Harlem Irving Plaza

Harlem Irving Plaza, commonly known as The HIP, is a shopping mall in Norridge, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago. It is one of the older retail centers in the Chicago metropolitan area and has evolved from a mid-century open-air strip mall into a multi-level shopping and entertainment complex with more than 100 stores, restaurants, services, and a food court. The center opened in 1956 on land that had previously been used as a livestock farm. Its original 337,000-square-foot format contained approximately 45 tenants and included several prominent department and grocery retailers of the period, including Kroger, Walgreens, Wieboldt's, W. T. Grant, and Woolworth. The plaza joined the International Council of Shopping Centers in 1957, reflecting its early role as an organized suburban retail destination. From 1975 through 1979, the property underwent a major physical transformation. The former strip-mall layout was enclosed, and a parking garage was added. The expansion and enclosure enabled Harlem Irving Plaza to compete more directly with enclosed regional malls and to accommodate larger department-store operations. Madigan's joined the tenant mix in 1979. During the late 1980s and 1990s, the center experienced several retailer transitions: MainStreet opened in 1987 as Wieboldt's departed, Kohl's converted MainStreet's stores in 1989, and Carson Pirie Scott occupied the former Wieboldt's space. A food court was added in 1996, while Best Buy ultimately replaced the former Madigan's location before moving to a parking-lot building in 2001. A comprehensive renovation in 2004 modernized the property and added a 175,000-square-foot Target, which became one of the center's most important large-format tenants. Subsequent development continued to reshape the mall. A 2013 expansion was associated with Sports Authority, Panera Bread, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and a fitness operation. Sports Authority later closed, and Nordstrom Rack took over its space in 2017. The closure of Carson's in 2018 created another substantial redevelopment opportunity. The former department-store space was reorganized into a new entrance and atrium, with additional retail and entertainment uses distributed across multiple levels. The 2020–2021 redevelopment introduced DSW, Five Below, Forever 21, Hobby Lobby, and Dick's Sporting Goods into portions of the former Carson's footprint. Hobby Lobby occupied the second floor and Dick's opened on the third floor in 2021, while Target remained another major tenant with upper-level space. Other prominent current or recent anchors and large-format occupants include Kohl's, Best Buy, Xfinity, LA Fitness or related fitness uses, X-Sport, Nordstrom Rack, DSW, Five Below, Toys R Us, and Dick's Sporting Goods. Tenant status can change as national retailers adjust their store portfolios. Harlem Irving Plaza has also used anniversary events and retailer openings to reinforce its community identity. Its 50th-anniversary programming in 2006 included a public appearance by original Mickey Mouse Club performers, while its 60th-anniversary events in 2016 featured Chicago sports figures Bobby Hull, Mike Ditka, and Dick Butkus. On October 26, 2024, a standalone Toys R Us store opened at the mall, reported as the first Chicagoland location of its kind; the opening included a ribbon-cutting, an appearance by Geoffrey the Giraffe, family activities, and promotional gifts for early visitors. The center is accessible by Chicago Transit Authority bus routes 78 Montrose, 80 Irving Park, and 90 Harlem. Its long operating history, repeated enclosure and expansion projects, and mix of department stores, specialty retailers, restaurants, services, and entertainment uses have allowed it to remain a significant suburban retail destination despite major changes in the American shopping-center industry.

