In The News

Mid-America Signs Little Monkey Bizness to Rice Lake Square in Chicago’s Western Suburbs

New Concept Blends Coffee House with Children’s Play Area

WHEATON, IL – Little Monkey Bizness, a relatively new concept that offers an incidental coffee bar alongside a children’s play area, recently signed a lease for 7,880 square feet at Rice Lake Square in Wheaton, according to Richard Spinell, Principal of Oakbrook Terrace-based Mid-America Asset Management Inc., the center’s exclusive leasing representative. The franchise is expected to open here in summer 2010.

This will be the second Little Monkey franchise in Chicagoland, the first having opened in April 2009 at Garden Market in Western Springs, Ill., a center also represented by Mid-America. The lease was transacted by Mid-America Vice President Marget Graham and Senior Leasing Representative Katie Hennegan on behalf of the landlord, with Dan Merrion of City Point Realty representing the tenant.

Little Monkey Bizness is a franchise concept from Colorado-based Monkey Bizness that features a café component overlooking a 3,000 to 4,000 square-foot play area designed for children age 6 and under. There is also an arts and crafts room to appeal to the creative side of kids. While little ones monkey around in an enclosed play area complete with a multi-level soft playground structure and other age appropriate play equipment, parents can enjoy a gourmet cup of coffee. Little Monkey Bizness hosts regular open play times and birthday parties. Membership is not required.

Jason Paulo, President and CEO of Monkey Bizness Franchising LLC, who is himself a father of two, says he is franchising nationwide with an estimated 100 stores to be sold and opened over the next 18 to 24 months.He says Little Monkey Bizness is suited for most typical anchored or strip style retail space. “We look for centers that are visually appealing and have reasonable access from major streets or highways,” he says. The franchise currently has four larger Monkey Bizness facilities in Colorado, Texas, Kansas, and Idaho; and seven Little Monkey Bizness locations in Colorado, Kansas, and Illinois, with another opening soon in Tampa Bay, FL.

Rice Lake Square is a 252,232 square-foot shopping center located near the northeast corner of Butterfield and Naperville Roads in Wheaton, Ill, a western suburb of Chicago. The center is anchored by Whole Foods, Stein Mart, Borders, and PetsMart. Adjacent retail includes Jewel/Osco, Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, and more.

Mid-America Asset Management, Inc., is a member of Mid-America Real Estate Group and a ChainLinks affiliate. The company, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary year, is the Midwest's largest third-party retail asset manager, with more than 26 million square feet of retail property for which it provides management and leasing services. For more information, call (630) 954-7300 or visit midamericagrp.com.

PRESS CONTACTS representing Mid-America Asset Management, Inc.
Jonelle Kearney
jonelle@dodier.com

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Kasia Yuska
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DODIER & COMPANY
(800) 970-7392 or (520) 299-1000

WEB LINKS
www.midamericagrp.com
www.monkeybizness.com

ChainLinks Media Contact:
Marie Robinson - 800.394.3701 ext. 8970