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. Its demise is usually attributed to its close proximity to both Tri-County and Northgate malls, as well as being kind of out-of-the-way in a non-favored quarter of the region with weak demographics. Proof positive that a poor location cannot sustain retail for long, no matter how attractive the facilities might be. Oddly enough, this was the only WonderPark ever and it closed without warning around 2007 or so. The mall underwent renovations throughout the mid 1990s, attracting new stores such as Kohl's, Burlington Coat Factory, and Bass Pro Shops. The renovation project cost approximately $70 million. Dont be fooled by the cars in the parking lot: most of my photos captured the busier niches within Forest Fair Village. I'm Spencer Walsh, a professional traveler who loves to help people discover new places and learn about different cultures. [47] After a $70 million renovation project, the mall reopened officially as Cincinnati Mills in August 2004. Its not a horrible part of town but not a great one. FOREST FAIR VILLAGE MALL - EULOGY FOR A MALL - YouTube Much to my surprise, these doors appeared to be unlocked, meaning people could access the department store from within the mallan atypical feature for malls this dead. Lighting is patchy toonot completely dark (skylights help), but certainly less artificial light than one would expect from a commercial facility open to the public. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","a0754c5991695d9f248101a24fefbaf5");document.getElementById("b361f80784").setAttribute("id","comment"); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The mall also features a food court and a variety of stores and restaurants. There you will find so . Most bizarre of all: why is the website B Adventurous a .org and not a .com? At the same time, Cincinnati news station WCPO-TV began investigating the mall after viewers noted that Amazon Prime delivery trucks were using the structure's parking lot to stage deliveries. 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. [10] As a result, the rest of the mall's opening was delayed to October 1988, and again to March 1, 1989. 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. Some of their quotes include: I remember going to Forest Fair Village as a kid with my family. 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. This Is How Much A New Roof Should Cost In 2023, The Classic Brands You Love Are In Trouble, Royalists are already camping out ahead of King Charles III's coronation, 'A big boom:' TikTok challenge leaves Wake Forest teen with burns on nearly 80% of his body. 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. 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. The mall sits in the northern suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the largest shopping mall in the state of Ohio. Biggs was a store similar to a modern Super Walmart of today. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This was the first Kohls store to open in the Cincinnati market.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'architecturalafterlife_com-banner-1','ezslot_1',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-architecturalafterlife_com-banner-1-0'); In 1995, FFM put the mall up for sale after ownership of only five years. 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). Youre right: it absolutely screams 1990searly 1990s, even. Though the mall has closed and is slated for demolition, residents and visitors will remember it with nostalgia. The mall was closed in 2009, and was demolished in 2014. Forest Fair Village info: address, gps, map, location, direction planner, store list, opening hours, phone number. [62] Bass Pro Shops announced plans to relocate to West Chester Township in 2013. Forest Fair Village in Ohio 21 stores - Search4Stores Not helping the case was the addition of the new outdoor mall, Bridgewater Falls, which was built in the nearby city of Hamilton. The easel made overt reference to the notion of keeping the heat inthe businesss way of acknowledging that the interior hallways of Forest Fair Village offer little protection from the December chill. Forest Fair Village (MONTAGE): a 98% defunct mall, frozen in 1991, that remains a feast for the eyes. Thank you for sharing your comment about Forest Fair Village Mall. The History Of The Forest Fair Mall Grocery Stores | Denver Mart Though the toilets flushed and the faucets flowed, the restrooms had no toilet paper (or dispensers), no stall doors, nor seats. [35], In late 1999 and early 2000, Gator Investments began a second renovation plan which attracted several new tenants. Make no mistake: these photos capture the most economically healthy portion of the mall. I could hardly believe when you said it was completed in 2003. It was only through the comments that I learned that the flying pigs were a 2003 addition during the multi-million renovation. FFM introduced a new concept in 1992 called The Shops at Forest Fair to revive the