Forest Fair (formerly Cincinnati Mall, Cincinnati Mills, and Forest Fair Mall) is a shopping mall in the northern suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Continue with Recommended Cookies. The mall sits in the northern suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. Thanks for reading! [70], Inspectors from the city of Forest Park cited the building for a number of code violations throughout 2020, including sealed emergency exits and graffiti. Though the toilets flushed and the faucets flowed, the restrooms had no toilet paper (or dispensers), no stall doors, nor seats. Seeing the arcade and the old Super Saver Cinema gone is definitely the strangest part. The most central node, where all three wings of this triangular structure converge, is truly the stuff of childrens books.Not only is it inordinately largethis was the second biggest mall in Ohio after all (and the biggest mall is even more defunct)but the developer clearly devoted more time and energy to interior design than Ive ever seen, at least outside of Dubai. Forest Fair Village holds a special place in the hearts of many locals who have fond memories of visiting the mall. The mall underwent renovations throughout the mid 1990s, attracting new stores such as Kohl's, Burlington Coat Factory, and Bass Pro Shops. But, for all intents and purposes, Forest Fair Village is not an operative mall. This group was actually headed by the same banks that had given LJ Hooker his $250 million loan for construction. Yet it never was a real success. The site has been mostly abandoned with just a few stores connected to it. (If they keep the lights on. At the time of renovations, the mall was attracting some new stores such as Burlington Coat Factory, Bass Pro Shops, and the first Steve & Barrys store in the state of Ohio. Signup for updates and notifications from Odd World Studio about new blog posts here on Architectural Afterlife. Around this same time, the cinema was closed. As recently as the previous year, Forest Fair Village had HVAC according to some online references; and heres a photo that suggests that in December of 2018, they offered some half-hearted Christmas decorations (none that I saw in 2019). In small biz, do red-letter signs yield red-letter days? This generally well-run company, weathering the paradigm shift in retail better than most, usually seems impeccably maintained, but a quick glance into this location revealed heaps of disheveled clothes strewn about. Great Lakes Crossing Outlets | Michigan's Largest Indoor Outlet Mall When it was built, Forest Fair Mall became the region's largest shopping center, based on leasable space. Forest Fair Village, initially named Forest Fair Mall, was a shopping mall built in phases between 1988 and 1989. Anyway, the newly renovated mall had occupancy back above 90%, but by 2007 it had fallen to barely half, and the Mills Corporation was itself mired in legal trouble from accounting fraud. That place holds a special place in my childhood heart! But then theres flying pigs! Find a Sephora store location near you now! Again, I found it unusual that B Adventurous would even offer access via the malls lonely, unheated interior, since punching a hole in the exterior wall would make more sense from a visibility and safety standpoint. This begs the question: did the developers think retail was the tail that wags the dog? FOREST FAIR VILLAGE MALL - EULOGY FOR A MALLMy part 2 walk thru of Forest Fair Village Mall in Forest Park, OhioSpecial Thanks to NAE -Janae Contag and her t. Forest Fair Village, originally known as Forest Fair Mall, opened its doors in 1988, becoming a popular shopping destination for locals and visitors. Forest Fair Village (formerly Cincinnati Mall, Cincinnati Mills, and Forest Fair Mall) was a shopping mall in the northern suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Mall Details. It still says Cincinnati Mall, the facilitys official name from 2009 until around 2013. But even beyond that, during my 45-minute visit, I encountered approximately 25 people, often in some of the most desolate and vacant corners of the mall. Id assume it was made to compete with Segas GameWorks or Dave & Busters, but again this was the only location ever. 26The city of Fairfield discussed plans this week for what it wants to happen with the former Forest Fair Mall, known currently as Forest Fair Village. The company also worked to rebrand the modern shopping mall as a value retail center with new-to-the-market merchants. During this time, the mall included a nightclub named Metropolis, and a brand new movie theater with stadium seating. Hillwood has Forest Fair Village under contract; plans demolition and And by the 80s, malls were still king but other shopping topologies (festival marketplaces, downtown malls, power centers, factory outlets) were getting tested to varying degrees of success. But yes, thats a toddler on the playground equipment. What are they doing differently than in the past, when it was safe? Or, perhaps, the more honest question should be, What is prompting the criminal element to come to this mall when it wasnt there before?. Fairfield to the North is not so much,. That B Adventurous place was originally called WonderPark, and it was an arcade owned by Namco. However, Northgate