Yorktown Center

Ever wonder what it was like to shop in the largest mall in America? Right here at Yorktown Center, you could have experienced that in 1968. Yorktown Center opened its doors on October 10th of that year. It boasted a staggering 1,300,000 square feet of retail space. It was a shopper’s paradise, featuring anchors like Carson Pirie Scott, Wieboldt’s, JCPenney, and Montgomery Ward. Imagine strolling through the central courtyard, the air filled with the excitement of shoppers bustling between these retail giants. Just north of the main mall, you would have found the “Convenience Center,” a strip mall anchored by a Grand Union supermarket. This offered a practical counterpoint to the more extravagant offerings within Yorktown Center. The mall’s perimeter housed even more amenities, including auto centers for JCPenney and Montgomery Ward, a General Cinema movie theater, and restaurants. Yorktown Center wasn’t just about shopping and entertainment. A unique piece of history is preserved within the grounds. The Boeger-Brinkman Cemetery sits on the southern end of the parking lot, a reminder of the area’s past. This small plot is a remnant of the family farmland that was sold to develop Yorktown Center, a poignant juxtaposition of the old and the new. Yorktown Center has continued to evolve over the years. It adapted to changing retail landscapes, undergoing renovations and welcoming new tenants. Today, Yorktown Center remains a vibrant hub in the Chicago suburbs. It offers a blend of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Did you know that Yorktown Center holds another distinction? It became the first dog-friendly mall in Illinois in 2020. So, not only can you enjoy a day of shopping and dining, but your furry friend can join in the fun as well. From its grand opening in 1968 to its modern-day dog-friendly status, Yorktown Center has truly become a landmark destination.