Hello, Hermès: Iconic luxury brand to set up shop in Wilmette’s Plaza del Lago

One of the most esteemed luxury retailers in high-end fashion is soon headed to Wilmette. 

Hermès is planning to open up a new location in the revamped Plaza del Lago shopping center. Jill Segal, a spokesperson for WS Development, the Boston-based developer that owns the storied Wilmette center, confirmed the brand’s plans to The Record via email. 

The new Hermès store will be two stories and will be approximately 8,000 square feet, Segal confirmed.

According to Segal, Hermès’ Plaza del Lago location is slated to open sometime in 2026. While an exact storefront location has not yet been made available as of publication time, Segal did confirm that Hermès will be on the south-facing side of the Plaza del Lago property. 

Hermès new Wilmette location will be the well-known brand’s second in Illinois. There is currently a location on East Oak Street in Chicago. According to the company’s website, Hermès has more than 290 stores in 45 countries across the world. 

“We could not be more thrilled to officially announce Hermès as our first new retail partner within the reinvigorated Plaza del Lago,” Samantha David, president of WS Development, told The Record in a statement via email. “This marks not just the arrival of an iconic luxury house, but the beginning of a new era for this iconic destination. 

“Plaza del Lago was at one time the heart of the community and it is our commitment to return it to that noble calling. Hermès shares our deep appreciation for community, quality and tradition which makes them the perfect partner for this journey of restoration and revitalization. We are honored to bring them to the North Shore of Chicago.”

Although David described Hermès as the “first new retail partner,” The Record has previously confirmed several other businesses joining Plaza del Lago under its new ownership. The Record reported earlier that Jenni Kayne and James Perse are also planning to open in the Sheridan Road property

While Plaza del Lago is still open, the historic shopping center is currently under construction for facade, signage, parking and other improvements. David had previously told The Record more about plans for Plaza del Lago’s future in an exclusive interview in January of last year. 

Several spaces throughout the center are open as there’s been a departure of several former Plaza businesses, including Yellow Bird Stationery, Chantilly Lace (both of which moved to downtown Wilmette), Cluckers Charcoal Chicken and Rosati’s.

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