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Chapel Hill Mall
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Chapel Hill Mall
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Chapel Hill Mall was a shopping mall located in Akron, Ohio, United States.[2] It was built by Richard "R.B." Buchholzer and Forest City Enterprises,[3] and opened in 1967. At its peak the mall featured more than 100 stores, with Sears, JCPenney, and Macy's as anchor tenants. In 2021, after several years of financial issues and ownership changes, the mall was purchased by Industrial Commercial Properties with the intent of turning it into a business park. Within a few months, the mall was permanently closed.

Key Information

History

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Background

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Chapel Hill Mall sits on land once owned by Richard Buchholzer's father, Julius Johannes "J.J." Buchholzer. In the 1930s, a then-teenage Richard found what appeared to be an old Native American council circle on his father's land. Because of this, Richard would later name the development "Chapel Hill", referring to the idea that the council circle was the Native "equivalent of a chapel."[4][5]

In 1932, during the Great Depression, J.J. Buchholzer became the owner of a Hower's department store in downtown Akron.[6] The Buchholzers anticipated that the city of Akron would expand to the north, and they felt that another Hower's store should be built on their land. They later decided to build a climate-controlled shopping mall instead, predicting that it would provide them greater economic opportunities. J.J. Buchholzer died in 1960, and Richard assumed his duties as executive officer of the Hower's. Buchholzer soon teamed up with Forest City Enterprises to build what would be Akron's first indoor mall. Plans were ready by 1963, but before the mall opened, Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation built Summit Mall on the west side of Akron.[4]

Opening and early period (1967–1970)

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A few stores, opened in 1966 before the mall proper.[4] Gray Drug Stores opened on November 17.[7] JCPenney and Sears also opened their doors before the rest of the mall.

Chapel Hill Mall officially opened on October 12, 1967.[8][9]

Peak period (1971–2013)

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Expansion plans to include a Higbee's store came up numerous times in the late 1980s and early 1990s. A plan was considered in 1988 by part-owner Forest City Enterprises. It included a 90,000-square-foot (8,400 m2) addition for an additional department store.[10] Expansion was again mentioned in 1989.[11] A front-page story on the January 31, 1990 edition of the Akron Beacon Journal read "Higbee's Coming to Chapel Hill Mall", and said that the store, along with a food court and additional retail space, would be open by Fall 1991.[12]

In 1994, the mall's owners added a food court and retail expansion, as well as new flooring and ceiling tiles, a new fountain, and new lighting.[13][14]

Buchholzer and Forest City Enterprises owned the mall until September 2004, when it was sold to the Chattanooga, Tennessee company CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.,[15] who owned it until 2014.

In 2015, Sears Holdings spun off 235 of its properties, including the Sears at Chapel Hill Mall, into Seritage Growth Properties.[16]

Decline and closure (2014–2021)

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The mall gradually began to decline, and in March 2016, Macy's permanently closed their Chapel Hill Mall location,[17][18] citing "disappointing" holiday sales.[19]

On July 15, 2016, Kohan Retail Investment Group, owned by Michael Kohan, bought Chapel Hill Mall for $8.6 million with plans to revitalize the location and focus on attracting younger customers.[20] On January 4, 2017, Sears Holdings announced that the Chapel Hill Sears store would be closing the following spring due to declining sales.[21] By August 2018, "about a quarter" of the storefronts were vacant.[22]

Former Express, Macy's Concourse

Mall tenants received multiple notices from the City of Akron of potential utility shutoff in 2019[23] and 2020 due to accumulating unpaid water and electricity bills.[24] The City decided to cancel the shutoffs due to partial payments received from Kohan,[25][26] but the overall debt continued to accumulate, and in September 2019 the Summit County fiscal office began to discuss the possibility of foreclosing on the property after they received a notice from the City about the delinquent account.[27]

On January 3, 2020, Ohio Edison filled a complaint against Kohan, citing over $195,000 of overdue bills. On January 13, Kohan was served with a foreclosure notice for over $750,000 of unpaid bills owed to Summit County.[28] Retail taxes, which had not been paid since January 2019, made up over half of the amount owed, including interest and fees.[29]

On January 16, 2020, it was announced that the Chapel Hill JCPenney would close on April 24, 2020 as part of a plan to close six stores nationwide, leaving the mall with no remaining anchors.[30] It remained open through the initial closing date, but on June 17 it was included in an updated list of 136 stores closing.[31] The JCPenney store officially closed in July 2020.

