The management team at Elmhurst Crossing has informed the City that a lease has been signed for the former K-Mart space (265 S. IL Route 83). The City is extremely excited to share the news that At Home, the home décor superstore will soon have a home in Elmhurst. At Home plans to remodel the 103,000sf space and  open later this year. Based in Plano, TX, At Home has only recently begun moving into the Chicagoland market. The store features more than 50,000 home décor items, including furniture, mirrors, rugs, and housewares, as well as seasonal décor. 

Visit their website to learn more: At Home 

A lot of reinvestment is happening in the Downtown Elmhurst City Centre right now in addition to the new developments happening on both Addison (Opus Mixed-Use and FFC) and Schiller (new Edward Elmhurst Health Clinic). The following is a brief recap of new businesses opening soon and existing businesses expanding currently in the downtown:

Sweetberry Bowls (156 N. York St.): Opening this Spring, Sweetberry Bowls is a Super Fruit Bowl Shoppe offering fast, healthy alternatives that are beautiful and delicious. Health-conscience consumers can treat themselves to Acai Bowls, Pitaya Bowls, Green Bowls, Coconut Bowls, Oatmeal, Coffee, Juices, Smoothies, and more. Every bowl is handcrafted in store and customized to your personal preference; mix and match bases, granola, fruit, and toppings to create endless possibilities. 

The Stray Hen Cafe (105 S. York St.): Opening this Spring, The Stray Hen Cafe will focus on upscale breakfast and lunch dining delights as well as traditional favorites. The restaurant will work with local community vendors to bring the freshest ingredients possible; incorporating healthy and trendy food selections into their seasonal menus. Watch for vegan and gluten free options too.

Kimmer's Ice-Cream (110 W. Park Ave.): Home of small batch homemade classic and gourmet ice creams, Kimmer's Ice-Cream plans to open their new Elmhurst location soon. Grab a loyalty punch card and watch for collaboration flavors featuring local businesses, Summer Reading Club Specials thru Elmhurst Library, and the Kimmer's Kares Program.

Ni Hao Asian Cafe (116 W. Park Ave.): Ni Hao, which translates to "hello" in Mandarin Chinese, will be opening their new Asian Cafe this Spring in the former home of Chow Catering.

Bacci Pizza (162 N. York St.): Bacci Pizza, home of the Giant Slice, will soon be expanding their Elmhurst location - growing into the space at 160 N. York St. The expansion will allow for an increased seating capacity for dine-in customers.

It's Good to Be King (129 W. First St.): It's Good to Be King has been a staple of downtown Elmhurst since 1996. The chess store recently moved to First Street, expanding their business, and plans to open the new location this month. It's Good to Be King sells a vast array of chess sets and accessories, as well as backgammon sets, historic theme playing cards, historic replicas, a variety of army playsets, and toy soldiers of all eras. The shop also hosts Chess Nights - informal, social chess playing evenings for adults.

Fitness Formula Club Preview Center (135 N. Addison Ave.): Fitness Formula Club (FFC) has opened a new preview center for those interested in joining their new 50,000sf facility currently under construction at 140 N. Addison Ave. Charter Memberships are now available, visit the FFC Preview Center to learn more!

The Room Upstairs (152 N. York St.): The Room Upstairs escape room located in downtown Elmhurst, over the York Theatre, recently launched their 3rd Challenge Room, The Carnival Caper. The carnival themed escape room challenge joins their popular Word Mania and Captain's Quarters pirate themed rooms. Each room features escape adventures of varying degrees of difficulty for all ages. 

The perfect blend of make and mingle - Do It Together Workshops will be opening a studio at 578 N. Michigan St., joining Goldlfish Swim School, BrewPoint Roastery & Cafe, FPV Racing Hobbies, and a host of other businesses in the York Center Plaza. Do It Together Workshops is a place to come together to make handcrafted, hand-painted wooden signs. Guests will be led through the steps of creating a unique, pre-selected, custom wood sign that fits their style. The DIT Workshop can host private parties of 16 to 28 guests, shared workshop experiences with small groups of 4 to 15 guests, and Mini Maker workshops for kids and teens ages 9 to 16 in groups of 10 to 24 guests. All workshop party options allow guests to bring in snacks and light appetizers; alcohol is available for purchase to adults 21 and older with a valid id. DIT Workshops will open this March and parties are booking now.

Visit their website at Do It Together Workshops.