North Towne Square
Encyclopedia
North Towne Square Mall was a shopping mall
in Toledo, Ohio
, United States
. It opened in 1980 on the north side of Toledo, adjacent to the Michigan
state border. Originally, the mall featured three major anchor store
s, as well as several shops and restaurants, plus a movie theater. Changes in demographics and consolidations of anchor stores over time caused the mall to decline. By 2005, it was closed off except for a fitness center operating out of the former Montgomery Ward store, which is still in operation as of January 2011.
of Indianapolis, Indiana
. The mall was located on the north side of Toledo, on Telegraph Road (US-24) less than a mile from the Michigan/Ohio state line. Originally, its anchor stores included local chains LaSalle's and the Lion Store
, as well as Montgomery Ward
. After only two years in business at North Towne Square, LaSalle's was later rebranded into a Macy's
, who had owned the chain since 1924. The former Macy's stores were sold to Elder-Beerman
in 1984.
Because of its proximinty to the Michigan border, the mall drew customers from southeastern Michigan as well. The 1988 opening of Frenchtown Square Mall
in Monroe, Michigan
significantly reduced the amount of traffic coming from Michigan to North Towne. Expansions at Franklin Park Mall (now Westfield Franklin Park
), and a declining economy in Toledo, both factored into North Towne Square's demise as well. Many of North Towne Square's chain tenants moved to Franklin Park or Frenchtown Square, being replaced by local stores.
acquired all of The Lion Store's locations in Toledo and converted them to the Dillard's name. The mall's movie theater complex was also closed by the late 1990s. Montgomery Ward closed its store at North Towne Square in 2000 as part of bankruptcy procedures. Two years later, Dillard's closed as well, leaving the mall without an anchor store.
In 2003, the mall was renamed Lakeside Centre as part of a redevelopment plan. Although new stores such as Bath & Body Works
and MC Sports
had opened, these were short-lived, and closed within a year. The remaining tenants' leases were terminated in early 2005. By February of that year, the entire complex was closed, as its owners decided that electrical costs were too high to keep the largely vacant complex open. During the last 5 months prior to closure and after the mall's closure, a portion of the parking lot was used to store the excess inventory at a nearby Chrysler
dealership.
Wal-Mart
proposed building a store on the site of the vacant mall in 2007. These plans were opposed by David Ball, candidate for City Council.
On February 24, 2010, Toledo issued a Notice of Condemnation by Mayor Mike Bell and David Golis, P.E. Chief of Building, there were roofs caving in, and now the city has demanded the owners to pay heavily for unpaid fines, or else they would close the mall.
The two main causes were A water main break has done damage to adjacent businesses (mainly Super Fitness Center), and owing delinquent taxes near $86,000 dollars. The city has ordered the mall's owners, who are based in California, to repair all areas that have been damaged by water as a result of the water line break. The clean-up would include removal of all evidence of mold inside the building. The contract seemed to be invalid because it was named North Towne Square, instead of Lakeside Centre. However the case is still pending. Super Fitness Center, is caught in the middle, because although not necessary connected to the mall, the demolition and the political management on the deterioration are affecting the owners strategic management for the Fitness Centre.
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It opened in 1980 on the north side of Toledo, adjacent to the Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
state border. Originally, the mall featured three major anchor store
Anchor store
In retail, an anchor store, draw tenant, anchor tenant, or key tenant is one of the larger stores in a shopping mall, usually a department store or a major retail chain....
s, as well as several shops and restaurants, plus a movie theater. Changes in demographics and consolidations of anchor stores over time caused the mall to decline. By 2005, it was closed off except for a fitness center operating out of the former Montgomery Ward store, which is still in operation as of January 2011.
History
North Towne Square was developed in 1980 by Simon Property GroupSimon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. is an American commercial real estate company, ranked #1 in the United States as the largest real estate investment trust. Simon is a fully integrated real estate company which operates from five retail real estate platforms: regional malls, Premium Outlet Centers, The...
of Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. The mall was located on the north side of Toledo, on Telegraph Road (US-24) less than a mile from the Michigan/Ohio state line. Originally, its anchor stores included local chains LaSalle's and the Lion Store
Lion Store
The Lion Store is a defunct retailer and department store chain in the city of Toledo, Ohio. The stores were bought by Mercantile Stores and were eventually sold to Dillard's.-History:...
, as well as Montgomery Ward
Montgomery Ward
Montgomery Ward is an online retailer that carries the same name as the former American department store chain, founded as the world's #1 mail order business in 1872 by Aaron Montgomery Ward, and which went out of business in 2001...