mall. They Refused to Fight for Russia. Mexican-inspired restaurant, bar on its way to downtown Farmington. At this point, it was far out of reach to attempt any kind of redevelopment, as stores were dropping left and right, and unpaid taxes continued to pile up. But lets conclude this montage on a positive note. Well Cincinnati is 10-20 years behind the times. I wasnt aware that B Adventurous had closed, but no surprise. It's nearly 60% larger than the region's second-largest shopping center,. Also, the mall was renamed again to Forest Fair Village. The treasure hunt is on. However, competition with Northgate and Tri-County malls continued, and by 2006, many stores had started to close. I guess if they concentrate customers through one entrance/exit, its easier for the staff to monitor if something bad is happening. And they dont neglect the obscure ones in smaller metro or even micropolitan areas. When I visited in 2019, the mall was sufficiently deteriorated that I cannot imagine the place ever securing any new tenants beyond a paintball arena. High hopes and ambitions marked the malls early years. 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.. Over the years, the Cincinnati Mall, known currently as Forest Fair Village in 2022, has changed names numerous times. I grew up in the early 2000s and saw the downfall of this mall at a pretty fast pace. That B Adventurous place was originally called WonderPark, and it was an arcade owned by Namco. [72], Arcade Legacy, one of the last remaining tenants, moved out of the mall (and relocated to Sharonville, Ohio) in September 2022. which did not appear to be serviced with HVAC. The Forest Park Fire Dept. Here is the only photo I found, in Bass Pro watching the huge aquarium tank. Meanwhile, all the entrances from the exterior appear unrestricted. Even more surprising: the Kohls looked like a mess. Forest Fair Mall has the most unique architecture and design. The mall underwent significant changes during this period: Despite the renovations, the malls tenancy began to decline in 2006 due to factors including competition with other malls, lower-class demographics, and bankruptcy filings of key tenants. And the entrance to Bass Pro Shops isnt as welcoming as Kohls. The Cincinnati Mall at this point had already lost 35 percent of its stores, and was struggling to stay in business.Another factor that played quite heavily into the malls downfall was that it had been built so close to both Northgate Mall and Tri-County Mall. I cannot even find a website to the mall; just a Facebook page. Apr. 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). Got so many great liminal pictures. 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. Oh, its still going. Almost directly after the wing of the mall where Biggs was located was completed and ready to open, Elder-Beerman took over the empty space. 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. Thanks for reading! Usually the surviving anchor tenants partition themselves from a dead mall. The easternmost corridor adopts a sort of rural Americana theme. It is situated on the border between Forest Park and Fairfield, at the junction of Interstate 275 and Winton Road (Exit 39). Yes, I was referring specifically about Forest fair. 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. The former Parisian and Elder-Berrman wing had become The Fashions at Forest Fair, focusing on apparel and the like. 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. [53] Simon Property Group acquired the Mills portfolio in 2007. Im not sure that mall security is ever going to have the resources to prevent something like the storming incident that happened the day after Christmas a couple years ago, and the police theater that it would prompt is enough to scare most normal customers away, if it happens more than twice a year. Is it a non-profit? Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Apr. [19] As part of LJ Hooker's bankruptcy filing, the company offered all four of the department stores it had acquired for sale. One last interesting thing is that its only very recently that the inline parts of the mall have been allowed to deteriorate in any appreciable way. Your email address will not be published. I would think this would be a perfect place for a winter group run on a cold January day. I used to have a store there, and we had a great community of business owners. Mar 16. [30] Several anchor stores in the mall changed under Gator's ownership: Dawahares closed in late 1996 due to poor sales,[31] Berean Christian Stores signed a 10-year lease for a 21,250 square feet (1,974m2) Christian bookstore at the mall in late 1997,[32] while Parisian closed in June 1998[33] and Guitar Center replaced CompUSA in August 1998 after that store moved to a larger location across from Tri-County Mall. [3] By July 1987, mall developers had also stated that two other department stores had committed to the project: Higbee's and Bonwit Teller. 