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{{refimprove|date=December 2007}} {{refimprove|date=December 2007}}
{{Infobox shopping mall {{Infobox shopping mall
|shopping_mall_name = Westland Mall | shopping_mall_name = Westland Mall
| name =
|image = Westland Mall Columbus, OH March 2017 (33612313596).jpg
|caption = Entrance to the closed mall, March 2017 | image = Westland Mall Columbus, OH March 2017 (33612313596).jpg
| caption = Entrance to the closed mall, March 2017
|location = ] | location = ]
|opening_date = 1969 (enclosed 1983) | opening_date = 1969
|closing_date = 2012 (whole mall)<br />September 2017 (last remaining tenant) | closing_date = 2012 (whole mall)<br />September 2017 (last remaining tenant)
|developer = Richard E. Jacobs Group | developer = Richard E. Jacobs Group
|manager = Cyndi L. Perkins, General Manager | manager = Cyndi L. Perkins, General Manager
|owner = The Krone Group, LLC | owner = The Krone Group, LLC
|floor_area = 860,000 ft² | floor_area = 860,000 ft²
|floors = 1 (2 in anchors) | floors = 1 (2 in anchors)
|parking =
|website = | parking =
| website =
|coordinates = {{coord|39.9505556|-83.1155556|format=dms|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:US-OH}} | coordinates = {{coord|39.9505556|-83.1155556|format=dms|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:US-OH}}
}} }}
'''Westland Mall''' was an {{convert|860000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} shopping center located on the west side of ], at the western intersection of ] and ]. '''Westland Mall''' was an {{convert|860000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} ] located at the intersection of ] and ] on the west side of ]. As of November 2012, Westland Mall was reported as closed.

As of November 2012, Westland Mall was reported as closed to all traffic, pending redevelopment of the property.


==History== ==History==
Westland Mall opened in February 1969 as an open-air shopping center. The original ]s were ], ], and ], as well as ] which acted as a secondary anchor. The Lazarus store, the chain's first suburban operation, had opened as a free-standing location in 1962. The Sears and JC Penney were built, along with the mall, in 1967-1969, and the Lazarus was also expanded at that time. The mall was enclosed sometime in 1982. From 1977-1980 it served as the studio for the groundbreaking teenage variety show, ] on Columbus's experimental cable service ]. Westland Mall opened in February 1969 as an open-air shopping center anchored by ], ], ], and ]. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://abandonedonline.net/location/westland-mall/|title=Westland Mall|last=Cahal|first=Sherman|date=2018-10-19|website=Abandoned|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-11-26}}</ref> The Lazarus store, the chain's first suburban operation, had opened as a free-standing location in 1962. Sears and JC Penney were built, along with the mall, in 1967-69.

From 1977-1980 it served as the studio for the groundbreaking teenage variety show, ] on Columbus's experimental cable service ].


In 1982, Westland was enclosed. <ref name=":0" /> The upper floor of Sears was closed to customers and converted into office space for their in-house credit card, ], in the late 1980’s. Woolworth’s closed in January 1994 during the chain’s restructuring process that resulted in the elimination of its 400 stores. It was renovated into a Staple’s with no concourse access and Footaction USA that faced the interior.
The Sears store was built and opened as a two-story department store, as were the other two anchors; but in the 1980s, the upper level was closed-off. At one point the empty space was used as office space for ] when it was still under Sears ownership.


Westland was one of four directionally-named shopping centers in Columbus, along with ] (the original mall in Columbus, closed in 2002 and demolished in 2004), ] (still in operation), and Southland (a smaller discount-style mall, now closed). All but Southland were constructed and originally operated by the ] Group, and featured the same mix of anchor stores. Westland was one of four directionally-named shopping centers in Columbus, along with ] (the original mall in Columbus, closed in 2002 and demolished in 2004), ] (still in operation), and Southland (a smaller discount-style mall, now closed). All but Southland were constructed and originally operated by the ] Group, and featured the same mix of anchor stores.


