Two new businesses are filling long-empty storefronts in downtown Oak Park.
Escapology, an escape room franchise, plans to open in early 2027 at 1120 Lake St., according to the Village of Oak Park's weekly manager's report published Nov. 5. A Kriser's Natural Pet store has already opened at 427 N. Harlem Ave., next to Wild Fork.
The village's Office of Economic Vitality said it worked with the Kirsch Agency to bring Escapology, the planned Oak Park Prime Steakhouse at 1122 Lake St. and a new Xfinity store to the village. The Lake Street spaces have been vacant for several years, according to the report.
The village's FYI newsletter published earlier in 2026 said the 1122 Lake St. space had been vacant since 2019. Oak Park Prime Steak is the second steakhouse concept from Ignacio Martinez and Antonio Monroy, who also own Hinsdale Prime Steak, the Wednesday Journal reported in June.
The village report said Escapology and Oak Park Prime will serve as "co-anchor tenancy" alongside Comedy Plex, furthering the Oak Park Village Board's goal of adding entertainment venues downtown.
Escapology describes itself as an escape room franchise where teams solve puzzles and crack codes in themed rooms within 60 minutes. Its Oak Park website lists at least one game, "Antidote: Chemical Warfare," as coming soon.
Kriser's Natural Pet offers pet products, grooming and other services, according to the village report. The store sits adjacent to Wild Fork in the Harlem Avenue corridor.
The new arrivals add to a stretch of downtown retail activity. The village newsletter noted that Barnes & Noble opened at 1144 Lake St. in the historic Marshall Field's building, filling a space that had been vacant for about 15 years. Downtown Oak Park has more than 750,000 square feet of retail and office space and more than 40 restaurants and cafes, according to the Wednesday Journal.
Economic Vitality administrators Nicole Nodi and Michael Mertes also attended the Booth-Kellogg Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference on Oct. 30, the village report said. The conference focused on helping retiring business owners transition ownership while keeping local businesses operating.
No opening date has been announced for Oak Park Prime Steakhouse. Escapology's early 2027 target is the only timeline the village has disclosed.
