Plaza del Lago on Chicago's North Shore gets luxury revamp
Why it matters: Plaza del Lago in Wilmette is upping its retail game with new luxury brands and local favorites, which could likely lure shoppers from Old Orchard, another North Shore open-air mall where major renovations have been underway in recent years.
Driving the news: Mall owner WS Development announced it's adding 13 new stores, and at least one Chicago spot making its suburban debut — Streeterville boutique and cafe Space 519 is slated to open there next month.
Flashback: Plaza del Lago was originally built in the 1920s off Sheridan Road and retains its original Spanish-style architecture, with its red stucco roof and white stucco exterior.
It's one of the oldest open-air shopping centers in the U.S.
The Teatro del Lago was a major draw in those early days, described as "a grand movie palace that brought a touch of Hollywood to the North Shore."
State of play: As construction is underway, Plaza del Lago is operational with stores such as Big City Optical, Starbucks and Stretch Lab.
A Jewel now sits where the theater was.
Fun fact: Plaza del Lago sits on a strip of land once known as "No Man's Land" before it was incorporated into Wilmette — a hot spot for suburbanites looking for a drink and a good time.
"No Man's Land became an enclave of uninhibited capitalism amid suburbanites who were an untapped customer base thirsting for a discreet night out. Along the rest of the North Shore, going to a movie on Sunday was considered shameful. Even after Prohibition was repealed in 1933, booze was banned by local ordinances," the Tribune reported.
Zoom out: Open-air malls are a hot ticket, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year, as more flexible work-from-home schedules make it easier for shoppers to run to the market, pick up a coffee, buy a new dress and go to yoga all in one place.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Asian Penny Stocks: 3 Picks With US$300M Market Cap
As global markets navigate through a period of economic uncertainty, driven by renewed trade tensions and fluctuating economic indicators, investors are increasingly looking beyond traditional investments. Penny stocks, often seen as remnants of past market eras, continue to hold potential for those seeking affordability and growth opportunities. These stocks typically represent smaller or newer companies that can offer significant value when backed by strong financials. Top 10 Penny Stocks In Asia Name Share Price Market Cap Financial Health Rating Food Moments (SET:FM) THB4.12 THB4.07B ★★★★★☆ Lever Style (SEHK:1346) HK$1.42 HK$895.95M ★★★★★★ Ever Sunshine Services Group (SEHK:1995) HK$2.04 HK$3.53B ★★★★★☆ TK Group (Holdings) (SEHK:2283) HK$2.42 HK$2.02B ★★★★★★ CNMC Goldmine Holdings (Catalist:5TP) SGD0.535 SGD216.83M ★★★★★☆ T.A.C. Consumer (SET:TACC) THB4.84 THB2.9B ★★★★★★ Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (Holdings) (SGX:BS6) SGD2.63 SGD10.35B ★★★★★☆ Ekarat Engineering (SET:AKR) THB1.00 THB1.47B ★★★★★★ Livestock Improvement (NZSE:LIC) NZ$0.95 NZ$135.23M ★★★★★★ Rojana Industrial Park (SET:ROJNA) THB4.82 THB9.74B ★★★★★★ Click here to see the full list of 978 stocks from our Asian Penny Stocks screener. Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener. Shun Tak Holdings Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Shun Tak Holdings Limited is an investment holding company involved in property, transportation, hospitality and leisure, and investment sectors across Hong Kong, Macau, the People's Republic of China, Singapore, and internationally with a market cap of approximately HK$2.20 billion. Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from its Property segment at HK$3.83 billion, followed by Hospitality at HK$660.02 million, and Investment at HK$147.12 million. Market Cap: HK$2.2B Shun Tak Holdings, with a market cap of approximately HK$2.20 billion, primarily generates revenue from its Property segment at HK$3.83 billion. Despite being unprofitable and having increased losses over the past five years, the company maintains satisfactory net debt to equity at 23.4% and covers short-term liabilities with assets of HK$18.8 billion against liabilities of HK$6.9 billion. Recent board changes include appointing Amelia Yau as an independent non-executive director, enhancing governance with her extensive public accounting experience amid the passing of long-serving director Charles Ho in June 2025. Click here and access our complete financial health analysis report to understand the dynamics of Shun Tak Holdings. Evaluate Shun Tak Holdings' prospects by accessing our earnings growth report. RSXYZ Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: RSXYZ Public Company Limited, along with its subsidiaries, operates in the supply and distribution of chemical products in Thailand and has a market cap of THB2.02 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from its Sim card Electronic Media Distribution segment, which accounts for THB2.30 billion. Market Cap: THB2.02B RSXYZ Public Company Limited, with a market cap of THB2.02 billion, primarily derives revenue from its Sim card Electronic Media Distribution segment amounting to THB2.30 billion. Despite being unprofitable and experiencing a net loss of THB66.27 million in Q1 2025, the company has managed to reduce losses over five years by 0.3% annually and maintains strong liquidity with short-term assets exceeding both long-term and short-term liabilities significantly. Recent board changes include appointing new directors and amending the Articles of Association, reflecting ongoing governance adjustments amidst high share price volatility. Click to explore a detailed breakdown of our findings in RSXYZ's financial health report. Review our historical performance report to gain insights into RSXYZ's track record. CSE Global Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: CSE Global Limited is an investment holding company that provides integrated industrial automation, information technology, and intelligent transport solutions across the Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa with a market cap of SGD483.06 million. Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from three segments: Automation (SGD194.36 million), Communications (SGD232.04 million), and Electrification (SGD434.78 million). Market Cap: SGD483.06M CSE Global Limited, with a market cap of SGD483.06 million, shows financial stability with short-term assets exceeding both long-term and short-term liabilities. The company has improved its debt-to-equity ratio from 58.5% to 50.6% over five years, indicating prudent financial management. Despite experiencing a decline in earnings by 5.4% annually over the past five years, recent growth of 16.9% suggests positive momentum surpassing industry averages. However, the dividend yield of 3.56% is not well covered by free cash flows, raising sustainability concerns. Recent board changes include appointing Ravinder Singh as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director to enhance strategic oversight. Take a closer look at CSE Global's potential here in our financial health report. Gain insights into CSE Global's future direction by reviewing our growth report. Make It Happen Get an in-depth perspective on all 978 Asian Penny Stocks by using our screener here. Searching for a Fresh Perspective? Outshine the giants: these 20 early-stage AI stocks could fund your retirement. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include SEHK:242 SET:XYZ and SGX:544. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Eater
2 hours ago
- Eater
An Iconic San Diego Chinese Restaurant Returns After a Devastating Fire
As dusk settles on a Thursday evening in the Convoy District, a line flows out of the door at China Max Dumpling House, snaking around the complex as customers wait to grab a table at the iconic Chinese restaurant, some waiting as long as four hours. This is China Max 2.0 with new owners and a new menu. Opened on March 1 and renamed China Max Dumpling House, the restaurant incorporates a more dumpling-centric model after the owners found success with their restaurant Dumpling Bar in Encinitas, which they opened in October 2024. China Max Dumpling House is one of the many San Diego Asian restaurants striving to compete in the dumpling space. Inspired by the astronomical success of Din Tai Fung, the privately held Taiwanese soup dumpling chain with 17 U.S. locations, Asian entrepreneurs are modeling their restaurant ventures after the casual dining concept that generates more revenue than any other American dining chain, including Mastro's Restaurants, Cheesecake Factory, and Nobu Restaurants, according to Restaurant Business Magazine. Din Tai Fung also keeps innovating by adjusting to American palates, such as adding chicken dumplings and mango shaved snow desserts to their menu. Matthew Kang Matthew Kang On weekdays, China Max Dumpling House hosts a promotional all-you-can-eat dumpling, soda, ice cream, and New York-style cheesecake deal for lunch and dinner. There's a 90-minute limit at the tables for the AYCE experience, and customers are getting their money's worth. The kitchen team folds wontons and soup dumplings at a rapid pace. The chefs continue to adjust the recipes to customers' tastes, like making the soup dumplings juicier and plumper, as well as adding crab xiao long bao, and a hand-rolled noodle dish with spicy peppercorn sauce. After five years of closure, one of the most beloved Chinese restaurants in San Diego reopened its doors after an accidental fire destroyed the iconic landmark during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. The incident destroyed the restaurant and any hope that it could participate in the steady takeout business that helped restaurants and livelihoods during the lockdowns. When the original owners, Cindy Woo and her husband, opened China Max in 1983, it became a pioneering institution: one of the first Chinese restaurants to establish itself in San Diego's Convoy District, now well-known for its dim sum and Cantonese restaurants. Always bustling, the restaurant was a gathering spot for families and friends, often boasting lines out the door. After the fire, the Woos intended to rebuild and reopen the restaurant, but ultimately decided to sell the business and retire. They sold it to a team of owners who have Chinese restaurants in the Convoy District, Encinitas, and several major cities in China. With extensive restaurant experience behind them, the team includes Shuai Liu and Yingkang Lu, a University of California San Diego grad whose family runs several large catering halls in Wuhan. A third partner, Yukun Sun, owns several restaurants and karaoke bars in Kunming, China, including an elegant, high-end Chinese restaurant recognized in the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, the Chinese equivalent of the Michelin Guide. In San Diego, the team owns the nearby Cantonese restaurant Taste of Hong Kong, which specializes in roasted meat dishes and other Chinese dishes. (Many of the chefs and servers from China Max went to work at Taste of Hong Kong as the restaurant was rebuilding.) In September 2024, the owners opened Dumpling Bar in Encinitas, which has gained popularity in the beach town. Liu says the success of Dumpling Bar influenced them to change China Max's menu to more of a dumpling focus. Another of their restaurants, Kanpai BBQ and Shabu, opened in August 2023, offering all-you-can-eat barbecue and shabu shabu. And finally, they opened a second Dumpling Bar in San Marino, California on May 1. China Max's journey to reopening did not unfold without challenges. The fire caused $4.5 million in damages. The team faced several roadblocks in the five-year process to rebuild. It had to navigate the city's permitting process, negotiate with insurance companies, and oversee major reconstruction, including the installation of a new foundation. 