On March 16, 2021, Industrial Commercial Properties purchased the Chapel Hill property[32] for $7 million, of which $844,085.24 went to the County to pay off previous debts.[33]

At this time, only 20 out of 75 available storefronts were in use, including kiosks.[34]

The Chapel Hill Mall closed permanently on April 18, 2021.

Chapel Hill Business Park

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The property is now a business park with a focus on light manufacturing and other industrial uses. As of September 2023, the main building is occupied by four tenants: Craft33, Driverge, OnQ[35] and Quantix. A few smaller suites remain vacant, and areas in what used to be the mall parking lot are now leased to tenants such as Firestone.[36] Much of the building that used to be the Chapel Hill Mall underwent renovations in 2022; the outside of the building received new paint and landscaping,[37] and interior walls were removed or repurposed to create a more open floor plan for the new tenants. Development on the site is still underway and is planned to include a new free-standing building near the original structure.[38] Various tenants had moved in by 2024.[39]

Major tenants

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Anchor tenants

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The mall had three large suites available for anchor tenants.

The first anchor suite was occupied by JCPenney throughout almost the entire history of the mall. It opened in 1966, before the rest of the mall opened officially, and it was one of the last stores to close, remaining until July 2020–6 months after the foreclosure announcement.

Sears was the second anchor when the mall opened in 1967, and remained there until 2017.

The third anchor suite changed hands several times. It was originally occupied by local chain O'Neil's from 1967 until 1989, then May Co. until 1993, then Kaufmann's until 2006, when it became Macy's, which then closed in 2016.[40] From there the suite remained unoccupied until the mall's final closing.

Other tenants

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There used to be a multi-screen cinema at the mall as well. It opened in October 1966 as a two-screen theater, and eventually expanded to five screens. In 1987, General Cinemas–owner of the mall's cinema–opened an 8-screen multiplex just west of the mall, and in October 1996, Regal Cinemas opened their 10-screen theater immediately south of the mall. Less than two weeks later, the General Cinemas at the mall closed,[41] and Old Navy took over the former theater until it closed in 2016. Woolworth also operated a store at the mall until 1997, and was later replaced by The Gap, Inc.

Unique features

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Archie Arctic, powered down

Archie the talking snowman

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Archie Arctic[42] the talking snowman was a 20-foot (6.1 m) tall machine designed to look like the iconic archetype of the snowman; he had a smiling face with glowing eyes, wore a top hat, scarf, buttons, and gloves, and held a large broom in one hand while raising the other hand in greetings. Archie played the role of the interactive winter holiday feature which was common at other indoor shopping malls at the time. A child would speak into a microphone in front of Archie, and he appeared to reply and make casual conversation, and he would ask the child about their preferred Christmas gifts. In reality, he was controlled by an actor, Archie creator Ra'ul Umana,[43] located in another room, who could see the speaker while also concealing his actual location. The actor would speak into a microphone, and the sound would be emitted from speakers hidden inside the snowman's body to create the illusion that the speech originated from Archie.[44][45] Archie was at the mall from 1968 to 2004; a version of him was later placed in Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron.[42][43]

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The Chapel Hill Mall Carousel was a well-known feature of the mall. It was located in the food court. After the mall closed, the carousel was also moved to Lock 3 Park.[45][46]

References

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[edit]
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Chapel Hill Mall

