21 The company worked out a payment schedule with the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority to pay the late assessments and taxes owed. The mall currently has two open anchors which are Bass Pro Shops . The mall's former names include Cincinnati Mall, Cincinnati Mills, and Forest Fair Mall. I remember thinking that was the coolest thing of all time. Hooker sought bankruptcy protection in September, claiming debts of $1.7 billion. I shopped at Parisian once I graduated from college but the selection was small and it was still expensive. Get the inside scoop (and a chance at a $1,000 shopping spree) today. They should make it the worlds largest Cheescake Factory, add some faux paint textures here and there and some Egyptian columns and there you go, There was a large incident at Metropolis in 2008 (IIRC), which may have been posted here, where about 200 youths got rowdy and started causing mass disruptions at the night club and throughout the mall. I think it should be kept as is. Arcade Legacy is actually pretty neat and run by some really nice guys. STORES. man i miss those days at Bourbon Street. 659 reviews of Bub City "I was in the new location this past Thursday. Maybe drop ceilings were there? However, we have not had an official announcement that there will be an extension.. One was done in the early 1990s to make the mall more of a . Crab Du Jour offers experience-driven seafood dining in a fun, communal atmosphere, perfect for friends and family. Kohls opened in the B. Altman location in September 1994. Cookie Notice According to the Butler and Hamilton county auditors websites, the properties have not been sold. IMO Kenwood was always the go to mall. Though it was the coolest one of the three I frequented in my mall rat years in the 90's . ), which is to just tear the whole thing down and convert the area into what I see in Washington State (where I live now since 2006) which are recreational facilities, complete with skateboard ramps, municipal swimming pool and specialty shops kind of like a Cincinnati version of the old Coney Island. It later became the place my friends and I came to call our favorite place to go on the weekends Bourbon Street night club. I don't know if anybody has already seen this, but last year an article appeared on Labelscar about this mall (whatever it's called this week). Sherman, you're my friend and I enjoyed reading this, but that is nothing for than mere speculation attempted to be put forward as fact. Forest Fair Village aka Forest Fair MallAs everyone knows I love exploring dilapidated areas and buildings, so I wanted to photograph one of my favorite malls. She looked at me, barely saying thank you or anything, and simply stated in a very snotty voice that "things like that don't happen at Kenwood." There are more, but the NewsBank is giving me fits right now. The mall underwent two major renovations since its debut. In October 2013, Bass Pro Shops, one of the only remaining anchors of Cincinnati Mall, announced that its store would eventually close in favor of a new facility at Union Center in West Chester. 11 Complications with leasing delayed the opening of the west "fashion" wing with upscale tenants until March 1989. Or make it a land mark. My (ex)girlfriend's friend's brother was Ultimate Fighting there. FAIRFIELD, Ohio The former Forest Fair mall is set to be demolished, along with 825 other structures across the state, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Friday. Counties have until Feb. 13, 2023 to request a grant extension for the Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. Hence the need for the substation. He said they are hoping to redevelop the entire 90-acre site. It was safe and the Time Out area was beautiful with indoor putt putt and merry go round. Changes in Store Forest Fair Mall Has New Name and New Direction. Cincinnati Post 31 Aug. 1992. * Police substation opened in December 1991. The gangs were not walking around the other malls like they were at Forest Parks, Forest Fair Mall. ?Center Court elevatorFormer Media Play entrance. I think its SM City Cincinnati by Henry Sy owned!!! Bourbon Street Memories - Forest Fair Mall - Facebook "FOREST PARK POLICE WIN STATE AWARD - COP PROGRAM 'OUTSTANDING'" April 7, 1992. Cincinnati Mills now Cincinnati Mall. Business Courier of Cincinnati 4 March 2009. 12 Nov. 2008. The mall, formerly known as Cincinnati Mills, and originally Forest Fair Mall, has struggled for decades in trying to create a successful business plan to draw consistent crowds. 