Leandro Stefanazzi of Geneva likes to visit Geneva Commons shopping center, and said the recent renovation project at the center has made noticeable changes.

“I like it,” he said at the center in Geneva on Saturday. “Actually my wife has a small salon business here at the center and she’s been looking at how they have been renewing everything and it looks very nice. I like seeing the upgrades. I thinks it’s very nice and they have made this a little more family-friendly.”

On Saturday, Geneva Commons hosted a six-hour grand reopening event “highlighting recent renovations, a slate of new tenants and a renewed focus on creating a vibrant gathering space for the Tri-Cities,” center officials said.

Beginning at 1 p.m., the large shopping and commercial center became a collage of special sales, free food samples, family activities, live music and giveaways, all aimed at celebrating the work and vision of new owners Lamar Companies, which purchased the Geneva Commons development back in April of 2024 for $63.7 million.Officials from the company noted the center “has undergone considerable upgrades over the past year. Updates include nearly a dozen new businesses, a stage for performances and improvements to both the infrastructure and public common areas.”

Cory Boss, executive vice president of Lamar Companies, spoke before the event and said Geneva Commons was built “back in the 2002, 2003 time frame and prior ownership back in 2017 did some modifications.”

“Since then, there’s not been a whole bunch been put into it,” he said. “We’ve repainted the entire center, we have replaced a lot of the broken sidewalks, worked with the center quad area and reconcreted it and put in new lighting and seating. We’ve made an outdoor amphitheater where we want to have people play in the summer and make a nice vibe there.”

Boss said the entire parking lot area was also completely redone “and it looks brand new when you look at it.”

“We’ve made several million dollars investment into all these capital improvements at the center,” he said.

“In addition, we’ve got some new leasing including restaurants including Prime Cuts and as well as new salons for both women and men and a few others that are pending.”

Geneva Commons offers 67 retail spaces and only six remain vacant at this time, Boss said.

New additions to the shopping center include Beaute By Dipsy Spa; Hammer & Nails Grooming Shop; Vera Bradley; Swish Avenue; Vanessa Cavali Brazilian Boutique; The Good Feet Store; Jayne Boutique; and Gloss Nail Bar.

Property manager Donna Eyre said that Saturday’s event “is a way to reintroduce the shopping center to the community.”

“This is something that’s free and we’re having something for all ages,” Eyre said shortly before the event. “The best way to get people to see something is offer to give it away and if they like it, they keep coming back. We want Geneva Commons to be more than a shopping center. We want people to come out, have a meal or a picnic. We’ve got tons of seating outside and we want it to be welcoming and comfortable and spend time with your family.”

Lara Stefanazzi, 12, said the shopping center “is now a really cool place. I think it’s awesome.”

“They have some shops I like for sure,” she said.

Donna Waitkus of North Aurora said she comes to Geneva Commons often.

“I’m absolutely excited about what they’ve done and what’s upcoming here,” she said while enjoying a free beverage from a vendor on Saturday. “I think you need to keep making improvements to keep your community from going elsewhere.”

Richard Lee, also from North Aurora, was at the new amphitheater area Saturday and said his family often comes to Geneva Commons “when we’re looking for something to eat.”

“We’ll go to various places here and I heard about all the renovations going on,” he said.

“I like this area here where we’re at. I remember years back they used to have a stage set up and did some concerts. Hopefully, they’ll bring stuff back here. I’ve got my little 6-year-old and she likes coming out to the mall whenever she can. Any kind of activities where you can bring the whole family out I’m all for it.”

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.