Grand Opening of The Arboretum of South Barrington to
Celebrate Unique Ambiance, Retailers Sept. 26-28
SOUTH BARRINTON, IL – (JULY 25, 2008) The grand opening of The Arboretum of South Barrington has been announced for Sept. 26-28, with a festive weekend to celebrate a new 600,000 square-foot lifestyle center that has been anticipated since its groundbreaking in May 2007. Final touches are now underway to ensure an abundance of treescapes and native gardens, and prepare for a unique line-up of retailers that will include everything from a premiere luxury cinema and Italian bocce courts to a French creperie and chocolate/wine bar, to name just a few.
According to Michael Jaffe, principal of The Jaffe Companies, owner and developer of The Arboretum, about $1 million is being devoted to the grand opening. "We want to properly introduce the project as one of the most important new retail developments in the Chicago area in terms scale, retail offerings, and ambiance," he says. He explains that an unprecedented budget for landscaping has given the open-air center a rich, park-like atmosphere, and the scope of retailers adds a sense of exclusivity, several of them establishing their first Chicago or Midwest stores here.
Grand opening events will begin with an unveiling ceremony on Friday morning, Sept. 26, and continue through Sunday Sept. 28, each day featuring live music, kids' activities, strolling entertainers, exhibitions, and some exciting surprises. Highlighting the weekend will be a headline concert and fireworks display on Saturday evening, Sept. 27. In addition, there will be a series of events benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Ron Santo Walk. Details on grand opening events will be announced as they are confirmed.
"This is a lifestyle center unlike any other," Mr. Jaffe says. "It's a special place that is introducing a new level of dining, shopping, and entertainment in a great community, giving families an exceptional experience right here in Chicagoland.
Construction & Landscaping Update
According to Mr. Jaffe, most of the 16 buildings in the Main Street-like complex are finished, sidewalks have been paved with bricks, and nearly all of the 2,700 trees and 30,000 shrubs and flowers have been installed and are beginning to flourish. Still, the center is abuzz with activity as new contractors arrive every day to begin building up the interiors of stores, some with striking features. There are indoor and outdoor bocce courts going in at Pinstripes, for example, and L.L. Bean's continued "green" use of recycled and reclaimed materials as part of the retailer's adherence to US Green Building Council's LEED standards.
"We're looking at The Arboretum as a tribute to the best in this community," says Mr. Jaffe. "A tribute to the tree farm that used to stand on this ground, a tribute to the level of fine taste of the community, and to their appreciation for nature's beauty.".
Retail Update
Among retailers confirmed to participate in the grand opening are L.L. Bean, the Maine-based outdoor gear and apparel store that is opening its first Midwest store here; Pinstripes Bowling, Bocce & Bistro, that is opening its second Chicago location, and Anna Shea Chocolates & Lounge, which is opening its first store here outside of New York. The country’s first Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas, a new luxury cinema experience that is opening its first US location at The Arboretum, will hold its grand opening on October 2, but will be involved in The Arboretum's grand opening, as well. (NOTE: Other retailers open by the weekend are listed at the end of this release.)
"We are thrilled to be opening our first US Gold Class Cinemas at The Arboretum of South Barrington to the public on October 3,” says Kirk Senior, CEO of Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas. “The Arboretum is the perfect upscale lifestyle center for launching our luxury brand." Dale Schwartz, founder of Pinstripes, added, “We welcome joining this exciting Arboretum development, and we invite the surrounding communities and businesses to share sophisticated fun with family and friends."
The Arboretum of South Barrington is located at 100 W. Higgins Road on the northeast corner of Higgins Road and Highway 59 near the I-90 interchange.
RETAILERS OPEN SEPT. 26-28
Retailers open during grand opening weekend at The Arboretum of South Barrington include the following (subject to change without notice):
Apparel
Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor LOFT, Chico's, Claire's, Coldwater Creek, DSW Shoes, Francesca's Collection, Jos. A. Bank, Justice just for girls!, Victoria's Secret
Electronics
Circuit City
Entertainment
Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas (open-house tours for grand opening weekend)
Jewelry/Optical
Azar Jewelers, Glam Optique
Home Furnishings
Toms-Price Home Furnishings
Restaurants & Speciality Food
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, L'Eiffel Bistrot & Creperie, Nozumi Sushi, Pinstripes Bowling, Bocce & Bistro
Services
Crème de la Crème, Facelogic, Kid Snips, XSport Fitness
Speciality Stores
Beautyshoppe.biz, Parfum de Couture
The Arboretum of South Barrington is a 600,000 square-foot lifestyle center under development in Chicago’s affluent northwest suburbs, with completion scheduled for fall 2008. The open-air center, which broke ground in May 2007, is named for the lush treescapes and gardens of its landscape, and for the large tree farm that formerly stood on the site. Among retailers at The Arboretum of South Barrington are three unique anchors, including the country’s first Village Road Show Gold Class Cinemas, a luxury cinema experience and the new way to go to the movies; LL Bean’s first Midwest outdoor gear and apparel store; and Pinstripes, Chicago’s own bowling, bocce and bistro concept. An upscale mix of fashion apparel brands, home furnishings, restaurants and other retailers are also planned -- all less than a mile from the four-way interchange at I-90 ( the region’s major transportation artery), at the highly coveted intersection of Illinois Routes 59 and 72. Other retailers signed include Arhaus, Anna Shea Chocolates & Lounge, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Jos. A. Bank, Ann Taylor Loft, Victoria’s Secret, DSW, Panera Bread, and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.
The Jaffe Companies, owner and developer of The Arboretum of South Barrington, has been developing successful shopping centers and mixed-use projects for nearly two decades across the US, primarily in the Midwest. Firm principal Michael Jaffe has been involved in several notable projects, including Huebner Oaks Center, a 400,000-square-foot lifestyle center in San Antonio, Texas; Geneva Commons, a 450,000-square-foot lifestyle center in Geneva, Ill; and Orchard Grove Shopping Center in Aurora, Ill.
WEB LINKS:
The Arboretum: http://www.shopthearboretumsb.com/
PRESS CONTACTS:
The Arboretum of South Barrington
Jonelle Kearney
jonelle@dodier.com
-OR-
Kasia Yuska
kyuska@dodier.com
DODIER & COMPANY
(800) 970-7392 or (520) 299-1000
