Between the constant juggle of different owners, bankruptcies, and rebranding efforts, the mall never reached full occupancy and it has been on life support for many years. The point of the substation at Cincinnati Mall/Forest Fair was supposed to be some educational thing done between the Fairfield and Forest Park police, since the mall fell into both of their jurisdictions. Bonsai Pipeline was the one i . It was projected that in a total build-out scenario, the mall could support up to 15 anchors and 200 inline retailers. People would go in to gawk at the prices but you couldnt buy anything there. There was a rumor that there were gang wars inside Forest Fair during the 1990s, guess it was true after all? Mall cinema shuts down. Cincinnati Enquirer 2 March 2010. They had a very strange experience to say the least when visiting at night back in 2010. Cookie Notice It was sandwiched in between two other oversized malls in an area that wasn't that densely populated. That was the main reason for the initial failure of the Forest Fair Mall. Butler County Treasurer Nancy Nix, who chairs the land bank board, said she finds it hard to believe their grant wouldnt be extended. It is being restored today after years of neglect. Parisian moved to Kenwood and Bass Pro Shops occupies that space. When you're a security force with nothing to guard, it's a pretty easy job. Now it looks like the Metropolis may remain open at the mall. The mall was dead from the start. The remains of the mall, and its only current tenant (an arcade), features in YouTuber Adam the Woos daily vlog #1490 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZaTbToRWNw). Note, the logo is still present on the groundtoday, Place 2 B Nite Club This nightclub replaced the former nightclub Metropolis. ..30 years of failed attempts at the same thing. I worked for bigg's at Forest Fair Mall when it first opened in 1988. I think it should be kept as is. Please be sure to consider us for your high school senior photography, dance photography or your upcomingweddinginCincinnati, Dayton, Liberty Twpand entire tri-statearea. LOL Yeah they sure did have a fog machine in there. She was polite enough, but seemed very annoyed when my friend didn't find a watch to his liking. They often had 10 or more folks undercover at any point. Place 2 B Night Club has signed a five-year lease for more than 29,000 square feet of space at the Forest Park center, according to a news release from Cincinnati Mall. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The Castle: Inside Rackspace's Headquarters, When you visited the mall, was the arcade type store already closed? For the life of me I can't remember what store took over the Bourbon Street area. I took my niece and nephew there all the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_-cBLQlB-A. The place certainly had it's problems back in the day and there was crime. The fact that it's Bubcity and Joe's I mean what an awesome combination. 15 20, Cincinnati Mills was purchased by the Cincinnati Holding Company, a subsidiary of World Properties Inc. of New York, for $4.7 million on March 4, 2009. Cincinnati Mall works on debt plan., Baverman, Laura. By the early 2000s, all of the anchor stores original to the mall had closed except for Bigg's Hypermarket. 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. Yeah they were just super unfortunate that both north gate mall and tri-county mall bookended forest fair mall on 275 so most people had to pass another mall to get to forest fair. View our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy & Cookie Settings. Not that its pretty much gone, Cincinnati may have to do what was done with the old Markets International mall (remember that? I left the conversation with a promising understanding that an extension would occur, Geisler told the Journal-News. . Some malls are using space for academic uses, as well as office space, which is always at a premium. 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. The problems this mall had in my opinion are because of poor planing, foresight, and enforcement. I had to check the places I recalled being at when I was a kid. The Kroger store closed in the early 1990s and was replaced by a Meijer store. (813) 287-9772 Sign Up For Email. The mall is the second largest mall in Ohio with 1,500,000 square feet. And I remember accessing it from within the mall via a escalator. It was always a curious thing. Published: Dec. 2, 2022 at 12:41 PM PST FAIRFIELD, Ohio (WXIX) - Forest Fair Mall has been shut down due to possible safety hazards, according to Forest Park Fire Chief Alfie Jones. Bourbon Street Cafe. and our 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. Opening in 1988 with Biggs hypermarket and some inline tenants, it really took off with the 1989 completion of its fashion wing that added B. Altman, Biggs, Bonwit Teller, Elder-Beerman, and Parisian, along with 200 stores. I'll never forget being amazed by the indoor Ferris wheel and all the games. Anyone?? 