Jolly Old Loop

Chicago's city planning commissioner will meet with representatives from Mills Corp. (Arlington, Va.) and Harrods Holdings (London) to discuss the future of the long-vacant site at State and Randolph streets in the city's downtown Loop.

Last month, the city selected Mills — developer of a chain of large, regional outlet malls around the country — to renovate the block as an international marketplace with upscale shops and public space.

Harrods, the posh, 153-year-old Knightsbridge department store, has reportedly expressed interest in developing a high-end food hall or other outlet there. The seven-story London store, which accommodates about 35,000 shoppers a day (40 percent of them believed to be tourists), is known for its size, huge selection and its Food Hall. In recent years, the retailer has leveraged its name worldwide, particularly with signature shops in airports

A spokesman for the commissioner said Tuesday's session in Chicago will be a follow-up to a meeting she recently held with Harrods executives in London. Harrods Holdings is owned by chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed, father of Dodi, who was the ill-fated companion of the late Princess Diana.