Mayor Publicly Calls on TJX Companies to Stay in Evanston - Urges Residents to Write Company
At a press conference on December 17, 2010 Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl publicly called on TJX Companies to not pull out of Evanston and urged residents to write the company in support of rebranding existing store into a HomeGoods store. The Mayor was joined by Aldermen Jean-Baptiste, Fiske, Holmes, Tendam, Grover and Rainey along with business owners and neighborhood Association members.
TJX Companies, Inc., owners of T.J .Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods and A.J. Wright stores, recently announced that they are closing eleven A.J. Wright stores in the Chicago area including the one in Evanston and will rebrand the remainder of the roughly 24 stores in the area. Evanston Mayor to called on the company to reconsider its decision to close and rebrand Evanston store as well.
“The existing A.J. Wright at Evanston Plaza would be an ideal location for TJX to rebrand it into a HomeGoods store in a high traffic, high visibility area. The next nearest HomeGoods store is 6 miles away in Morton Grove which equates to an inconvenient 30 minute plus drive for area residents making the existing location a much more logical choice for rebranding; it would not only be profitable for TJX but also would serve the needs of several diverse communities and neighborhoods around it,” explained Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl.
“Evanston is prepared and willing to roll up its sleeves and work with TJX to determine what needs to be done to rebrand this store; whether it is financial assistance through our Economic Development Incentive Funds, expediting approval for rehab or cutting any red tape. We have a vision and a commitment for this shopping center and it includes retaining such a great business like TJX Companies.”
Write TJX
Evanston residents are highly encouraged to write TJX Companies, Inc. to ask them to not pull out of Evanston but rather rebrand their existing A.J. Wright store located in the Evanston Plaza at Dempster St. and Dodge Ave. into a HomeGoods store.
Send comments to be forwarded to them to communications@cityofevanston.org
Learn More
View letter to TJX Companies from Mayor Tisdahl here>>>
View press release from TJX announcing closure of Evanston store here>>>
View photos from press conference here>>>
Watch video of news conference