In other words, Forest Fair limped right from the starting line. Finally, center court and the former location of Bonwit Teller became "The Festival at Forest Fair", focused on entertainment and new restaurants. Is it a non-profit? The property, which is. Just my guesses. The mall currently has two open anchors which are Bass Pro Shops . [66] Further redevelopment plans through association with Prudential Commercial Real Estate fell through in 2014 when that company's listing agreement expired. [60] In addition, the property owners had fallen delinquent on property taxes. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Theres a couple of things I find fascinating about it. How could it be, without heat? Simon Properties bought out the Mills Corporation and shortly sold the mall to a local holding company who rebranded it with the uninspired Cincinnati Mall moniker. 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. As the property owners had become delinquent on their taxes, the mall was sold to Cincinnati Holding Company in 2010. This area also features one of Forest Fair Villages two surviving inline tenants: It boggles the mind how this business can continue operatingone of three locations in metro Cincinnati, and it apparently keeps chugging along until midnight on the weekends, long after Forest Fair Village would have remained open when functional (movie theater notwithstanding). Comment *document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ae5129945cef3910ee11005f310e7932" );document.getElementById("a985a49296").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Cincinnati may be one of these cities, and it certainly seems like Forest Fair was unnaturally close to the others, even if it had a different target demographic (a demographic thatyou probably know better than I dois not all that prevalent on the northern Cincy suburbs compared to the eastern ones). By January 2005, things looked good for Cincinnati Mills as overall occupancy reached above 90 percent. Search USA shopping malls near you: Search popular stores in America: Type store name: Do not miss. I would think this would be a perfect place for a winter group run on a cold January day. Ive heard rumors that the food court used to be upstairs, and that it burned down, but I cant find any concrete evidence of this online. Under ownership by Gator Investments working with Glimcher Realty Trust, who had previously purchased the Montgomery Mall in Alabama, the Cincinnati Mall underwent another renovation between late 1999 and early 2000. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. But at least it explains the freshness of the interiorhow unworn the carpet looks (most commercial facilities from 1990 would need a replacement). Location, tenants, architecture, too many competitors maybe? We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. [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. Heres what to know about their accomplishments. Photos show former Forest Fair mall as new plan is considered Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on our interpretation of available data and advice. The group purchased the property in 2010. This kind of thing interests me. Yeah it sounds like you caught it during its short-lived second wind. The Bomb Shelter located in Akron Ohio, is Northeast Ohios coolest retro antique superstore! Guitar Center was closed, and Bass Pro Shops announced they were planning to relocate in 2013. With the renovation, Babies R Us took over the former Stein Mart space, and Johnnys Toys took over the upper level of the former Elder-Beerman, as they moved out of the mall in 2003. These two Oshkosh West students have earned Herb Kohl Educational Foundation awards. Forest Fair Village Mall - the Death of The American Shopping Mall While stores continued to close, that didnt stop North Star Realty from purchasing the mall from Simon in January 2009. In 2022, officials from Butler and Hamilton County submitted demolition plans to the state of Ohio, estimated to cost $9.5 million. [10] As a result, the rest of the mall's opening was delayed to October 1988, and again to March 1, 1989. [18] Despite the mall's troubles, the owners of Parisian noted that the store's sales were strong enough for the company to consider expansion in the Cincinnati market. [42] These stores were part of a reconceptualization of the mall as "a value retail center with new-to-the-market merchants". The proximity to both Northgate Mall and Tri-County Mall was also cited as a factor in the mall's struggles, particularly due to the latter undergoing an expansion not long after Forest Fair opened. Biggs was a store similar to a modern Super Walmart of today. [2] According to these plans, the mall would consist of 1,500,000 square feet (140,000m2) of retail space, with 70 percent of the building in Forest Park and 30 percent in Fairfield. There will be an investment upwards of $3 million to refresh the interior of Kohl's, which is committed to staying. FFM introduced a new concept in 1992 called The Shops at Forest Fair to revive the mall. B Adventurous store, location in Forest Fair Village (Cincinnati, Ohio) - directions with map, opening hours, reviews. [4] Also in 1987, Hooker bought controlling interest in both Bonwit Teller and three other department stores: B. Altman and Company, Parisian, and Sakowitz. By the playground was a biggs and by the doors of the playground was a Johnny Rockets. Each wing offered a different theme of shopping. Regardless of the reason people continued to patronize this mostly dead mall, I would never expected to see children at play. And obviously no paper towels or soap. It's nearly 60% larger than the region's second-largest shopping center,. In 2007, Simon Property Group acquired the Mills portfolio. In 2007, the Simon Property Group acquired the property with other Mills Corporation properties. The remaining 65% of its perimeter is completely moribund, and the entrances show how little in the way of aesthetic improvements the mall has received. That said, there are reasons why malls define trade areas, which helps a place from getting over-malled. It was always a great day out, with so many stores to explore and the excitement of finding something new. Jane, former mall visitor, Its sad to see the mall in this state. And there was the occasional telltale sign of peeling paint or seepage (as in the ceiling in the photo above). ), http://deadmalls.com/malls/forest_fair_mall.html. It was cool to see your take and what you thought! Obviously not a priority location for the corporate headquarters. Yet, despite the challenges faced over the years, it remains a beloved part of the local communitys history. I used to have a store there, and we had a great community of business owners. [46], Elder-Beerman announced the closure of its store in 2003, as the chain wanted to focus on smaller stores in markets with lower populations. 