5 Jan. 2009. Parisian moved to Kenwood and Bass Pro Shops occupies that space. It will most likely never be a mall again in the sense that it was before, but as a multi use facility, especially academic and office space, it can work. ^One of my friends got busted for underage drinking in the garage. That's sad. My point was, and while I may be "too young" to remember, that the mall wasn't as bad or dangerous as a place that your article seemed to make it out to be. CincyImages, This group is open to past patrons of Cheyenne Cattle Company, Bonzi Pipeline and the . By continuing past this page and/or using this site, you agree to abide by the Terms of Use for this site, which prohibit commercial use of any information on this site. Are you kidding me? It was rumored when the West Chester Bass Pro Shops/Cabelas opened in 2016, this location would close, but fortunately, this location is holding its own and has stayed open, Cincinnati Wedding Photographer | West Chester Photographer | Cincy Bride, OHIO spring NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY BARGE PHOTOGRAPHY, Amy & Stephen are married! Even the bathrooms had the water shut off. 1 10 It thrived with three anchors, 145 inline tenants, several themed restaurants and nightclubs, and two movie theatres, and boasted an occupancy rate of 93%. There are two other major malls within several miles of this one that were built earlier with more stable (in the long run) anchor stores like Sears and JCPenney. ^Were you babysitting one of the kids there? Hopefully a new buyer will come in and restore it, and find some kind of entertainment use for this gem of a place. The context you brought it up in made you seem like you were attributing it as a suburb of the mall. Bourbon St. Yeah, the article made it seem like it was installed after the Mills renovations to curtail some high spike in crime at that time. I don't think that anyone is arguing whether or not gangs were there on occasion and such. Owing to an economic downturn and financial considerations, the new Bass Pro Shops store was never built. Yes, you can make a reservation by picking a date, time, and party size. As everyone knows I love exploring dilapidated areas and buildings, so I wanted to photograph one of my favorite malls. Yep but you do need to show proof of vaccine to eat in. My friend was working with a woman at the Macys watch counter. I merely said that was the kind of picture your article and your comments on here were painting the mall as, that's the vibe I got. It's a good article and a good recap story how that place never panned out, but I think the statement on crime is quite a big exaggeration. And I'm not an english major but your second statement certainly sounds like you are talking about suburbs surrounding the mall. Nightlife returns to Forest Fair Mall - Cincinnati Business Courier ^So that's why there's that strange concrete alcove next to the Bigg's wing entrance. The three times that I went there in the past year were at night, and during the time when the club was open, and it was very uncomfortable to walk anywhere near the car and not be followed, or see general shit happen. Web Site: Not Available . Target OakPark Store, Oak Park, IL 11Occupancy dropped to 56% because of uncertainty in the shopping centers future. I do believe they understand that and are also incentivized to allow for these extensions.. Don't know if anyone has shared this video but it's so creepy. And as an aside, Winton Woods is not a suburb, it is a school district and a park. I was thinking, "If I want to go to a rough bar, I think I'll stick to ones around here, not the one all the way up at the mall.". Northgate? Also, you can't enter the nightclub from within the mall itself, you have to go outside. "Cincinnati Newcomers" questions answered. By the early 2000s, all of the anchor stores original to the mall had closed except for Bigg's Hypermarket. 19 SMT-Reddit 19 days ago Hard to connect it up other than that. Ben Davis with Hillwood could not be reached for comment but told the Journal-News previously they couldnt comment because they didnt yet own the property. A mall of this size, and in its location (which was a poor idea to start with) simply wont work. 13 The Festival at Forest Fair, a themed restaurant and bar district, opened in the former Bonwit Teller at the cost of $8 million in August 1993. It had games and some movies for sale. Many of the walkways and escalators are barricaded off. I have a picture of me at the substation in 1993 with my "koala care" day care class. This mall was built in 1988, and it was there when I moved into my first apartment that I furnished it with everything from the senior anchor, Biggs Hypermarket. Hope to see you in soon! more. They are thinking about the name Forest Fair Village, stating they dont want to considered a mall. Grab a copy of the Abandoned Kentucky hardcover book, available in stores and on Amazon. It was projected that in a total build-out scenario, the mall could support up to 15 anchors and 200 inline retailers. Copyright 2003-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) UrbanOhio.com, All Rights Reserved. Entry #7Only Bass Pro and Kohls are openMall entry #6 looking into the old Biggs HypermarketEast end of the mall. Not so, now. Hopefully a new buyer will come in and restore it, and find some kind of entertainment use for this gem of a place. There was a rumor that there were gang wars inside Forest Fair during the 1990s, guess it was true after all? Bourbon Street must have been on the upper level of the old Bonwit Teller, back when it was Festivals of Forest Fair. Where else in the world would you be legally allowed to enter premises that are closed for business. Cincinnati Mall works on debt plan., Baverman, Laura. Most of what you talked about is rumor, as others have said. They even had a Virtual Reality place there. Finally called them and they said they were next to the food court which was completely closed except for an unpatronized Japanese restaurant. The bleeding of tenants only accelerated which led Showcase Cinemas to close onFebruary 28, 2010. 