Retail changes

The Village Plan Commission on Tuesday recommended approvals for T.J. Maxx and Five Below retail stores to move into the former Best Buy space in the Grafton Commons.

Berengaria Development is planning to begin construction and renovations this winter and expects the stores to open in spring 2020. 

T.J. Maxx, a discount apparel and home-fashions retailer, plans to occupy 23,500 square feet on the east side of the building. That includes a 2,385-square-foot addition planned for on the northeast corner of the building at 1070 N. Port Washington Rd.

In addition, Five Below, a company that sells products marketed for children and teenagers for $5 or less, will be located in 8,665 square feet on the west end of the space, next to Michael’s. 

During the meeting, the commission unanimously approved a site plan for the addition, conditional-use permits for the stores and an amendment to the planned unit development for the Grafton Commons allowing the former Best Buy store to be divided into two spaces.  

“We want to maintain a premiere shopping center by having first-class operators backfill the Best Buy store,” Berengaria  Development Director of Real Estate Rob Gamperl said.

Best Buy closed in November 2018 after 10 years in business. Best Buy was one of the first big-box retail stores in the Grafton Commons development and was a popular shopping destination along the I-43 corridor.

Representatives of the electronics retailer said Best Buy did not renew its lease at the Grafton Commons because the company overbuilt. Sixty-eight employees were impacted by the closure.

Typical hours of operation for the stores will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with exceptions for holidays. 

The Village Board is expected to consider the commission’s recommendations at its Monday, Nov. 4, meeting. 

Officials with T.J. Maxx and Five Below did not return calls for comment on the Grafton projects.