That is, foot traffic and car traffic count when it comes to freestanding retail properties. So locating at a busy intersection can help make or break your business. One such corner with great foot and traffic counts is located at the intersection of S. Washington Street and Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville. According to city records, over an average of 28,000 vehicles travel on Washington in a 24 hour period, which is the fifth highest traveled road in Naperville.
The four corners of Washington and Jefferson are home to Noodles and Company, Zazu Salon, a large bank, and Roseland Draperies and Interiors with War Chest Boutique located at the rear of the property. All these businesses are categorized generally as freestanding retail.
Roseland Drapes and Interiors, owned and operated by Betty Kozlowski and Mary Ann Junkroski, has been at 204 S. Washington since 1983. This 5,100 square-foot first-floor gable building (gable depicts the type of roof pitch and in part describes the type of building) was constructed in 1858 and renovated many times over the years.
Home to some long-running businesses, the first retail occupant was Yost Hardware, followed by Soukup’s Hardware.
This corner location and Roseland’s longevity in the space demonstrate how powerful counts count.
“During good times and not so good times, this corner location has helped us thrive,” said Mary Ann Junkroski. “If you own a home or visit Naperville you’ll pass by Roseland Draperies and Interiors. I’ve been in Naperville since 1975 and simply love Naperville and the people.”
By contrast, I have seen corners when traffic patterns get changed with new construction, maybe when turning left is, for any reason, restricted (or vise versa). Sometimes when changes are made to move traffic, you can count on local businesses not doing so well.
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