What Should Go in the Former White Hen?

Welcome to our newest feature: Visions for Vacancies. We'll be taking a look at Western Springs' various currently-empty retail locations and asking you, our in-town readers: wouldn't something there look better than nothing, and, if so, what?

Our first location is the former White Hen Pantry in the plaza just south of Mobil and east of Heritage Estates. The location was held by the convenience store since the plaza was built in the '70s, but the White Hen left around 2008, leaving only the scar of its logo on the building. (The plaza currently hosts three other active businesses: , and .)

There's been some interest in the building since, most notably , but negotiations for the kennel broke down over price. Village Director of Community Development Marty Scott said that other convenience stores have poked around before, but it never went anywhere. And National Brokers Realty rep Andrew Costas said there had been interest in a liquor store, but such would be beyond unlikely given the Village's strict codes about alcohol.

Costas also suggested that a discount or used-clothing store might find the space particulary appealing. What's your take?

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Address: 5520 Wolf Rd. (Plaza south of 55th Street.)

Size: 2500 sq. ft.

Asking rent: $18/sq. ft ($45,000) annually.

Former occupant: White Hen Pantry convenience store (1970's-2008.)

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What do you think would look great filling this spot in the Western Springs Heritage Estates plaza?