Google Launches First Midwest Storefront at Oakbrook Center
Charles Spencer
Google has opened its first Midwest retail location at Oakbrook Center mall, marking the tech giant’s fifth U.S. storefront. The 3,500-square-foot store provides a hands-on experience with Google products, including Pixel phones, Nest cameras, and Fitbit trackers. The Oak Brook store will also offer customers AI-driven experiences, as well as troubleshooting and repair support.
Expanding Google’s Presence in Chicago
This new retail space highlights Google’s growing footprint in the Chicago area, where it is also undertaking a major renovation of the iconic Thompson Center. Fresh renderings reveal plans for an airy, glass-enclosed atrium with green spaces and outdoor dining areas, set to open as a Google office hub in 2026.
Oakbrook Center’s Retail Revival
Owned by Brookfield Properties, Oakbrook Center has experienced substantial growth, with annual sales surpassing $1 billion. Recent renovations, totaling $90 million, have refreshed the mall with expanded dining, parking upgrades, and high-profile tenants, adding to its appeal as a prime retail destination in the Chicago suburbs.
Rob Karr, President of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, sees Google’s entry as part of a broader trend of online-first brands opening physical stores. “Customers still value the ability to see and experience products in person,” he said, underscoring the ongoing synergy between digital and brick-and-mortar retail.
