Naperville strip mall being converted into Asian restaurant/store hub; Macarena Tapas closing after 17 years
The new year is bringing changes to Naperville’s business scene, with the redevelopment of a strip mall as a hub for Asian retailers and restaurateurs, the closure of two restaurants and the loss of a downtown retailer to another town.
Redevelopment work on Naperville’s Riverbrook Shopping Center at North Aurora Road and Raymond Drive is to begin in February. Houston-based developer NewQuest Asia-Pacific Retail acquired the site eight months ago and announced its plans Monday.
At the time of its purchase, about 35% of the 140,892-square-foot shopping center was leased, a company news release said.
NewQuest intends to rebrand and completely renovate Riverbrook, including the incorporation of green spaces into the 19.8-acre tract. At the heart of redevelopment are plans to fill out available space with “leading and innovative” Asian businesses.
Managing a $2.53 billion portfolio, the company specializes in development opportunities in markets with high Asian populations.
People of Asian descent represent more than 20% of Naperville’s population.
“Our mission involves attracting top-tier Asian concepts to establish a compelling allure, offering an authentic Asian culinary experience,” Heather Nguyen, development partner of NewQuest Asia-Pacific, said in the release. “It’s all about finding the right demographics in an area with a regional draw.”
To date, roughly 62,000 square feet of leasable space is in various stages of negotiations for the Naperville redevelopment. Potential tenants include a specialty grocer and a Japanese fashion casual store called Teso Life, the company said.
A decade ago, Riverbrook Shopping Center was anchored by a Dominick’s grocery store, which folded when the company went out of business.
“The objective,” Nguyen said, “is to infuse new vitality into this center through the reinvention and repurposing of the space.”
A grand opening is set for summer 2025.
Macarena Tapas to close this month
After 17 years of offering Spanish small plate dining to Naperville, Macarena Tapas has announced plans to close Jan. 27.
Owner and head chef John Borras said the closure was not due to the restaurant’s performance but a “perfect storm” of setbacks that made now the right time to shut the doors.
About 60% of the decision, he said, was the result of hang-ups with renewing Macarena Tapas’ lease at 619 S. Route 59, which is ending this month. He has not been able to come to a satisfactory agreement with his landlord, he said.
Another factor is several of Borras’ key employees — including his sous-chef and restaurant manager — are stepping down from their positions.
“With all those bad moments, I’d rather just close my doors,” he said.
Borras, a native of Venezuela and an alum of Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago, opened Macarena Tapas in 2007.
Asked if he has plans to stay in the culinary industry after Macarena closes, Borras said he may reopen the restaurant if he can buy and operate out of his own building.
“Everything’s done for me to leave,” he said. “(But) for now, right. I think I’m gonna come back stronger.”
Taps N Tenders closes after nearly 5 years
Last month, Taps N Tenders announced its nearly five-year run in Naperville had come to an end due to continued challenges coming out of the pandemic.
The fast-food chicken restaurant’s last day was Dec. 3, according to a statement posted to Taps N Tenders’ social media.
“This was not an easy decision to make,” the post read. “The pandemic and post pandemic times have been very rough and volatile for the restaurant industry. The post pandemic inflation has brought unforeseen hurdles that eventually were too much for our business to bear.”
Taps N Tenders opened at 3320 Route 59, just south of 95th Street, in early 2019.
Restaurant representatives could not be reached for comment.
London Skye moves to Wheaton
Retailer London Skye, which sells men’s and women’s clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories, closed its downtown Water Street District store in spring 2023 after five years.
Last month, however, the boutique staged a comeback and reopened at the Town Store Wheaton shopping center at South Naperville Road and Blanchard Street.
“When I founded London Skye, I wanted to create a place that focused on accessible on-trend styles for men and women as well accessories for their homes,” owner Joellen Elam said in a news release. “I’m excited to be in Town Square and look forward to meeting the Wheaton community.”
