Closure of Businesses in Downtown Naperville

Farewell to Everdine’s Grilled Cheese and Nike

Downtown Naperville is experiencing the departure of two establishments this week: Everdine’s Grilled Cheese and the Nike store. Everdine’s Grilled Cheese announced on social media that their location at 24 W. Jefferson Ave. will close on Friday. The reasons for the casual restaurant’s closure were not disclosed. In their announcement, the owners expressed gratitude, stating, “We are so grateful for all our wonderful customers who stuck by and supported us through this last decade. It has been such a pleasure getting to know so many of you throughout the years.”

Established in November 2016, Everdine’s quickly became popular, offering between 300 to 400 sandwiches daily. Kelly and Brian Herkert, the co-owners, were inspired to open the grilled cheese shop after backpacking through Australia; grilled cheese sandwiches provided them with quick, affordable meals during their travels. The restaurant featured over a dozen grilled cheese combinations, including a mac-and-cheese stuffed sandwich, a Hawaiian-inspired version with pineapple and ham, and a sloppy Joe grilled cheese. Customers could also craft their own sandwiches. The Batavia location remains open, according to their social media updates. Requests for comments from co-owner Kelly Herkert went unanswered.

Nike Store Closure

Nike’s store at 217 S. Main St. has permanently closed. Downtown Naperville Alliance Executive Director Katie Wood confirmed its closure. The 4,600-square-foot store ceased operations on July 13, as per a phone message left by the store. The store initially opened in November 2021 as Illinois’ first Live retail operation, targeting the local demographics. Focusing primarily on women’s gear and apparel, the location aimed to serve various shoppers.

Nike has encountered difficulties with competition in recent years. Recovery has been slow, with Reuters reporting that despite modestly surpassing its fourth-quarter revenue predictions, Nike’s stocks have declined by about 35% this year. Amid these challenges, Nike shut down several retail sites and laid off 1,400 technology workers in April. The company’s partnership boutique fitness gyms, Nike Studios, were closed in March 2023.

Nike’s store closure aligns with several athletic apparel companies opening downtown recently. California athleisure brand Vuori occupied the former Eddie Bauer spot in June. FP Movement, an athletic apparel offshoot of Free People, launched its store in April.

Katie Wood noted, “Be reminded that we had one of the biggest retail store opening years ever in 2025 with several new businesses already opening this year, including Free People, Lilly Pulitzer, FP Movement, Vuori, and Regenerate. Businesses close all the time as part of an evolving downtown.”