Southern Park Mall

{{Infobox shopping mall

| name = Southern Park

| logo = Southern park mall-logo-green.svg

| image = Southern Park Mall Center Court; Boardman OH.jpg

| image_width =

| caption = Southern Park Mall Center Court

| address = 7401 Market Street

| location = Boardman, Ohio

| coordinates = {{coord|41.0213889|-80.6588889|format=dms|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:US-OH}}

| opening_date = 1970

| closing_date =

| developer = Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation

| manager = Kohan Retail Investment Group

| owner = Kohan Retail Investment Group

| number_of_stores = 50+ (Space for 87)

| number_of_anchors = 5 (4 open, 1 vacant)

| floor_area = {{convert|1018400|sqft|m2}}

| floors = 1 (2 in Macy's, JCPenney, Former Dillard's)

| parking =

| publictransit = {{bus icon|12px}} WRTA

| website = {{URL|https://southernparkmall.com}}

}}

Southern Park is a shopping mall in Boardman, Ohio, United States, serving the Youngstown–Warren metropolitan area. It was developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation in 1970, and is now owned by Kohan Retail Investment Group. The mall, which is the largest shopping destination in Mahoning County, has approximately {{Convert|1018400|sqft|m2}} of space. Its anchor stores are JCPenney and Macy's, with junior anchors H&M, Shoe Dept. Encore, and Planet Fitness.

History

=Development=

The Southern Park Mall was named after the Southern Park Race Track; a historic horse racing facility that was about {{convert|1+1/2|mi}} miles south of the mall's present position.{{cite news |date=22 March 2018 |title=Plan unveiled to preserve Boardman race track history |url=http://www.wfmj.com/story/37782742/plan-unveiled-to-preserve-boardman-race-track-history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217084930/http://www.wfmj.com/story/37782742/plan-unveiled-to-preserve-boardman-race-track-history |archive-date=17 February 2019 |access-date=16 February 2019 |work=WFMJ}}{{cite web |title=Southern Park Stables |url=https://res.cloudinary.com/boardman-park/image/upload/v1523992014/Southern_Park_Stables_d1hruz.jpg |access-date=16 February 2019 |publisher=Boardman Park |archive-date=17 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217084935/https://res.cloudinary.com/boardman-park/image/upload/v1523992014/Southern_Park_Stables_d1hruz.jpg |url-status=live}} The horse track was bounded by Washington Boulevard, Southern Boulevard, and McClurg Road. One of the only remaining structures, the Southern Park Stable, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 10, 1986.{{cite web |title=Southern Park Stable |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/86001564 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127172448/https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/86001564 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |access-date=16 February 2019 |website=NPGallery |publisher=National Register of Historic Places}}

Originally planned as a joint venture with fellow Youngstown-based developer William M. Cafaro, the DeBartolo Corporation bought out the Cafaro Company's interest in the project in 1968. The mall originally had three anchor stores and totaled {{Convert|905600|ft2|0}}. Sears opened in October 1969 along with the Sears wing that included junior anchor Woolworth. JCPenney and the Youngstown-based Strouss both opened in April 1970. JCPenney and Strouss' relocated from DeBartolo's Greater Boardman Plaza, located approximately one mile west of Southern Park Mall. Other initial stores included Gray Drugs, Kroger, and Southern Park Theater. The Pittsburgh-based Joseph Horne Company began construction on a fourth anchor unit in July 1972 and opened in July 1973.

=Late 20th century=

The Strouss' store was changed into Kaufmann's in 1986 when The May Department Stores Company merged its divisions.{{Cite news |last=Vinarsky |first=Cynthia |date=2002-08-10 |title=Kaufmann's to keep name despite consolidation |url=http://vindyarchives.com/news/2002/aug/10/youngstown-kaufmanns-to-keep-name-despite/ |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=The Vindicator}}

Dillard's acquired Joseph Horne Company with Horne's closing in July 1992 and Dillard's opening the following month. Dillard's bought their store and adjoining land in October 1993. In 1997, the mall went under an extensive renovation, shortly after the DeBartolo Corporation merged with Simon Property Group. Simon spent $19 million making improvements to the interiors, adding a food court and a Cinemark Tinseltown USA 7 movie theater at the southeastern edge of the mall's property. It opened in 1997 and has 7 screens. Jillian's, a bowling alley, arcade, and bar, was a tenant from 1999 to 2011.{{cite news |last=Staff report |date=2011-01-31 |title=Jillian's closes in Boardman |url=https://vindyarchives.com/news/2011/jan/31/jillian8217s-closes-in-boardman/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202132713/http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/jan/31/jillian8217s-closes-in-boardman/ |archive-date=2011-02-02 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=The Vindicator}} Jillian's, along with Lady Footlocker, Kids Footlocker, and Men's Footlocker replaced Woolworth at this time.

