekdays; the Charlestowne Mall is apparently a prime victim of the times.  As I walked through the gated venues, I wondered about what happened.  Understood the location did not really have a competitive edge for foot traffic, or anything besides Von Maur to differentiate it from any other location; but really, 18 stores?

But my real question, what can be done with the Charlestowne Mall?  A few things will open, a Sushi Buffet (cannibalizing the other sushi shop), an ice rink, and probably a few things open for Christmas season; but where will that take them? 

I've heard the city wants to create Section-8 housing at the location, Tear certain parts of it down to add an outdoor/outlet mall style vibe, build a University Extension with dorms and classrooms, or even tearing it down to create a Downtown Naperville style Riverwalk with stores.  A full PDF of what some residents want to do with the Charlestowne Mall can be found here.

Many of those ideas are great for the right people, but who would I be to admit they are right?  I like many of their ideas, especially trying to rebrand it through addition of niche restaurants and stores not available to the current market; but that will get them so far.  I also like the idea of adding a Gameworks, but why not take it even farther?

There is already a theater, a mini-golf location, a proposed ice rink, and the proposed Sushi Buffet; but all of those are on the lower level.  What can they do with the upper level? Why not make a location similar to an indoor French Quarter or Beale Street, in which the area is closed off; open containers are allowed, and walkways or shuttles to local hotels are provided?  Each bar would have a theme, and different venues would have different types of entertainment.

Or as a short-term plan, why not turn it into a haunted house?  The mall is so vast and already eerie. They could create a society similar to Fallout.  Open "shops" that have absolutely nothing left, and people to jump out and scare people.  It would be like Detroit, but without the travel or murder.

What are your ideas for the future of the Charlestowne Mall?

Pride of the Fox, A St. Charles Tradition

I have already talked about Swedish Days, the Geneva festival that has drawn a crowd and is something of which I can speak highly due to my personal experiences.  However, as festival season opens in the suburbs, another long standing tradition, Pride of the Fox, is opening today in St. Charles.

Already making local news, Pride of the Fox opened last night amid controversy between The St. Charles Festival Committee and Pride of the Fox LLC.  A well written article by Tim Schnell of the Geneva Patch (2 St. Charles Groups Clash over Pride of the Fox Riverfest) touches base on the arguments provided by both sides, along with the growth that each claims to have provided. Pride of the Fox LLC ultimately provided information allowing it to gain reinstatement an run the festival yet again.

The festival itself opened last night with a carnival, one that runs all weekend long, at the corner of IL Route 31 and Cedar.  Including many free events throughout the weekend, such as the Kane County Swat Team performing an explosives demo on Friday behind the Riverwalk and various concerts sponsored by the Arcada Theatre.

The artists performing on the Main Stage on Friday include last year's Battle of the Bands Winner, The Skelters, performing a funk blend; 28 Days, providing both covers and originals; and Modern Day Romeos, a Chicagoland band with a long history.  Saturday evening's concerts include the Battle of the Bands (winner plays Pride of the Fox 2014), 1 Sam 10, The Hat Guys, and Mike and Joe.  Closing it out on Sunday will be On Tap, The Homewreckers, and Billy Croft & the Five Alarm.

Among the music; there will be bags challenges, food offerings, line dancing lessons, and a beer garden each night.  Furthermore, additional games will include Bingo with a Twist and Trivia with a Twist.

Personally, I have not gotten a chance to indulge in the Pride of the Fox in years past, but with the offerings available; I feel that there will be opportunities to check out a few local artists, drink some beers, and close out my night at Beehive Tavern or River Rockhouse

Biggby Coffee, and Why its Entrance into Suburban Chicago is a Big Deal

During the first few months after graduation, many suburban postgrads spend a good time looking for jobs.  If you are anything like me, sitting at home is one of the least productive things that can be done.  With so many distractions in the home, 4 hours of job applications can turn into 8 hours of organizing your room, sitting on Twitter (unless you're following me), and preparing the perfect lunch dish found on StumbleUpon or Pinterest.  This being said, 5 applications later; it somehow becomes 11:30 at night and you feel more unproductive than syllabus week.

Enter the beauty of the unbiased location used to accomplish work.  Everyone has one, be it a library, bar with WiFi (more on this beautiful idea later), or my personal favorite; the coffeeshop.  Over the past 4 months, I have developed a map of different locations so as not to become a regular at one specific coffeeshop.

Enter Biggby Coffee, a coffee chain founded in Michigan in the mid-90s; and has been expanding across the Midwest ever since.  During my college years, I was always a fan of Biggby for their interesting color schemes and change of pace environment.  If I ever needed to get something done, Biggby was the prime location, and I can attribute my successes in Calc II and Business Law to its existence.

Biggby already has a location in Arlington Heights, just opened a location in St. Charles, and I expect an uptick in openings after the recent Caribou Coffee closings.  A friendly environment and the ability to earn free drinks with the Biggby Card, along with good areas to work or socialize; there is no better place for a recent graduate in suburban Chicago to get necessary things accomplished.

In conclusion, there are many options in Suburban Chicago for coffee, but if you need a change of pace and are in the North or West Suburbs, I recommend heading over to Biggby and enjoying a cup and a sense of accomplishment.