More retail storefronts are occupied in downtown Glen Ellyn.

The occupancy rates have been on the rise since 2009, according to the Glen Ellyn Economic Development Corporation.

Despite the harsh economy, Janie Patch, executive director of the corporation, said the diversity of shops downtown is a priority for her group, which ultimately helps improve and keep businesses downtown.

Patch said recruiting Marcel’s Culinary Experience, 490 N. Main Street, was an important step for her group. Patch said this shop will serve as a “new anchor” for the downtown.

"We believe the cooking classes will add a highly desirable entertainment and learning value, encourage high-frequency visits and further strengthen our already successful downtown," said Patch.

That strategy seems to be working, according to Rich Ducar, owner of The Bike Shop. More businesses and more foot traffic is what Ducar said is helping the entire downtown and stores like his.

“You can just tell by the action on the street; Swap Shop has brought people, having the Asian Pearl has brought more people,” said Ducar. “You see the people walking around downtown who you might not have seen last summer,” said Ducar.

Attracting people to the downtown area has been a team effort. Georgia Koch, executive director of the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, is thrilled about the rise in occupancy rates, and says it's been a team effort between the EDC, Chamber and Alliance of Downtown Glen Ellyn.

The Friday events hosted by the Alliance have attracted residents and people from all around, and the EDC rented a trolley to show-off all the opportunities downtown to developers.  

This team work is attracting more people downtown, which ultimately helps business said Koch.

And, according to the EDC’s recent report, retaining retailers downtown has been strong this past year.

“The fact that we have such a good occupany rate is nothing but a boom for us because success begets success,” said Koch.