IKEA plans to close its Bolingbrook store and open a new, smaller version in Naperville’s Block 59 development. This relocation reflects the evolving habits of customers in the Bolingbrook-Naperville corridor, stated Sam Gravina, Chicago metro market manager for IKEA. By shifting to Naperville, IKEA aims to situate itself closer to growing population hubs while ensuring accessibility for Bolingbrook patrons.
The current Bolingbrook store, measuring 317,000 square feet and spanning two stories, will continue operations until late 2027. The new Naperville store is expected to open during the same period, approximately eight miles from Bolingbrook’s location on Boughton Road, near Interstate 355.
Unlike IKEA’s usual expansive outlets, Naperville’s store will adopt a smaller format. Gravina has not disclosed exact specifics on its location along Route 59 or the store’s offerings and size. However, he emphasized that the new establishment will be designed to effectively meet the region’s market needs. While maintaining the familiar IKEA experience, the store will emphasize local living solutions tailored to nearby communities’ lifestyles.
The new store is intended to complement the 450,000-square-foot flagship in Schaumburg, around 30 minutes away from Naperville. Despite its reduced size compared to Bolingbrook and Schaumburg, the store will feature a Swedish Deli, Swedish Food Market, and offer the iconic meatballs.
Gravina revealed that IKEA is opening these compact format stores nationwide in locations where customers are already present. An example includes a forthcoming store in Gurnee, anticipated to occupy 66,000 square feet. There, the village has extended $2 million in incentives, expecting a sales tax return of $2.9 million over six years.
Outside Illinois, IKEA has launched several small-format stores this year, including sites in Culver City, California, and Phoenix, Arizona. However, not all ventures prosper. The company recently announced the closure of its small-format store in San Marcos, Texas, after only a year. Additionally, three ‘plan and order with pickup’ stores in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. face closure.
IKEA’s arrival in Naperville may boost the city’s furniture sales, a sector that Naperville’s Mayor Scott Wehrli identified as lagging. Wehrli noted that while Naperville has potential buyers, many shop in neighboring cities featuring similar stores.
In the previous year, Naperville reported $257 million in furniture and electronic sales, marking a 30.3% increase over 2024. Despite this growth, it trails Glenview at $695 million and Schaumburg at $286 million, according to Chicago consultant Melaniphy & Associates. Conversely, Naperville leads sales categories such as grocery, restaurants, home improvement, automobile retail, and gasoline.
During a city council meeting in June, Brixmor Property Group requested a $1.85 million tax incentive to attract a home goods retailer to Block 59 Business District, which was approved. This district extension aims to facilitate redevelopment of Brixmor-owned sites like Westridge Court and Block 59. A special 1% sales tax from these businesses is reimbursed to Brixmor to cover infrastructure expenses.
Rich Dippolito, Brixmor’s vice president of re/development, did not disclose the home goods retailer’s name linked to the tax incentive but suggested significant interest in the tenant. The Naperville Sun had not confirmed by deadline if the new IKEA store is linked to this incentive. Businesses like Discovery Clothing Co. and Going, Going, Gone! are adjusting locations within Westridge Court to accommodate the anticipated store.