Hawthorn Woods endorses incentives for possible grocery store project

Well, well, well! It seems Hawthorn Woods is finally ready to host a bustling shopping extravaganza, potentially featuring a grocery store, at the perpetually dormant intersection of Old McHenry and Midlothian roads. Because, apparently, 9,400 residents were just waiting for the right moment to unleash their inner consumers.

In a move that has shocked absolutely no one, village officials approved a series of measures to open the commercial floodgates for this 24-acre haven. They also threw in some sales tax rebates just for fun—because nothing screams “I care about commerce” like financial incentives.

Striving to transform this quaint village into a sales tax-generating machine, officials have declared the Midlothian Road corridor as the glamorous Town Center—complete with zoning and utility availability, because having access to the essentials is so last season.

Despite previous attempts by the property owner and various “highly regarded developers” that fell flatter than last week’s soda, the 24-acre patch remained as developed as a potato. But fear not! A sprinkle of financial incentives might just do the trick, as outlined in a riveting agreement with TEF Hawthorn Woods LLC.

According to this miraculous agreement, the village will glamorously rebate one-third of the sales taxes collected up to a staggering limit of $1.5 million. And don’t worry—this thrilling adventure lasts for 20 years or until the cash runs dry, whichever comes first. Think of it as a high-stakes game of Monopoly, minus the fun.

Let’s not forget the extra 33% rebate for grocery taxes if a decent-sized grocery store pops up! Because nothing says “welcome to the neighborhood” quite like a grocery store for all your potato and cheese needs. Who needs trendy sushi or artisanal cheese when you can stock up on the basics?

While actual users and site plans remain as elusive as a good parking spot during the holidays, community development director Chris Heinen assures us that these approvals will allow the property to be marketed to potential users. So get ready for the grocery store frenzy—or maybe just a coffee shop with a drive-through, because that’s the epitome of fine dining these days.

Convenience aside, the area should see a traffic uptick with about 30,000 vehicles cruising past Old McHenry Road daily. Upcoming plans for an underpass at the railroad crossing should make driving feel like a joyride, or at least less of a headache. Jonathan Berger, the property owner, seems positively optimistic that the site’s chances of development are finally “better,” despite ongoing sewer issues that required some creative problem-solving.

In the grand scheme of things, it appears the corner is finally on the road to some good old-fashioned commercial greatness—unless, of course, the village changes its mind, or the potato supply runs low. Either way, Hawthorn Woods is set for a wild ride into the world of retail, one tax rebate at a time.

Speaking of ambitious projects, adorning the Old McHenry landscape is the underpass—a majestic feature of the Old McHenry Crossing endeavor, potentially surpassing even the finest residential developments in the area.

The first segment—from Fairfield Road to Bonnie Lane—complete with its very own railroad underpass is in the design phase and is waiting for approvals like a bear waiting for winter. Excitement abounds as the village waits to see which permits will take flight.