==Decline== ==Decline==
Although considered a major landmark in the Columbus area, Westland Mall faced many challenges towards the end of the 20th century that would eventually see it lose its status as a premier shopping destination for the city's far west side. It was negatively affected by the opening of the nearby ] in 1997, which attracted many customers that may have otherwise shopped at Westland. In particular, JCPenney abandoned Westland for Tuttle, giving the latter a perceived edge; the move gave Tuttle four anchor stores while reducing Westland to two.<ref name="showalter">{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2003/03/03/story2.html?page=all|title=New owners poised to revive Westland|last=Showalter|first=Kathy|date=3 March 2003|work=Columbus Business First|accessdate=1 April 2013}}</ref> The Woolworth store, which closed with most of the chain in 1997, became a ] that closed off the portion of the store that connected to the mall in 1998; the interior-facing portion became a ] in 1999. Other major stores, such as ] and ], also left Westland, motivated both by shifting economic fortunes in Columbus as well as an increase in crime around the Westland area. After its enclosure in 1982, Westland never saw another major renovation despite both of its sister malls, Northland and Eastland, receiving facelifts in the early 1990s, and the increasingly dated look of the shopping center also worked against its attracting shoppers and major retailers as time went on. Although considered a major landmark in the Columbus area, Westland Mall faced many challenges towards the end of the 20th century that would eventually see it lose its status as a premier shopping destination for the city's far west side. It was negatively affected by the opening of the nearby ] in 1997, which attracted many customers that may have otherwise shopped at Westland. In particular, JCPenney abandoned Westland for Tuttle. <ref name=":0" /><ref name="showalter">{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2003/03/03/story2.html?page=all|title=New owners poised to revive Westland|last=Showalter|first=Kathy|date=3 March 2003|work=Columbus Business First|accessdate=1 April 2013}}</ref> Other major stores, such as ] and ], also left Westland.


Kashani, a developer which also owned ] in ] at the time, bought the mall in 2003 and attempted to reposition Westland as a "bazaar"-style mall with a number of specialty shops (including a used bookstore, several arts and crafts dealers, and a ] school, among others) added to Westland's few remaining chain stores.<ref name="showalter"/> The Lazarus store was converted to Lazarus-Macy's in 2003, and subsequently to Macy's in 2005; this store was closed in 2007, leaving Sears as the sole remaining anchor. By that point virtually all of the newer stores added under Kashani ownership had also closed, leaving only a small handful of storefronts operating in a virtually empty mall. Kashani, a developer which also owned ] in ] at the time, bought the mall in 2003 and attempted to reposition Westland as a "bazaar"-style mall with a number of specialty shops, which included a used ], several arts and crafts dealers, and a ] school. <ref name=":0" /><ref name="showalter"/> The Lazarus store was converted to Lazarus-Macy's in 2003, and subsequently to ] in 2005 before closing in 2007. By that point virtually all of the newer stores added under Kashani ownership had also closed.


]By 2010, Westland Mall contained fewer than 15 active businesses; at one time it housed approximately 80. The only remaining national retailers were Sears (which was also the last remaining original mall tenant), ], ], ], and Staples; the latter, as noted earlier, lacked direct mall access. The remainder of operating storefronts were small, bazaar-style shops, eateries, and a local branch of the Franklin County Sheriff's office. For much of the late 2000s, it was an example of a "]" that remained completely open to the public (aside from the closed storefronts) and still retained one major anchor. By 2010, Westland Mall contained fewer than 15 active businesses.The only remaining national retailers were Sears, ], ], ], and Staples. The remainder of operating storefronts were small, bazaar-style shops, eateries, and a local branch of the Franklin County Sheriff's office.


==Future Plans==
==Current use and future plans==
In 2008, home-improvement retailer ] made plans to expand into the Columbus market, with a store proposed for Westland Mall (which would have been constructed as part of a planned redevelopment of the mall property and several surrounding sites as an open-air "lifestyle center"). However, in December of that year, Menards announced they were putting its expansion plans on hold due to the general economic downturn at that time.<ref> ]In 2008, home-improvement retailer ] made plans to expand into the Columbus market, with a store proposed for Westland Mall (which would have been constructed as part of a planned redevelopment of the mall property and several surrounding sites as an open-air "lifestyle center"). However, in December of that year, Menards announced they were putting its expansion plans on hold due to the general economic downturn at that time.<ref>
{{cite web {{cite web
| last = Ferenchik | last = Ferenchik
Line 78: Line 79:


==External links== ==External links==
* at Abandoned
*
* (includes photos) * at DeadMalls.com
* at Label Scar


{{Columbus, Ohio}} {{Columbus, Ohio}}

Revision as of 14:31, 26 November 2019

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Shopping mall in Columbus, Ohio
Westland Mall
Entrance to the closed mall, March 2017
LocationColumbus, Ohio
Coordinates39°57′02″N 83°06′56″W / 39.9505556°N 83.1155556°W / 39.9505556; -83.1155556
Opening date1969
Closing date2012 (whole mall)
September 2017 (last remaining tenant)
DeveloperRichard E. Jacobs Group
ManagementCyndi L. Perkins, General Manager
OwnerThe Krone Group, LLC
Total retail floor area860,000 ft²
No. of floors1 (2 in anchors)

Westland Mall was an 860,000-square-foot (80,000 m) shopping center located at the intersection of U.S. Route 40 and Interstate 270 on the west side of Columbus, Ohio. As of November 2012, Westland Mall was reported as closed.

History

Westland Mall opened in February 1969 as an open-air shopping center anchored by Lazarus, Sears, JC Penney, and Woolworth. The Lazarus store, the chain's first suburban operation, had opened as a free-standing location in 1962. Sears and JC Penney were built, along with the mall, in 1967-69.