=2000s to present=

In February 2005, it was announced that Cachè would be opening in center court.{{Cite web |title=Southern Park Directory |url=http://www.simon.com:80/mall/directory.aspx?ID=160 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214144703/http://www.simon.com:80/mall/directory.aspx?ID=160 |archive-date=2005-02-14 |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=Simon Malls}} In 2006, Kaufmann's was re-branded to Macy's following the latter's acquisition. In 2007, there was talk of demolishing and expanding a portion of the Sears wing to bring outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment to the mall. Simon instead filled the space with Shoe Dept. Encore in 2011.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} In October of the same year, Fox Head opened in center court.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

File:Tilly’s; Southern Park Mall; Boardman OH.jpg Concourse-Southern Park Mall]]

In April 2014, Simon Property Group announced the sale of Southern Park Mall to its spinoff, Washington Prime Group.{{Cite news |date=2014-04-03 |title=Southern Park Mall Spun Off to New Entity |url=http://boardmannews.net/article.php?article=0000000324 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308055757/http://boardmannews.net/article.php?article=0000000324 |archive-date=2016-03-08 |access-date=2016-03-07 |work=Boardman News}} On April 30, 2015, H&M opened a location at the mall.{{Cite news |last=Hodges |first=Chandler |date=2015-04-30 |title=H&M opens at Southern Park Mall |url=https://www.wytv.com/news/local-news/hm-opens-at-southern-park-mall/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131152117/https://www.wytv.com/news/local-news/hm-opens-at-southern-park-mall/ |archive-date=2024-01-31 |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=WYTV |language=en-US}} In October 2015, Bath & Body Works announced they would be expanding and remodeling their store at the mall.{{Cite news |last=Hodges |first=Chandler |date=2015-10-21 |title=Bath and Body Works at Southern Park Mall to remodel |url=https://www.wytv.com/news/local-news/bath-and-body-works-at-southern-park-mall-to-remodel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424013024/https://www.wytv.com/news/local-news/bath-and-body-works-at-southern-park-mall-to-remodel/ |archive-date=2023-04-24 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=WYTV |language=en-US}} In January 2016, Zumiez and Vanity announced they would be coming to the shopping center. Zumiez opened in February next to Crazy 8 in the former Coach New York space. In mid-April, Vanity opened in the former Wet Seal space, next to American Eagle Outfitters.{{Cite news |last=Mercer |first=Sarah |date=2016-01-29 |title=Zumiez, Vanity stores coming to Southern Park Mall |url=https://www.wkbn.com/news/zumiez-vanity-stores-coming-to-southern-park-mall/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424135233/https://www.wkbn.com/news/zumiez-vanity-stores-coming-to-southern-park-mall/ |archive-date=2023-04-24 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=WKBN |language=en-US}} In April 2018, Sears announced that they would be closing their location at the mall in July after nearly 49 years at the mall.{{cite news |last1=Simeon |first1=Chelsea |date=5 April 2018 |title=Sears closing store in Southern Park Mall |url=https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/sears-closing-store-in-southern-park-mall/1103209798 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814041809/https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/sears-closing-store-in-southern-park-mall/1103209798 |archive-date=14 August 2018 |access-date=13 August 2018 |work=WKBN}} In February 2019, Dillard's announced that they would also be closing in May of that year, leaving JCPenney and Macy's as the only remaining anchors.{{Cite news |last=Boney |first=Stan |date=2019-02-13 |title=Dillard's announces Southern Park Mall store is closing this spring |url=https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/dillards-announces-southern-park-mall-store-is-closing-this-spring/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214061343/https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/dillard-s-announces-closing-of-southern-park-mall-store/1778741485 |archive-date=2019-02-14 |access-date=2019-02-13 |work=WKBN}} That same week, the Dillard's building was sold to a Cafaro Company subsidiary, Boardman SC LLC.{{cite news |last=Koziol |first=Brandon |date=February 15, 2019 |title=Cafaro Co. subsidiary purchases Dillard's building at Southern Park Mall |url=http://www.wfmj.com/story/39973711/cafaro-co-subsidiary-purchases-dillards-building-at-southern-park-mall |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221112159/http://www.wfmj.com/story/39973711/cafaro-co-subsidiary-purchases-dillards-building-at-southern-park-mall |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=February 20, 2019 |website=WFMJ}}{{Cite news |date=February 15, 2019 |title=Cafaro subsidiary buys Southern Park Dillard's building as store closes |url=http://vindyarchives.com/news/2019/feb/15/cafaro-subsidiary-buys-southern-park-dillards-buil/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221154239/https://vindyarchives.com/news/2019/feb/15/cafaro-subsidiary-buys-southern-park-dillards-buil/ |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=The Vindicator}} The Cafaro Company being the owner of nearby competitor, the Eastwood Mall has not announced any redevelopment plans for their site.