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Chapel Hill Mall was an enclosed located in , that operated from 1967 until its closure in 2021, after which it was repurposed into the Chapel Hill Business Park for industrial and office uses. Developed by Richard Buchholzer and Forest City Enterprises, the mall opened on October 12, 1967, at 2000 Brittain Road, spanning approximately 860,000 square feet and initially featuring over 100 stores with anchor tenants including , JCPenney, and O'Neil's department store. It quickly became Summit County's premier shopping destination in the late and early , benefiting from suburban growth and later expansions. At its peak in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, it served as a major retail hub with diverse stores, restaurants, and entertainment options, drawing shoppers from the . The mall's decline began in the mid-2010s due to competition from newer retail centers, the departure of national chains, economic pressures on traditional malls, and incidents of , including a 1991 and a 2009 abduction attempt that damaged its reputation. By 2014, it faced after owner CBL & Associates Properties defaulted on a $77 million loan, leading to and ongoing vacancies. The loss of major anchors accelerated the downturn: in 2016, Sears in 2017, and the final anchor JCPenney in April 2020, leaving only about 20 stores operational before the mall shuttered entirely on April 18, 2021. In March 2021, Industrial Commercial Properties (ICP) acquired the 715,000-square-foot property for $3.5 million and began converting it into the Chapel Hill Business Park, focusing on light manufacturing, warehousing, and office spaces to create up to 400 jobs. By 2024, the business park had reached near capacity with tenants such as OnQ Solutions (a retail display company), Craft 33 (logistics), Quantix (transportation), and Driverge (vehicle services), employing over 150 people and featuring custom-built facilities in the former anchor spaces. As of 2025, the business park continues to expand with additional tenant developments. Ongoing developments include plans for a new industrial building and leasing opportunities in the former Sears Auto Center, marking a successful transition from retail to industrial use amid broader trends in mall repurposing.

Overview

Location and site

Chapel Hill Mall is situated at 2000 Brittain Road in , within the Chapel Hill neighborhood on the city's north side. The property lies at the intersection of Brittain Road and Buchholzer Boulevard, bordered by Howe Avenue to the west and Independence Avenue to the east, placing it in a mixed urban-residential zone adjacent to the cities of Cuyahoga Falls and Tallmadge. The mall's location offers convenient access to major regional transportation routes, including directly to the west via State Route 8 and indirect connectivity to Interstate 76 through the I-80/I-76 interchange approximately 5 miles east. This positioning facilitated its role as a key retail destination for northern County, serving nearby residential communities in Chapel Hill, Firestone Park, and the suburbs of Cuyahoga Falls. As Akron's response to the earlier Summit Mall in Fairlawn, it competed directly for shoppers in the greater . The site encompasses approximately 72 acres, with the main mall structure occupying about 22 acres and the remainder dedicated to extensive surface parking lots that could accommodate thousands of vehicles at peak operation. Originally developed on land owned by the Buchholzer family, the property was zoned for retail business use () from its , with no major amendments until after the mall's closure in 2021, when the city pursued rezoning to a unified planned development to support mixed commercial and light industrial redevelopment.

