Downtown Naperville Bids Farewell to Everdine’s Grilled Cheese and Nike Store

Downtown Naperville faces the closure of two prominent businesses this week: Everdine’s Grilled Cheese and the Nike store. Everdine’s Grilled Cheese announced through social media that their location at 24 W. Jefferson Ave. will shutter its doors on Friday. Although the reasons behind the casual restaurant’s closure weren’t disclosed, the owners expressed gratitude towards their customers for their support over the last decade. The heartfelt message highlighted the joy of connecting with patrons over the years.

Everdine’s Grilled Cheese opened its doors in November 2016 and rapidly became a favorite among locals, serving between 300 and 400 sandwiches daily. The concept sprang from co-owners Kelly and Brian Herkert’s backpacking trip in Australia, where grilled cheese sandwiches provided a convenient, affordable meal option. The restaurant offered a variety of sandwich combinations like mac-and-cheese stuffed, Hawaiian-themed pineapple and ham, and even a sloppy Joe grilled cheese. Customers also enjoyed the option to craft their own sandwich. While the Naperville location is closing, the second Everdine’s location in Batavia will remain open. Despite requests, co-owner Kelly Herkert did not comment.

Simultaneously, Naperville says goodbye to its Nike store at 217 S. Main St. Confirmed by Downtown Naperville Alliance Executive Director Katie Wood, the 4,600-square-foot store ceased operations this week. According to the store’s phone message, the closure date was July 13. The store, which launched in November 2021, marked Nike’s first Live retail initiative in Illinois, tailoring its offerings to the area’s demographics. It specialized in women’s apparel and gear, among other products.

Nike has been dealing with stiff competition lately, impacting its recovery process. Despite beating fourth-quarter revenue estimates modestly, Reuters reported a 35% decline in Nike’s stock prices this year. The company has shut down several retail locations and laid off 1,400 employees in April, mostly technology personnel in their operations sector. Nike also stopped its boutique fitness venture, Nike Studios partnered with FitLab, earlier in 2023. The closure of the Naperville branch follows multiple athletic apparel businesses launching in downtown. Notable openings include Vuori in the former Eddie Bauer location in June and FP Movement, Free People’s athletic wear division, in April.

When asked about the closure of the Nike store, Wood remarked on the evolving nature of downtown retail business. She pointed out the success of 2025, which saw one of the biggest retail openings with new ventures like Free People, Lilly Pulitzer, FP Movement, Vuori, and Regenerate setting up shop. Businesses starting and closing are part of the dynamic transformation of downtown Naperville.