and Tri-County are also in their death throws, and the fact that theyre all trying so desperately to hang on means that they may all end up falling to the wrecking ball, instead of one coming out the victor at the end to suck up what little market is left. And obviously no paper towels or soap. Under these plans, they worked with Glimcher Realty Trust as leasing agent. The mall was opened in August 1974, and was the largest shopping mall in the Cincinnati area at the time. Forest Fair Village hours of operations Store hours may vary. During this same year, Meijer opened across the street from the mall. [25] Although Phillips Edison & Company had placed a bid for the property,[29] that company was outbid by Miami, Florida-based Gator Investments, whose purchase of the property was brokered in January 1996. It was perhaps a bit less kitschy than Gurnee Mills, being a bit more clean and uncluttered compared to earlier implementations, but it still had very little staying power. Hope they at least manage to auction off the flying pigs. You are not required to sign in. The playground up till a certain point was PBS themed and the computers were hooked up to a system the allowed kids to play games from the different PBS shows. Meanwhile, Steve and Barrys, the college-themed sports gear store, hasnt been in business since 2009, serving as a clear indicator of how long much of Forest Fair Village has sat vacant. Others went out of business. But the proprietors probably pay next to nothing for the space. The malls former names include Cincinnati Mall, Cincinnati Mills, and Forest Fair Mall. But Simon Property sold it not even two years later in January 2009 to North Star Realty and renamed it Cincinnati Mall. (In some cases, the aging photos chronicle a mall in its sunset years that has since closed completely.) Developed by Australian retail developer LJ Hooker, it was located at the junction of Interstate 275 and Winton Road (Exit 39) and boasted a total retail floor area of 1,500,000 square feet (140,000 m2). Im glad someone finally had the guts to tell the real reason the mall started having problems. Over the years, the Cincinnati Mall, known currently as Forest Fair Village in 2022, has changed names numerous times. It is situated on the border between Forest Park and Fairfield, at the junction of Interstate 275 and Winton Road (Exit 39). The nature of each store varies as widely as the goods inside and each purchase comes with memories at no additional cost. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. [24] In October 1990, the mall was sold to a partnership called FFM Limited, headed by a group of banks which had loaned to LJ Hooker most of the $250 million in construction costs. [48] As part of Mills' development, Babies "R" Us replaced Stein Mart, and Johnny's Toys had opened in the upper level of the former Elder-Beerman,[49] while the older Super Saver theater was sold to the local theater chain Danbarry and renamed the Dollar Saver. High hopes and ambitions marked the malls early years. Former Forest Fair mall to be demolished along with 825 other vacant And, as of the last few months, Tri-County is slated to close completely in May, while the surrounding city while the surrounding City of Springdale is soliciting proposals for a complete redevelopment. I have shopped there many times. Rockefeller Park Greenhouse was Opened in 1905 on land donated to Cleveland from oil Tycoon John D. Rockefeller. I was a kid when it opened. I worked with the stores security in recorded video and these people were constantly in court because of shop lifting. It is the largest shopping mall in the state of Ohio. The mall did not fail due to competing nearby Northgate and Tri-County. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Forest Fair Village, Part II: a lesson in how not to create a regional mega attraction. Developed by Australian retail developer LJ Hooker, it was located at the junction of Interstate 275 and Winton Road (Exit 39) and boasted a total retail floor area of 1,500,000 square feet (140,000 m2). You mention crime in the area, which Im sure doesnt help. The playground serves as a mini node that breaks up the long corridor into separate themes, or neighborhoods, as Forest Fair Village refers to them. 7101 Forest Hill Ave, The Shops at Stratford Hills, Richmond 7043 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Hanover Village, Mechanicsville 8371 Sudley Road, Manaport Plaza, Manassas You could say its final claim to fame is how long it lasted as a completely intact, well-maintained, conditioned, and clean mall, just with virtually no tenants. It is strongly recommended that you verify the information with your travel agent and check advisories for updates and scheduling changes affecting any portion of your trip. Its not a horrible part of town but not a great one. [44] As part of the redevelopment, Mills forced many small independent businesses out of the property. My dead mall postings have routinely become some of my most popular articles, and I still have quite a few great spectacles that I could share someday, stored away in my photo archives. Forest Fair Village Website. So Forest Fair Village was the direct manifestation of a massive error in judgmentperhaps two or three. Although its the