2, The malls fortunes mirrored the Mills Corporations finances by April 2006. Scope it here: http://www.labelscar.com/ohio/forest-fair-mall-cincinnati-mills-cincinnati-mall-cincinnati-ohio. Sign up for a new account in our community. When you're a security force with nothing to guard, it's a pretty easy job. ago. This cinema has been closed since 2014, Entries #2 and #8 and Steve & Barrys. Bourbon Street Cafe - WestShore Plaza Privacy Policy. The Forest Fair Mall was opened in 1989 and originally featured Bigg's Hypermarket, Bonwit Teller, B. Altman, Elder-Beerman, Parisian, and Sakowitz as anchor stores. Welcome back to where it all started, FOREST FAIR MALL, to celebrate 1,000 subscribers with a newly re-rerecorded, re-shot, re-mastered, re-booted edition. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. WHAT A HOOT! http://www.southlandstone.com/projects/Forest_Fair_Mall.pdf, I saw an article that stated the nightclub at Cincinnati Mills will be closing. For more information, please see our Yes, Bub City offers both delivery and takeout. If all these open, wonder how much activity this will bring to the mall or I am sorry - village. 2341021 The project was aided by $19 million in tax increment financing for two parking garages. The club, for people ages 21 and up, is scheduled to open this summer. Bourbon St. Grill (Fairview Mall) - Uber Eats The Kroger store closed in the early 1990s and was replaced by a Meijer store. The $7.9 million grant the county land bank received to raze the eyesore along Interstate 275 last year appeared to be in jeopardy because the May 31 deadline was impossible to reach. The music venue is beautiful and the food as always is so so good. 12 Nov. 2008. From the archives: Remembering the Forest Fair Mall when it was buzzing with activity, Scan this QR code to download the app now. 11. I told you I loved Bourbon Street lolCant remember the name of this place. Kenwood), what vandalism was there at Cincinnati Mall that your article implies? There was a huge CompUSA next to the Bigg's, but it didn't have an entrance inside the mall. Good memories at that mall, specifically at America Live and later . Anyone?? This mall was also built off an exit that didn't get nearly the development as around the area's other malls. FIGHT ASIDE, MALL IS SAFE, POLICE SAY February 25, 1992. [] Forest Fair Mall/Cincinnati Mills/Cincinnati Mall is one of those shopping centers that never really took off. I've worked at both Tri-County and Springdale and both had cops in there at all times working out of the customer service desk. The Kroger store was located in the north end of the mall, near where the food court is now located. Did you know that MS-13 roamed the mall back, and in the surrounding suburbs of Sharonville and Winton Woods? It is interesting to walk the ghost-town mall. The only reason I even go there these days is for the Babies 'R Us store, but now there is one near Kenwood Mall. They have signed a lease and are going to try to remain open, Cincinnati Mall plans for new sports complex. Bass Pro Shops, Showcase Cinemas, Kohl's, and Burlington Coat Factory later moved into the mall to replace the original anchor stores. . That section of the mall opened about a year before the rest of it. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. SIMON SEARCH. Supposedly, in the beginning, the bigg's wing was always the discount wing, and it was laid out so that you could take your shopping cart from store to store, and that there was a two-level store called "Super Sports USA", "Summer Sports USA", or just "Sports USA" (it could've been Oshman's SuperSports USA, but I have no proof of that). 13 Nov. 2008: 6B. By the early 2000s, all of the anchor stores original to the mall had closed except for Bigg's Hypermarket. Become a Mall Insider today for the chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree! When Rookwood was built it hurt it a little but they both exist and well with each other. Hooker was saddled with debt as construction costs that were estimated at $200 million came in at more than $250 million. 1 like. The three times that I went there in the past year were at night, and during the time when the club was open, and it was very uncomfortable to walk anywhere near the car and not be followed, or see general sh!t happen. p. 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOREST FAIR VILLAGE By the Numbers. 2 March 2010. After struggling to keep the mall filled, Simon sold the mall off. Can't make it to us? The land bank applied for $11.5 million to topple 51 eyesores with the the Ohio Department of Development last February and was awarded $8.7 million in October. 