Loss of Burger King Remade Lake Forest Shopping Center

One might think losing a major tenant could be a disaster for a shopping center, but when Burger King left Westwood Square at the intersection of Woodland Road and Western Avenue in Lake Forest it turned out to be the right ingredient for the plaza.

When Burger King vacated its long time space last summer Westwood Square was 60 percent vacant and the center’s owner was thrilled.

Earlier: Lake Bluff Bakery to Reopen in Lake Forest

“When Burger King left everything began to happen.” Tony Fox, a principal of owner ADF Capital, Ltd., said. “Burger King brought in 10,000 people a month but nobody stayed (to shop). (Now) I could bring in a (strong) broker.”

Fox hired Matt Baines and there were eight new leases in six months. “The economy started to settle down,” Fox said. “We should be 100 percent leased by the end of summer,” he added praising Baines work.

When the economy was at its worse in 2007 and 2008, Fox used one of the vacant spaces to teach Jui Jitsu on Saturdays. “I wanted to do something for the kids of Lake Forest,” he said. Now the space is spoken for.

Wildflour Baking Company, which had closed its Lake Bluff location, will open next month offering the treats it sold in Lake Bluff and more. Drs. Gregory Garlett and Mary McAndrews opened Garlett Chiropractic & Acupuncture April 15.

Things will get even better for Westwood Square by the end of the summer when . The restaurant will be in the former Burger King location.

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