'Miracle On Western Avenue:' Macy's Spinoffs Coming To Evergreen Plaza

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Macy’s is taking another shot at brick-and-mortar by opening two of its smaller format, off-mall stores in the former Carson’s building in Evergreen Plaza, the village announced.

The 120,000-square-foot space has stood empty since Carson’s closed in 2020. Last month, Crain’s Chicago Business reported last month that Macy’s was in the process of signing a leaseto take over both floors at 9700 S. Western Ave., Evergreen Park.

We’re excited that Macy’s will be coming soon to Evergreen Park,” said Mayor Kelly Burke in a news release. “Macy’s will deliver expanded fashion, clothing and home goods options that residents have been asking for. I am delighted that Macy’s chose Evergreen Park for its first Chicago-area location for Market by Macy’s.”

Evergreen Plaza was chosen as the first location for the retailer chain’s dual off-mall stores – Market by Macy’s and Macy’s Backstage. The store is slated to open this fall..

Market by Macy’s will open on the first level and is a smaller version of the Macy’s old-school department store. The spin-off store will offer branded fashion, fragrances cosmetics and accessories.

Macy’s Backstage is a place where shoppers can find a deal and will be located on the second level. The store will carry off-price apparel, housewares, make-up and skin-care products, fragrances, unique gifts, holiday items, home maintenance, accessories, pet items and more.

Macy’s has closed dozens of its big, underperforming department stores during the past several years, including one in Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue. The off-mall locations are part of Macy’s comeback plan to ditch the malls by 2023 by spinning off into smaller format stores that are more convenient and where merchandise is easier to find for today’s time-starved consumer.

Inventory at both Macy spin-offs will be regularly rotated, with new merchandise arriving several times a week. Market by Macy’s will also offer contactless curbside pickup, buy online-pick-up in store and to store, and same-day delivery via DoorDash.

The addition of Macy’s is a feather in the cap for the redeveloped Evergreen Plaza, which saw the demolition of the old 1950s mall in 2015 and replaced with a smaller retail center that hosts DSW, TJ Maxx, Burlington, Whole Foods Mart, Planet Fitness and Ulta Beauty.

“Macy’s decision to come to Evergreen Park is a vote of confidence in our vibrant retail community,” Burke said. “The new Macy’s location will serve as a magnet for other great retailers to come to our village.”

Macy’s will be hiring for a range of positions in anticipation of a fall 2022 opening and will offer competitive pay, merchandise discounts, and access to a debt-free education program for both part-time and full-time colleagues. New job opportunities will be posted on Macy’s Careers as positions become available.