Hawthorn Mall

A One Stop Shopping Mall!
This mall can still deliver the goods even though it’s a shadow of it’s former self.
I actually remember when this mall was built in 1973. It was called and known as Hawthorne Mall. When the mall was built, it was something that was fairly new to people (one stop shop). I remember shopping here and purchasing my first stereo (Harmon Kardon) from a store call Shack Electronics where you could actually negotiate the purchase price or purchasing my first tools (Craftsman) from Sears.
After 40 years, the times have changed and many of the original stores that had once graced Vernon Hills is no longer here. Blame it on the economy or the fact that stores can’t keep up with the times with all of the super stores out there with Giants falling to the wayside like Marshal Fields did.
The fact that they can keep the mall filled with some decent choices means that they are still in the ball game. They have recently added a modern AMC 12 theater, Dave and Busters, Smash Burger and Maggianos.
Here is a link of what they offer.
So I have recently rediscovered this mall and I am okay with the fact that there are people that don’t want to shop here anymore. You can still find some pretty nice items in here so I will continue to shop here.

I’m quite impressed with the mall over the last few months. The entire mall is cleaner (especially the restrooms) and the employees of some of the stores I frequent have said their sales are climbing for the first time in years.
There is clearly an increase in new stores and kiosks with a greater level of signage to help promote new and existing stores and help the customers get there.
A new full scale restaurant is on the way near the AMC and this is a first for the mall in the 30+ years I’ve been shopping here. The restaurant will have lots of exterior windows and entrances from both the outside and inside of the mall.
The kids free play area (first floor JC Penny wing) and acrobatic bouncing business (first floor Sears wing) keep the children entertained. Shopping is a full family experience.
The food court remains busy and just added another food purveyor. The tables that wobbled and chairs that were bent have mostly disappeared or been fixed.
One thing that is a negative in my review is the elimination of good parking by the new wing (with the AMC). Now the mall entrance with the least parking is the one most customers wish to use. My hope is that in the future, there will be a new multi-​deck parking structure by the AMC and restaurant that could also include an entrance or ramp directly in to the upper level of the theater.

Hawthorn mall continues to loose stores. The new management
Needs to look for better stores and get rid of dangerous kiosks
Such the hover boards and ecigarettes.
They recently allowed a coffee cart that still is not operational. It
Appears it’s all about the money.
If you walk then mall you see stores closing left and right. If
You speak with mall employees they have yet to meet the new
Owners.
As for new business they claim to be coming and never do. If
It were not for AMC the mall would fall apart the same way
Lakehurst did in Waukegan.
How long is it going to take for the new management to wake up
And make some real changes.

Most of the ownership of this mall was recently sold by Westfield, the Australian company that operated this one and two others in the Chicago area, although I understand they will retain a small percentage of it. With that as a preface, it remains to be seen what the new owners will do. Up until now, the mall has come a long way. The addition of an AMC 12 screen movie theater (very comfortable seats.), Dave and Busters and several other dining options, seems to reflect the trend of turning malls away from shopping and more toward entertainment. This is a clean mall that, at least in comparison to Woodfield and other larger malls, is never that crowded. The stores range from mid price like Macy’s and Carson’s to a few upper bracket stores like Coach. But it is not in the same league as Northbrook Court or Old Orchard. In summary, if you are looking for a clean comfortable mall that is not too crowded and offers family entertainment, this will do. If you want Lord and Talyor, Sacks, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany’s etc… drive 12 miles to Northbrook Court.