end of an era for Forest Fair Village, the community eagerly awaits the transformation of the site and the opportunities it will bring. Additionally, this is among the few portions of the mall that does not appear to be two stories. Usually the surviving anchor tenants partition themselves from a dead mall. So much potential here! Contact Us - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy, Evolution of Westgate Mall in Bethlehem, PA: From Beginnings to Today's Redevelopment, From Boom to Bust: The History of Valley View Center Mall in Dallas, TX, Bridgeport Village Mall in Tigard, OR - Where Shopping Meets Luxury, A Storied Past: Evolution of Midland Commons Mall in Warwick, RI, Grand Central Mall in Vienna, WV - Nostalgic Look Back and a Glimpse into the Future, Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines, IA - Navigating the Mall's Past, Present, and Exciting Future, Guaranteed things to do in South Carolina, First phase of the mall opens with Biggs and 20 other stores, LJ Hooker files for bankruptcy, putting the mall up for sale, The mall is sold to FFM Limited, a partnership led by a group of banks, The mall is rebranded as The Shops at Forest Fair with themed shopping wings, Gator Investments purchases the mall and begins a series of renovations, The Mills Corporation acquires the mall, renaming it Cincinnati Mills, Simon Property Group acquires the Mills portfolio, Biggs, Berean Christian Stores, and Wonderpark close, North Star Realty acquires the mall, renaming it Cincinnati Mall, Cincinnati Holding Company purchases the mall; Showcase Cinemas closes, Local businessmen announce plans for ice-skating rinks, Mall renamed Forest Fair Village; Burlington Coat Factory closes, Danbarry Dollar Saver closes; redevelopment plans with Prudential fall through, Demolition plans announced; mall closes on December 2, Many small independent businesses were forced out of the property, A $70 million renovation project began in January 2003, with new paint, floors, and signage, The themed decor was introduced for each wing of the mall, Elder-Beerman closed in 2003, making way for new tenants like Babies R Us and Johnnys Toys, Biggs, Berean Christian Stores, and Wonderpark closed in 2008, Steve & Barrys, Off 5th, Guess, Lane Bryant, and Dress Barn left the mall. The violence and prospect of violence would chase away most. When it comes to antique shops and flea markets in Michigan, a day shopping feels more like a treasure hunt. By mid-year, Elder-Beerman and Sakowitz had also opened. Some may call it corny or kitschy, but they cant claim its a knockoff. Were they even thinking? I didnt have to dig too far to find images of Forest Fair Mall from before the massive renovation; go to the mostly inactive site, Dead Malls (http://deadmalls.com/malls/forest_fair_mall.html), and scroll to the oldest entries at the bottom (yes, it was being written about as a dying mall even in 2003). The reason for all of the pigs is that cincinnati used to be known as Porkopolis as it had the highest amount of meat packing in the country. [7], The first phase of the mall, featuring Bigg's and approximately 20 other stores, opened on July 11, 1988. Great cliff-hanger at the end. If you enjoyed this post, you may enjoy checking out these other interesting places in Ohio.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'architecturalafterlife_com-leader-1','ezslot_11',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-architecturalafterlife_com-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'architecturalafterlife_com-leader-1','ezslot_12',127,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-architecturalafterlife_com-leader-1-0_1'); .leader-1-multi-127{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. This seems to become an increasingly prevalent issue, even for malls in top-of-the-line locationsand Forest Fair most certainly is not a top-of-the-line location (even within metro Cincinnati). An afterlife for former Forest Fair Mall? There are new plans Potential plans for the property include converting it to light industrial use or creating new commercial spaces that better serve the communitys needs. [9] Immediately after the Bigg's wing of the mall opened, Elder-Beerman was confirmed for the vacated anchor left behind by B. Altman's relocation. There were roving gangs of individuals that would descend on a particular store and shop lift. Take a look at that expansive, demoralizing exterior. It was so sudden, and really sad when it closed. It was a comparatively mild December day by Midwestern standards (probably upper 40s Fahrenheit), so the interior was tolerable, but colder than any operative mall would keep it. My lengthy article touches on this, but I think the biggest factors are the following: a) too close to other malls that were already successful (now theyre dying too); b) it targeted an upscale client base in a very middle class part of the Cincy suburbs; c) the Australian-based developer had little real experience in malls or even American real estate, which probably further explains a) and b). Hillwood, a Perot company based in Dallas, has a contract. The mall changed hands again in 2002 when the Mills Corporation acquired and renamed Cincinnati Mills. That gave it a more bizarre feel, like you were