Fashion-conscious students and residents soon may have a new place to find the styles that make them stand out.

Dayton, Ohio-based retailer Elder-Beerman is close to inking a deal that would bring one of its stores to town, City Manager Jim Connors said.

This agreement would pave the way for Elder-Beerman to open an outlet in the Northland Shopping Center on Sycamore Road.

“They haven’t signed a lease yet,” Connors said, “but an Elder-Beerman rep is attempting to finalize one this week.”

The store is known for carrying high-end apparel at reasonable prices, Connors said.

Shoppers are looking forward to the possibility of additional retail stores to chose from.

“If they do have nice things, I’d shop there,” said Gina Jones, junior theater major.

She lamented on what she considers a lack of clothing shops in town.

“We need some type of selection in DeKalb. We’re just not getting enough of it right now.”

Currently, Jones and her friend, Aureus Chandler, a senior marketing major, often go to T. J. Maxx and Old Navy for their clothing. “Everyone else shops there, too,” Chandler said, “so we go to places like Fox Valley Mall, Randall Road or downtown Chicago.”

The arrival of Elder-Beerman would be an important component to the revitalization of the Northland complex. Other future tenants include Subway, which will relocate from the building on the north end of the site, and Panera Bread.

Those businesses will be part of a four-tenant unit to be located where a Hardee’s restaurant has been torn down.

DeKalb Principal Planner Russ Farnum said the demolition is complete and the cleanup has begun.

The building on the east side of the Northland Plaza also is undergoing change. Currently housed there are Borders Books and Music, Leath Furniture and J.C. Penney. Bed, Bath and Beyond will join them soon. In addition, J.C. Penney will expand and remodel its existing location.

While completion dates for these projects are not yet determined, Connors expects them to lead the way to a brighter retail future for DeKalb.

“Northland Plaza itself – the total package – should end up being close to 25,000 square feet of restaurants and shops,” he said. “There should be more national retailers coming to the area in the future, whether in Northland or elsewhere in the vicinity. Up until now, there has been considerable leakage of retail dollars from DeKalb to other areas. These developments should keep more retail dollars in the community.”