Development and ownership

Chapel Hill Mall was developed by Akron businessman Richard B. Buchholzer in partnership with Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises, utilizing a 72-acre site previously owned by Buchholzer's family. The project, initiated in the mid-1960s, represented a significant in regional retail , with costs totaling $75 million to create an enclosed designed to compete with nearby Summit Mall. Forest City Enterprises and Buchholzer retained ownership of the mall for nearly four decades following its 1967 opening, during which it underwent periodic updates to maintain its viability as a retail destination. In 2004, the was sold to CBL & Associates Properties Inc., a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based , for approximately $77 million, marking a shift toward larger institutional management of the asset. Subsequent years brought financial challenges, leading to foreclosure proceedings in 2014 after CBL defaulted on its loan; the property was placed under receivership by McKinley Inc. In July 2016, it was acquired by of , for $8.6 million amid ongoing struggles with tenant vacancies and declining foot traffic. Ownership transferred again in early 2021 to Solon-based Industrial Commercial Properties (ICP), which purchased 60 acres including most structures for an undisclosed amount, committing up to $20 million in acquisition and redevelopment investments. Under ICP's stewardship, a pivotal decision was made to repurpose the site from traditional retail to a mixed-use , emphasizing light industrial, office, and spaces to align with evolving market demands post-pandemic. This transition, formalized through a agreement, included $6 million in exterior and interior renovations, , and upgrades to attract corporate tenants. By , the Chapel Hill had achieved near-full occupancy, with notable involvement from tenants like OnQ Solutions, which relocated its production operations to a custom-built facility within the former J.C. Penney space, further solidifying the site's .

History

Planning and opening (pre-1967 to 1970)

The planning for Chapel Hill Mall began in the early , with the project positioned as a response to the opening of Summit Mall in Fairlawn in 1965, aiming to create Akron's next major enclosed shopping center. Developers Richard B. Buchholzer and Forest City Enterprises sought to provide a secure, climate-controlled retail environment as a reprieve from the inner-city turmoil and social unrest of the era. Groundbreaking took place in late 1965 on a 175-acre site off Brittain Road in Akron, with construction led by Buchholzer and Forest City Enterprises emphasizing a fully enclosed, weather-protected to enhance shopper comfort. The $75 million development included provisions for free accommodating over 5,400 vehicles from the outset, reflecting the era's focus on suburban accessibility. A two-screen theater opened in October 1966 as one of the first operational tenants, signaling early progress amid ongoing construction. Chapel Hill Mall officially opened on October 12, 1967, coinciding with , as Akron's second enclosed regional shopping destination. The grand opening event, themed "Discover the New World of Chapel Hill," ran through October 14 and featured more than 50 stores, including anchor tenants , J.C. Penney, and O'Neil's, drawing substantial crowds of suburban shoppers who quickly established it as County's premier retail hub. Local media, including the , provided extensive coverage of the festivities, which included promotional sales and a Spanish shipwreck treasure exhibition to highlight the mall's innovative appeal. In its initial years through 1970, the mall underwent minor operational adjustments to accommodate growing visitation, such as phased store openings and enhancements to support daily traffic, while maintaining its core enclosed layout without major structural changes.

Expansion and peak era (1971–2000)

Following its opening, Chapel Hill Mall underwent steady expansions and renovations throughout the and to support increasing demand, including a 1970 expansion that added 400,000 square feet and a 1985 project that introduced anchors (replacing O'Neil's) and , along with updates to interior aesthetics that shifted from muted earth tones to brighter pastels. A major project in 1994 added a , central , and new retail wings, expanding the total leasable area to 860,000 square feet while incorporating modernized flooring, ceilings, and lighting. The 1990s marked the mall's peak era, when it became Summit County's most trafficked shopping destination, attracting substantial annual crowds that underscored its role as a regional hub. This success generated thousands of local jobs, bolstering the Akron area's economy through in retail, services, and support roles across more than 100 stores. Marketing initiatives played a key role in sustaining high foot traffic, particularly through seasonal holiday like the introduction of the Talking Snowman in , which became an annual tradition drawing families for and photos. Community partnerships with local organizations further enhanced engagement, promoting that integrated the mall into Akron's social fabric and encouraged repeat visits. In this competitive landscape, Chapel Hill outperformed nearby rivals such as Summit Mall by drawing higher overall visitor volumes, positioning it as the dominant enclosed retail center in Summit County during the late 20th century.

