Jungle of Niles, the sprawling plant warehouse and exotic animal store at Golf Glen Plaza, faces an eviction hearing Friday, Aug. 7, with its one-week lease extension from Meijer now expired and no new deal in place.

Store manager Steve Przekwas told the Journal Topics that the long-vacant former Kmart building at Lee and Oakton streets in Des Plaines is one property under consideration for a move. But both Przekwas and Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski confirmed that a holding company connected to Sears and Kmart still holds an interest in the site, complicating any deal.

Goczkowski said he is unaware of any concrete plans by Jungle of Niles to move into the former Kmart space.

The 115,000-square-foot store lost its lease when the original agreement expired July 31. Meijer, which holds the lease on the Golf Glen Plaza space, granted a one-week extension through Wednesday, Aug. 5. As of Tuesday, Aug. 4, store officials said they were continuing talks with Meijer executives to extend the lease further, with Meijer understanding it will take time to relocate all the plants and animals.

Owner Neal Weiss told WBBM Newsradio on July 30 that moving everything would cost at least $70,000. The store holds about 15,000 plants, about a quarter of its normal supply, plus 100 small birds, dozens of large koi fish and six tortoises.

"The store is much more about community than profit," Weiss said in the July 30 interview.

Przekwas said officials have looked at several other potential relocation sites, but none have worked out. Only one potential buyer visited the store over the past year, said "No, this isn't for me," and left. No sale is imminent.

A GoFundMe campaign had raised $19,830 of its $22,000 goal as of Aug. 4. Weiss estimates the actual moving costs would far exceed that figure.

The eviction hearing Friday could determine whether the store stays at Golf Glen Plaza or must find a new home for its 15,000 plants and menagerie of animals.