IKEA is set to close its Bolingbrook store and establish a smaller version in Naperville’s Block 59 development. According to Sam Gravina, Chicago metro market manager for IKEA, the move aligns with customer behaviors in the Bolingbrook-Naperville area. The Naperville location enhances accessibility for existing customers while tapping into growing population hubs.
The Bolingbrook store, spanning 317,000 square feet, will remain operational until late 2027. This timeframe coincides with the anticipated opening of the new Naperville outlet. Located eight miles from the current store on Boughton Road near Interstate 355, the new store’s exact position has not been disclosed. Gravina mentioned that the smaller format aims to meet local market needs while maintaining IKEA’s familiar inspiration and functionality.
“It will make the most of every square foot, offering a curated shopping experience with ‘local living’ solutions tailored to reflect the surrounding communities’ unique needs, lifestyles and spaces,” Gravina said.
The new store will complement the 450,000-square-foot flagship in Schaumburg, located approximately 30 minutes from Naperville. Despite its reduced size compared to Bolingbrook and Schaumburg, the Naperville store will feature a Swedish Deli and Swedish Food Market, offering IKEA’s iconic meatballs.
IKEA is implementing similar smaller format stores across the country, including a 66,000-square-foot store planned for Gurnee. This effort is supported by a $2 million village incentive, expected to yield $2.9 million in sales tax over six years, providing a net benefit of around $900,000. However, some small-format stores have seen closures, like the IKEA in San Marcos, Texas, and others in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
In Naperville, the presence of IKEA is poised to boost the city’s sales in home goods and furniture. Mayor Scott Wehrli highlighted that while Naperville had significant sales in other sectors, furniture and electronics sales reached $257 million last year, a 30.3% increase from 2024, but still behind Glenview and Schaumburg.
At a city council meeting in June, Brixmor Property Group sought an additional $1.85 million tax incentive to attract a home goods or furniture retailer to Naperville’s Block 59. This incentive was approved to reinforce development at the Westridge Court shopping center and Block 59 restaurant and entertainment complex. A special 1% sales tax from businesses in this district is allocated to Brixmor to fund infrastructure needs. Although the specific retailer was not disclosed, the new tenant is anticipated to generate significant interest.
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