22 The Candlewood Suites would be located on the footprint of the former Steve and Barrys store 19 while the ice hockey arena and water park would be situated in the old Biggs anchor. Privacy Policy. Day Hours Time; Today: Apr 28: 10:00AM-9:00PM: Saturday: Apr 29: 10:00AM-9:00PM . $8 million Forest Fair Mall demolition grant deadline will likely be Now it looks like the Metropolis may remain open at the mall. "CINCINNATI MILLS CHANGES CAP CODE" August 28, 2004. It was projected that the proposal would create 2,000 jobs. I also remember after seeing the film my parents took me and my sisters to Wonderpark to conclude our time there. Bourbon Street Memories - Forest Fair Mall, Cincinnati. 11 Complications with leasing delayed the opening of the west fashion wing with upscale tenants until March 1989. Cincinnati Mall, formerly known as Forest Fair Mall and Cincinnati Mills, is an ailing shopping center in Fairfield, Ohio. Sorry, I just felt the need to point that out. This mall has changed hands again and is undergoing another rebrand. I could actually hear the drips given the heavy rain we had the day beforeThe coolest food court Ive ever been toThis cinema changed names 3 times since opening at the beginning of the mall. The mall reportedly changed its name to Forest Fair Village in 2013 but never officially changed any of the exterior or interior signs saying "Cincinnati Mall". Most of the information you cited only indirectly linked Forest Fair Mall to gang violence. What's the status on Cincinnati Sports Zone and the new "Forest Fair Village" name? The newspaper reports that the zone will take up 180,000 square feet. Chief. Forest Fair Mall was constructed by L.J. Here was the combined comment from the state: If entities need an extension to their agreement, Development will begin working with them early next year, the statement reads. Malls new look holds surprises. Cincinnati Enquirer 8 July 2004. I don't think it was your intention to mislead anyone and I didn't mean to imply that, however, the overall tone made it sound as if the mall was a warzone, it wasn't. Forest Fair Mall / Cincinnati Mills / Cincinnati Mall Now the Monroe Outlet Mall. that gives me the hee bee gee bees!! Found some papers that I obtained that should provide more specifically the crime that occurred in the mall. Amazingly, the entire mall is still open to the public. To enter Metropolis you have to park in a completely different parking structure than that of the main mall, why were you parked there and who was following you? Like Bourbon Street Memories - Forest Fair Mall Closed in 2006Escalator up to the entertainment district Bourbon Street. Note, the logo is still present on the groundtodayPlace 2 B Nite Club This nightclub replaced the former nightclub Metropolis. 1617. The Butler County land bank won $7.9 million of the demolition money to raze the old Forest Fair Mall now called the Cincinnati Mall along Interstate 275, the total demolition is estimated at $10.5 million and there is a $2.6 million local match the developer would pay. We offer everything from delicious starters like wings, po-boys, chicken . Forest Fair Village - Cincinnati, OH | Barge Photography West lower level of the mall This mall is very modern for a dead mall. I never claimed you did nor did I quote you as saying that. I had a lot of fun at this mall when it opened. Former Forest Fair Mall, other buildings will be demolished if funds come through., Demeropolis, Tom. Forest Fair Mall's Days are Numbered - Abandoned, Trip to the Abandoned Cincinnati Mills Mall in Cincinnati, Ohio - Ohio Digital News, https://abandonedonline.net/location/cincinnati-mall/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQyzEyIf7P0&t=254s, Birthday Weekend Rewind Arcade | Magthemom's Weblog, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZaTbToRWNw. From the website, Metropolis looks like its still open. Fasig, Lisa Biank. I thought it was a nice mall, only went there a couple of times-where liveliness go ? The second and latest was in January this year. Sadly all the buckets you see are for leaks in the ceiling. Bourbon Street Memories - Forest Fair Mall created the group Bourbon Street Memories - Forest Fair Mall. I remember it well. Its important that if they offered these monies to bring these major blighted projects that they allow the time for these things to proceed, Nix said. development isn't happening, either. "HANGING OUT: - TEENS WITH IDLE TIME WEAR OUT WELCOME" 22 June 1992. That was your quote, not mine. When the state biennial budget passed in June 2021, it allocated $150 million for commercial and residential demolitions and $350 million for brownfield remediation. 3 6 Cincinnati Mills had declined to 115 tenants by mid-summer and the shopping center had become one of the weakest performers in the Mill Corporations portfolio, with sales per square feet less than half the average for similarly sized facilities. Forest Fair Mall/Cincinnati Mills questions (Northgate, Kenwood: to buy Seeking to turn around its flagging fortunes, FFM rebranded the mall as Malls at Forest Fair in May 1992 as part of a $25 million project which included dividing the concourses into four retail themes centered around entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, and value. Learn how your comment data is processed. The mall was originally called "Forest Fair Mall" and went through several name changes throughout its life, including "Cincinnati Mills Mall," "Cincinnati Mall," and now "Forest Fair Mall." It is the second