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 in orange | Barge Photography 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. The club, for people ages 21 and up, is scheduled to open this summer. Fairfield, Ohio bordered with Forest Park, Ohio | Forest park, Butler county, Hamilton county Travel Destinations US Destinations Uploaded to Pinterest Bourbon Street nightclubs at Forest Fair Mall. The Cottrill Opera House in Thomas, West Virginia opened in 1902 and closed in the 1970s. 9 By September, only 56% of the mall was leased, including 60% of the anchor space and 47% of the inline retailer space. He said they are hoping to redevelop the entire 90-acre site. Or R20^llin? Several articles from August 1998 about a series of gang-related robberies in the area malls, including Forest Fair, that are violent and involve guns. 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. Bourbon Street was closed to make way for construction. 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. That does not make them gangs and isolated incidents hardly make something a big problem. 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." Probably a good spot for laser tag or paintballing in the future. Never said it was a warzone. It is a high crime and drug related area with violence and theft much higher than upper class Tri-county Mall which is 5 minutes away. Changes in Store Forest Fair Mall Has New Name and New Direction. Cincinnati Post 31 Aug. 1992. It was safe and the Time Out area was beautiful with indoor putt putt and merry go round. On one occasion when she went several cases away to show him some better merch, she just left a few watches that were worth several hundred $$ apiece on the counter instead of placing them back in the locked case. 4 20 The mall was rededicated as Cincinnati Mills on August 19, 2004. Cincinnati Mills: One Year Later. Fairfield Echo 5 Oct. 2005. Youre lucky the lights are kept on! Why would they open a new one when they can just use the old one it is a very nice on its so dumb. The first grocery store to open in the mall was a Kroger, which opened in the late 1970s. 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. Megan Nagy with the DoD told the Journal-News they are willing to extend the deadlines if counties ask but she wouldnt address Butler County specifically. 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. Though it was the coolest one of the three I frequented in my mall rat years in the 90's . This mall is very modern for a dead mall. 614, In 2007, Cincinnati Mills was a contender for IKEA, a Swedish home furnishings retailer, but the deal fell through after IKEA announced that it would build a free-standing store in West Chester. Cincinnati Holding soon fell behind on its assessment and tax payments, at one point owing the city of Forest Park $2.5 million for annual assessments (which were charged instead of property taxes due to tax reductions that were given during a renovation in 2003), and $200,000 in taxes for the Winton Woods City School District. The Butler County Land Bank applied for $9.5 million in state funding to raze dilapidated and abandoned buildings, with the bulk of the money, if approved, going to tear down Cincinnati Mall. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Boyer, Mike. Anyone? The mall's former names include Cincinnati Mall, Cincinnati Mills, and Forest Fair Mall. The big mistake was putting in such high dollar stores initially. Do they still have fishing in the Food Court fountain? By the early 2000s, all of the anchor stores original to the mall had closed except for Bigg's Hypermarket. $75,858 . It's a statement that noted the gangs not only thrived in Forest Park, but in other suburbs (of Cincinnati). Happens here at work too. Bottom line Do not put a middle class mall directly between a high class and a low class mall. 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. In 2017, Newmark began marketing Cincinnati Mall for sale with a list price of $55 million. The plan calls for three ice rinks to be used for hockey, figure skating and recreational skating. A few years back, an old friend tried for like half and hour to drive us up to Metropolis. Grill (Fairview Mall) 4.5 (200+ ratings) Fast food More info Sign up for our email program and stay updated on the latest mall news. ), You also forget that in the winter of 1992, 2 rival gangs went to the Forest Fair Mall and started a, Forest Fair Mall / Cincinnati Mills / Cincinnati Mall, http://www.labelscar.com/ohio/forest-fair-mall-cincinnati-mills-cincinnati-mall-cincinnati-ohio. Latest plan for Cincinnati Mall: ice rink, water park., Baverman, Laura. 