If you grew up in Northeast Ohio, you remember the smell. That specific mix of popcorn from the snack stand, floor wax, and the scent of new sneakers at Foot Locker. It was the "Mall." For locals, Ashtabula Towne Square wasn't just a collection of stores; it was the heartbeat of the county. You’d spend Friday nights walking in circles just to see who else was there. Now, walking through those same corridors feels different. It’s quieter. Some might even say haunting.
The story of the mall on North Bend Road is basically the story of the American middle class in microcosm. It opened in 1992 as the Ashtabula Mall, a shimmering beacon of suburban progress. We had the big anchors—Sears, JCPenney, Kaufmann’s. Life was good. But today, the landscape of retail in Ashtabula, Ohio, has shifted so much that the "Towne Square" is fighting a battle for relevance that its original builders probably never imagined.
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The Rise and the Slow Fade
When the mall first arrived, it was a massive deal. Before it existed, people in Ashtabula had to trek out to Mentor or Erie to get their fix of big-name brands. Suddenly, we had over 70 stores right in our backyard. It was the era of the food court as a social status symbol.
But retail is a brutal game.
The decline didn't happen overnight. It was a slow leak. First, the national headlines started talking about the "Retail Apocalypse." Then, the anchors started to wobble. Sears, once the king of the American household, began its long, painful exit. When Sears closed its doors at Ashtabula Towne Square, it left a massive, gaping hole in the mall's footprint. It wasn't just about the loss of lawnmowers and DieHard batteries; it was the loss of foot traffic.
Then came the name change. Switching from "Ashtabula Mall" to "Ashtabula Towne Square" was a rebranding effort aimed at making the space feel more like a community hub than just a shopping center. It's a common tactic. If you can't be a mall, be a "center." If you can't be a center, be a "square."
Why the Mall Actually Matters Right Now
You might wonder why we're even talking about a mall that has more empty storefronts than shoppers on a Tuesday morning. It's because the property remains one of the largest pieces of commercial real estate in the region.
Honestly, the mall is a survivor.
While other malls in Ohio—like the Randall Park Mall or even parts of Great Lakes Mall—have seen massive demolition or total abandonment, Ashtabula Towne Square is still kicking. It’s pivot-mode. JCPenney is still holding the line. Dunham's Sports moved in to take over a huge chunk of space, bringing in a different demographic. It’s no longer about teenagers buying glittery shirts at Claire's; it’s about guys buying camouflage and kayaks.
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The current owners, Kohan Retail Investment Group, are well-known in the industry for buying "distressed" malls. They specialize in keeping these properties afloat by lowering overhead and trying to find non-traditional tenants. Some people love their approach because it keeps the lights on. Others argue it leads to a "zombie mall" feel where maintenance isn't always top-priority. It's a complicated trade-off.
The Anchor Situation
Let's look at the heavy hitters. Without anchors, a mall is just a very expensive hallway.
- JCPenney: This is the veteran. Despite the company’s corporate struggles and bankruptcies over the years, the Ashtabula location has remained a steady presence. It’s the primary reason many people still drive to the property.
- Dunham’s Sports: This was a smart move. In a county known for fishing, hunting, and high school sports, a massive outdoor retailer makes more sense than a high-end department store.
- AMC Theatres: This is the pulse of the mall's entertainment side. Even when the retail side is quiet, the movies bring people in.
The Reality of Shopping in Ashtabula Today
The "Towne Square" has had to get creative. You’ll find things there now that you wouldn't have seen twenty years ago. Local boutiques, small specialized shops, and community services are filling the gaps left by national chains like Gap or Abercrombie.
It's sorta like a flea market met a traditional mall and decided to move in together.
There’s a tension here, though. Online shopping—Amazon, specifically—is the obvious villain in this story. Why drive to North Bend Road when you can get a package dropped on your porch in 24 hours? For Ashtabula, a community that has seen its share of industrial ups and downs, the mall represents a physical connection to a time when commerce was a social event.
Hidden Gems and Weird Facts
Did you know the mall was built on land that used to be a swampy wooded area? There were genuine concerns about the environmental impact back in the late 80s before the first brick was laid.
Also, the mall has become a haven for "mall walkers." If you go there at 9:00 AM, you’ll see a dedicated crew of seniors getting their steps in. It’s climate-controlled, safe, and flat. In a town where winters can be brutal—thanks, Lake Effect snow—the mall serves as a vital public health resource, even if they aren't selling many sweaters.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Mall’s Future
People love to say, "Just tear it down and build housing."
It’s not that simple. The infrastructure of a mall—the plumbing, the massive HVAC systems, the way the electric is gridded—makes converting it into apartments incredibly expensive. It's usually cheaper to flatten it. But flattening it costs millions too.
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The more likely future for Ashtabula Towne Square is a "mixed-use" evolution. We’re already seeing it. It’s becoming a place for offices, perhaps medical clinics, and gyms. The era of the mall as a fashion mecca is over. The era of the mall as a giant, multi-purpose roof is just beginning.
The E-E-A-T Perspective: Why This Matters for the Local Economy
From an economic standpoint, the mall is a major taxpayer for the Ashtabula Area City Schools. If the mall goes under completely and the value of the property is reassessed to nearly zero, the school district takes a massive hit.
The city of Ashtabula and the surrounding township have a vested interest in keeping this place occupied. When you see a new "weird" store open up—maybe a place that sells vintage toys or a local craft shop—don't roll your eyes. Those small businesses are literally paying the property taxes that keep the local infrastructure moving.
Practical Steps for Visitors and Locals
If you want to support the local economy and see this landmark survive, your shopping habits actually matter.
- Check the Cinema: AMC Ashtabula 12 is one of the better theater experiences in the immediate area. Going there instead of streaming at home keeps the "entertainment" anchor alive.
- Look for Local: Skip the big-box stores for a day and walk the interior. There are often local entrepreneurs running kiosks or small storefronts that offer things you can't find on Amazon.
- Utility Over Fashion: Use the mall for what it is now. It's a great place for sports gear (Dunham's) and home basics (JCPenney).
- Community Events: Keep an eye on the mall's Facebook page. They often host craft shows, blood drives, and seasonal events that are designed to bring the "Square" back to its community roots.
Ashtabula Towne Square isn't the shiny 1992 version of itself anymore. It’s older, it’s a bit worn at the edges, and it’s definitely quieter. But it’s still standing. In a world where everything is digital, there’s still something to be said for a place where you can walk, talk to a neighbor, and actually touch the product before you buy it.
The "Towne Square" isn't dying; it's just becoming something else.
Actionable Insights for Navigating Ashtabula’s Retail Scene
To make the most of the current state of Ashtabula Towne Square, focus on the service-based businesses that can't be replicated online. If you are a business owner looking for space, the mall currently offers some of the most competitive "per square foot" rates in the county, making it a viable "incubator" for startups that need a physical footprint without the astronomical overhead of a standalone building. For shoppers, visiting during the mid-morning hours provides the most relaxed experience, especially for those looking to avoid crowds while utilizing the indoor walking space. Keep expectations realistic: this is a community-centric hub focused on value and local needs rather than high-end luxury retail.