Three new businesses are filling storefronts at Gateway Square as the Hinsdale shopping center's new owner prepares a top-to-bottom renovation of the 40-year-old Ogden Avenue corridor property.
The Book Nook, a children's bookshop, and Paris312, a party decor and supplies company, hold a joint grand opening from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 19, at the center at 777 N. York Road near Ogden Avenue. A third tenant, Sage Wellness Sanctuary, plans to open in October.
Five Kings Properties purchased Gateway Square in 2025, and property manager Ramis Memishi told The Hinsdalean the company will rebuild the courtyard, modernize signage, repave the parking lot and add new lighting. "No surface is being left untouched," Memishi said. "We are aiming to revitalize the whole center."
Memishi said Five Kings is working with the Village of Hinsdale on approvals. The target: 2027.
The center opened in 1985 and consists of two one-story buildings totaling about 38,800 square feet and 246 parking spaces, according to village planning records. A February 2024 Economic Development Commission meeting noted business closures there, and village staff had been working to help fill open spaces.
Memishi presented conceptual redevelopment plans to the EDC in May. Commissioners responded positively and suggested the center consider a name change to "Gateway on York."
The new tenants
Alison Kozlow, a Hinsdale resident since February 2020, opened The Book Nook on Aug. 12. The shop features a blue-and-green color scheme with whimsical wall art and stocks classic and recent children's titles, stuffed animals and book bags. Kozlow said she designed the space and selected every title herself.
The store can be rented for birthday parties and book club meetings. Kozlow plans to add story times and author readings.
Paris312 co-founder and chief operating officer Niku Ghalkhani said the company ran an online party decor business for 10 years before opening a storefront at Gateway Square. A previous Lincoln Park location closed several years ago after the company outgrew the space and COVID hit. Paris312 still operates a production center in Chicago's West Town neighborhood. The new store splits into a courtyard-facing retail space and a production side stocked with helium tanks, ribbons, confetti and balloons in roughly 20 shades of teal and blue alone.
Sage Wellness Sanctuary, owned by Bianca Castlebuono, will occupy about 2,800 square feet. The Hinsdale Village Board approved a special use permit for the holistic spa on Jan. 20 by a 4-0 vote. Castlebuono told the board at its Jan. 6 meeting that the business would offer yoga, meditation, holistic spa treatments and retail products. The space will also include contrast therapy suites and an elixir bar, according to The Hinsdalean.
Existing tenants see momentum
I Design Salon & Blow Dry Bar, a longtime Gateway Square tenant owned by Michele Zayed, tripled its footprint in February after moving to a larger unit within the center. Kozlow noted that the businesses that have opened at Gateway Square over the past year are all female-owned.
Several storefronts remain vacant, including the former Hua Ting restaurant space and a two-story unit last occupied by Fox's Pizza until 2018. Memishi said filling those spots with restaurants is a priority.
