I'm Loving Me Some Retail Expansion

Not to go all local once again, but this one is for those of us in the Windy City. And among all the economic woes that the country seems to be facing between magazines and newspapers shuttering their doors, restaurants disappearing to be replaced by new concepts or gone altogether, and jobs vanishing faster than ever, this was the one glimmer of hope spotted on the building front close to home. Not to mention it's some good shopping news amid the Borders on Michigan Avenue closing, Victoria's Secret moving into Water Tower Place from its current digs in a stand-alone store sandwiched between Borders and Filene's Basement (and just south of H&M, too), and Pottery Barn already closing its Magnificent Mile store and focusing on its business on North Avenue. While this news isn't on the mass scale like some of these behemoths, I'm at least more excited about it since it brings more Lululemon to downtown and that more my cup of tea.

I was excited when I read in the Crain's Chicago Real Estate Daily that Lululemon was expanding in Chicago. And not only are they planning to add another downtown location, but this one is even closer to my house so I'll have more reason to frequent the spot. I've always liked the enticement of free yoga and other classes like last week's boot camp, but yes, I usually pass it up in favor of a workout that doesn't involve battling traffic--cars and pedestrians--on the Mag Mile to get there. Silly, I know, but sometimes I'm all about convenience. The new spot is rumored to be opening in the Gold Coast neighborhood at 930 N. Rush Street, a location formerly occupied by a Gino's pizzeria, at the corner of Rush and Walton. Granted this new location is only steps west of its 900 N. Michigan store, but it sounds like Lululemon is hoping to expand and grow in the larger, stand-alone space. I'm thrilled for the developments already. Photo grabbed from Tiger Mask. Posted by Kate