I , as well as several people I know , would dearly LOVE to see a BOOK STORE occupy this space. It is a bit ridiculous that Homewood no long has one. A discount one would be nice but not necessarily. Just a nice one that cares a nice assortment -- both Hardcover and Paperback~~~~

Please forgive my typing errors in my previous comment . I meant to say "..... no longer......" and ".... carries....... "

As long as it's successful, how 'bout about a strip club? TK's lounge has a nice sound it it.

We need more branded, well-known names to balance out Homewood's eclectic mix of small, locally owned businesses. If downtown had more need-based businesses, there would be more traffic generated to wander into the want-based businesses. It seems at first to be counter-intuitive because the idea is to promote local businesses, but Homewood would be wise to model itself to be a mini-version of a major metropolitan area. We don't need a downtown that's a quaint little area made up to look like small town USA. We need a functioning central business district whose traffic and overflow will generate business for the cute, quaint shops. What should go there? What do you need, that you can't get in downtown Homewood? That's the answer. I'd hate for downtown Homewood to become a useless farce of a business district, like Mokena or New Lenox where I grew up.

How about a Jumbo Jimbo John's Nutrition Shoppe? It has such a positive feel about it.

To Homewood Jim -- OF course I am aware of all that ! I am not a Moron -- But I as well as many others miss being able to go into a nice Bookstore and to smell and feel the books and just BROWSE and maybe run into folks & visit instead of "taking " to each other on the computers

Steve Burke ~~ AHH!! OK ! I get it! I have more than my fair share of Sarcastic Humor myself!!

Sarcasm aside, at least Lynn offers a positive suggestion. Instead of knocking it, better use would be for a better alternative.

It should be a restaurant! Hey novel idea?

How about a convenience grocery store or butcher shop - Many people would be happy not to have to go to a major chain for a few things or maybe some custom meats. Somewhere you could even walk. We used to have the butcher shop that was also a grocery years ago, of course we had Jewel in downtown Homewood too. I'm afraid Homewood will never be the same functional downtown before the Malls and Strip stores took over.

Lynn- quaint and warm is all good, but as a busy working mom necessities take first priority. If I could get groceries, pet supplies, baby supplies, beauty supplies, etc downtown at a reasonable cost, I'd be more apt to stop in the shops "while I'm in the area anyway," so to speak. I end up going to Walmart in Country Club Hills for necessities and end up buying greeting cards, gifts, candles, cosmetics, spa products, shoe repair products, ice cream, candy, paint, bike stuff, etc there out of convenience. Since I have to leave my house and the downtown district anyway, I have less incentive to do my banking, hair appointments, doctor's appointments, clothes shopping downtown. It boils down to cost, convenience, and time. Downtown needs to balance these things. I feel bad every time I spend my money elsewhere, but not bad enough to sacrifice time with my husband and daughter.

I'd like to see it retained as an old-style diner, and I imagine upgrading it to current standards would be cheaper than a complete overhaul. Failing that, an Indian or Middle Eastern restaurant would be a welcome addition to our mix of ethnic restaurants.

We have a few of such places already. Was not around for Butcher Shop or the Jewel in DT Homewood, myself. But along those lines Trader Joes would be nice too-- but I think I would rather the Bookstore. ..... but either one would be nice!

Can we just move the entire Cherry Creek plaza downtown somehow? Dunning's, Panera, Ace, Market Day, that kids' store, Walgreens...
Lynn do you know what's going in at the Baker's Square site? My husband couldn't read the sign as he was driving by.

walking pilgrim

How about a specialty shoe store along the lines of Running for Kicks in Palos, featuring walking, running, jogging, biking shoes? Homewood is filled with beautiful parks most of which offer walking/jogging trails not to mention the fact that our area in and of itself is beautiful any time of year for a walk or a jog. Our outstanding Park District, Racquet Club, Bike Shop and non-profit organizations all promote and feature walking/jogging/biking events that encourage residents to get out, enjoy the area, while not only helping yourself but others as well. I think this type of store would be a natural fit (excuse the pun),

great idea, walking pilgrim! And if the shoes need repair, there's a shoe repair shop just a few doors down.