largest . All rights reserved. The Castle: Inside Rackspace's Headquarters, When you visited the mall, was the arcade type store already closed? Cincinnati Mills: One Year Later. Fairfield Echo 5 Oct. 2005. PDF FOREST FAIR VILLAGE - Newmark Recently we uploaded a video about Forest Fair Mall the state it is in now, Here is a video of what the mall looked like with the original asteadics and Time. Hooker literally bought controlling interest in the upscale anchors and forced them to open at the mall. B. Altman and Bonwit Teller, two retailers that Hooker had purchased in mid-1987, also filed for bankruptcy protection. Area Showcase Cinemas closes. Fairfield Echo 2 March 2010. Bourbon Street must have been on the upper level of the old Bonwit Teller, back when it was Festivals of Forest Fair. Today, this nearly 2,000,000 square foot mall has only Kohl's, Bass Pro Shops (leaving later in 2015), and Babies R Us as anchor stores. Amazingly, the entire mall is still open to the public. In January 1991, Hookers seven lenders took over the malls operation as FFM Limited Partnership. site has almost 2,000 feet of . Please join our group and share your memories/pictures of one of Cincinnati's unique nightclubs located on the second floor of the now defunct Forest Fair Mall. She strives to deliver the most impactful, comprehensive and crucial information about all aspects of local government to her readers every day. Maybe drop ceilings were there?? It's a statement that noted the gangs not only thrived in Forest Park, but in other suburbs (of Cincinnati). You have neighboring malls 2 exits away in both directions that have been established for a long time. They just need to make it into a hospital. A beautiful and rainy day at the Parker Tobacco Company, William Tarr House and the Paris Tuberculosis Hospital. The mall sits in the northern suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. If you have a link to an article on this, I'd love to read it. In 2017, Newmark began marketing Cincinnati Mall for sale with a list price of $55 million. It's easy! Ambitious plans for Cincinnati Mall., Mink, Dan. I encourage you to stop by there and take a walk through this unique work of art before it is shuttered. The mall has changed hands more times than I can remember, and now has just 5 tenants, including the two anchors, Kohls and Bass Pro. One was done in the early 1990s to make the mall more of a discount-based mall and cost $8 Million. Amazingly, the entire mall is still open to the public. Cincinnati Mall Directory | The Forest Fair Mall was opened - Flickr Saks Off Fifth signed open as an anchor outlet store in August 2000 followed by Burlington Coat Factory in October and Bass Pro Shops in November. 11 Not long after, Showcase Cinemas, a first-run multiplex movie theater, opened on the lower level in the food court, replacing the Time Out game arcade. Happens here at work too. 14, North Star Realty of Georgia purchased the mall in January 2009, although the company became delinquent on property taxes and payments relating to the construction of the parking garages. View our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy & Cookie Settings. There was a large incident at Metropolis in 2008 (IIRC), which may have been posted here, where about 200 youths got rowdy and started causing mass disruptions at the night club and throughout the mall. . "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print" - John Crichton. Kent, Jennifer. For more information, please see our Forest Fair? Enjoy thisForest Fair Village Forest Fair Mall Cincinnati Mills Mall Cincinnati Mall photography provided byBargePhotography offeringnature and skyline nature photography in theCincinnati metro area and the entire country. I didn't realize that Metropolis was open that recently, but I haven't been on that side of the mall in a very long time. ..30 years of failed attempts at the same thing. Its crazy to think this mall is still standing after all these years. Kenwood? Boyer, Mike. There are other locations throughout the Cincy area, and I think it might (?) Cookie Notice Biggs, as a chain, is actually holding its own right now and is doing pretty well from what I've seen. FOREST FAIR MALL: The Mall That Should Have Never Been - YouTube Let me say the place is amazing. She covers Butler County including all elected office holders, departments and independent boards; Liberty, Ross and West Chester townships. Forest Fair Mall closed following fire and safety inspection 19 In a move to restore the malls viability, the company renamed the property Cincinnati Mall and sought non-traditional tenants to fill the empty shopping center. Sounds more like a place for toddlers and tots to hang out. . LOL!!!!!!!!!!! According to the funding application, the property is currently valued at $9.2 million, with $2 million of that on the Butler County side. Gang members went dancing? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 12 Nov. 2008. That was unheard of at the time. Dont do anything with it and just allow it to be a landmark. Bourbon Street was closed to make way for construction. Former Forest Fair mall to be demolished along with 825 other vacant Does Greenhills work better?