From Floor to Ceiling: Inside North Riverside’s Bold New Look

North Riverside Park Mall Unveils $9 Million Renovation and Retail Revitalization

In 2024, North Riverside Park Mall, a thriving one-of-a-kind property with a diverse and densely populated market, completed a transformative $9 million renovation aimed at enhancing the overall shopping experience.

Photo courtesy of North Riverside Park Mall

The project included upgraded flooring throughout the center, refreshed ceilings, modernized common area lighting, stylish new furnishings, and a redesigned main entrance that welcomes guests with a contemporary and inviting look. Locals have shopped at this mall for generations (it was built in 1976!), and the owners, the Feil Organization, are committed to shaping the center for the area residents’ style and needs. 

As part of this extensive program, over 19 kiosks and retail merchandising units (RMUs) were replaced with newly constructed, thoughtfully designed structures. A Retail Merchandising Unit (RMU) is a versatile, portable display fixture used for retail, food service, or event purposes. These compact and customizable units combine shelving, signage, storage, and lighting, making them ideal for high-traffic mall environments, pop-ups, and seasonal campaigns.

These updates not only improved the aesthetic appeal of the shopping center but also supported a broader effort to remerchandise and elevate the retail environment for both merchants and guests. The result? Higher sales for the tenants.

Video capturing the "before" and "after" as we swap the old RMU with a brand new fixture.

The center offers vibrant retail opportunities for both local and international businesses. Tenants such as Jewelberry, Eyerock Eyewear, Handmade Afternoon Crochet, Merchant Jewelers, Perfume Ora, and CellFix are just a few examples of the passionate entrepreneurs who bring the center to life. Over six months, I had the privilege of working closely with these business owners on behalf of The Feil Organization, a family-owned real estate investment, development, and management firm. I was able to offer tailored education, guidance, and visual merchandising services to help each brand grow and shine.

The center prioritized ensuring that each retailer could uphold visual standards well after we finished our work.

Throughout my career, I’ve incorporated an educational approach into my services, empowering clients to independently manage and maintain high merchandising standards. Even basic visual merchandising coaching can have a lasting impact on the daily upkeep and presentation of a kiosk or RMU, benefiting both the merchant and the shopping center as a whole.

Working with such dedicated and creative local entrepreneurs, along with the management and marketing team at the center, has been a rewarding challenge that my team and I were pleased to take part in.

If you'd like more information on visual merchandising services or my VM101 Guide, please reach out at amanda@amandawolfson.com.

Cheers!

Amanda