Construction underway on Dollar Tree store on Route 38 in Elburn

Elburn residents driving north on Route 47 or east on Route 38 recently have noticed a lot of dirt being moved on the lot behind the Walgreens. The mystery has been solved – a Dollar Tree retail store is heading to town.

Construction is expected to be complete around June, depending on the weather. Elburn Building Supervisor Tom Brennan said that once the Aetna Development Corp. representative called him to confirm that the retail store would be a permitted business in the commercial center, he had plans on his desk a month later.

Since it was a permitted business based on the zoning, there was no need for the retail business to come before the village board for a special permit or to notify the residents in the surrounding neighborhood. As a result, news of a new store came as a surprise to the neighbors.

Brennan said that feedback he’s gotten has been what one would expect from residents close to a new development. He chalks it up to people’s natural resistance to change.

Brennan, however, is enthusiastic about the news. He said it will be helpful for the tax base of the village.

“It’s an encouraging testimony to where we are in the market,” he said. “It’s progress. I’m all for it.”

Village President Jeff Walter said he looks forward to having a new business in town. He said the feedback he has received from residents has been generally positive.

“I always make the assumption that these chains know their own market,” Walter said. “We’ll welcome them to town and see how they do.”

“Considering that it’s been awhile since the village has had a brand-new commercial building from the ground up, it’s kind of nice,” added Village Administrator John Nevenhoven.

The Dollar Tree has been fairly prolific in its growth, both locally and nationally. According to the stores’ website, “The Dollar Tree is a national company with thousands of stores conveniently located in shopping centers and malls in all 48 contiguous states.”

The Elburn location will be the tenth in the surrounding area, with three in Aurora, and one or two in Batavia, St. Charles, North Aurora, DeKalb and Elgin. The store will be about 9,200 square feet.

The stores offer a wide variety of products, including items for specific occasions and holidays, arts and craft supplies, toys, books, puzzles and games, kitchen and dining supplies, household and pet, office and school, health and beauty, business-specific, cleaning and storage supplies, candy, snacks and gifts.

Both Walter and Nevenhoven said they’re hoping that with one store coming to town, it will encourage other businesses to take a look at Elburn. Although there have been rumors about Starbucks, Walter said he doesn’t put much stock in that, as there is already one inside the Jewel-Osco store.

Brennan said he has already been extremely busy with the residential growth in Elburn. The Lennar development along Route 47 north of Route 38 has sold 40 units, and the village has fielded several inquiries about the northwest corner of Routes 38 and 47.

“The phones are ringing,” Walter said. “There’s a lot of opportunity.”