NorthTowne Square Mall was the last of the four enclosed malls in Toledo to open. Built in the only area of Toledo without a major shopping center, it opened in 1980 and was soon the most successful mall. While the area was heavily industrial, many believed that shopping would attract people to the north end.
But the timing was wrong. In 1980 Toledo was just beginning to see the start of its rust belt reputation. Two major industries—Dana and Champion Spark Plug left the area (Dana to Maumee). Other industry soon followed. The promise of the north end vanished.
When it opened, Northtowne Mall had three strong anchors-- Montgomery Ward, Lion and LaSalle’s. In addition, they had many smaller businesses not found anywhere else in Toledo at that time--Chick-fil-A, Camelot Music, CVS/Pharmacy and Fredericks of Hollywood. Their Radio Shack was the most successful Radio Shack in Ohio.
In 1989, Frenchtown Square Mall in Monroe Michigan opened and took many of NorthTowne’s shoppers. In 1993 the upscale Franklin Park Mall expanded and become the place to shop in Toledo. When Elder-Beerman closed their NorthTowne store in 1997 no new anchor took its place. Soon national chain stores were leaving the mall, also moving to Franklin Park and Frenchtown Square. They were replaced by less-known stores. Over time the customer base changed and the mall acquired a reputation as “gang friendly”.
In 1999 the theater closed, followed in 2001 by Montgomery Ward’s, leaving the mall without a second anchor. While the vacancy rate was around 40%, the mall still managed to do some brisk business. Bath and Body Works, National Record Mar, and FootAction were strong in the mall, and the remaining customers were loyal, even attempting a grass-roots movement to keep the mall vital.
But the mall continued to decline. In 2002 Dillard’s, the last chain, closed. Although MC Sporting Goods opened shop in one of the anchors, they experienced too many problems such as rampant theft to stay in business. They closed in 2004.
Hoping for a new start, the name was changed to Lakeside Center in 2003, but nothing positive came out of the change. For a few more years, the mall continued with several small stores including GNC, Foot Locker, a hair salon and a wrestling school.
In 2005 the mall was officially closed. Wal-Mart toyed with the idea of building a store on the site but soon abandoned the plans. While the mall is officially closed, several businesses are open on the west side of the mall, including a Superfitness Center, a spa, and an oil change shop.
In 2010 the property was condemned. Burst water pipes, vandalism and a mold problem made the mall a public nuisance. In addition the owners, based in California, failed to pay taxes and refused to make any repairs on the property. The City of Toledo took over the property.
Today the mall is vacant, windows boarded up and a blight to the community.
Comments