Stratford Square — Local services in Montgomery

Stratford Square still has plenty of shops and things to do, even while many other malls are declining. Sears, Burlington, and Kohl’s are great places to shop, and the mall offers everything from eye care and massages to an ice skating rink and a bowling alley. My granddaughters often visit the Chinese restaurants here even when we’re not shopping. Nunzio’s and Red Robin are both solid choices for a sit-down meal, while Cinnabon and Baskin Robbins make perfect quick stops for a snack. Families with little ones will love the mobile animals you can rent by the quarter-hour. Plus, parking is plentiful and the entrances are all handicap accessible, making the mall convenient...

My wife and I made a quick trip to Stratford Mall to pick up a few items. Sometimes we prefer Stratford over Woodfield—parking is easier, the mall is smaller, and it’s just simpler to get around. While it does seem to be slowing down a bit, there’s still plenty of activity, and it remains one of our favorite malls to shop at. It’s also very easy to get to from the Elgin O’Hare, which connects with other Chicagoland expressways. Overall, a really nice...

The mall itself is nice, but it feels a bit dated because of the 1999 renovation. Unfortunately, it’s also struggling—people don’t seem to know it’s even here. The busiest stores are Kohl’s (Mainstreet) and Burlington (Montgomery Ward), but beyond that it’s pretty quiet. The theater barely draws a crowd anymore. I remember when I was 5 or 6 years old, this mall was booming and every store was open. Now it feels like it’s fading away, which is...