12 Nov. 2008. As I understand it, the guy who built the mall was an investor from Australia who just wanted to get in on the mall boom of the 80s. Greater Cincinnati mall under contract; demo and $150M project planned.. I think I placed the date of the substation too far ahead, so I'll correct that. New stores announced for Cincinnati Mills. Cincinnati Mills 9 July 2004. 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). Parisian closed its anchor store at the mall in June 1998. Cincinnati Mall, formerly known as Forest Fair Mall and Cincinnati Mills, is an ailing shopping center in Fairfield, Ohio. From the website, Metropolis looks like its still open. LOL!!!!!!!!!!! Just visited during peak holiday shopping season to go to the arcade with my sons. 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. I'll concede that it is entirely possible that gang members went to the mall but the idea that it was a threatening or dangerous place is ludicris. Forest Fair Village Cincinnati, OH | Barge Photography, Mall entry #6 looking into the old Biggs Hypermarket, East end of the mall. The mall suffers from crime, hence the need for a police substation (how many other malls have that? Hi Brittney, I visited it back in the summer, You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. 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. According to the Butler and Hamilton county auditors websites, the properties have not been sold. Boyer, Mike. Development group wants to put light industrial buildings on site if it acquires properties. This cinema has been closed since 2014Entries #2 and #8 and Steve & Barrys. My friend was working with a woman at the Macys watch counter. ?I wonder how old this candy is!Sadly all the buckets you see are for leaks in the ceiling. 1 like. Bourbon Street was closed down in 1999 and replace with Burlington Coat Factory, My VIP card. I encourage you to stop by there and take a walk through this unique work of art before it is shuttered. "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print" - John Crichton. He said they dont have any more details about the developers plans. ^Wasn't that called Bourbon St or something to that nature? The bleeding of tenants only accelerated which led Showcase Cinemas to close onFebruary 28, 2010. 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. You can read about it and see pictures here, though in this article there are still lights in the food court. They just need to make it into a hospital. The development also will include a restaurant, a sports bar and a volleyball court. I had one experience of the Forest Fair club scene. First you talked about rampant crime in the mall, then you further went on to post about gangs and violence. Thats my unprofessional real opinion, I was there. I remember going to them as a kid. Even though I moved out of Fairfield, I still have to go back there every now and then for eye appointments, they keep the place pretty well maintained and they were pretty quick to throw me out of there for shooting photos. * Perception that under Forest Fair management, the mall had become a gang hangout. 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. B. Altman and Bonwit Teller, two retailers that Hooker had purchased in mid-1987, also filed for bankruptcy protection. Tri-County Mall VS. Forest Fair Mall Forest Fair Mall was the first to die, then Northgate Mall, then Cincinnati Mills thought it could save Forest Fair, then Tri-County said "wait a minute, we're NOT going down without a fight!" Gang members went dancing? Crab Du Jour offers experience-driven seafood dining in a fun, communal atmosphere, perfect for friends and family. When the mall was renovated to "Cincinnati Mills," the substation was moved down by the food court. Malls new look holds surprises. Cincinnati Enquirer 8 July 2004. 2341021 The project was aided by $19 million in tax increment financing for two parking garages. 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. Over the years, the Cincinnati Mall, known currently as Forest Fair Village in 2022, has changed names numerous times. Um, on second thought, maybe that wasnt such a good idea. Found this out firsthand, the management will try anything to keep it out of the papers. They didn't put a substation there to curtail crime, it had always been there. Cookie Notice Where else in the world would you be legally allowed to enter premises that are closed for business. and our Yes - I've been inside when it's just been a dark concourse. I remember seeing my first thong contest, and seeing a lot more than just thongs up on those platforms. 