27The old Forest Fair Mall property has been considered an eyesore for the cities of Fairfield and Forest Park for decades, despite several attempts by various developers to breathe. Hillwood has Forest Fair Village under contract; plans demolition and Did they think that packing a new mall with high-end retailers would convince Cincys affluent to drive from Indian Hill to a lower-middle class area on a regular basis to do their shopping? 2020-2022 American Dirt. But under the current ownership, the mall has fallen into further decline. The attention to interior design detail in this mall is already remarkable from more generalized photos I have provided up to this point; even more noteworthy is the fact that each neighborhood applies an unquestionably distinctive scheme, but they all still reveal enough similar artistic gestures to instill unity throughout. The mall was renamed Forest Fair Village but faced challenges, including the closure of Burlington Coat Factory and Danbarry Dollar Saver. Welcome to Downtown Farmington MI [27] Although a home furnishings store called HOME had been proposed for the former B. Altman store as part of the 1992 renovations,[26] the space ultimately remained vacant until late 1994 when Kohl's opened there. The next phase opened the following year. And the directory hasnt been updated for at least a few years; it still shows such long-departed tenants as Burlington Coat Factory and the cinemas. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Vibrant colors compliment unique architectural elements decorated by playful items like cards and wavy pianos that hang from the ceiling, or fish that float in one of the many atriums inside the mall. And yet this also becomes the imagery of a bitter irony: Forest Fair Village would only succeed when pigs fly. [4] Also in 1987, Hooker bought controlling interest in both Bonwit Teller and three other department stores: B. Altman and Company, Parisian, and Sakowitz. In that previous paragraph I demurred before using the word austerean unlikely adjective for such a meretricious and kitschy place. While Id like to assert that its reasonable to assume that Forest Fair Village wont be around much longer, it has suffered for at least a decade, possibly fifteen years, where virtually all retail and commercial real estate analysts determined it was beyond resuscitation. Forest Fair Village, initially named Forest Fair Mall, was a shopping mall built in phases between 1988 and 1989. [66] Further redevelopment plans through association with Prudential Commercial Real Estate fell through in 2014 when that company's listing agreement expired. I can try and remember more stuff about it if youre interested. After all, Amazon Prime shows no evidence of leasing space in the mall itself. Im going out on a limb here, but the stars on the American flag and the red/blue motif vaguely echo the aging Cincinnati Mall sign out along the highway, leading me to wonder if this wing of the mall received a bit of a face lift during the short-lived Cincinnati Mall period, perhaps part of an aborted rebranding that otherwise would have carried throughout the mall. 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. Home decor and sporting goods could be found in the former B. Altman wing, which had been renamed The Lifestyles at Forest Fair. The eastern wing, which formerly was home to Biggs, had become The Markets at Forest Fair, which focused on general services and convenience. 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. Your account largely aligns with what Ive researched as wellat least the part that I knew. thanks! Only four things remained by 2017 Kohls, Bass Pro Shops, an arcade, and a childrens entertainment complex. In the same year, the mall lost Burlington Coat Factory. I think it closed because the manager was paying teens from the nearby Fairfield high school to make sex tapes, but Im not positive. ), http://deadmalls.com/malls/forest_fair_mall.html. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Parts of it remind me of the garish Barry Levinson/Robin Williams movie Toys, from approximately the same time period. B. Altman was confirmed as a tenant in November 1987 and Parisian in March 1988,[5][6] while negotiations with Sakowitz began in October 1988. [50] Inline tenants at this point were focused mainly on discount stores and amenities suitable for families, as was typical of other properties developed by Mills. Forest Fair (formerly Cincinnati Mall, Cincinnati Mills, and Forest Fair Mall) is a shopping mall in the northern suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Not far from the Kohls is the only other viable inline tenant: 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. The site has development opportunities that are being discussed on both sides of the county line. Under these plans, they worked with Glimcher Realty Trust as leasing agent. Formerly home to B. Altman, the northwestern wing became "The Lifestyles at Forest Fair", with stores focused on home decor, entertainment, and sporting goods. Over the next two years, the mall would undergo a