Despite recent closings on the western edge of Flossmoor Commons, the shopping center’s co-owner Blake Meiser said they’re currently in contract negotiations with more businesses to fill up the space. Two of these businesses have been confirmed by their ownership.
Definitions and Meanings, a sports apparel store owned by Derrick Frazier, is set to open in place of one of the recently closed businesses. Frazier has leased the space and is currently in the process of setting up shop.
Frazier said Definitions and Meanings “should be open in the next two or three weeks.”
“[Flossmoor Commons] fits my brand properly for a boutique,” Frazier said. “I think there’s going to be a lot of new revenue coming through that area.”
Zahra’s Playland, a 3,000-square-foot indoor playground, is set to open at 3317 Vollmer Road.
Zahrea’s Playland’s website describes itself as having an area for “children two to 12 years of age, a smaller play area for toddlers, several interactive skill games, central seating for parents and a book stand where customers can purchase the children’s book Zahra’s Playland.”
Flossmoor Commons is also in contract negotiations with a comfort food restaurant, Meiser said.
Kluger Furs hosted Flossmoor Commons’ annual open house on Thursday, Dec. 8 which featured two other businesses in Flossmoor Commons and a cheese, fruit and gourmet snack spread from downtown Flossmoor’s Dunning’s Market & Deli.
Customers treated themselves to wine tasting from Cuvee Concierge, an online retailer that operates out of Flossmoor Commons’ office space, and massages from Empathetic Massage, also located in the Flossmoor Commons office building.
Cuvee Concierge had three different kinds of wine to taste. Owner William Hightower poured a sparkling wine from Spain, a Sauvignon Blanc from California and a Calderón from the south of France. Customers who enjoyed the sample were able to buy a bottle.
in Kluger Furs at the Flossmoor Commons open house.
(Nick Ulanowski/H-F Chronicle)
“I love wine because of the stories and the history,” Hightower said. “Whether it’s a business deal or a personal relationship, wine serves as a great conduit to bringing people together.”
The Flossmoor Commons open house was organized by Kluger Furs with the Flossmoor Business Association. Downtown Flossmoor had its open house on Small Business Saturday.
Larry Kluger, co-owner of Kluger Furs said with the Flossmoor Business Association being “so strong” and having over 50 members, they plan on continuing to have a Flossmoor Commons open house in the years to come.
Flossmoor Commons’ new ownership since 2021 brought a resurgence – with businesses opening in storefronts that were previously empty. Since then, some of these same businesses – Guaranteed Rate, Karyn’s Kitchen, the Mommie Experience and Nu Comfort Medical Supply – have closed their doors.
“It happens everywhere. Things don’t always work out as you planned them to be,” Kluger said, regarding the closings.
Product Freak, a Black-owned beauty supply store that opened during this resurgence, moved to Shops on Sterling in downtown Flossmoor. Owner Kristi Dinkins said Product Freak moved to Shops on Sterling so she could share utility and rent with other businesses, and this is cheaper than doing everything herself.
“Flossmoor Commons, I think it’s great. It has a lot of foot traffic and a lot of drive-in traffic. I think that once some more businesses go over there, it’ll be really good and profitable,” Dinkins said.
In recent months, smoke shop All the Smoke and Americana restaurant PoppinCorks Bistro opened in Flossmoor Commons.