Forest Fair Mall’s Days are Numbered

Forest Fair Mall/Cincinnati Mills/Cincinnati Mall’s days are numbered under a new plan to tear down the mall for redevelopment.






The Forest Fair Mall, also known as Cincinnati Mills and Cincinnati Mall, represents a classic case of a shopping center that failed to thrive. Opened in 1988, it initially featured Bigg’s hypermarket and several smaller stores. Its prospects seemed to brighten in 1989 with the completion of a fashion wing, which brought in prestigious retailers like B. Altman, Biggs, Bonwit Teller, Elder-Beerman, and Parisian, along with an array of 200 stores. However, despite these early signs of success, the mall struggled to maintain momentum. A series of challenges, including frequent changes in ownership, financial bankruptcies, and numerous rebranding attempts, hindered its growth. As a result, the mall never achieved full occupancy and has been languishing for many years.

Recently, it was announced that an industrial firm plans to purchase this nearly vacant shopping center, where only Bass Pro Shop and Kohl’s remain as major tenants. The firm intends to demolish the existing structure and redevelop the site for light industrial use, marking the end of an era for this once-promising retail hub.






6 Comments

  1. James Rotunda
    September 20, 2023
    Reply

    If they’re going to tear this mall down, I’d like to get the Coca-Cola vending signs.

  2. chuck
    December 3, 2022
    Reply

    what will happen to kohls & bass pro?

  3. Emma
    October 26, 2022
    Reply

    I saw a tour of this on YouTube by the Proper People, they tour abandoned buildings and take some beautiful pictures, and since that video was made couple years ago I had to see if it was still open. Is Kohl’s really still there? I heard they were planning to close in 2021, and I saw this Article was made last April. I wonder when they plan to tear it down, and I’m surprised it didn’t close it’s doors during the pandemic. I’d honestly like to check it out, it seems really cool & bizarre there.

    • Katie Marissa
      March 2, 2024
      Reply

      I’m there right now and the kohls is still there!

  4. Emma
    October 26, 2022
    Reply

    I saw a tour of this on YouTube by the Proper People, they tour abandoned buildings and take some beautiful pictures, and since this was a couple years ago I had to see if it was still open. Is Kohl’s really still there? I heard they were planning to close in 2021, and I saw this Article was made last April. I wonder when they plan to tear it down, and I’m surprised it didn’t close it’s doors during the pandemic. I’d honestly like to check it out, it seems really cool & bizarre there.

  5. Cheddar Mage
    June 30, 2022
    Reply

    Real shame about this one, this mall looks so fun.

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