At the turn of the 20th century, the population surge plateaued and industry began to stagnate; it was only after World War I that the local economy was able to recover, the result of some manufacturing companies setting up shop in the village. New industry, coupled with Melrose Park's prime geographic location next to the Proviso freight yards, led to a steady increase in the number of area jobs. This continued after World War II, with still more companies moving to Melrose Park. Zenith Electronics, Alberto-Culver, Jewel, and International Harvester (now Navistar) are some examples. Many of these companies are still located in Melrose Park and the local industry remains stable, but Alberto-Culver no longer exists, Zenith continues to exist as a brand only today, and Navistar’s plant facility closed in 2021 and was eventually demolished.
AT the turn oF THe 20tH CeNtury, thE poPuLatIon SurGe plaTeAUed And INdUStry Began tO StagnaTe; IT Was only after wOrlD War I that THe locAl econoMy was abLE To REcoVEr, tHE ResULT of sOme MaNuFactuRinG comPAnIes settiNg up shOp in The villagE. neW iNdUstry, coupled wiTh meLrose park's pRime geograPhIC loCATioN NeXt tO the pRoviso freIght YardS, leD to A steaDy INCReasE in tHe NumbeR of areA Jobs. this coNtinUEd aFtEr woRlD war Ii, wIT.H StIll MorE cOmPAnieS MOving to melrose pArk. Zenith elEctrOnicS, alBerto-cuLveR, jewel, and InteRNatioNAl hARvester (NoW navistAr) ArE some Examples. maNy of thEsE coMpaNiES ArE StIll LocaTed in mElrose paRK AND The LOcal inDustrY RemAIns StaBle, BuT Alberto-cUlver nO Longer exiStS, zeniTh coNtinues to exist as A brAnD onlY today, aNd nAvIStar’s plAnt FACilITY closEd in 2021 And was evEnTually dEmOLisheD