Yes, this is a blog post about a strip mall.
Naperville is famous for its downtown district. It’s full of great restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bookstores, and big-name shopping like Anthropologie, Apple, and Sephora. There’s also an insane number of ice cream shop options that will require its own post. This area is great and draws people from around the region, but it’s not where Napervillians get stuff done. That’s Naperville Plaza.
This, in my humble opinion, is the best small strip mall in Naperville.
I first visited this shopping center when I lived in Lisle because this was the closest Trader Joe’s to me. I love Trader Joe’s. When we lived in Oak Park, we were spoiled to actually live above a Trader Joe’s. It’s a great little grocery store with great products and good prices. However, sometimes you need a 12-pack of Coke Zero or some other item not available at TJ’s. That’s fine, because Naperville Plaza is also anchored by Casey’s Foods. This is a small but mighty grocery store known for fresh produce, a great deli, and an excellent butcher shop.
In between these grocery shops is Oswald’s, a local pharmacy that’s been serving Naperville for over 150 years, and also houses a small US Post Office. Next door is Garfield’s Beverage, a local Chicagoland liquor store chain with good prices and a surprisingly good assortment for its size.
Then there is Kriser’s Natural Pet, where we get our dogs groomed, and Naperville Smiles, where I get my teeth cleaned.
But wait, there’s more! You can have your tires replaced, your nails done, and your eyes checked. There’s a yoga studio, a fitness studio, a paint store, a flower shop, and a coffee shop. There’s even a bank, a bar, and a few restaurants.
For Napervillians in the East Highlands, West Highlands, and Moser Highlands, this small shopping center is truly a neighborhood gem.
Napervillian 