. After only two years in business at North Towne Square, LaSalle's was later rebranded into a Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
, who had owned the chain since 1924. The former Macy's stores were sold to Elder-Beerman
Elder-Beerman
Elder-Beerman is a U.S. chain of department stores founded in 1883 and owned by The Bon-Ton. The chain is based primarily in the United States' Midwest region...
in 1984.
Because of its proximinty to the Michigan border, the mall drew customers from southeastern Michigan as well. The 1988 opening of Frenchtown Square Mall
Frenchtown Square Mall
The Mall of Monroe, formerly known as Frenchtown Square Mall, is an enclosed shopping mall in Frenchtown Charter Township, Michigan, just outside the city of Monroe, Michigan. Opened in 1988, it features more than fifty tenants, including a food court and movie theater...
in Monroe, Michigan
Monroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
significantly reduced the amount of traffic coming from Michigan to North Towne. Expansions at Franklin Park Mall (now Westfield Franklin Park
Westfield Franklin Park
Westfield Franklin Park, formerly but still popularly known as Franklin Park Mall, is a shopping mall in Toledo, Ohio. Its anchor stores are Macy's, Dillard's, JC Penney and Dick's Sporting Goods...
), and a declining economy in Toledo, both factored into North Towne Square's demise as well. Many of North Towne Square's chain tenants moved to Franklin Park or Frenchtown Square, being replaced by local stores.
Loss of anchor stores
Elder-Beerman filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1995. As a condition of emerging from bankruptcy, Elder Beerman reduced operations at its North Towne store: first closing off the store's restaurant, and then by converting the upper level to a clearance center before the store was closed in 1997. Two years later, Dillard'sDillard's
Dillard's, Inc. is a department store chain in the United States, with 330 stores in 29 states. Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dillard's locations are concentrated in Texas and Florida; with a major presence in other states including Arizona, Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri,...
acquired all of The Lion Store's locations in Toledo and converted them to the Dillard's name. The mall's movie theater complex was also closed by the late 1990s. Montgomery Ward closed its store at North Towne Square in 2000 as part of bankruptcy procedures. Two years later, Dillard's closed as well, leaving the mall without an anchor store.
Energy Zone(EZ): TV Show
In December 2001, a new club called the energy zone was revealed. The dance club drew hundreds of youths on weekends, according to Nosa Oviahon and his wife, Robin. It was open Friday nights for ages 13 to 15 and Saturdays for those 16 to 20. . By the end of the year the club became a TV show on TV5 (CW,formally the WB) Originally hosted by Eric Yuhaus , Dj Zman and finally Greg Michaels; radio personality and tv host. A popular persona and widely considered the last hope for the show and club. However due to internal disagreements within the shows management Michaels quit the show.. The club was closed in 2003.Redevelopment and closure
Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works, LLC, is an American retail store under the Limited Brands umbrella. It was founded in 1990 in New Albany, Ohio and has since expanded across the United States and Canada. It specializes in lotions, bath items, personal care items, and home fragrances.The company launched both a...
and MC Sports
Mc Sports
MC Sports is an American retail sporting goods chain. The company strongly believes in something they call "T.O.C.S" Truly Outstanding Customer Service, this is very apparent the moment you step into the store. MC Sports was founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1946...
had opened, these were short-lived, and closed within a year. The remaining tenants' leases were terminated in early 2005. By February of that year, the entire complex was closed, as its owners decided that electrical costs were too high to keep the largely vacant complex open. During the last 5 months prior to closure and after the mall's closure, a portion of the parking lot was used to store the excess inventory at a nearby Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
dealership.
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
proposed building a store on the site of the vacant mall in 2007. These plans were opposed by David Ball, candidate for City Council.
On February 24, 2010, Toledo issued a Notice of Condemnation by Mayor Mike Bell and David Golis, P.E. Chief of Building, there were roofs caving in, and now the city has demanded the owners to pay heavily for unpaid fines, or else they would close the mall.
The two main causes were A water main break has done damage to adjacent businesses (mainly Super Fitness Center), and owing delinquent taxes near $86,000 dollars. The city has ordered the mall's owners, who are based in California, to repair all areas that have been damaged by water as a result of the water line break. The clean-up would include removal of all evidence of mold inside the building. The contract seemed to be invalid because it was named North Towne Square, instead of Lakeside Centre. However the case is still pending. Super Fitness Center, is caught in the middle, because although not necessary connected to the mall, the demolition and the political management on the deterioration are affecting the owners strategic management for the Fitness Centre.