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Joliet

Former Sears at Louis Joliet Mall Slated for Demolition

The owner of the vacant storefront plans to raze the structure as the city explores new redevelopment strategies.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Commercial

Screen-print poster illustration of a vast, empty commercial building and sprawling parking lot in suburban Joliet, representing local redevelopment plans.
The owner of the vacant former Sears building at Joliet’s Louis Joliet Mall is pursuing demolition permits as city officials evaluate residential redevelopment. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The vacant Sears store at Louis Joliet Mall is set for demolition as owner Joe Ghaban seeks necessary permits. The 17-acre property has remained largely unused since the retailer closed its doors in early 2019.

Why it matters

The demolition aims to mitigate ongoing maintenance costs for the property owner. Meanwhile, the city of Joliet is incorporating the site into a broader comprehensive plan that may facilitate future residential development.

The Sears property encompasses nearly 17 acres of land at the Louis Joliet Mall site. Owner Joe Ghaban purchased the parcel in January 2023.

The players

Joe Ghaban

He is the property owner who purchased the former Sears site at the Louis Joliet Mall in 2023.

Louis Joliet Mall

This is a commercial shopping center in Joliet that serves as the site for the former Sears store.

Namdar Realty Group

This real estate investment firm is one of the multiple entities currently holding ownership of the mall property.

The details

The owner is currently working to secure the required demolition permits to clear the site of the former retail space. The city of Joliet is concurrently evaluating potential apartment projects for the mall area through its latest comprehensive plan.

Timeline

  1. The Sears store at Louis Joliet Mall closed in January 2019.

  2. Joe Ghaban purchased the property in January 2023.

  3. The Joliet Comprehensive Plan Committee met on October 13, 2026.

  4. A comprehensive plan will be presented for public input in late October 2026.

  5. The City Council is expected to hold a final vote in January-February 2027.

Culture Shift

Joliet officials are analyzing the apartment redevelopment project at Aurora's Fox Valley Mall to guide local land-use decisions. This strategy reflects a broader move to transform aging retail centers into mixed-use residential hubs.

Residents may see changes to the mall area as demolition occurs and new apartment developments are finalized. The shift from retail to residential land use may alter local housing inventory and traffic patterns.

The takeaway

The transformation of the former Sears site highlights the ongoing trend of repurposing underutilized retail spaces into residential areas. Property owners and municipal planners are increasingly aligned on replacing stagnant commercial structures with higher-density housing solutions.

What happens next

The city will host a public input period for the comprehensive plan in late October 2026, followed by a final City Council vote expected in January-February 2027.

Further reading

For more information on local development, see Commercial.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Shaw Local.

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Should your local government prioritize converting underused shopping malls into residential apartments?