Franklin Park Mall
Retailer / private label
UnclaimedA super-regional shopping mall in Toledo, Ohio, with department-store, specialty-retail, dining, entertainment, and service offerings.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Franklin Park Mall is a super-regional shopping center in Toledo, Ohio. It was developed by The Rouse Company on the former site of Franklin Airport and opened on July 22, 1971. At opening, the center contained approximately 75 stores and about 940,000 square feet of floor area. Its initial department-store anchors were Hudson's, J. C. Penney, and Toledo-area department store Lamson Brothers. The mall's original design used Syncon modular building subsystems, which were reported to have reduced construction costs, and included skylit concourses, sunken courts outside department-store entrances, and an Alexander Calder mobile near the Hudson's entrance. The center's tenant and physical configuration changed repeatedly as department-store operators entered, exited, or rebranded. Lamson Brothers filed for bankruptcy in 1974 and its space was taken by Jacobson's. The mall underwent a major remodeling in 1993, including a new wing anchored by the Lion Store. The Lion Store became a Dillard's location in 1998. Hudson's was renamed Marshall Field's in 2001, and later became Macy's in 2006. Jacobson's closed in early 2002 after the company entered bankruptcy proceedings. Westfield acquired Franklin Park and several associated properties in early 2002. During Westfield's ownership, the property was temporarily branded Westfield Shoppingtown Franklin Park, although the Shoppingtown element was removed from the name in 2005. After Jacobson's departure, the former Lamson Brothers/Jacobson's building was demolished in 2004. A new wing opened in 2005 as part of a reported $100 million redevelopment. The project added or expanded entertainment, food, and retail uses, including a National Amusements multiplex theater, Dick's Sporting Goods, a new food court, and a Borders bookstore. Further expansion followed in the late 2000s. A 49,000-square-foot addition announced in 2008 brought DSW Warehouse, Old Navy, and an Ulta cosmetics store. When Borders ceased operations in 2011, its former space was reused by Forever 21, which moved from a smaller in-mall location. The property was sold by Westfield to Starwood Capital Group in fall 2013 along with six other Westfield properties, after which the Franklin Park Mall name returned. In December 2020, Starwood sold the mall and six other properties to Pacific Capital Retail Partners. Franklin Park remains an operating shopping center anchored by Dillard's, J. C. Penney, Dick's Sporting Goods, and DSW. Its tenant mix has also included fashion, beauty, dining, entertainment, and general merchandise businesses. The property experienced two significant anchor vacancies in 2025: Macy's closed in March after announcing its planned departure in January, and Forever 21 closed on March 30 during the retailer's nationwide bankruptcy-related store closures. The future use of the former Macy's space was not established in the referenced material.
History
Franklin Park Mall opened in Toledo, Ohio, on July 22, 1971. The Rouse Company developed the center on land formerly occupied by Franklin Airport. The original complex contained about 75 stores in approximately 940,000 square feet and was anchored by Hudson's, J. C. Penney, and Lamson Brothers. Its architecture incorporated Syncon modular building subsystems, skylights, sunken courts near department-store entrances, and an Alexander Calder mobile positioned near Hudson's. The mall's first major anchor transition occurred in 1974, when Lamson Brothers went bankrupt. Its location was subsequently occupied by Jacobson's, a department-store chain based in Jackson, Michigan. In 1993, Rouse undertook a major remodeling and added a wing anchored by the Lion Store. The Lion Store was renamed Dillard's in 1998. Hudson's adopted the Marshall Field's name in 2001, while Jacobson's entered bankruptcy and closed its Franklin Park location in early 2002. Westfield acquired the property in early 2002 and initially marketed it as Westfield Shoppingtown Franklin Park. The Shoppingtown branding was removed in June 2005. The former Lamson Brothers and Jacobson's building was demolished in 2004, making room for a new wing that formed part of a reported $100 million redevelopment completed in 2005. The redevelopment added a National Amusements multiplex, Dick's Sporting Goods, a food court, and a Borders bookstore. Marshall Field's became Macy's in 2006 as part of a broader department-store rebranding. In 2008, Westfield announced another expansion involving approximately 49,000 square feet. DSW Warehouse, Old Navy, and an Ulta cosmetics store were among the tenants associated with that addition. Borders closed in 2011, and Forever 21 later occupied the space after moving from a smaller store elsewhere in the mall. Ownership changed again in fall 2013, when Starwood Capital Group acquired Franklin Park Mall with six other Westfield properties. The property reverted to the Franklin Park Mall name. Pacific Capital Retail Partners purchased the mall in December 2020 as part of another seven-property transaction. The mall continued operating with Dillard's, J. C. Penney, Dick's Sporting Goods, and DSW as its principal named anchors. The center faced renewed anchor changes in 2025. Macy's announced in January that its store would close in the first quarter, and the location closed in March. Forever 21 announced that it would pursue bankruptcy protection and close its United States stores; its Franklin Park location shut on March 30. The referenced material does not identify a confirmed replacement for either vacant anchor location.
