Suburban Chicago will be the first site in what may become a national chain of children’s entertainment centers based on the PBS preschool television series The Puzzle Place.

Lancit Media Productions and KCET/Los Angeles, a west coast PBS station, have signed a letter of intent with MCEC Enterprises, a Chicago-based consortium that plans to create the network of children’s play and entertainment ‘super centers.’

The first is expected to open in Mundelein, Illinois, early next year.

Robert Abrams, former president and chief executive officer of specialty retailer Claire’s Boutiques, is president and chief operating officer of the new venture.

Lancit and KCET will own equity stakes in the new company for their contribution and assistance in design, marketing and promotion.

Lancit Media Productions, a leading creator and producer of children’s and family programming, produces The Puzzle Place in cooperation with KCET. The show, which promotes positive social values and encourages exploration and imagination, is carried on PBS stations in 96 percent of the U.S.