Harlem Irving Plaza opened in 1956 in Norridge, Illinois, on the site of a former livestock farm. It began as a 337,000-square-foot open-air strip mall with approximately 45 tenants. The initial tenant roster included Kroger, Walgreens, Wieboldt's, W. T. Grant, and Woolworth. The center joined the International Council of Shopping Centers one year after opening, indicating its early integration into the organized shopping-center industry. The property was significantly modernized between 1975 and 1979. During this period, the open-air strip mall was enclosed and a parking garage was constructed. The enclosure converted the property into a more conventional enclosed shopping center and created additional capacity for department stores and specialty retailers. Madigan's was added in 1979. In 1987, MainStreet, a short-lived Federated Department Stores subsidiary, opened as Wieboldt's departed. Kohl's acquired and converted MainStreet's stores in 1989, while Carson Pirie Scott opened in the former Wieboldt's location during the same general period. The center continued to change through the 1990s and early 2000s. A food court was added in 1996, and Best Buy opened in the former Madigan's space. Best Buy later moved to a building in the parking lot in 2001; its former indoor location was replaced by a second parking garage. A broad renovation completed in 2004 refreshed the property and added a 175,000-square-foot Target, strengthening the mall's appeal as a destination for both general merchandise and specialty shopping. Further expansion and tenant turnover shaped the center in the 2010s. A 2013 expansion was associated with Sports Authority, Panera Bread, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and a fitness center. Sports Authority subsequently closed, and Nordstrom Rack was announced for the vacated space in 2017. Carson's later ceased operations after its parent company went out of business, leaving a substantial vacant department-store area. The former Carson's space was reworked into a new atrium and entrance for visitors arriving from the upper parking deck, as well as new multi-level retail space. The redevelopment of the former Carson's area was substantially occupied in 2021. DSW, Five Below, and Forever 21 took first-floor space, Hobby Lobby occupied the second floor, and Dick's Sporting Goods opened on the third floor. The upper-level expansion was initially completed around 2020, with the new anchor occupants following in 2021. Target remained a major tenant, although its upper-floor layout did not use a conventional mall entrance. The center's broader tenant mix has included Kohl's, Best Buy, Xfinity, fitness operators, Nordstrom Rack, specialty retailers, restaurants, and family-oriented stores. Harlem Irving Plaza has periodically used anniversary and opening events to connect its commercial program with the surrounding community. For its 50th anniversary in 2006, it hosted a meet-and-greet involving original Mouseketeers from the Mickey Mouse Club. Its 60th anniversary in 2016 featured appearances by Bobby Hull, Mike Ditka, and Dick Butkus. In October 2024, Toys R Us opened a standalone 10,000-square-foot store at the mall, described in the supplied reference material as the retailer's first Chicagoland store. The opening drew shoppers and included Geoffrey the Giraffe, a ribbon cutting, face painting, balloon twisting, and gifts for some of the first visitors. Today, Harlem Irving Plaza remains an active suburban shopping center with more than 100 stores and a food court. Its access is supported by CTA bus routes 78 Montrose, 80 Irving Park, and 90 Harlem. The center's history reflects the broader evolution of American retail real estate: it began as an open-air postwar strip center, became enclosed and vertically expanded, and repeatedly replaced declining department-store and specialty-retail formats with newer national chains and large-format tenants.

• 2024

  Toys R Us opens a standalone store

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  A 10,000-square-foot Toys R Us store opens on October 26 with a public launch event and family activities.

• 2021

  Former Carson's redevelopment fills with new anchors

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  DSW, Five Below, and Forever 21 occupy first-floor space, Hobby Lobby takes the second floor, and Dick's Sporting Goods opens on the third floor.

• 2020

  Upper-level redevelopment is finalized

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  The former Carson's area is reorganized into a multi-level expansion with a new atrium, entrance, and space for incoming anchors.

• 2017

  Nordstrom Rack opens

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  Nordstrom Rack takes the place of the vacated Sports Authority location.

• 2013

  Expansion adds new retail and service uses

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  An expansion is associated with Sports Authority, Panera Bread, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and a fitness center.

• 2004

  Major renovation and Target opening

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  A comprehensive renovation is completed, including the addition of a 175,000-square-foot Target that opens in August.

• 2001

  Best Buy relocates to a parking-lot building

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  Best Buy moves from its original indoor location to a building in the parking lot, and the former space is replaced by a second parking garage.

• 1996

  Food court and Best Buy arrive

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  The center adds a food court, and Best Buy occupies the former Madigan's location.

• 1989

  Kohl's and Carson Pirie Scott replace earlier department-store formats

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  Kohl's converts the MainStreet location, and Carson Pirie Scott opens in the former Wieboldt's space.

• 1987

  MainStreet opens as Wieboldt's closes

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  MainStreet, a Federated Department Stores subsidiary, opens at the mall while Wieboldt's exits.

• 1979

  Enclosed-center conversion is completed and Madigan's arrives

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  The enclosure and parking work are completed during this period, and Madigan's joins the department-store roster.

• 1975

  Enclosure and parking-garage redevelopment begins

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  The former open-air strip mall begins a transformation into an enclosed shopping center, accompanied by construction of a parking garage.

• 1957

  Joins the International Council of Shopping Centers

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  Harlem Irving Plaza becomes a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers one year after opening.