- 2025
Macy's and Forever 21 departures
[1]Macy's closes in March, and Forever 21 closes on March 30, creating two vacant anchor spaces.
- 2020
Pacific Capital Retail Partners acquisition
[1]Pacific Capital Retail Partners acquires the mall in December with six other Starwood properties.
- 2013
Starwood Capital Group acquisition
[1]Starwood Capital Group buys the mall with six other properties, after which the Franklin Park Mall name is restored.
- 2011
Forever 21 replaces Borders
[1]After Borders ceases operations, Forever 21 relocates into the former bookstore space.
- 2008
49,000-square-foot addition
[1]An expansion associated with DSW Warehouse, Old Navy, and Ulta opens as part of the mall's continuing retail growth.
- 2006
Marshall Field's becomes Macy's
[1]The former Hudson's/Marshall Field's department-store location adopts the Macy's name.
- 2005
Redevelopment wing opens
[1]A new wing opens after demolition of the former Jacobson's building, adding a multiplex theater, Dick's Sporting Goods, a food court, and Borders.
- 2002
Westfield acquisition
[1]Westfield acquires the mall, while Jacobson's closes its location after entering bankruptcy.
- 1998
Lion Store becomes Dillard's
[1]The Lion Store anchor is renamed Dillard's.
- 1993
Major remodeling and new wing
[1]Rouse substantially renovates the mall and adds a new wing anchored by the Lion Store.
Products and positioning
A large, regionally oriented enclosed shopping mall serving Toledo and the surrounding northwest Ohio market through department-store anchors, specialty retailers, dining, and entertainment.
Department stores · 1971
Department-store retail
Franklin Park Mall's department-store offer has historically included Hudson's, Lamson Brothers, Jacobson's, the Lion Store, Marshall Field's, Macy's, Dillard's, and J. C. Penney. The named current anchor roster includes Dillard's and J. C. Penney, while the former Macy's space became vacant in 2025.
Specialty stores · 1971
Specialty retail
The mall's specialty-retail mix has included apparel, footwear, beauty, sporting goods, accessories, and general merchandise. Named examples include Dick's Sporting Goods, DSW, Old Navy, Ulta, and Forever 21, although individual tenant status changes over time.
Food and beverage · 2005
Dining and food court
Dining is part of the mall's service mix, including a food court added during the 2005 redevelopment. The supplied material does not provide a complete current restaurant roster.
Entertainment · 2005
Multiplex entertainment
A National Amusements multiplex theater was added during the major redevelopment completed in 2005, broadening the center's role beyond retail.
Brand decisions
2025
Acceptance of Macy's and Forever 21 closuresOtherBackground
Macy's announced a planned first-quarter closure, while Forever 21 announced bankruptcy-related plans to close its United States stores.
Action taken
Macy's closed its Franklin Park location in March, followed by Forever 21 on March 30.
Aftermath
Two former anchor spaces were vacant, and the referenced material did not identify confirmed replacement tenants.
2005
Redevelopment and replacement of the former Jacobson's wingStrategyBackground
Jacobson's had closed after entering bankruptcy, leaving the former Lamson Brothers/Jacobson's building available for redevelopment.
Action taken
The building was demolished and replaced with a new wing developed as part of a reported $100 million renovation, adding entertainment, dining, and retail components.
Aftermath
The expanded center opened in 2005 with a multiplex theater, Dick's Sporting Goods, a food court, and Borders.
Sources1 sources
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