Eyedeal Optical, Systex, Rick’s Red Apple/Cugini’s Pizza and now, Sun Rays Tanning Salon. What do they have in common?

They all have come and gone from the three-tiered strip mall known as the Village Commons on Lucinda Avenue.

Given the rash of business failures that seem to be plaguing the establishment, questions have arisen as to the feasibility of a mall so close to the NIU campus.

Upon close inspection, however, there seems to be a number of factors that are contributing to the quick deaths of fledgling businesses in the Village Commons Mall.

According to Richard Boardman, who owns and operates the Village Commons property, the campus atmosphere provides a unique challenge to small business owners.

“None of the people whose businesses failed was prepared to run a nine-month business,” Boardman said.

“Once the students leave for summer vacation, a large part of our demographic base leaves. The stores must, therefore, be prepared to make the majority of their money during the nine-month period that school is in session.”

Tom Lehan, owner of Lehan’s Kampus Korner, agrees with Boardman’s assessment of the mall’s business cycle.

“We shut the store down during the summer months,” said Lehan, whose store was the first to enter the mall 23 years ago. “The mobility of traffic affects business. When our walk-in traffic, which is mostly from the dorms, declines, revenue is adversely affected.”

This makes the school months that much more important, he added.

Aside from the effects of the school session, the mall’s setup also might present a problem. The three separate levels are not wheelchair accessible. Additionally, businesses on the bottom tier are not visible from street level.

According to Boardman, these problems will be rectified this summer. The wall in front of the lowest level will be torn down and a terrace installed, thereby opening up the storefronts to the street. Ramps will be added to make the upper levels available to persons with disabilities.

When asked, various businesses in the mall had few complaints about the properties they are leasing.

Barry Caudle, a long-time employee of Electronics 101 arcade, said he feels the venue of the business is most important. He was quick to add, however, that the arcade is the only one of its kind in the area and appeals to area high schoolers as well as college students.

“Our business is pretty constant, even if NIU isn’t in session,” Caudle said.

Campus Video owner Sharon VanKirk said she felt the rent for the property was “very fair,” a sentiment also shared by Lehan. She commented that the reason for the business closures likely can be attributed to poor management by the individual owners.

Boardman concurred with VanKirk, saying the low rent attracts potential owners. “Perhaps some jump into the fray before educating themselves fully on the finer points of running the business,” he added.

Boardman spoke cautiously as he speculated on the future. Construction on Lucinda Avenue promises to sting mall business even more. Boardman said he has heard projections for completion ranging from December 1993 to December 1994.

“There is a reputable contractor working on the project. He shares my desire to end the project as quickly as possible,” Boardman said.

But the six-year owner of the Village Commons property is not about to panic.

“What surprises me is never in the 23-plus years this establishment has existed has every store been filled,” Boardman said.

“I just can’t believe that no one has come up with an idea that would appeal to the tremendous amount of students within walking distance of the mall. Couple this with the low rent and I’d think people would be dying to set up shop here.”

Boardman sounded optimistic when he added, “Maybe when things are fixed up we’ll have greater success attracting and keeping business.”