Designer Shoe Warehouse and Five Below will open next week in the Oakland Place Shopping Center.

Roger Hopkins, DeKalb economic development consultant, said DSW will open on April 10, and Five Below will likely open the same day. Hopkins said there is only minor work to be done before Five Below can open. The stores will take up the space formerly held by an Old Navy, 2347 Sycamore Road.

Five Below and Wingstop

Hopkins said Five Below will have a final inspection Friday. Hopkins said Five Below was given a temporary occupancy permit to stock the store. The permit doesn’t allow for the store to open to the public until inspection is complete.

Hopkins said no occupancy permit has been given to Wingstop, which will open next to Starbucks, 1015 W. Lincoln Highway.

“They’re finishing up equipment installations in the property,” Hopkins said. “Their opening could still be a few weeks away.”

Hampton Inn

Michelle Glosser, Hampton Inn general manager, said DeKalb’s newest hotel has seen a steady increase in business since its opening earlier this month.

Glosser said Hampton Inn, 663 S. Annie Glidden Road, has been well-received by the city and visitors. Glosser said the hotel’s weekend was fully booked a week after its opening.

“It’s been over a decade since DeKalb has had a new hotel,” Glosser said. “We’ve been getting good responses.”

Glosser said the Hampton Inn has also been welcomed by other DeKalb hotel owners.

“They’ve been a marvelous resource,” Glosser said. “Though they’re our competitors, they’ve been helpful in answering any questions I had through this process.”

Hillcrest Development President Al Hill said DeKalb is a good market for the Hampton Inn. Hillcrest Development constructed Hampton Inn and Hill is one of the co-owners of the hotel.

“We’d been trying to get one built for five years,” Hill said. “The economy took a nosedive so it had to go on the back burner for awhile. We’re happy to finally have it open.”

Glosser said the hotel sees corporate travelers and NIU visitors during the week and parties for social gatherings on the weekend. Josh Waddle, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce membership manager, said many visitors have come into DeKalb for state football and wrestling.

“Having the Hampton Inn here gives people more choice on where they want to stay,” Waddle said. “We’re glad to have them in DeKalb.”