large renovation, and many independently owned businesses would be forced out of the mall. The mall came under more negativity from the city of Cincinnati, due to the higher priced stores like Sakowitz and B. Altman not matching the demographic of the area. Is Forest Fair Mall Still Open | Denver Mart At this time, the mall was once again renamed to Forest Fair Village. Got to experience the colossal Forest Fair Village (Cincinnati Mall) in Ohio while on vacation. There were empty stores even then, but at least it was crowded for its vast size. Are you talking about Forest Fair specifically, or malls in particular? Apr. The one consistency was the dourness. Surrounding Bigg's, the eastern wing became "The Markets at Forest Fair", which featured tenants centered on "value, services, and convenience". These locations, both in Upstate New York, were sold to The Pyramid Companies. Its unfortunate that the mall was viewed as the other mall.. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. [63] Burlington Coat Factory moved out of the mall in 2013,[64] and Danbarry Dollar Saver closed in 2014. The mall was then purchased by Miami-based company Gator Investments in January 1996. Obviously its a horribly dated interior, but we are almost reaching the cyclical nature in taste culture where the stuff from 1992 was corny in 2008 and, thirty years after construction, its ironically cool again. This group was actually headed by the same banks that had given LJ Hooker his $250 million loan for construction. I remember riding the little roller coaster they had there. The business isnt on the edge of the mall; one has to walk through these creepily vacant corridors to get here. [52] Also contributing to the decline were continued competition with Northgate and Tri-County malls, along with a newer outdoor mall called Bridgewater Falls in nearby Hamilton; lower-class demographics surrounding the mall; shopper unfamiliarity with the specialty tenants within; bankruptcy filings of key tenants; and complications from an accounting scandal in which the Mills corporation was involved. And what a sightnot pretty, per se, and probably not most peoples definition of classy, but absolutely distinctive. [48] By January 2005, the mall had a 90 percent occupancy. it absolutely screams 1990searly 1990s, even. [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. This begs the question: did the developers think retail was the tail that wags the dog? The mall was sold to Mills Corporation in 2002, and renamed as Cincinnati Mills. In other words, Forest Fair limped right from the starting line. Over the years, the Cincinnati Mall, known currently as Forest Fair Village in 2022, has changed names numerous times. [67] By 2017, only Kohl's, Bass Pro Shops, an arcade, and a children's entertainment complex remained in operation. Forest Fair Village. Shopping mall has over 21 stores and address is: 600 Cincinnati Mills Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio - OH 45240. There will be an investment upwards of $3 million to refresh the interior of Kohl's, which is committed to staying. Beyond that, a small portion of the parking lot seems to serve as staging and storage for Amazon Prime. Its really heartbreaking to see it die like this, but at least its still open (in a way). Hope they at least manage to auction off the flying pigs. Glad to get your firsthand perspective on this, Jeffrey, with the rigor I would have expected. The mall currently has two open anchors which are Bass Pro Shops . The liminal space that a place once so alive imparts on you is unforgettable. I've traveled worldwide, from Europe to Asia and Africa to South America. The property had a total of five tenants as of 2017. Most were probably mall walkers. The atrium above features aquatic creatures suspended by wires. Thanks for the new observations, Maddi! They offer a variety of savory , sweet and seasonal popcorn flavors! Just my guesses. Great Lakes Crossing Outlets | Michigan's Largest Indoor Outlet Mall Antique/Flea Markets. Guitar Center was closed, and Bass Pro Shops announced they were planning to relocate in 2013. Parisian was sold back to its previous ownership, while the other three department stores were ordered to undergo liquidation. Forest Fair Village holds a special place in the hearts of many locals who have fond memories of visiting the mall. What happened there is happening everywhere now days. The last time I went to the mall when it still had stores was in 2009 to see Up in the Danbarry Doller Savers cinemas by the food court (crazy to think the mall used to have 2 full theaters). The malls name was changed to Cincinnati Mall in April 2009. It was mostly gangs from forest park that harressed shoppers at the mall, and young teenage girls. Heres what to know about their accomplishments. When it opened there were a number of anchor stores that catered to high end retail items. It was contained inside as well. I hope they can salvage those flying pigs! Forest Fair Village / Forest Fair Mall / Cincinnati Mills / Cincinnati 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. Its sad to see it go, but were focused on making the best use of the space for the future. 