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. The Forest Park and Fairfield Police had a substation there for years and often held D.A.R.E. It's easy! Biggs occupied the entire right side, Showcase Cinemas 10 The 2nd of 2 cinemas located at the mall. Yeah, the article made it seem like it was installed after the Mills renovations to curtail some high spike in crime at that time. SIMON SEARCH. Fairfield, Ohio bordered with Forest Park, Ohio America Live - Bourbon Street nightclubs at Forest Mall. Kohls opened in the B. Altman location in September 1994. The mall itself wasn't open, just the nightclub. 8Brookfield Asset Management and Simon Property Group purchased the Mills Corporation for $1.6 billion on January 16, 2007. 11 Complications with leasing delayed the opening of the west "fashion" wing with upscale tenants until March 1989. p. 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOREST FAIR VILLAGE By the Numbers. Can Cincinnati Mills work? Cincinnati Enquirer 4 Feb. 2007. Boyer, Mike. Once the request is received, Development will work with the entity to execute their awards, she said. Don't know if anyone has shared this video but it's so creepy. Land bank Executive Director Seth Geisler has been communicating with the Ohio Department of Development. Will have the memories forever though!! So thanks Forest Fair-we loved you. Like Bourbon Street Memories - Forest Fair Mall Cincinnati Mills now Cincinnati Mall. Business Courier of Cincinnati 4 March 2009. The Journal-News reached out to the Ohio Department of Development and Gov. Steve & Barrys filed bankruptcy in 2009, andthe Forests Fair site was closed in 2008One of the original anchors, Elder-Beerman closed its doors in 2004. Called the COP Shop. Up to 600 teenagers were involved in the melee on Pete Rose Way. ), 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. I had to cut through the Bass Pro Shop to get there. Hooker was saddled with debt as construction costs that were estimated at $200 million came in at more than $250 million. * Police substation opened in December 1991. Cincinnati Mall announces redevelopment., Dowdy, Rob. The property, which is. They even had a Virtual Reality place there. Have mercy west move in. The Fast, Easy Way Find What You're Shopping For In-Store. 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. I don't think I personally have ever felt threatened walking around there. Sign up for a new account in our community. Grab a copy of the Abandoned Kentucky hardcover book, available in stores and on Amazon. Sadly all the buckets you see are for leaks in the ceiling. 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. It was attached, but you had to leave the mall to enter it. 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. I love the indoor mountain bike park idea. Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. Let me say the place is amazing. Place 2 B will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights offering live music, DJs, Thursday college nights and other events. 12 Nov. 2008. Hopefully a new buyer will come in and restore it, and find some kind of entertainment use for this gem of a place. That hardly seems to indicate some Forest Park- Fairfield turf war being waged inside the mall. 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. Phone # Not Available . I remember it well. I thought it was a nice mall, only went there a couple of times-where liveliness go ? Cincinnati Mills sold again. Cincinnati Enquirer 2 Jan. 2009. Hard to connect it up other than that. Fun fact, I went to Metropolis over the summer on its last day of operation. Forest Fair Mall was constructed by L.J. 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. 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. Yea, I don't ever remember hearing anything about a shooting inside the mall. The potential developer is aware of the citys comprehensive plan, including the area plan for the South Gilmore/Mack Road area., Chris Anderson, Forest Parks director of community development said they havent met with Hillwood recently, but as far as I know everythings moving along, a little slower than we thought but still moving.. Country, Dance, and I forget the other two. 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. Did you know that MS-13 roamed the mall back, and in the surrounding suburbs of Sharonville and Winton Woods? The goal of the program is to help communities tear down dilapidated buildings and revitalize the area for future economic development.. Is this now Metropolis? PHOTOS: When Forest Fair Mall was full and thriving. The gangs were not walking around the other malls like they were at Forest Parks, Forest Fair Mall. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. development isn't happening, either. My (ex)girlfriend's friend's brother was Ultimate Fighting there. 