Findlay Village Mall

Findlay Village Mall was a shopping center in Findlay, Ohio, United States. The property opened in 1962 as Fort Findlay Village Shopping Center, a development associated with prolific American mall builder Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. It initially operated as an outdoor shopping center with Britt's and JCPenney as early department-store tenants, followed by Sears. During the 1970s, the center was enclosed as enclosed regional malls became an increasingly important format for American retail. The property underwent a major expansion in 1990. Its reported size increased from approximately 334,000 square feet to more than 525,000 square feet, with the expansion adding a new Kmart and JCPenney location as well as Elder-Beerman. Over time, the mall's tenant mix reflected the broader evolution of American retail: traditional department stores were joined or replaced by discount, specialty, electronics, sporting-goods, and home-improvement-oriented retailers. Several major changes affected the mall during the 2000s and 2010s. Kmart closed in 2003, and its former space was subsequently divided between TJ Maxx and Best Buy. The mall's movie theater ceased operating in 2010. Sears announced the closure of its Findlay store in 2014, leaving a major vacant anchor space. That space was later associated with Big R, which opened in 2017 and was subsequently rebranded as Stock + Field. JCPenney announced in March 2017 that it would close its Findlay location, while Elder-Beerman closed in August 2018. TJ Maxx later relocated from the mall to a former Staples site elsewhere in the area. In September 2020, the mall was sold to Kohan Retail Investment Group for a reported $4 million. Stock + Field's planned shutdown in 2021 created further uncertainty, although the chain was subsequently purchased by R.P. Lumber and its stores were expected to remain open. In its later years, the mall's principal remaining anchor tenants included Dunham's Sports, Best Buy, and the Stock + Field/Runnings-related retail presence described in available references. The property ultimately closed on January 31, 2025. Plans reported for the site called for demolition and redevelopment that would include a Target store. Findlay Village Mall is therefore a defunct retail property rather than an operating consumer brand.

Findlay Village Mall began in 1962 as Fort Findlay Village Shopping Center in Findlay, Ohio. The project was developed by Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr., one of the major builders of American shopping centers during the postwar expansion of suburban retail. Unlike the enclosed mall format for which many later properties became known, the original center was an outdoor shopping complex. Its initial department-store presence included Britt's and JCPenney, with Sears joining the tenant roster later. The center was enclosed during the 1970s, reflecting the growing popularity of climate-controlled indoor malls in the United States. Enclosure allowed the property to function as a year-round retail destination and supported a broader combination of department stores and smaller specialty shops. The center later adopted the Findlay Mall and Findlay Village Mall names used in available references. A substantial expansion was completed in 1990. The property grew from about 334,000 square feet to more than 525,000 square feet. The expansion added a new Kmart and JCPenney store and brought Elder-Beerman into the tenant mix. This enlargement positioned the mall as a significant regional shopping facility for Findlay and surrounding communities, with a combination of national department stores and smaller retail tenants. The mall's later history followed the difficulties experienced by many traditional American enclosed malls. Kmart closed its location in 2003. The former Kmart space was divided between TJ Maxx and Best Buy, allowing the property to replace one large general-merchandise anchor with an off-price retailer and an electronics specialist. The mall's movie theater closed in 2010, reducing its entertainment component. Sears announced in 2014 that its store would close by April, creating another major vacancy. In October 2016, Big R was identified as the future occupant of the former Sears space, with the store expected to open in 2017. Big R was later renamed Stock + Field. JCPenney announced on March 17, 2017, that it would close its Findlay store. Elder-Beerman followed with a closure in August 2018. TJ Maxx subsequently moved from the mall to a new location occupying a former Staples property, further reducing the mall's conventional anchor and specialty-retail base. Ownership also changed during the property's decline. In September 2020, the mall was sold to Kohan Retail Investment Group for a reported $4 million. In January 2021, Stock + Field was reported to be closing because the chain was going out of business. A later development involved the purchase of Stock + Field by R.P. Lumber, after which the stores were expected to continue operating. Available descriptions of the mall's later tenant base identify Dunham's Sports, Best Buy, and the Stock + Field/Runnings-related retail operation among its principal anchors or major tenants. Findlay Village Mall eventually closed on January 31, 2025. Plans reported for the property called for demolition and redevelopment, including a Target store. The closure ended more than six decades of retail operations at the site and marked the transition of the property from an enclosed regional mall to a potential new-format retail development.

• 2025

  Mall closes

  [1]Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Findlay Village Mall closes on January 31, ending its retail operations after more than six decades.

• 2021

  Stock + Field shutdown is announced

  [1]Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Stock + Field announces that it will close as the chain goes out of business, although a later purchase by R.P. Lumber is reported to preserve store operations.

• 2020

  Ownership transfers to Kohan Retail Investment Group

  [1]Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The property is sold in September to Kohan Retail Investment Group in a reported $4 million transaction.

• 2018

  Elder-Beerman closes

  [1]Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Elder-Beerman closes its mall location in August.

• 2017

  Big R fills former Sears space

  [1]Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Big R is announced as the expected replacement for Sears and opens in the space during 2017; the retailer is later renamed Stock + Field.

