Orchard Town Center

By: Hannah Ledford and Sam Kutzgar

A new shopping center is under construction in the heart of the Glen Carbon and Edwardsville area. The Staenburg Group is developing the massive project in two phases, with the first phase already underway. The first phase involves the construction of several businesses, including a Club Car Wash and an Olive Garden. However, the most significant business that has opened in the shopping center is Chick-Fil-A, which has already had a considerable impact on the community.

The 52-acre lot for the shopping center was purchased for $11 million in early 2022, and the second phase of the project is set to be completed by the end of 2024. The Orchard Town Center will welcome many new businesses to the Glen Carbon/Edwardsville community, with a Meijer grocery store being the primary store. In October 2022 Glen Carbon trustees voted on an ordinance changing the anchor store from Menards to Meijer. 

Some residents of the area aren’t excited about the developement however. Paul Cooley an Edwardsville resident doesn’t feel like the Orchard Town Center will add anything of value to the community.

“I think the town center adds nothing to the city, it’s just another area for fast food and retail chains and the newly cleared lot was one the few areas left that had trees in the city.”

Some residents have expressed concerns about traffic, particularly in light of the new Chick-Fil-A opening, which will compete for business with the Chick-Fil-A on the SIUE campus. Nevertheless, the shopping center will undoubtedly bring many benefits to the community, including attracting neighboring towns that would prefer to shop in Edwardsville rather than Fairview Heights. We spoke to SIUE student Anna Kuene about her thoughts on the Orchard Town Center and the new Chick-Fil-A and she had this to say. 

Not only is the Orchard Town Center affecting members of the Glen Carbon and Edwardsville area but also surrounding areas like Highland. When asked if the Orchard Town Center was necessary to bring the community together, Highland resident Tina Kutzgar had this to say. 

“Necessary…not exactly, but it is going to help the city. It will also attract neighboring towns who would prefer to shop in Edwardsville vs. Fairview. Not to mention feeling safer in the Edwardsville area.”

The town center project is estimated to cost $70 million to complete the first phase, with confirmed businesses including Olive Garden, Meijer, Club Car Wash, and Plaza Tire. While there are still eight lots and one junior space available, it’s clear that the Glen Carbon/Edwardsville community is excited about the new addition to their town. The success of the Chick-Fil-A has already shown that the shopping center will be a hit with locals, and the project is set to benefit the community for years to come.

Below are the confirmed site plans and storefront layouts.