Decline and challenges (2001–2020)

The decline of Chapel Hill Mall began in the wake of the 2008 financial recession, which exacerbated broader challenges in the retail sector by reducing and leading to widespread store closures across U.S. malls. further accelerated the downturn, drawing customers away from traditional brick-and-mortar venues like Chapel Hill as platforms such as Amazon gained prominence during the 2010s. These external pressures compounded local competition, particularly from Summit Mall, which underwent significant renovations around 2015 to modernize its offerings and attract shoppers, thereby siphoning traffic from Chapel Hill. Ownership instability contributed to operational strains starting in the early . Later, under CBL & Associates Properties, the mall faced in 2014 due to a missed $77 million loan payment, leading to new management by McKinley Inc. and ongoing financial woes, including unpaid taxes and utilities by the late 2010s. Key events marked the mall's accelerating deterioration, with departures signaling deepening troubles. closed in 2007, closed its store in March 2016, followed by in March 2017, leaving significant voids in the mall's retail core. Vacancy rates, which stood at about 10% in mid-2015 with 15 empty storefronts out of roughly 150 spaces, climbed to over 50% by late 2019 as smaller retailers followed suit. The final blow came in 2020 when J.C. Penney, the last remaining anchor, closed on July 17, amid the chain's broader downsizing. Efforts to revitalize the mall in the proved insufficient to stem the tide. Following the 2014 foreclosure, new management introduced events like the return of the the Snowman display to boost foot traffic, and minor updates were made to common areas under CBL's oversight. However, these initiatives, including attempts to lease space to discount and off-price retailers, failed to reverse the structural decline driven by economic shifts and competition. By the end of the decade, persistent issues like repeated utility shutoffs due to unpaid bills underscored the mall's unsustainable trajectory.

Closure and initial redevelopment (2021–2023)

In March 2021, the owners of Chapel Hill Mall announced its closure amid ongoing financial struggles exacerbated by the and high vacancy rates, with approximately 55 of 75 storefronts and kiosks empty following the departure of its last , JCPenney, in 2020. The mall, which had been operating with only about 20 remaining retail businesses, shut down permanently on April 18, 2021, marking the end of its 54 years as an enclosed shopping center. Following the closure, the property was sold in March 2021 to Solon-based Industrial Commercial Properties (ICP) for $7 million, resolving prior foreclosure proceedings initiated by Summit County in 2020 over more than $631,000 in unpaid property taxes and nearly $1 million in outstanding electric bills owed to Ohio Edison. The sale proceeds distributed over $844,000 to local taxing entities, including Akron City Schools ($566,057) and the City of Akron ($102,847), while a separate $2,962 payment covered associated court costs, effectively dismissing the legal action against the previous owner, Kohan Real Estate Investment Group. Initial post-sale activities included minor demolition work in August 2021 to prepare the 60-acre site, primarily targeting non-structural elements, as the core 829,000-square-foot building was slated for adaptive reuse rather than full teardown. ICP rebranded the site as Chapel Hill Business Park, outlining plans to transform it into a light industrial and office campus with multi-tenant spaces and new ancillary buildings, supported by Akron's rezoning approval and $1.5 million in tax-increment financing incentives. The developer committed to an initial $6 million in renovations—covering interior updates, exterior improvements, and landscaping—within the first six months, as part of a broader $20 million investment projected to create 400 jobs by project completion in 2026, with early leasing efforts targeting manufacturing and logistics firms. By late 2022, ICP had secured its first major tenant, Driverge Vehicles, for 153,000 square feet in the third quarter, while the former Sears anchor space was renovated for occupancy by Craft33, signaling the start of operational shifts away from retail. The transition faced hurdles from the property's pre-sale disrepair, including structural maintenance issues and utility shutoff threats that had already disrupted remaining tenants, though the acquisition mitigated broader legal risks by clearing the . No significant environmental assessments were publicly detailed during this period, allowing focus on physical amid a national trend of declining enclosed malls.

