The new CVS store located on the corner of North Street and Fell Avenue will be opening on August 1 and will provide ISU students, as well as members of the Normal community, with convenient and nearby shopping.

“It’s a lot of convenience in one spot,” CVS manager, Matt Smith, said. “It’s close to the dorms and the students, and there isn’t really anything like this around.”

“CVS was planning to expand in this community,” Mark Peterson, city manager, explained. “It fills a very important retail need. They will carry a lot of convenient grocery type items, which is a real need in that area of town.”

“To have a retailer of that quality and reputation to select that location sends a very positive message about uptown Normal to other national and regional retailers,” Peterson said. “It helps the entire uptown area.”

“It will help bring other businesses and restaurants that are going to cater to the campus,” Peterson added. “It’s very positive for the community and the campus community as well.”

CVS is expecting to have a ribbon-cutting grand opening the weekend of August 21 during move-in, Smith explained.

Other space is still available on the lower levels at the JSM building, Uptown Crossing, but according to Lindsay Leetch, residential property manager of Uptown Crossing, no specific businesses can be confirmed to be occupying any of the space as of July 22.

“I know they are talking to other retailers and restaurants that I am told are very close to signing leases. They are very confident that in a very short amount of time they would have most of the space of the lower level leased out,” Peterson said.

Illinois State will be moving some offices into the building as well, Richard Runner, director of facilities planning, explained.

“The University has leased 32,000 square feet on the second floor of the Uptown Crossing building,” Runner said. “That is a long-term lease.”

“Located there will be the comptroller’s offices, which are currently located on the first floor of Hovey Hall,” Runner explained.

“In addition, academic functions from the Mennonite College of Nursing and academic and administrative functions from the College of Education will also be relocated to Uptown Crossing.”

Runner explained that many of the University’s administrative and academic offices would occupy this space beginning this fall.