The new owners of MainStreet department stores said Tuesday they plan to expand the operation in the Chicago area and throughout the Midwest.

As of March, the newly acquired MainStreet stores will be operated under the Kohl's banner, said William Kellogg, Kohl's chairman and chief executive officer.

The MainStreet chain, formerly owned by Federated Department Stores and headquarted in north suburban Bannockburn, was put on the block after Federated was bought out by Toronto-based Campeau Corp. The buyout caused Campeau to put several Federated divisions up for sale to raise money to pay back the $7.4 billion in debt it took on in connection with the purchase.