Cubework has purchased the former Sears propertry at Orland Square Mall. (Photo by Bob Bong)
Cubework to turn Orland Park Sears site into Coworking Mall
By Bob Bong
That vast empty space at Orland Square Mall that was once the home of retail giant Sears may be getting new life.
California-based Cubework has purchased the former Sears property at Orland Square Mall and is marketing the former mall anchor store as a Coworking Mall.
The 16-acre purchase includes about 100,000 square feet in the former Sears store as well as the massive parking lot adjacent to the storefront.
The majority of the mall is owned by Simon, but the former Sears site was separate and the property was being marketed by CBRE’s National Retail Partners without an asking price. No sales price was announced.
Calls to Cubework were not returned, but according to its website, the company specializes in renting kiosks and other spaces to pop-up shops and a host of small businesses. Cubework offers short-term and month-to-month leases, free utilities, free Wi-Fi and other amenities without requiring huge capital investments.
“Our Cubework Shops is an open air enclosed creative space specifically designed to get your business out of your garage, self-storage facility, or home office. We focus on helping our customers rent the space they need without having to pay for unnecessary unused space,” the company says on its website.
Its website says spaces from 300 square feet to 50,000 square feet are available for lease.
Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau said he was “kind of surprised by the sale.”
He added he has no idea what will become of the property.
“I have no idea what they have planned,” he said. “They have not come to us with any plan.”
Pekau said the interior of the store, which has been empty since 2018, has been gutted.
There was a plan in place years ago to convert the space into a movie theater, but Pekau said that plan fell through because of COVID-related issues.
Cubework also purchased the former Carsons store at Southlake Mall in northwest Indiana and is advertising it along with the Sears site as a Coworking Mall.
Cubework is based in City of Industry in California. It has more than 40 locations and 5 million square feet of modern industrial co-working space in 25 cities.
17 Comments
Local News
Cook County residents eligible for spay/neuter discounts in February
Spread the lovePet owners can bring their dogs and cats to participating veterinarians throughout Cook County to receive a $40 discount on spay or neuter services in February. The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control are offering the spay and neuter program during February – Spay and Neuter Awareness Month. More than 200…
Teen driver charged in crash that killed Alsip girl
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong A juvenile was charged by Palos Heights police Monday with reckless homicide and reckless driving in the December 27 crash that killed a 14-year-old girl from Alsip and injured six other people. Palos Heights police did not identify the juvenile because of the driver’s age. The driver was charged with…
Let us grow, let us grow, let us grow
Spread the love The weather outside may be frightful, but the learning at St. Sym’s is delightful, is the message implied in a bulletin board designed by third grader Olivia Hernandez. School officials said Olivia was given the opportunity to design the bulletin board as a reward for the kindness she shows at school. Catholic…
Cold weather, warm hearts
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. Welcome to February, the shortest month of the year, jam-packed with holidays like Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday–which are usually bundled together into Presidents Day–Groundhog Day, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday and Super Bowl Sunday. (Some of us just check…
‘Once in a lifetime’ funding coming
Spread the loveGov’t. invites biz owners, non-profits to apply From staff reports Local business owners and community-based non-profit leaders are invited to attend an online meeting designed to raise awareness of the American Rescue Plan Act and other economic recovery funding opportunities, and better understand what they need to do to be eligible for these opportunities. Dubbed…
Crime fighters will meet
Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac Residents of Police Beat 812 (Clearing, west of Central Avenue) are invited to attend their next CAPS meeting, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9. The meeting will be held via Zoom in a webinar format. To obtain instructions and passcodes, call the Chicago Lawn (8th) District CAPS Office at…
Planned park in Palos Heights will have Olympic theme
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Misty Meadows subdivision in Palos Heights is getting a new park and it will be partially funded by a pair of famous local athletes. Plus, it will have an ice rink and an Olympic theme. NFL player Michael Schofield and his Olympic hockey gold- and silver-medal-winning wife, Kendall Coyne…
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control offers pet safety tips
