Jim and I moved back to the Chicagoland area from Norfolk, Virginia in the summer of 1991, just a couple of months before an amazing new mall opened for business. Gurnee Mills was its name, and we were so excited about it. The two shopping centers closest to our house were sorely lacking in many areas and the possibilities this new thing had in store were thrilling to think about.
Our home in Kenosha, Wisconsin was only about twenty minutes away from Gurnee so we made frequent visits to the mall. When D was a toddler, we went to Gurnee Mills on Halloween for trick-or-treating. There were always things going on there and deals to be had. It was easy to spend an entire day shopping, eating, and just spending time together under that big roof.
“Big” is an understatement, really. Gurnee Mills is huge. It is currently the third largest mall in the state of Illinois and houses more than two hundred stores. It has a most unusual setup, too; rather than a relatively compact and two-storied layout, Gurnee Mills has only one story and seems to stretch on forever. In fact, it’s shaped like the letter Z.
Now that we live in Naperville, Gurnee Mills is about an hour away. We don’t visit very often but that’s going to change, after today. I was invited by Gurnee Mills to check out their Memorial Day Super Sale, which (obviously) goes through this Monday. Several other bloggers and I were given $100 gift cards and asked to go shop with them, so it was pretty much a Dream Day. First of all, I was so pleasantly surprised to see all of the new stores that have moved into the Mills since I was last there. Not only are most of the stores outlets, but the prices were ridiculously wonderful. This weekend, lots of stores are taking an additional fifty, sixty, or even seventy percent off of their already reduced clearance items, and the regular sale pricing was pretty tremendous too.
I love a challenge so I decided to totally focus on making my $100 gift card stretch as far as possible, and stretch it I did.
You guys. SO many deals, not enough time. But YOU have time, perhaps, to check it out for yourself this weekend. Now through Monday:
A major holiday of savings during the Memorial Day Super Sale at Gurnee Mills, May 27-30. Even deeper discounts on spring merchandise from your favorite retailers including Macy*s, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Forever 21, LOFT Outlet, Charming Charlie, Buckle, PINK, Bachrach, Guess Factory Store and more!
I hope you’ll go see what I’m talking about firsthand. And…whether or not you make it there THIS weekend, I’ve got an incentive for you to go back in June: I’m giving away a $50 gift card to one lucky reader! All you have to do for an entry is leave a comment and tell me what you’d look for at Gurnee Mills if you were to win. That’s it! Easy peasy! You’ve got until 11:59pm CST this Tuesday (May 31) to enter: I’ll draw the winner on Wednesday.
Housekeeping:
~Only one comment per person will be entered into the random drawing.
~The winner has 48 hours to reply to my email with a mailing address; if I don’t hear from you I will choose someone else.
~Note that I will be sending the winner a voucher from Gurnee Mills that can be exchanged for the $50 gift card at the Management Office on site.
~I may want to go shopping with you; just saying.
Good luck, and don’t forget to check out the Memorial Day Super Sale if you can make it there this weekend. You won’t regret it! Happy shopping!
(And many thanks to the folks at Gurnee Mills for such a fun day! THANK YOU!)
EDITED ON 6/1/16 TO ADD: Congrats, Cher! You are the winner of the gift card! I’ll be contacting you today! 🙂
13 Comments
Michelle
Let’s see… I’d look for the best deals. Is that a bad answer? 😉 And I’d totally “let” you come with me if I win. Really, I’d look for new shorts. Somehow, mine are disappearing.
Sylvia Joy
Great Place We used to love to go there when we lived in the area. I would love to have a Mall like that near me now. But we do have Pigeon Forge but the stores are spread out for miles.
Enjoy! I know I can’t count but I would shop for summer tops.
Alison
I’d look for another sports bra and maybe some new jogging shoes. Cause doing laundry every 2 trips to the gym is rough.
You can totally come shopping with me!
Maria R.
I would look for shoes for my kids since they keep outgrowing theirs. (Since my cousin lives by Gurnee Mills, it would also give us a great reason to visit!)
Susie
I definitely think I’m in need of some new shorts or capris for summer!
Bonnie
I’d splurge on something fun just for me, since I’m always shopping for things the kids need. Bath & Body Works might be my first stop! Happy to shop with you any time.
Jennifer
Jamba Juice and a raid of Charming Charlie’s is totally what I’d do – and I’ve NEVER been to Gurnee Mills!
Cassandra
I am in need of some new summer clothes, so that would be my first priority–shorts, skirts, dresses, tanks, sandals, running shoes, but then I’d totally stock up at Bath & Body Works.
Hyacynth
My kiddos need swim wear! And you are welcome to go shopping with them for me. 😉 lol
Colleen
We *LOVE* Gurnee Mills! It’s probably about an hour from me as well (you know this but I’m in the Milwaukee area) but we seem to pass by that way quite often and almost always stop at GM. Last time we were there we snagged some great deals at Hot Topic where they had super-clearanced-out random bits of Halloween costumes that the kids fell in love with and the girls in the group played pretty-pretty-dress-up at Charming Charlie’s trying on various tiaras. We’re always good for a laugh. 😉
Cher
I’d love a new wallet, mine is falling apart!
Cheryl Hanson Leahy
I would look for a discount designer bag at Last Call- gotta love those prices!
Deanna
Charming Charlie for sure, I need help coordinating lol! And Gap, because I need shorts because I lost weight.