A new retailer may be moving in to the former Kmart location at 2700 DeKalb Ave. in Sycamore.

The shopping center was purchased by Howard Cassett of Scottsdale, Ariz., on Nov. 10.

Cassett is trying to lure a national retail chain as the anchor store, Sycamore City Manager Bill Nicklas said.

“We hope it’s going to be a retailer that isn’t currently in the area that adds a product or service that isn’t currently available,” Nicklas said.

Nicklas said the extension could be completed next year and will link the shopping center to Peace Road traffic.

The shopping center may benefit from a proposed extension of Oakland Drive, which borders the shopping center to the south.

With a new retailer, Nicklas said, the city will have another choice when shopping. The community also would see more jobs and increased tax revenue, he said.

Cassett is planning to rework the facade of the building and create a more uniform and attractive look, Nicklas said.

Workers currently are stripping out old shelving and floor tiles to make the property more attractive to potential tenants, Nicklas said.

The store has been vacant since Kmart closed the Sycamore store as part of a restructuring under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The store was one of 284 Kmart closures announced in March 2002.

Cassett was not available to comment on the purchase of the property.