Layout and facilities

Architectural design

Chapel Hill Mall was designed as a modernist enclosed by New York City-based architect Lathrop Douglass, reflecting the mid-1960s trend toward climate-controlled retail environments that prioritized shopper comfort and year-round accessibility. The structure featured a predominantly single-level layout spanning approximately 860,000 square feet, with a central Grand Mall serving as the primary atrium to foster a sense of openness and community gathering within the enclosed space. This design incorporated expansive glass entryways and weatherproof barriers to shield against the Midwest's harsh winters and variable conditions, using framing for durability and structural integrity. Influenced by Victor Gruen's pioneering concepts for fully enclosed malls, such as the 1956 Southdale Center in Minnesota, Chapel Hill adapted these ideas to the regional context by emphasizing a linear, pedestrian-friendly corridor that connected anchor stores without exposure to outdoor elements. The two-level anchor stores, including O'Neil's and J.C. Penney, were accessed via escalators from the main concourse, adding verticality to select areas while maintaining the overall single-story efficiency typical of 1960s suburban developments. Key aesthetic elements included a prominent central mural, "The Four Seasons" by artist Brian J. Plesmid (218 feet long and 13 feet high), and a musical fountain in the North/South Courts, which enhanced the atrium's focal points and contributed to the mall's inviting atmosphere. In the 1990s, the mall underwent significant modifications to modernize its interior, including the installation of new ceilings, enhanced lighting systems, and a renovated central feature, which refreshed the original modernist framework without altering the core structural layout. These updates preserved the enclosed, weather-resistant while improving energy efficiency and visual appeal for the peak era of operations.

Interior features and amenities

The interior of Chapel Hill Mall was characterized by its central court, which served as a focal point for shoppers with an original that provided a decorative and relaxing element amid the retail corridors. The corridors extended from this court to connect the anchor stores, creating a navigable layout across two levels that facilitated easy movement between shops and amenities. Seating areas around the court offered resting spots for visitors, enhancing the overall shopping experience during the mall's operational years. In the 1990s, renovations introduced key amenities, including a in 1994 designed to improve visitor comfort and dining options. Accessibility features were also enhanced during this period, with elevators added to support disabled access, alongside standard facilities like restrooms and family lounges to accommodate diverse shoppers. The mall's infrastructure supported year-round comfort through climate-controlled environments, though specific details on HVAC systems are limited in historical records. Externally, the site included extensive facilities, which accommodated peak crowds, and bus services provided shuttle-like access until their restriction from the property in . By the 2010s, maintenance challenges became evident, with reports of deferred upkeep contributing to a dated appearance, including threats of power shutoffs in 2019 due to unpaid bills and increasing vacancies that affected the interior's overall condition.

Tenants

Anchor tenants

The Chapel Hill Mall in , originally opened in 1967 with three primary anchor tenants: , J.C. Penney, and O'Neil's, each occupying substantial space to draw regional shoppers to the 860,000-square-foot complex. , spanning approximately 195,000 square feet including its auto center, served as a key draw for appliances, tools, and clothing from the mall's inception until its closure in March 2017 as part of a broader company retrenchment. J.C. Penney, with about 194,100 square feet across two levels, offered a wide range of apparel and home goods, operating continuously from 1967 until its shutdown on July 17, 2020, after a planned April closure was extended due to the . O'Neil's, a local Akron-based covering roughly 169,000 square feet, anchored the eastern end and focused on fashion and regional merchandise until 1989. In 1989, the O'Neil's store was rebranded as part of May Company until 1993, then as —a May subsidiary emphasizing offerings—until 2006, when assumed operations after May's merger with Federated Department Stores. maintained the anchor role until January 2016, when it closed amid 40 nationwide store cuts due to weak holiday sales, leaving the mall with progressively fewer major draws. These anchors collectively accounted for over half a million square feet and were instrumental in generating foot traffic, with their presences enabling the mall to host over 100 specialty stores at its peak in the . The sequential departures of these anchors significantly eroded the mall's viability, as they traditionally accounted for 40-50% of overall visitor volume in regional shopping centers by providing one-stop shopping for big-ticket items. J.C. Penney's 2020 shutdown, as the final , accelerated the mall's financial distress, contributing to its full closure in April 2021 after years of proceedings and ownership changes. Post-closure, the vacant anchor spaces saw limited temporary utilization, such as occasional community events and storage, before full redevelopment into a .