In redevelopment efforts, Washington Prime Group tore down the Sears building in late 2019 and replaced it with the DeBartolo Commons, which added some smaller exterior storefronts whilst decreasing the overall square footage of the mall.{{Cite news |last=Medore |first=Josh |date=2019-09-07 |title=Southern Park Mall Rebuilds for Next 50 Years with DeBartolo Commons |url=https://businessjournaldaily.com/southern-park-prepares-for-next-50-years-with-debartolo-commons/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214033246/https://businessjournaldaily.com/southern-park-prepares-for-next-50-years-with-debartolo-commons/ |archive-date=2022-12-14 |access-date=2019-09-10 |website=The Business Journal |language=en-US}} DeBartolo Commons opened in 2021, adding recreational spaces and restaurants to the complex. Earlier in 2021, a Planet Fitness relocated to the mall, combining former tenant locations and creating a new junior anchor space on the mall's east side.{{Cite news |last=Vargo |first=John |date=2021-04-15 |title=Planet Fitness Marks Newest Step in Southern Park's Redevelopment |url=https://businessjournaldaily.com/planet-fitness-marks-newest-step-in-southern-parks-redevelopment/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428132149/https://businessjournaldaily.com/planet-fitness-marks-newest-step-in-southern-parks-redevelopment/ |archive-date=2021-04-28 |access-date=2021-04-28 |website=The Business Journal |language=en-US}} In August 2023, Windsor officially opened in the former Aeropostale space.{{Cite web |title=Grand Opening of Windsor Fashions LLC store at Southern Park Mall in Boardman, OH |url=https://www.windsorstore.com/blogs/press/grand-opening-windsor-fashions-store-southern-park-mall-boardman-oh |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=Windsor |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424135239/https://www.windsorstore.com/blogs/press/grand-opening-windsor-fashions-store-southern-park-mall-boardman-oh |url-status=live}} As of May 2, 2023, the mall has an occupancy rate of 76%.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} On August 27, 2024, it was announced that Chick-Fil-A would be closing on August 31 after 44 years of business at the mall.

In October 2024, it was announced that Kohan Retail Investment Group was in talks with Washington Prime Group to purchase Southern Park.{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Caitlyn |date=2024-10-01 |title=Investment group in the process of purchasing Southern Park Mall |url=https://www.wfmj.com/story/51544346/investment-group-in-the-process-of-purchasing-southern-park-mall |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=WFMJ |language=en}} The transaction was completed on December 23, 2024, for $24.1 million.{{Cite news |last=Mosca |first=Zach |last2=Simonek |first2=Erin |date=2024-12-31 |title=Southern Park Mall sold to new owner for $24.1 million |url=https://www.wfmj.com/story/52090090/southern-park-mall-sold-to-new-owner-for-dollar241-million |access-date=2025-04-05 |work=WFMJ}} On December 24, 2024, Sunglass Hut closed their in-line location after over 40 years of sales inside the mall. Two days later, mall employees called the day after Christmas, "the saddest day in retail."{{Cite news |last=Pompili |first=Dan |date=2024-12-27 |title=Retail business lags in Boardman on day after Christmas |url=https://www.vindy.com/news/local-news/2024/12/retail-business-lags-in-boardman-on-day-after-christmas/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=The Vindicator (Ohio newspaper) |language=en-US}}

In January 2025, it was announced that Touchdown Gifts would be closing their location in the mall after nearly 25 years of occupancy. They stated they would be moving their store to a different Ohio mall. Also in January, Sarku Japan closed their doors without any prior announcement.{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Caitlyn |date=2025-01-31 |title=Stores leaving Southern Park Mall |url=https://www.wfmj.com/story/52297531/stores-leaving-southern-park-mall |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=WFMJ |language=en}}