2 March 2010. Learn how your comment data is processed. It was so neat to be able to rent a pole, catch fish, and then cook them on an open fire right there in the mall! Forest Fair Mall holds a small place in my heart. Maybe drop ceilings were there?? 12 Nov. 2008. While these malls don't have substations, they do have a constant police presence. Bourbon Street was closed down in 1999 and replace with Burlington Coat FactoryMy VIP card. Forest Fair Mall / Cincinnati Mills / Cincinnati Mall - Cincinnati Mills Drive - Forest Park, Ohio. 6 March 2009. Of course Parisian closed in Kenwood and that is where the Nordstrom is located. Kenwood? Forest Fair: Mall on the Mend. Cincinnati Enquirer 29 Oct. 2000. Found some papers that I obtained that should provide more specifically the crime that occurred in the mall. The Kroger store was located in the north end of the mall, near where the food court is now located. We offer everything from delicious starters like wings, po-boys, chicken . One was done in the early 1990s to make the mall more of a discount-based mall and cost $8 Million. Note, the logo is still present on the groundtodayPlace 2 B Nite Club This nightclub replaced the former nightclub Metropolis. The mall still seems most commonly refered to as Cincinnati Mills. Also supposed to be opening are Arcade Legacy (opened Feb 12), Extreme Baseball Academy, Bee Active Adventure Zone, Universal Fitness, Brain Freeze Treats and Grill, and Body of Influence. 12 Nov. 2008. I remember watching the ruckus from the hotel parking lot across the way cause I saw all the cop cars on my way home from work. I told you I loved Bourbon Street lol. Or a good location for a Halloween scare. Nearest MBTA Station: Orange & Red Lines / Downtown Crossing Station . Despite success, Cincinnati Mills may return to sale rack. Cincinnati Business Courier 28 April 2006. * Crowds of teenagers gathering at Eastgate in 1992 that led to some major disturbances. Yep but you do need to show proof of vaccine to eat in. I think the incident you're referring to is when a gun was pulled and there was a huge response from the Fairfield and Forest Park police. 12 Nov. 2008. Can't find any reference to "warzone" on my article, but this is what I wrote: "By this point, crime in the center was so rampant that a police substation was installed adjacent to the parking garage.". We couldnt find the damned thing. Demeropolis, Tom. Now the Monroe Outlet Mall. that gives me the hee bee gee bees!! Owing to an economic downturn and financial considerations, the new Bass Pro Shops store was never built. There are more, but the NewsBank is giving me fits right now. I don't think Metropolis is accessible through the main mall though. Getting it demolished is a great idea, weve been wanting it done, Rhodus said. Cant remember the name of this place. The picture that Gordon painted seems much closer to reality. 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. Forest Fair Mall chronology. Cincinnati Enquirer 29 Oct. 2000. Funny thingI typically avoid malls like the plague, but was at kenwood tagging along with a friend during the Holiday madness. * In May 1992, Cincinnati Police had to halt teen dances in downtown because of over 20 assaults. 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. Store Directory for Wolfchase Galleria - A Shopping Center In Memphis, TN - A Simon Property. and our P&G subsidiary in Hamilton to close, lay off 122, Best of Butler County 2023: Vote online for your favorites. That was your quote, not mine. 13 Nov. 2008: 6B. Mills later took over the mall and spent nearly $70 million renovating the struggling mall into Cincinnati Mills, which opened in 2004. It's also no surprise that the agriculture museum/mountain bike/etc. 19 SMT-Reddit 19 days ago Not looking for aForest Fair Village Forest Fair Mall Cincinnati Mills Mall Cincinnati Mall photographer? 23 The new store would feature 150,000 square feet of retail with an Uncle Bucks Fishbowl and Grill and a bowling alley. The newspaper reports that the zone will take up 180,000 square feet. An active community of residents and others; the official subreddit for Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, and nearby places in the greater Tri-state region. However, we have not had an official announcement that there will be an extension.. The ice rinks can melt to be used instead for soccer or even car shows. I seen this place from beginning to end. 25 Only a handful of shops and services were operating at the site, including Bass Pro Shop and Kohls. Bourbon Street nightclubs at Forest Fair Mall. 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%. You dont have to, but we always recommend one! 12 Nov. 2008. 12 Nov. 2008. That place was great fun!
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