Opening and Early Years
The Mall at Tuttle Crossing opened on July 24, 1997. Taubman Centers and the Georgetown Company developed this shopping mall in northwest Columbus, Ohio. Although situated within Columbus city limits, the mall has a mailing address in Dublin, Ohio.
Initially, the mall featured four anchor stores: JCPenney, Sears, Marshall Field’s, and Lazarus. These major retailers attracted a large number of visitors, making the mall a regional shopping destination. The developers chose a strategic location near the interchange of I-270 and Tuttle Crossing Boulevard, which facilitated easy access for shoppers.
In its early years, the mall thrived with a diverse mix of stores and services. It quickly became a commercial hub for the surrounding suburban area, which was experiencing growth in office complexes, restaurants, apartments, and condominiums. The success of The Mall at Tuttle Crossing contributed to the economic development of the region.
The mall’s design included two floors of retail space totaling 1,123,000 square feet. It offered a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, appealing to a wide range of consumers.
The opening of the mall marked a new era in retail for the Dublin-Columbus area, adding to the list of things to do in Columbus, OH.
Changes in Anchor Stores
The Mall at Tuttle Crossing has seen many changes in its anchor stores over the years. In 2003, Lazarus rebranded to Lazarus-Macy’s, and Marshall Field’s became Kaufmann’s that same year. These changes came as part of larger retail industry trends and mergers.
In March 2005, Lazarus-Macy’s fully transitioned to Macy’s. This change aimed to streamline the brand and improve customer recognition.
The next year, in 2006, the Kaufmann’s store became Macy’s at Hayden Run following the Federated-May merger. This created an unusual situation with two Macy’s stores operating within the same mall.
By 2017, Macy’s decided to close the Macy’s at Hayden Run location. This left only the original Macy’s at Tuttle Crossing as the sole Macy’s store in the mall.
The changes in these anchor stores reflected broader shifts in the retail market, as well as the challenges and strategies companies employed to stay competitive.
Ownership Transitions
The Mall at Tuttle Crossing has gone through several ownership changes. Taubman Centers originally owned and operated the mall from its opening in 1997 until 2003.
That year, The Mills Corporation acquired the property. This period saw various attempts to refresh the mall’s appeal and maintain its status as a shopping destination.
In April 2007, Simon Property Group took over, owning a 50% stake and managing the mall. Simon Property Group, one of the largest real estate investment trusts, sought to leverage its experience in managing large shopping centers to boost the mall’s performance.
However, by 2020, the mall faced foreclosure due to financial difficulties. The courts placed the property into receivership, reflecting the broader struggles of brick-and-mortar retail.
Namdar Realty Group took over management duties in 2023. They brought new strategies and attempts to revive the mall’s fortunes amidst a challenging retail environment.
Economic Struggles and Foreclosure
The Mall at Tuttle Crossing has faced economic challenges over the 2010s. In December 2018, Sears announced it would close its store at the mall, and by March 2019, the space was vacant. This closure left a large gap, impacting the mall’s overall appeal and tenant mix.
By 2020, the mall was struggling financially and heading towards foreclosure. This period marked a tough time for many brick-and-mortar stores, with the rise of online shopping and changing consumer habits.
The COVID-19 pandemic hit the retail industry hard. Many mall stores closed temporarily, while others shut down permanently. The decline in foot traffic was noticeable, and the mall struggled to attract new tenants.
The foreclosure process culminated in 2020 when the mall was placed into receivership. This move aimed to stabilize the property and find new strategies to turn things around. Despite these challenges, the mall remained a central part of the local retail landscape, though its future was uncertain.
Scene75 Entertainment Center
In 2018, Scene75 Entertainment Center purchased the former Macy’s building. This acquisition brought a new type of tenant to the mall, focusing on entertainment rather than traditional retail.
Scene75 opened to the public on October 11, 2019, and offers various attractions, such as indoor go-kart racing, laser tag, and arcade games.
This addition aimed to attract families and younger audiences to the mall. Scene75 hoped to revitalize the mall’s foot traffic and provide a unique experience that online shopping couldn’t replicate.
The entertainment center brought a new energy to the mall, offering something different from the typical shopping experience.
The impact of Scene75 was mixed. While it did draw visitors, it couldn’t fully compensate for the loss of major retailers like Sears.
The challenge remained to find a balance between entertainment and retail to keep the mall vibrant. Nonetheless, Scene75 represented an innovative approach to adapting to changing consumer preferences.
Current State and Challenges
The Mall at Tuttle Crossing is facing many challenges today. JCPenney, Macy’s, and Scene75 Entertainment remain as the main anchors. However, the mall struggles with high vacancy rates and fewer shoppers. The impact of online shopping continues to hurt traditional retail.
Several smaller stores have closed, leaving empty spaces that are hard to fill. The mall’s management has tried various strategies to attract new tenants, but it’s not easy. The competition from other shopping centers and the convenience of e-commerce add to the difficulty.
Recent Developments at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, Dublin, OH
In late 2023, a group of investors consisting of Namdar Realty Group, CH Capital Group, and Mason Asset Management Inc. acquired The Mall at Tuttle Crossing for $19.5 million.
The new ownership has raised many questions about the mall’s future, especially as several national retailers continue to close their locations within the mall.
M/I Homes proposed a new townhome development on a vacant site near the mall. This development, announced in mid-2023, is part of a broader effort to revitalize the surrounding area.
The townhomes aim to attract more residents and boost local commerce, potentially increasing foot traffic to The Mall at Tuttle Crossing.
In July 2024, the mall faced severe operational issues when its air conditioning system broke down during a record-setting heat wave.
Shoppers and staff endured extreme heat, leading to discomfort and frustration. The malfunction highlighted ongoing maintenance challenges and raised concerns about the mall’s infrastructure under the new management.
The local community remains cautiously optimistic about the mall’s future under the new ownership. However, with the ongoing trend of store closures and the need for significant infrastructure improvements, there is much uncertainty.
The management’s plans for revitalizing the mall are still awaited, and how they will address these challenges will be crucial for the mall’s survival and success.
Great story about Tuttle. It is sad how the Mall has declined over the years. So many things have contributed to this and I’m fearful it will not recover and will eventually be like Northland, Eastland & Westland…..demolished and probably changed to living facilities.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! It is sad to see the decline, but I believe there’s still potential for Tuttle to find a new purpose. Let’s hope for a positive future for this space.
The management of this mall is terrible! I live very close to the mall and hate to see this turn into an eye sore like Westland/Eastland, etc. The a/c in the mall has been out for TWO YEARS! No wonder no one wants to shop there. I was in Macy’s and Penney’s last summer (2023) and it was so hot in there I could not change clothes. They had huge fans on the floors but that did not help in the dressing rooms. Clean up your act! And people will come back!
Thank you for sharing your experience! The lack of A/C is definitely an issue. It’s disappointing when a place you love isn’t well-maintained. Let’s hope the management takes action to improve things.
Simply poor writing. Not even close to journalism.
Thanks for your comment! Writing styles vary, and I respect your perspective. It’s valuable to get such direct feedback.