Schaumburg Town Square getting grocer, restaurant

Schaumburg's Town Square will regain its center in 2016.

New businesses have been confirmed for Town Square's two major vacancies - the former Dominick's and the vacant Applebee's.

A breakfast-lunch restaurant, the identity of which has still not been revealed, will shortly begin the three-month review process for a special-use permit. That means it most likely will be ready to open in early 2016, Schaumburg Economic Development Manager Matt Frank said.

Meanwhile, Itasca-based Tony's Finer Foods this week closed its purchase of the vacant Dominick's building. The company is now planning to make about $6 million worth of improvements to its newest grocery store and open in about a year, Frank said.

Town Square, at the southwest corner of Schaumburg and Roselle roads, was developed by the village 25 years ago through the use of a tax increment financing district.

Although home to stores, restaurants and services, it was also intended to have a cultural component now reflected in the Schaumburg Township District Library, the Trickster Gallery of Native American art and Veterans Gateway Park.

The new residential development, Pleasant Square, which is nearing completion at the northwest corner of Schaumburg and Roselle roads, was hoped to spur new interest in the vacant spaces in Town Square.

Many suburbs have struggled to fill their vacant Dominick's stores since the grocery chain shut down at the end of 2013, but Schaumburg has been fortunate in that regard. There is one vacant Dominick's left that apparently has a tenant under contract; the former Dominick's at the southwest corner of Meacham and Higgins roads will be occupied by a non-grocery retailer, Frank said.