The Upper Valley Mall, located near Springfield, Ohio, was once a bustling shopping destination that anchored the region’s retail scene.
Opening in 1971, it thrived for decades before eventually closing in 2021. The mall’s history mirrors that of many American malls, from the height of consumerism in the late 20th century to the decline of traditional brick-and-mortar stores.
Today, the mall’s legacy is one of both nostalgia and transformation, as a mixed-use business park is currently being built on the mall’s site. Let’s take a walk through the history and impact of this once-vibrant shopping center.
The Rise of Upper Valley Mall
Opened in 1971, Upper Valley Mall was a project developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation, one of the country’s major mall developers at the time. It was strategically located west of Springfield, off US Route 68 in German Township, Clark County.
The mall opened with over 267,000 sq ft of retail space and a roster of anchor tenants that included big names like J.C. Penney, Sears, Rike’s, and Wren’s.
The mall became a vital part of the local economy and social life. With its impressive lineup of 55 stores at its peak, it was more than just a shopping center—it was a gathering place for families, friends, and the community.
From clothing stores to the famous Rike’s department store (later renamed Lazarus), Upper Valley Mall had something for everyone.
- Opening Year: 1971
- Total Retail Floor Area: 267,466 sq ft
- Anchor Tenants: J.C. Penney, Sears, Rike’s, Macy’s, Woolworth, Elder-Beerman
The mall also housed a cinema, food court, and smaller specialty stores like Spencer Gifts and Mark Pi Express, a beloved local Chinese restaurant that operated in the mall for 28 years.
The Mall’s Struggles and Closure
Like many American malls, Upper Valley Mall began to struggle as consumer habits shifted towards online shopping and big-box retailers. Anchor stores started closing one by one, signaling the mall’s decline. The first blow came when Elder-Beerman and Old Navy closed its doors in 2013.
The mall’s management changed hands several times during this period of decline. In 2014, the mall went into receivership, and the management was transferred from Simon Property Group to Urban Retail Properties.
However, despite these efforts, more anchor stores closed, including Macy’s and JCPenney, in 2015. The cinema closed in 2017. The final anchor, Sears, shut down in 2019, marking the end of an era.
In 2020, Victoria’s Secret also closed its store, and the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a further blow to the already struggling mall.
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By this time, only a handful of tenants remained, and the mall was used for temporary community services, such as COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. On April 15, 2021, the mall’s final closure was announced, and it officially shut down on June 16, 2021.
Redevelopment Plans and Future Prospects
With Upper Valley Mall’s closure, attention turned to its redevelopment. Clark County purchased the property, and in 2021, an agreement was made to sell it to Industrial Commercial Properties (ICP) for $2.25 million.
ICP, known for repurposing former retail spaces, transforms the mall into a mixed-use business park. This concept is becoming more common across the country as malls are being reimagined into office spaces, light-industrial areas, and community hubs.
ICP’s redevelopment aims to breathe new life into the 76.8-acre property, much like their successful conversion of Randall Park Mall in Cleveland into a business park.
Though the mall itself is gone, the redevelopment signals hope for the community, with the potential for new jobs, businesses, and services.
The Transformation: From Mall to Business Park
The transformation of Upper Valley Mall into the Upper Valley Business Park is a bittersweet change for many locals.
On the one hand, the demolition of familiar landmarks, such as the old movie theater in 2023, marked the end of an era. On the other hand, the redevelopment promises to revitalize the area and bring new economic opportunities to Springfield.
Significant progress has been made in the last few years. The exterior of the former mall has been repainted, giving the area a fresh and modern look, and major businesses have already started to set up shop.
Square & Circle Hygienes, a Dayton-based manufacturing company, was one of the first to relocate its operations to the new business park, bringing new jobs to the region.
Additionally, companies like Eby-Brown and Rittal Inc. have signed leases, further solidifying the park’s future as a bustling center of commerce.
For a community that has experienced the decline of its once-thriving retail hub, the redevelopment of Upper Valley Mall into a business park offers hope for a brighter future.
The addition of large employers like Eby-Brown and Rittal Inc. promises to bring both jobs and investment into the area, making the site a vital economic center once again.
Springfield’s proximity to major cities like Dayton and Columbus makes it a prime location for industrial and commercial development, and the new business park could be the catalyst for future growth.
While the mall may be gone, its spirit lives on in the memories of those who visited. And as new businesses set up shop in the Upper Valley Business Park, the community looks forward to the next chapter of this iconic Springfield site.
Upper Valley Mall Timeline
| Event | Year |
|---|---|
| Mall Opening | 1971 |
| Woolworth Closure | 1992 |
| Elder-Beerman and Old Navy Closures | 2013 |
| Macy’s and JCPenney Closures | 2015 |
| The mall’s cinema closes | 2017 |
| Sears Closure | 2019 |
| Mall Closure | 2021 |
| Redevelopment Started | 2021 |