What's next for Little Village's Discount Mall after shutdown?

CHICAGO - Time is running out for vendors at Little Village's Discount Mall.

For 36 years, the Discount Mall has served as a business incubator for first-time entrepreneurs, especially Mexican immigrants. But their lease ends after Tuesday.

The property on West 26th Street was bought by developer Novak Construction in 2020, and the purchase sparked rumors that a big box retailer could replace the mall and its small businesses.

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The Little Village Discount Mall will stay open for at least a couple of more weeks, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) announced Tuesday.

It will stay open until at least Feb. 16, when vendors, city officials and the mall’s owner, John Novak, will meet to discuss a plan for the future of the site that includes the nearly 100 vendors who pay rent to sell their merchandise, Sigcho-Lopez said.

"The Discount Mall is not closed, and it is not going to close. Our intention is to maintain these jobs," Sigcho-Lopez said at a news conference at La Baguette Bakery and joined by vendors who have been fighting to keep their stalls.

"These jobs represent the economic engine of 26th Street, and before the pandemic represented more than $900 million that we contributed to the city," Sigcho-Lopez said.

The Discount Mall is a one-stop shop for everything you need. Items include fine jewelry and electronics, but also authentic Mexican items like hats and boots.

"Why break something that is working? The mall is generating revenue and tourism to the city of Chicago," said Sigcho-Lopez.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.