'Once the contractors did any part of the work, they needed to ask for reimbursement from the insurance company. [That process] took a long time for evaluations and negotiations,' says Liu. When the restaurant opened, China Max 2.0 debuted with a more modern interior with tall windows, cushioned high-back chairs, and pink carpet, plus an expanded menu. The former enclosed patio space has been redesigned to be part of the interior footprint. Dumplings are constantly being made by hand in a viewing space just like at Din Tai Fung. Dumpling preparation. Matthew Kang The restaurant relaunched with an evolving menu that is still being expanded and tweaked. Staple dishes include pork xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, along with a pan-fried version of xiao long bao. Other popular favorites include chile wontons, sweet and sour ribs, green beans, sticky rice, hand-rolled noodle dishes, and Beijing duck tacos that come prepared in a steamer basket. Soon to be unveiled on the restaurant's second floor is a buffet featuring Northern Chinese dishes, such as tomato and egg dishes, eggplant with potatoes and green peppers, stir-fried pickled cabbage, shredded potato stir-fry, and sauteed green beans. The dishes are already available for takeout, but Liu, who hails from Shenyang in China's northeast region, hasn't set an opening date for the upstairs buffet. 'Northern Chinese cuisine has become popular in China. I want to bring dishes from the area I grew up in to San Diego, my adopted hometown,' says Liu. 'The original China Max was a pioneer in helping to establish the Convoy District as the dining destination it is today. Lots of people in the Asian community and San Diego were waiting for the reopening, and wondering if it would reopen at all. The fire was a blow to the owners and the neighborhood, says Wesley Quach, director of the Asian Business Association San Diego and Convoy District Partnership. 'The return of China Max reflects our neighborhood, and frankly, our community's resilience.' The lines for the renamed China Max Dumpling House have returned after five years, even with tighter parking after the city removed some 300 street parking spaces to make way for bike lanes. Sizzling House owner Mrs. Lin told Eater, 'If people don't want to wait in line, some might try our restaurant,' a few doors down from China Max. The Lins (who requested not to use their full names for privacy reasons) reopened in January 2025, after closing in April 2020 due to the China Max fire. The newfound energy from China Max's reopening has been good for all the businesses. Mrs. Lin says all the restaurants shared information about the bike lanes and how that would affect parking, while China Max also assisted Midnight Skewers by allowing piping to run from its first-floor kitchen to a second-floor kitchen. Kickstarted by the reopening of China Max Dumpling House, Asian businesses in this particular corner of the Convoy District are also rising from the ashes. Exterior of China Max Dumpling House. Matthew Kang Dining room. Matthew Kang Decorative steamer baskets on the wall. Matthew Kang
The Hill
3 hours ago
- The Hill
Meta bans millions of WhatsApp accounts linked to scam operations
Meta took down 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts tied to scam operations on Tuesday after victims reported financial fraud schemes. The company said many of the scam sources were based in Southeast Asia at criminal scam centers. 'Based on our investigative insights into the latest enforcement efforts, we proactively detected and took down accounts before scam centers were able to operationalize them,' Meta said in a Tuesday release. 'These scam centers typically run many scam campaigns at once — from cryptocurrency investments to pyramid schemes. There is always a catch and it should be a red flag for everyone: you have to pay upfront to get promised returns or earnings,' they wrote. In an effort to ensure users are protected, the company said it would flag when people were added to group messages by someone who isn't in their contact list and urge individuals to pause before engaging with unfamiliar messages where they're encouraged to communicate on other social platforms. 'Scams may start with a text message or on a dating app, then move to social media, private messaging apps and ultimately payment or crypto platforms,' Meta said. 'In the course of just one scam, they often try to cycle people through many different platforms to ensure that any one service has only a limited view into the entire scam, making it more challenging to detect,' the company added. The Tuesday release highlighted an incident with Cambodian users urging people to enlist in a rent a scooter pyramid scheme with an initial text message generated by ChatGPT. The message contained a link to a WhatsApp chat which redirected the target to Telegram where they were told to like TikTok videos. 'We banned ChatGPT accounts that were generating short recruitment-style messages in English, Spanish, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, German, and Haitian Creole. These messages offered recipients high salaries for trivial tasks — such as liking social media posts — and encouraged them to recruit others,' OpenAI wrote in their June report focused on disrupting malicious artificial intelligence efforts. 'The operation appeared highly centralized and likely originated from Cambodia. Using AI-powered translation tools, we were able to investigate and disrupt the campaign's use of OpenAI services swiftly,' the company added. The Federal Trade Commission has reported a steady increase in social media fraud. The agency said more money was reported lost to fraud originating on social media than any other method of contact from January 2021 to June 2023 — with losses totaling $2.7 billion.