• 2017

  JCPenney announces Findlay closure

  [1]Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org

  JCPenney announces on March 17 that it will close its Findlay store.

• 2014

  Sears announces closure

  [1]Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Sears announces that its mall store will close by April.

• 2010

  Mall movie theater closes

  [1]Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The property's movie theater ceases operations.

• 2003

  Kmart closes

  [1]Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Kmart leaves the mall, and the former space is later divided between TJ Maxx and Best Buy.

• 1990

  Major expansion completed

  [1]Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The mall expands from approximately 334,000 square feet to more than 525,000 square feet, adding Kmart, a new JCPenney location, and Elder-Beerman.

• 1970

  Shopping center becomes enclosed

  [1]Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The property is enclosed during the 1970s, changing it from an open-air center into an indoor mall.

• 1962

  Fort Findlay Village Shopping Center opens

  [1]Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The original outdoor shopping center opens in Findlay, Ohio, with Britt's and JCPenney among its early tenants.

A regional shopping destination serving Findlay, Ohio, and nearby communities through department stores, specialty retailers, sporting-goods outlets, electronics retail, discount merchandise, and other consumer services. Its later years were defined by anchor-store turnover and declining enclosed-mall occupancy.

• Department-store retail · 1962

  Department stores

  Department stores formed the mall's original and historic anchor base. Britt's and JCPenney were present at the opening, Sears was added later, and the 1990 expansion included a new JCPenney location and Elder-Beerman. These tenants provided apparel, footwear, household goods, cosmetics, and other general merchandise.

• Consumer electronics · 2004

  Best Buy

  Best Buy occupied part of the former Kmart space after that anchor closed in 2003. Its presence represented the mall's shift toward specialty retail and consumer electronics, including computers, televisions, appliances, mobile products, and related services.

• Sporting goods

  Dunham's Sports

  Dunham's Sports was identified among the mall's later major tenants. The sporting-goods retailer served customers seeking athletic apparel, footwear, equipment, outdoor recreation products, and related seasonal merchandise.

• Farm, outdoor, and general merchandise · 2017

  Big R / Stock + Field

  Big R was selected to occupy the former Sears space in 2017 and was later renamed Stock + Field. The store broadened the mall's assortment toward farm, ranch, outdoor, hardware, apparel, and general merchandise. Its later continuity was affected by the chain's reported financial difficulties and subsequent acquisition by R.P. Lumber.

• Off-price retail · 2004

  TJ Maxx

  TJ Maxx occupied part of the space formerly used by Kmart after that store closed. It later relocated from the mall to a former Staples site, reflecting the continuing reshaping of the center's tenant base.

• 2025

  Close the mall and pursue redevelopmentOther

  Background

  After decades of anchor closures and tenant changes, the property no longer operated as a viable enclosed shopping mall.

  Action taken

  The mall closed on January 31, 2025, with reported plans to demolish the structure and redevelop the site for a Target store.

  Aftermath

  Findlay Village Mall became a defunct property, pending or undergoing a transition to a new retail format.

  Source

• 2020

  Sell the mall to Kohan Retail Investment GroupM&A

  Background

  The property faced substantial anchor turnover and changing conditions in the enclosed-mall sector.

  Action taken

  The mall was sold to Kohan Retail Investment Group in September 2020.

  Aftermath

  The sale placed the property under new ownership during its final operating period. Available references report a transaction value of $4 million.

  Reported sale price. $4 million (September 2020)

  Source

• 2017

  Replace the former Sears anchorStrategy

  Background

  Sears announced the closure of its Findlay store in 2014, leaving another major vacant space.

  Action taken

  Big R was announced as the replacement tenant and occupied the space in 2017; the store was later rebranded as Stock + Field.

  Aftermath

  The replacement shifted the mall's anchor profile toward farm, outdoor, hardware, and general merchandise.

  Source

• 2004

  Reconfigure the former Kmart spaceStrategy

  Background

  Kmart closed its mall store in 2003, leaving a large vacant anchor location.

  Action taken

  The space was divided between TJ Maxx and Best Buy.

  Aftermath

  The mall replaced one general-merchandise anchor with off-price and electronics concepts.

  Source

• 1990

  Undertake major mall expansionStrategy

  Background

  The center sought to increase its regional scale and strengthen its department-store and general-merchandise offering.

  Action taken

  The property expanded from approximately 334,000 square feet to more than 525,000 square feet and added Kmart, JCPenney, and Elder-Beerman-related space.

  Aftermath

  The expansion made the mall a substantially larger regional retail destination, although many of the added anchors later closed.

  Source

• 1970

  Convert the open-air center into an enclosed mallStrategy

  Background

  The original property operated as an outdoor shopping center during the early years of the enclosed-mall era.

  Action taken

  The center was enclosed during the 1970s to provide an indoor, climate-controlled shopping environment.

  Aftermath

  The conversion established the property as a conventional enclosed shopping mall for the remainder of its operating life.

  Source

1. 1Findlay Village Mallen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Findlay Village Mall official websiteshopfindlayvillagemall.com