U.S. 231 will be the Regions next big commerical corridor with a few prjects bringing new shopping and dining options. Staff file photo by John J. Watkins
New residents have been flooding into the sprawling 700-acre Gates of St. John subdivision and other new neighborhoods in St. John, one of Indiana's fastest-growing municipalities.
Now retail is poised to follow the rooftops.
Major commercial developments are being built along U.S. 231, or West 109th Avenue, in St. John, where retail has traditionally clustered principally along Wicker Avenue.
Now, U.S. 231 is poised to emerge as Northwest Indiana's next big commercial corridor as space dwindles on U.S. 41.
"It's definitely becoming more attractive for new businesses to consider. As far as retail, the preference for retailers not currently in the market is typically to locate along 41 near all of the shopping. However, with that area filling up and lack of product availability, it is pushing users to focus more along the 231 corridor," Latitude Commercial Co-Founder and Senior Vice President Brett McDermott said. "With 200 new townhomes going in, along with the already existing homes, it gives tenants an immediate nearby customer base. The traffic count is strong on 231, and I expect to see more restaurants and tenants focusing on this area in the next couple of years."
Suncrest Christian Church is developing Shops at the Gates, a 19,200-square-foot lifestyle center on U.S. 231 just outside the entrance to the Gates of St. John. Arrenello's Pizza plans to move its Glenwood location to the retail center, which 14,000 motorists pass daily on the major thoroughfare that connects St. John to Crown Point and is lined with new subdivisions.
The developer is now leasing space at the Shops at the Gates and aims to bring in boutiques, cafes, medical offices, salons and other retailers.
Family Express is building a new convenience store at the southwest corner of U.S. 41 and U.S. 231 in St. John, a short distance from its existing store at 10902 Parrish Ave. at U.S. 231.
LBL Development is developing a 36-acre commercial and residential development at the southeast corner of the intersection of U.S. 231 and Parrish Avenue that's being billed as St. John's new downtown. It's bringing the town 210 units of residential housing and more than 120,000 square feet of retail space.
"The Town Council is excited for the upcoming development along the U.S. 231 corridor, a transformative project expected to unfold over several years and bring significant growth and opportunity to the community," Town Manager Bill Manousopoulos said. "With more than 120,000 square feet of retail space planned, the development will open the door for a wide range of new businesses. The town has collaborated closely with the developer to share their vision and ensure that the project reflects the character and goals of St. John."
The development will improve residents' quality of life by bringing them more shopping and dining closer to home, Manousopoulos said.
"One of our key priorities is bringing in a greater variety of dining options. It’s something residents have been asking for, and we’re excited to see that become a reality through this development," he said.
U.S. 231 is poised to become the commercial hub and cultural center of the town, Manousopoulos said.
"Beyond new retail and restaurant offerings, the project is being designed to fulfill a long-standing goal for the community — the creation of a downtown area for St. John," he said. "For decades, our residents have wanted a central gathering place — a downtown area that feels like the heart of the community. Our other main corridors, such as 93rd, 41 and 101st, couldn’t accommodate that vision. But the way this project is being configured finally makes it possible. The restaurants will serve as the anchors of this new downtown, with retail and other uses following to create the vibrant, walkable center St. John has been waiting for. The town believes the development will greatly enhance convenience for residents, expand local amenities and strengthen St. John’s identity as a growing and connected community."
St. John's population has more than quadrupled over the last few decades, growing from 4,993 people in the 1990 U.S. Census to an estimated 24,250 last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The affluent community has the highest median household income in Lake County, where households bring in $127,449 per year as compared to the median Lake County household income of $68,985, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
CNN has named it one of the best places in the country to live.
"The St. John market remains strong but has seen a slowdown in closed sales year-to-date 2025, primarily due to limited inventory relative to strong demand," Northwest Indiana REALTORS Association CEO Pete Novak said. "New listings of existing homes are down, and new construction also isn’t keeping up with demand. Median prices are up nearly 10% year-to-date, and homes are selling faster than last year, with days on market down about 14%. It’s a smaller pool of transactions this year, but motivated buyers are acting quickly and paying close to list price."
Residents, particularly people relocating from Illinois, have flocked to build new homes in St. John in recent years.
"Good schools, low taxes, newer housing stock, public safety and strong quality-of-life amenities continue to drive in-migration — from both within Indiana and out of state," Novak said. "While St. John remains one of the higher-priced communities in Northwest Indiana, it’s often a relative bargain compared to similar suburbs in Illinois. Many buyers can maintain Chicago-area employment while benefiting from Indiana’s lower cost of living and taxes."
The residential growth is starting to bring new commercial development, such as a 70,000-square-foot Jewel-Osco supermarket and a new Franciscan Health office, that Novak said is "further evidence that commercial is starting to follow the rooftops."
"On the commercial side, activity is definitely catching up," he said. "There are also new plans for development along 231 and Parrish focused on upscale retail concepts — projects emphasizing outdoor seating, pedestrian connectivity and a Main Street–style environment. These mixed-use designs represent a step beyond traditional strip retail and tend to enhance property values by improving overall livability and community appeal."
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