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). 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. Apparently the giant fish are inflatable? In addition, I will couch my exploration of Forest Fair Village (formerly Cincinnati Mall, as well as a couple other names) in terms of a broader understanding of the socioeconomic forces at work, particularly in light of developers increasingly desperate attempts to transform centers of commerce into major eventsanimated landmarks of regional significance. FAIRFIELD, Ohio (WXIX) - Forest Fair Mall has been shut down due to possible safety hazards, according to Forest Park Fire Chief Alfie Jones. Its almost as though the vacancy and the absence of some basic building services lead people to keep their guard on. [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. Forest Fair Village - Wikipedia Usually a number of a factors help contribute to a malls decline and demise. Thanks for reading! Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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?. [54], Bigg's closed in June 2008, shortly after both Berean Christian Stores and Wonderpark closed. 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. As the demolition and redevelopment plans progress, there is a sense of nostalgia and anticipation for the future. It's an incredibly large property with just one ownership group, and it fronts Interstate 275. Rockefeller Park Greenhouse was Opened in 1905 on land donated to Cleveland from oil Tycoon John D. Rockefeller. Ill conclude this exploration of the exterior by featuring entrance from which I approached the mall, adjacent to the apparently well-regarded. During this year, the mall was put up for sale by a brokerage team, but the mall remains in the hands of the Cincinnati Holding Company today. It was doomed from the start. A sad Christmas display at Forest Fair Mall/Cincinnati Mills Four different areas were sectioned off. Due to the increased traffic brought on by the new stores, many new retail developments were constructed at the I-275 interchange, while the increase in businesses also boosted tax revenues in Forest Park. The malls former names include Cincinnati Mall, Cincinnati Mills, and Forest Fair Mall. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'architecturalafterlife_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_13',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-architecturalafterlife_com-medrectangle-4-0'); In 1986, plans for construction of the 1.5 million square-foot retail space were underway, placing about 70 percent of the mall in Forest Park, and the other 30 or so in Fairfield. Officials involved in the demolition and redevelopment plans have also shared their thoughts: Forest Fair Village has been a part of our community for decades. Additionally, this is among the few portions of the mall that does not appear to be two stories. Weak safety measures are one of them, but then it begs the question, How did the malls security decline? 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. [69] In mid-2017, a Christian media company had expressed interest in using part of the mall property for a studio. This was the first of three stores opened that year upon the chain's entry into the Cincinnati market. But within 15 years of its opening, and multiple attempts of redevelopment to fight decline, the property was sold, resold and resold again. You are not required to sign in. [26] By June 1993, further new tenants had opened, including a Sam Goody/Suncoast Motion Picture Company music and video superstore in the Lifestyle wing and a CompUSA electronics store in the Markets wing. 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. Still looked dated even back then! [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 are ongoing discussions with Kohls and Bass Pro Shops, the two remaining tenants, to explore redevelopment options. [55] North Star Realty acquired the mall from Simon in January 2009. Continuing into one of the other neighborhoods provides a different approach to Forest Fair Villages signature pastels and gargantuan suspended objects. [42], Mills Corporation bought the mall from Gator Investments in September 2002 and announced that the mall would undergo further redevelopment, along with a name change to Cincinnati Mills. The malls full opening was delayed until March 1, 1989.However, things werent all bad. This outlet has more than you are looking for as it offers a variety of different stores. Great job!! 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 author, editor, and publisher of this website cannot accept liability for any damages resulting from the use of this information. It is situated on the border between Forest Park and Fairfield, at the junction of Interstate 275 and Winton Road (Exit 39).

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