My understanding that what people often referred to as the company store was actually just part of the parts department. As noted in other threads, it closed to the public and was going to moved from the Palatine location (most of the rest of the company was already moved out of there not very long ago, although it seems like ages).
That might be part of the reason for longer than normal hold times, they might still be in the process of moving or "reorganizing" after the move.