walking around a mall that wasnt dead, just closed, during the daytime, with muzak playing. A Parisian store and BonWitt teller store in Forest Park/Fairfield area was out of place. There was a move to renovate back around 2011 in which they would have put it ice skating rinks amoungst other things but this fell through after issues with the ceiling being too low I believe. [36] The mall underwent a myriad of changes soon afterward, including three anchor stores that all opened in October 2000: Bass Pro Shops opened in the former Parisian,[37] Burlington Coat Factory (now known as just Burlington) replaced the former "Festival" wing,[35][38] and Stein Mart entered Ohio with a temporary outlet store in the space previously occupied by Dawahares. Ill be completely corny and say I feel like my life is richer for having seen Forest Fair Village, all the more so because I suspect its days are numbered. B Adventurous is now closed and how the exterior was decorated from the previous tenet called Wonderpark that had an arcade and some rides. It seems likely the Forest Fair/Cincinnati Mall will get demolished when it finally closes. Apparently the giant fish are inflatable? If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. This is so sad. B Adventurous store, location in Forest Fair Village (Cincinnati, Ohio) - directions with map, opening hours, reviews. Former Forest Fair Mall demolition takes step forward after state grant Black Friday opening hours; Shopping malls locator; Interestingly, this business has one of the most elaborate ornamentations Ive ever seen to a mall store entrance, let alone a mom-and-pop, whose entrances tend to be visibly economical.While it wasnt crowded, it wasnt empty either, though perhaps one might have expected a gloomy winter afternoon during the holidays to be peak business. And who knows what function these ancient computers once served; obviously the valuable bits got ripped out long ago. Yet, despite the challenges faced over the years, it remains a beloved part of the local communitys history. I could hardly believe when you said it was completed in 2003, but yes, it would have been dated then as well. Forest Fair Village is located in Ohio, city Cincinnati. The liminal space that a place once so alive imparts on you is unforgettable. There will be an investment upwards of $3 million to refresh the interior of Kohl's, which is committed to staying. Currently, the malls demolition plan is in progress as a component of State Governor Mike DeWines Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. [28], The mall was put up for sale again in 1995, with FFM representatives noting that the partnership did not intend to maintain ownership for over five years. Then again, the interior design may be one of the few good decisions involved in Forest Fair amidst all the bad ones. In late 2022, the Mills Corporation announced it bought the mall and would continue the redevelopment and reinvention, which included a name change to Cincinnati Mills. A sad Christmas display at Forest Fair Mall/Cincinnati Mills Forest Fair or Cincinnati Mall (or whatever you want to call it) is split across two municipalities and may face considerably greater challenges, though I agree with you: the building is probably toast by now. Im 45 now and remember when Forest Fair opened when I was in the 8th grade. I think it closed because the manager was paying teens from the nearby Fairfield high school to make sex tapes, but Im not positive. The Cincinnati Mall was known for having some unique anchors, including Wallaby Bobs, which boasted that it was the first brewery-restaurant in the nation that operates in a suburban shopping mall. The mall also had Koala Klubhouse, which was the first daycare to be licensed to operate within an American shopping mall. The property was renamed Cincinnati Mall in April 2009. I was the perfect age to be completely wowed that such a place could exist. [34] A gym called Moore's Fitness also opened during this timespan. Manage Settings FOREST FAIR VILLAGE MALL - THE DEATH OF THE AMERICAN SHOPPING MALL - CINCINNATI OHIO Shop lifting is an expected part of doing business, however it was almost explosive from the very beginning. Tuesday Morning store closings 2023: See the full list Way to go.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'architecturalafterlife_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_2',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-architecturalafterlife_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); By 2007, things werent looking too great for Cincinnati Mills. [9][8][11] About one-third of the mall tenants were open by this day, including Bonwit Teller, B. Altman, Parisian, and the food court. Bass Pro, Sax Off-5th, and a toy store, among other places. Bass Pro was going to move to West Chester a couple years ago, which wouldve killed the mall, but Bass Pro bought Cabelas, and the land where the new Bass Pro was going to go was right across from a Cabelas, so I think that was scrapped. Nobody wants to go shopping where lots of fools use the place to harass, assault and rob paying customers. Welcome to Downtown Farmington MI The atrium above features aquatic creatures suspended by wires.
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