New Store In Orland Park, Illinois Is Like A Shopping Time Capsule

A new store in Orland Park is triggering a sense of nostalgia for some residents. It's not the current store but the faded memories of a defunct big box store many Illinois residents might remember. A new Meijer store in Orland Park may look different on the inside but some of the exteriors is like looking into a time machine.

What is it about nostalgia that hits us straight in the feels? Do childhood memories play a part? More than likely, it seems. Many of us can remember the first time we went to a big box store like Walmart and some of us recall the final years of Kmart stores. What about places to shop before both of those scenarios?

Remember Venture? Or "Ventures", as my mom called it. I remember this store existed but I don't recall many details about it. I do recall the exact location of the Rockford store and there was a slushie machine inside. That's all I can out from my brain.

In early 1998, Venture filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy and tried to operate only a handful of stores. Ultimately, they were unable to compete with stores like Kmart, Walmart, and Target, and closed the remaining locations a few months later.

A Visual Blast From The Past

I found some interesting tidbits about a new Meijer location in Orland Park, Illinois that moved inside a space once occupied by Venture. The inside may not show any hints of the building's yesteryears but the exterior is a different story.

From afar the outside of this Meijer may not look different than other locations.

A little close look will review this space was, in fact, once the of a Venture. Do you notice the slanted lines on the right and left sides of the building's entrance?

How about the side of the building? There are very distinct Venture markings in the concrete.

Going back to the slanted lines, you make recall the building looking like this...

If we take the current Google Street View image and do some fancy editing, you'll notice this space was indeed a Venture location.

[h/t Retail 247]