Grand opening for Wilmette’s Wayfair: May 23

The old Carson Pirie Scott anchor space in Wilmette has come a long way—fair to say.

The progress all leads up to the grand opening of retail giant Wayfair’s first large-scale project set for 10 a.m. on May 23, a Thursday, according to a press release from the Boston-based company.

A Wayfair spokesperson said that day is the true opening day for the store, and Village of Wilmette officials confirmed that work on the Wayfair site is on track to meet the company’s goals.

On opening weekend, Wayfair says guests can expect family-friendly activities and special offers on products, including furniture, home decor, housewares and home improvement products. Wayfair will be open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday.

Wayfair will also include an on-site restaurant called The Porch.

How we got here

As first reported by The Record, Wayfair announced in late 2021 its plans to build the company’s first brick-and-mortar store — a 150,000-plus square-foot project — in Wilmette’s Edens Plaza, 3232 Lake Ave.

Wayfair has taken over the anchor left vacant by Carson Pirie Scott in 2018. The design plans approved in 2022, and amended in early 2023, called for the demolition of five storefronts to make way for the store’s entryway plaza on the east side of the building. Developers got approval for a large, north-facing mural and an on-site restaurant in February of this year.

Workers broke ground on the site in the spring of 2023.

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