• 1956

  Harlem Irving Plaza opens

  [1]Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org

  The center opens on a former livestock farm site as a 337,000-square-foot strip mall with approximately 45 tenants, including Kroger, Walgreens, Wieboldt's, W. T. Grant, and Woolworth.

A long-established, convenience-oriented suburban shopping center combining major national anchors, specialty retailers, dining, services, and family-oriented activities for residents of Chicago's northwest suburbs.

• Retail real estate · 1956

  Shopping center retail space

  Harlem Irving Plaza provides a multi-level retail environment for national chains, specialty stores, department-style operators, restaurants, and service businesses. Its tenant base has changed repeatedly over time as older department stores and specialty chains have closed or moved, while newer large-format retailers have entered redeveloped areas.

• Retail · 1956

  Anchor and large-format retail

  The center's large-format offering has included Kohl's, Target, Best Buy, Nordstrom Rack, Hobby Lobby, Dick's Sporting Goods, Toys R Us, and other major operators. These anchors provide general merchandise, apparel, electronics, home goods, toys, crafts, and sporting goods, and help draw visitors from the surrounding suburban market.

• Food service · 1996

  Dining and food court

  A food court was added in 1996, complementing restaurants and quick-service operators that have operated at or near the center. Dining is part of the mall's broader convenience and visit-duration proposition.

• Services

  Fitness and services

  The property has accommodated fitness operators and other service-oriented businesses alongside retail stores. The reference material identifies LA Fitness and X-Sport among the fitness-related or large-format occupants associated with the center.

• 2024Toys R Us grand opening

  Norridge · Chicagoland

  The October 26 opening of the standalone Toys R Us store featured a ribbon-cutting, Geoffrey the Giraffe, face painting, balloon twisting, and promotional swag bags for some of the first 50 guests.

  Outcome. The opening generated a substantial shopper turnout and introduced the store as a notable new regional retail destination.

  Source
• 201660th-anniversary celebration

  Norridge · Chicago metropolitan area

  For its 60th anniversary, the mall hosted a meet-and-greet with Chicago sports personalities Bobby Hull, Mike Ditka, and Dick Butkus.

  Outcome. The event connected the center's anniversary identity with locally recognized sports culture.

  Source
• 200650th-anniversary celebration

  Norridge · Chicago metropolitan area

  Harlem Irving Plaza marked its 50th anniversary with public programming that included a meet-and-greet featuring original Mouseketeers associated with the Mickey Mouse Club.

  Outcome. The event positioned the mall as a community venue as well as a retail destination.

  Source

• 2024

  Open a standalone Toys R Us storeProduct launch

  Background

  The mall continued to refresh its tenant mix with recognizable family-oriented retail concepts.

  Action taken

  A 10,000-square-foot Toys R Us store opened on October 26, 2024, with a public launch event.

  Aftermath

  The opening attracted shoppers from the surrounding Chicagoland area and added a dedicated toy retailer to the center's tenant roster.

  Source

• 2018

  Redevelop the former Carson's department-store spaceStrategy

  Background

  Carson's ceased operations after its parent company went out of business, leaving a large vacant department-store footprint.

  Action taken

  The former Carson's area was transformed into a large atrium and a new entrance from the upper parking deck, with space prepared for multiple retailers across several floors.

  Aftermath

  The redevelopment enabled the arrival of DSW, Five Below, Forever 21, Hobby Lobby, and Dick's Sporting Goods in 2021.

  Source

• 2004

  Undertake a comprehensive renovation and add TargetStrategy

  Background

  The center sought to modernize its physical environment and strengthen its anchor offering after years of retailer changes and parking-related redevelopment.

  Action taken

  The mall completed a thorough renovation and added a 175,000-square-foot Target in August 2004.

  Aftermath

  Target became a major large-format occupant and helped reinforce the center's general-merchandise appeal.

  Source

• 1975

  Convert the strip mall into an enclosed shopping centerStrategy

  Background

  The original open-air format was approaching two decades of operation and needed additional capacity and weather-protected circulation to compete in the changing suburban retail market.

  Action taken

  Harlem Irving Plaza enclosed the former strip mall and added a parking garage over the period from 1975 through 1979.

  Aftermath

  The project established the property's long-term enclosed-mall format and supported subsequent department-store and specialty-retail growth.

  Source

1. 1Harlem Irving Plazaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Shop the HIPshopthehip.com