When I go to Naperville, I notice that there are a lot of big-name stores in their downtown. I wish we could get a little of that too.

I think the diner with a country style comfort food type menu with a focus on family is still the best bet. We do have a great deal of trendy restaurants but none that are really that family friendly and many are so expensive it's hard to afford to go too often. I have always wanted to open a place with good food, family friendly and reasonable prices. I wonder what it would take to get that done. Of course it would take support from the community for any business to thrive there.
hmmmm

Here's my idea: a tiny movie theater! Just big enough for Homewood residents, we don't need a 10-screen. Something that can get current movies, and have comfortable seating, maybe booths like Park West. With one big screen. Some nights could be movies, other nights live music, sometimes a kids' movie so new parents have a place to meet other new parents (hint, hint). It could serve simple fare, little things to nibble on while taking in entertainment but nothing complicated that would take away from the restaurants. Healthier than the junk found at a typical theater. It could also be used to host community events, does Homewood have a Business After Hours kind of thing? During the day it could be geared towards business meetings, get a smartboard so people staying at the new hotel can hold conferences and use the screen that way. If I hit the lotto, that's what I'd try.

I’d like to see an upscale fish and meat market that prides itself in bringing fresh non preservative or chemical free meats and fish. A butcher that makes fresh sausage or jerky, a fish market that brings in different things not usually found in Jewel or Walt’s.

The sausage place would not work. Check out next to Mama & Me. The sausage place had an excellent product, floundered and left.

An establishment such as Howard's in Munster?

whatever goes in there will have limited parking. i'm sure the rent is too high for any type of bookstore to be even feasable. One of the previous comments mentioned new restaurants going in. Besides the Cottage in the fall what else is coming?

How about a combination books store and cafe just like the quaint one in downtown St. Charles? http://www.townhousebooks.com/stcharlesbookstore.html

24/7 diner

Ahh-- but Art you are VERY wrong. I VERY seldom have gone into a bookstore without purchasing a book or magazine. The reason I go in in the first place is to BUY something. And I agree with some others --- it would be nice to have a little cafe where you could get coffee, tea or juice. Maybe a small snack

It would be for the most part a Bookstore , not a cafe that served meals. Since you are into belittling everones ideas I have to say a Fishmarket (&meat) would be the last place I would go or spend my money.

How about Denny's,I HOP,or Steak n Shake. We miss 3 bros. cafe/diner. Keep the revenue here. People go to other towns and spend money after we roll up the streets like Mayberry.

Lynn, so I see it’s alright for you to tell Art “Ahh-- but Art you are VERY wrong.” But if someone disagrees with you they are “belittling everyone’s ideas”. My suggestion is based on the location and what may or may not survive as a business. Have a nice night dear!!!! :)

No -- I do not expect eveyone and maybe not anyone to agree with me . I would go to Steak & Shake , a book store but not to a Fish & meat Market. Everyone has their own idea of what they would like to see there and that is as it should be

Lynn you got me thinking on the future of Homewood. The new hotel on Ridge would probably have a café and it may well be a nice place for a bookstore with the boutiques they plan on putting in there. I understand you are not crazy about my idea but I hope you do understand that is a small spot with limited parking.

Record Store Day is tomorrow. How about a temple of Vinyl?

Combine Steve (strip club) and Lynn's (book store) ideas and you have a winner.

Thanx for the link Blackhawks Fan----somehow I had missed the article. I know there is to be a Hotel & all but did not know the details! Hope you have a good weekend

I like the idea of a movie theatre. I would like to see it be a fine arts theatre like GlenArts in Glen Elyn...if not then a smaller sized Traders Joe would be nice

I like the idea of a movie theatre. I would like to see it be a fine arts theatre like GlenArts in Glen Elyn...if not then a smaller sized Traders Joe would be nice Why is the word reject in the upper corner of my above note

Big chain stores killed pretty much all small businnesses anyway

I think a chipotle would be nice there;)