Spread the loveParts of Cook County could see up to 12 inches of snow over the next day as a winter storm moves across the area starting tonight. Cold weather creates hazardous conditions for residents and their pets. The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control reminds residents to take special precautions to keep…
Neighbors
Lyons Mental Health Commission pulls LeaderShop funding
Spread the loveExecutive director accused of harassment From staff reports The local nonprofit service community was jolted when nearly $300,000 in mental health funds was withdrawn by a Lyons Township agency from the Western Springs LeaderShop, a social service agency that has provided youth programs for nearly 40 years. The Lyons Township Mental Health Commission…
Mount Carmel, Marist and Oak Lawn among 84 teams at Riverside-Brookfield shootout
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent High school boys basketball does not stop in March and pick back up in late autumn. For many players, playing hoops is a year-round commitment. AAU ball is a big reason for, that there are summer camps, shootouts or other events at most schools during the summer. The…
Dog lovers to celebrate ‘Fur of July’
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . I’m starting out with some fun news. The West Lawn Dog Park Advisory Council will be hosting a Fur of July Pet Parade on Saturday, June 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Lawn…
Fourth of July not happy for everyone
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Happy Fourth of July. Cannot believe I am already saying that, time sure goes. Hope it is safe and quiet for everyone and especially all of our house pets. For us its shutting…
St. Rita’s transformation is worth a look
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . St. Rita of Cascia Church, 63rd and Fairfield, continues to undergo its transformation from the sunflowery/harvest golds and browns of the 1960s and 1970s to the calming pastels of the 2000s. Since the basilica-style church…
Loss to Courage brings Red Stars’ winless streak to five games
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Red Stars historic start to the season is all but forgotten. In the last five matches, the Red Stars have failed to win, with the latest setback being a 3-1 loss on the road to North Carolina on June 23 in an NWSL battle. The Red Stars…
Summer League Basketball | Illinois powers compete at Riverside-Brookfield Shootout
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent School’s out for the summer, but high school athletes across Illinois are remaining active during the summer sports season. This includes basketball players, who can be found at camps, open gyms, camps and even weekend tournaments. Among the more high profile hoops action in the area was the Riverside-Brookfield…
Dana Rettke and Ryan Murphy heading to Paris Summer Games
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Area fans of the Summer Olympics will have extra reasons to cheer athletes from the United States in the upcoming Paris Games. Dana Rettke of Riverside is a member of the U.S. women’s volleyball team and Palos Heights native Ryan Murphy will represent the country in swimming. Rettke, a…
Hope Church feeds the hungry at Marquette Park
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Last week on the way to our CAPS meeting at the Marquette Park Fieldhouse, I stopped in at the Tuesday Community Dinner hosted by Hope Church every week in the auditorium. Pastors Ben and Jordyn…
Palos Heights tax preparer convicted of Covid-relief fraud
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Palos Heights tax preparer who operates a business in Bridgeview has been convicted on federal charges for fraudulently assisting customers in obtaining loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago on June 10 convicted Hadi Isbaih, 42, on all…
So they want to add a flea market to Orland Mall? Wasn’t the crime already getting bad enough there?
I was thinking the same thing. Lol
My name is Mario cornejo I would like to put a Mexican taco place at the mall my number is 815-545-4542
https://www.cubework.com/coworking-mall
Hi Mario. I’m the local sales representative for the Southlake Mall/Merrillville IN space we are currently developing. You can reach me for more information at 626-893-1895 or jackie.hosch@cubework.com.
If by covid they mean that the theater was scrapped due to shootings. Then sure.
???????????????? That’s the stuff they don’t want to talk about..
I’d like to put a Trump store in here. #saveAmerica2024
Why so more whack jobs with guns can come ??
https://www.cubework.com/coworking-mall
I will be a regular customer.
Super Excited!! How to we find more information
https://www.cubework.com/coworking-mall
Hi my name is Sheila Lockhart I am co owner of BEBE’s Creative Corner. Would love to order a space to get my crafts done at a reasonable price. I am currently working on in a limited space in my home
Please get back to me,
I am ver interested
Sheila Lockhart
https://www.cubework.com/coworking-mall
Hi Sheila. I’m the local sales representative for the Southlake Mall/Merrillville IN space we are currently developing. You can reach me for more information at 626-893-1895 or jackie.hosch@cubework.com.
I’d like to set up a paraphernalia shop, should work out well with the new friends in town.