Matteson officials said due to “severe” building code and fire safety code violations they closed part of the Matteson Town Center in the village.
The larger building that once housed several retailers and other businesses, at the southwest corner of U.S. 30 and Cicero Avenue, was closed as of Thursday, according to the village.
Officials said the action came after Matteson levied substantial fines over the years for alleged code violations.
Officials said while the larger in-line space, comprising nearly 190,000 square feet, had been shuttered, outlot businesses remain open because they are in separate buildings.
The village said two businesses — Goldenmyne African Market and Sharks Fish & Chicken — that were tenants in the Town Center portion closed by the village were relocating.
Goldenmyne, a grocery and fabrics store, recently had a grand opening for its new location at 4736 Lincoln Highway, east of Cicero Avenue.
Shark’s said it is moving to 4727 Lincoln Mall Drive, on the east side of Cicero and south of Route 30.
The village said businesses unaffected by the closing included Rugs & Furniture, which is in a separate building and is not connected to the area undergoing changes.
Also, outlots along Cicero and U.S. 30 are not part of the section closed, the village said, as they are in separately owned space.
That includes Chipotle, Five Guys restaurant, Midwest Express Clinic, Potbelly sandwich shop and Verizon, according to the village.
All businesses had been told they needed to leave by last Thursday, and it was not immediately clear whether other businesses apart from those that relocated had still been in the center.
“We appreciate your patience as we work to revitalize the site and shape future plans that reflect the community’s vision and values,” the village said on its Facebook page announcing Town Center’s closing.
The village also said the closure had been long-planned, with relocation efforts of existing tenants dating back to last September.
“While the announcement may feel sudden, this process has been in the works for an extended period due to ongoing safety concerns,” the village said.
Namdar Realty Group, in conjunction with partner Mason Asset Management, own and operates distressed retail centers around the county, including Town Center.
A message left with Mason Asset seeking comment on the village’s action to close part of Town Center was not immediately returned.
The village said it levied some $4 million in fines against ownership for code violations.
Details about what the violations entailed were not immediately available.
A portfolio posted at Mason’s website shows that apart from Matteson Town Center, which it acquired in early 2017, Mason owns Marketplace of Matteson, at the southwest corner of U.S. 30 and Governors Highway.
The company’s portfolio, according to the website, also shows River Oaks Center in Calumet City among its properties.
Matteson Town Center tenants at one point included Chuck E. Cheese, Hibachi Grill & Buffet, Office Max and Toys R Us. The Toys R Us had closed in 2018 as part of the chain’s bankruptcy.
To the east of Town Center, Matteson looks to develop what it’s calling Market Square Crossing, on the site of the former Lincoln Mall. The mall was closed over health and safety concerns in 2015 and later demolished.
Village officials envision a multi-use development including residential, retail and recreation and sports uses.