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. [57] Under North Star's ownership, Steve & Barry's vacated due to the chain going out of business,[56] while Off 5th, Guess, Lane Bryant, and Dress Barn relocated to a newly built outlet mall in Monroe. The southwestern wing featuring Parisian and Elder-Beerman became "The Fashions at Forest Fair", featuring apparel and traditional department stores. Under these plans, they worked with Glimcher Realty Trust as leasing agent. The Forest Fair Mall is a shopping mall located in Cincinnati, Ohio. One of the largest malls in Greater Cincinnati is under contract, with plans to demolish it to make way for a $150 million development. 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. I spent a lot of time there, circa 2005. I remember riding the little roller coaster they had there. 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. And we can disregard those other two brands: Babies R Us closed along with parent company Toys R Uss bankruptcy in 2017-18. Antique/Flea Markets. Its easy to see that it wasnt a particularly spectacular looking interior back thenunless it was using late 80s decor that looked even more anachronistic than the current interior design. It's an incredibly large property with just one ownership group, and it fronts Interstate 275. Thanks for the new observations, Maddi! Though the toilets flushed and the faucets flowed, the restrooms had no toilet paper (or dispensers), no stall doors, nor seats. Renovations started almost immediately, with new floors, paint, and signage all throughout the mall. 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). So much potential here! [69] In mid-2017, a Christian media company had expressed interest in using part of the mall property for a studio. [74] The mall was finally closed on December 2, 2022 after city of Forest Park fire department closed all remaining businesses (except Bass Pro Shops and Kohl's) due to a number of fire code violations. Dont be fooled by the cars in the parking lot: most of my photos captured the busier niches within Forest Fair Village. [7], The first phase of the mall, featuring Bigg's and approximately 20 other stores, opened on July 11, 1988. There used to also be two movie theaters in the mall even at the same time as one was Danberry and the other was a discounted movie theater that showed movies that were older in theaters. Some of their quotes include: I remember going to Forest Fair Village as a kid with my family. But, although structurally sound, its hard to deny the evidence of neglect that inevitably accompanies a space with such poor capitalization.Heres one of the few places actually blocked offusing stanchions and barriers from Steve and Barrys, a company that has been out of business for over a decade. Upvote 3 Downvote Jack Kauffman February 18, 2020 Beautiful, unique architecture. How does Forest Fair Village fit within the broader commercial context of the Cincinnati suburbs, and is there a counter-example? Less than a year after opening, the malls owner LJ Hooker filed for bankruptcy after losing three anchor stores B. Altman and Company, Bonwit Teller, and Sakowitz. After all, Amazon Prime shows no evidence of leasing space in the mall itself. Youre right: it absolutely screams 1990searly 1990s, even. [15] Another major tenant present at opening day was a 100,000-square-foot (9,300m2) entertainment complex called Time Out, featuring a carousel and miniature golf course. Forest Fair (formerly Cincinnati Mall, Cincinnati Mills, and Forest Fair Mall) is a shopping mall in the northern suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. This restroom did not have functioning urinals. The story of Forest Fair Village has been a rollercoaster ride filled with ups and downs. This was a time when malls were still a surefire bet (built it and they will come) but they were hardly a novelty the way they might have been in the 60s. Its really heartbreaking to see it die like this, but at least its still open (in a way). Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Over the next two years, the mall would undergo a large renovation, and many independently owned businesses would be forced out of the mall. But Cincinnati is a typically friendly Midwestern environment; in low density settings, two people passing would likely greet one another. [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. But, for all intents and purposes, Forest Fair Village is not an operative mall. I hope the future redevelopment can bring some of that spirit back to the area. Mike, former tenant. Mexican-inspired restaurant, bar on its way to downtown Farmington. One can only imagine the sort of hullabaloo within the Cincinnati metro when this mail first had its soft opening: who isnt going to be willing to load the kids up in the minivan and drive them out to see a gazebo of flying pigs? And its probable that all those cargo vans belong to a separate logistical operation. The Forest Fair Mall was a shopping mall in Forest Park, Ohio, United States. In its nearly 25-year history, the mall has had at least six owners. Forest Fair Mall, Cincinnati Mills, Forest Fair Village . Also, the mall was renamed again to Forest Fair Village. Not as many lurid photos in part 2, but more of an analysis of what went wrongand another attraction nearby where they clearly got things right. There were empty stores even then, but at least it was crowded for its vast size. Mar 16. And the parking lot, vast as it is, once had a clear internal structure, with specialized parking for moms-to-be, and differently labeled sectors so patrons didnt lose track of their vehicles.Ill conclude this exploration of the exterior by featuring entrance from which I approached the mall, adjacent to the apparently well-regarded Bee Fit Health Club, which has almost entirely sequestered itself from the mall. Very modern design. This group was actually headed by the same banks that had given LJ Hooker his $250 million loan for construction. COVID masks arent widespread much of anywhere anymore, but people do still wear them occasionally in malls. What happened that nearly shut down this mall almost right after it opened? The mall faced further challenges under new ownership, including the closure of significant tenants and delinquent property taxes. Yes, I was referring specifically about Forest fair. In the same year, the mall lost Burlington Coat Factory. The property is zoned retail in both communities, but a developer will need to submit rezoning requests to Fairfield and Forest Park, then present them to the respective planning commissions, achieve recommendations to their city councils, and receive approval from those councils. Over the next few years, the mall would see the closure of Dawahares in 1996, but the addition of Guitar Center, which replaced CompUSA in 1998. Oh, its still going. Formerly home to B. Altman, the northwestern wing became "The Lifestyles at Forest Fair", with stores focused on home decor, entertainment, and sporting goods. The part in the mall that was like a stage and had the flying pigs is where Santa would be during christmas time. As the area prepares for a new chapter, the community hopes the property will be redeveloped and repurposed to benefit the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.