The Lincolnwood Town Center is closing Friday as demolition and redevelopment plans move forward.

Why it matters: The closure underscores how changing shopping habits continue to reshape suburban retail.

The latest: Demolition is set to begin next month for parts of the mall, while some larger stores like Old Navy and Victoria's Secret will remain open until the end of the year.

• The site will be redeveloped into a 150,000–175,000-square-foot project featuring a large retail store, a car dealership and other commercial space.

Flashback: The mall, on the border of Chicago and Skokie, opened in 1990 and served generations of shoppers.

• It featured anchor department stores like Carson Pirie Scott and Madigan's, which closed just a year later.

What's happening: Nostalgia is drawing visitors back for a final look at the largely vacant mall.

What they're saying: "I have so many fond memories. It was one of the first places my friends and I went without our parents," Chicago area resident Kate Alpert said on social media.

• "It's where we bought concert tickets and I got my ears pierced there."

Zoom out: Lincolnwood's closure comes amid a wave of mall-related news across the Chicago area.

• The city recently filed an emergency lawsuit to shut down Ford City Mall, citing an "imminent health and safety risk," including a malfunctioning fire suppression system.
• A judge delayed a ruling after the owners said repairs had been made, but another hearing is set for May 15.

Yes, but: Not all struggling malls are shutting down. Investors are pouring $170 million into the redevelopment of Water Tower Place as it marks its 50th anniversary.

• Plans focus on new retail and restaurants on the lower floors, with upper levels repurposed for other uses. Construction is expected to begin next spring.

📫 Got photos or memories of Lincolnwood Mall? Hit reply — we're collecting them for an upcoming newsletter.

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Paris Schutz is joining NBC 5 Chicago as a general assignment reporter focused on investigations and politics, just days after leaving Fox 32.

The latest: NBC 5 Chicago announced the hire yesterday.

What they're saying: "Paris has long been one of Chicago's most trusted, deeply sourced journalists," NBC 5 Chicago Senior Vice President of News Sally Ramirez said in a statement.

• "His reporting is tough, fair, and drives the conversations that matter most in this city."

State of play: Schutz will join a political reporting team led by veteran Mary Ann Ahern. He will also contribute to the station's digital and social platforms.

• "NBC 5 was the news station of record in my household growing up," Schutz said. "It feels like a dream come true, an epic challenge, and a homecoming all in one."

Zoom in: The news station has added several new reporters to its staff recently, including:

• Former ABC 7 investigative reporter Chuck Goudie
• Former Fox 32 sports anchor Lou Canellis
• Former Tribune food writer Kevin Pang
• Former Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper

The hiring push coincides with studio renovations aimed at creating more space for multiplatform storytelling.

The big picture: Schutz left Fox 32 this week as his contract expired. In addition to covering local politics at that station, he hosted "The Chicago Report," a news discussion program.

• Before Fox 32, Schutz co-anchored "Chicago Tonight" on WTTW.

The bottom line: In a top-tier media market like Chicago, NBC 5's talent push could earn the station an edge in both audience and newsroom clout.

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📚 Even after cuts in a tough budget process, Chicago Public Schools is expected to end the year with a $45 million deficit. (Sun-Times)

🚨 Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) says a group of teens known as the "Lakeview Goons" is escalating from nuisance behavior to violence. (Block Club)

🤕 Cubs ace Justin Steele suffered a setback during his rehab from an elbow injury after experiencing discomfort in a recent bullpen session, pushing his return timetable back indefinitely. (MLB)

👋 Hey, it's Monica.

In honor of International Jazz Day tomorrow, I'm looking back at the role of Chinese restaurants in jazz history — specifically, my great-grandpa, Joe Eng's Golden Pumpkin in Garfield Park.

The big picture: Few people remember the "Dine & Dance" era of Chinese-American restaurants that ran from the 1910-ish through the '40s, colorfully novelized in Lisa See's "China Dolls."

Catch up quick: In the early 20th century, Chinese restaurants were considered risqué joints by some, including Chicago aldermen who advanced legislation to ban them.

• A 1910 Tribune editorial claimed "more than 300 Chicago white girls had sacrificed themselves to the influence of chop suey joints during the last year" after smoking, drinking and becoming "hypnotized by the dreamy seductive music that is always on tap."

Zoom in: Great-grandpa Joe opened the Golden Pumpkin in 1927 at 3829 W. Madison in Garfield Park's bustling entertainment district, anchored by the Marbro and Paradise Theater.

• On one of his postcards, he called it the "largest and most beautiful Chinese cafe in the world" with a capacity for 2,000.

State of play: Thelma Terry, a rare female bassist bandleader, helmed the Pumpkins' house band called "The Playboys," featuring fellow Austin High School alum Gene Krupa on drums.

Dining and danger: A 1929 Tribune story described robbers who danced all night at the Pumpkin, sent their "pretty girl companions" home at 1am and swiped $800.

• Later that year, my great-grandpa lost his shirt in the stock market crash and shut the Pumpkin down.
• He'd relaunch in 1932 with the huge new Hoe Sai Gai on Randolph Street (where Daley Plaza now stands), featuring lush interiors but no more jazz bands.

Tell a friend

Most of you guessed correctly: Justin was at Mustard's Last Stand in Evanston.

State of play: The legendary hot dog hut sits right next to the new Ryan Field, still under construction.

• When finished, the field is expected to emerge as one of the premier football stadiums in the Big Ten.

Flashback: Mustard's Last Stand first opened in 1969 and remains today both an epic hot dog destination and a shrine to Northwestern sports.

• One reader called it "a long time family favorite for multiple generations. With a nice look at the new Northwestern stadium being built. Thanks for highlighting my hood, Justin!"

🌭 No. Thank YOU for supporting a great hot dog stand for over 55 years!