From 1977-1980 it served as the studio for the groundbreaking teenage variety show, America Goes Bananaz on Columbus's experimental cable service QUBE.

In 1982, Westland was enclosed. The upper floor of Sears was closed to customers and converted into office space for their in-house credit card, Discover, in the late 1980’s. Woolworth’s closed in January 1994 during the chain’s restructuring process that resulted in the elimination of its 400 stores. It was renovated into a Staple’s with no concourse access and Footaction USA that faced the interior.

Westland was one of four directionally-named shopping centers in Columbus, along with Northland (the original mall in Columbus, closed in 2002 and demolished in 2004), Eastland (still in operation), and Southland (a smaller discount-style mall, now closed). All but Southland were constructed and originally operated by the Richard E. Jacobs Group, and featured the same mix of anchor stores.

Decline

Although considered a major landmark in the Columbus area, Westland Mall faced many challenges towards the end of the 20th century that would eventually see it lose its status as a premier shopping destination for the city's far west side. It was negatively affected by the opening of the nearby Mall at Tuttle Crossing in 1997, which attracted many customers that may have otherwise shopped at Westland. In particular, JCPenney abandoned Westland for Tuttle. Other major stores, such as Express and The Limited, also left Westland.

Kashani, a developer which also owned North Towne Square in Toledo, Ohio at the time, bought the mall in 2003 and attempted to reposition Westland as a "bazaar"-style mall with a number of specialty shops, which included a used bookstore, several arts and crafts dealers, and a karate school. The Lazarus store was converted to Lazarus-Macy's in 2003, and subsequently to Macy's in 2005 before closing in 2007. By that point virtually all of the newer stores added under Kashani ownership had also closed.

By 2010, Westland Mall contained fewer than 15 active businesses.The only remaining national retailers were Sears, Finish Line, Champs Sports, GNC, and Staples. The remainder of operating storefronts were small, bazaar-style shops, eateries, and a local branch of the Franklin County Sheriff's office.

Future Plans

Former Lazarus anchor at Westland Mall (photo taken prior to rebranding as Macy's)

In 2008, home-improvement retailer Menards made plans to expand into the Columbus market, with a store proposed for Westland Mall (which would have been constructed as part of a planned redevelopment of the mall property and several surrounding sites as an open-air "lifestyle center"). However, in December of that year, Menards announced they were putting its expansion plans on hold due to the general economic downturn at that time.

In 2012, a new Hollywood Casino was constructed and opened near the site of Westland Mall, spurring new growth in the surrounding area, which had become severely economically depressed. The current owner of Westland Mall suggested that he was working with county officials on possible redevelopment options for the property, but indicated that whatever is decided, it likely "won't be a mall any longer." An announcement about the future of the site is expected to come in 2013.

As of September 2011, Sears had closed its entrance to the mall. Plans were announced in March 2012 to begin demolishing the mall, except for Sears in favor of new development.

As of 2015 Staples has closed its location at Westland Mall leaving only Sears as the only thing still part of the mall.

On June 6, 2017, Sears announced that its Westland Mall store will close by early September, which will leave the former mall entirely empty of tenants. The store closed as expected in September 2017.

Although Westland Mall itself is now closed, the structure still stands as of November 2019 and parts of it are still in use, but in a highly limited capacity. The Sears portion of the lot, including the auto center just south of the main shopping building, were sold to LGR Weston in April of 2019. On April 26, 2019, plans were announced to redevelop the Westland Mall site by LGR Weston of Columbus, which will become Weston Town Centre, a mixed-use development complement to the casino across the street and whose namesake is partly derived from the Easton Town Center on the opposite side of the city. LGR's sister company, Plaza Properties, is expected to demolish the mall before the end of Spring 2020. The former JCPenney store was used for community events hosted by the mall, including about six gun shows per year, which have now moved to the former Sears building. The property is under 24-hour surveillance by on-site security.

As of November 2019, the following structures still stand: Sears, Sears Auto Center, former NTB building, JCPenney, Main Mall/outlet center, Macy's, Staples, Firestone, and a small shopping center southeast of the main building which currently houses a Mexican grocery market and a small operation gun shop.

References

  1. ^ Cahal, Sherman (2018-10-19). "Westland Mall". Abandoned. Retrieved 2019-11-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Showalter, Kathy (3 March 2003). "New owners poised to revive Westland". Columbus Business First. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  3. Ferenchik, Mark. "Menards puts Westland store on hold". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
  4. Bowersock, Mike (2012-08-23). "Development Explodes Around Columbus Casino". NBC4i.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-02-25. Retrieved 2013-02-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Westland owners forsee a mini-Easton - News - The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH". Dispatch.com. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
  7. Tim Feran. "Sears to close stores at Eastland, Westland - News - The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH". Dispatch.com. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
  8. Jim Weiker. "Westland Mall to become Weston mixed-use development under plan". Dispatch.com. Retrieved 2019-04-26.

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