Specialty stores and services

The specialty stores and services at Chapel Hill Mall encompassed a diverse array of apparel, , dining options, and personal care providers, evolving significantly from its opening through periods of expansion and later turnover. At launch, the mall featured over 50 non-anchor tenants catering to everyday shopping needs, including Recordland for music and albums, for novelty items, and Baker's Shoes for affordable footwear specials priced at $6.99. Apparel outlets like The Village offered suede coats with mink collars for $66, while toy and gift shops such as Chapel Hill Toys provided stuffed animals at 15% discounts on select items. Dining and services rounded out the early offerings, with Woolworth's Harvest House cafeteria serving roast turkey and steak dinners in a casual setting, and Gray Drug Store's Dutch Oven restaurant featuring charbroiled steaks and Pennsylvania Dutch-themed decor. Personal care was supported by Andre Duval's Salon, which specialized in wigs starting at $29.50 and permanent waves for $5.95, alongside watch retailers like Cowell & Hubbard selling waterproof Neptune models for $19.95. These initial tenants emphasized accessible, family-oriented retail in a then-modern enclosed environment. By the 1990s and early 2000s, expansions introduced more national chains and a dedicated in 1997, featuring quick-service options like Italian Eatery for pizza and pasta. Electronics retailer operated until its 2015 closure as part of the chain's nationwide bankruptcy proceedings, which affected 69 locations including the mall's store. Apparel saw additions like Charlotte Russe and Aeropostale in the post-2006 renovation era, with the latter announcing its exit in January 2016 amid broader retail shifts. Long-term local tenants provided stability, such as Jewelry By George, an Akron-area jeweler offering custom pieces that endured for decades alongside national counterparts like Jewelry Palace. Services expanded to include salons like JCPenney Salon for hair styling and LV Nails & Spa for manicures, supporting daily grooming needs until the mall's final years. The 2000s marked high turnover, with teen-focused chains like closing in 2015 and independents occasionally replaced by outlets such as the locally owned Game Extension succeeding . and remained staples for beauty and accessories, drawing consistent foot traffic.

Attractions

Entertainment venues

The Chapel Hill Mall provided several entertainment options that encouraged extended visitor stays, particularly during its peak years in the late . The primary attraction was its on-site movie theater, operated by General Cinema Corporation, which opened as the Chapel Hill Cinema I & II on October 19, 1966, and was notable as Ohio's first purpose-built twin-screen venue. This theater expanded to a triplex configuration on November 2, 1973, and was reconfigured into a five-screen facility on June 3, 1983, serving as a central hub for film screenings and contributing significantly to foot traffic by offering a convenient, air-conditioned escape for shoppers. It operated continuously until October 17, 1996, when it closed shortly after the debut of the competing Regal 10 adjacent to the mall. In response to evolving cinema demands, opened its 10-screen Independence Stadium theater on October 18, 1996, directly south of the mall property, effectively extending the site's movie-going appeal without requiring on-mall travel. This modern multiplex featured stadium seating and drew crowds from the surrounding community, operating as a semi-permanent fixture tied to the mall's ecosystem until its permanent closure on September 26, . During the mall's heyday, these theaters not only hosted blockbuster releases but also fostered longer visits by combining shopping with leisure, as families and groups often paired movie outings with mall activities. Beyond cinemas, the mall included spaces for community-oriented entertainment, such as events in its central courts that hosted local performances and gatherings. For instance, fashion shows organized by community groups like the Trendsetters took place in the late , utilizing open areas to showcase apparel from nearby stores and engage visitors in interactive programming. These venues, including multipurpose rooms for smaller performances, enhanced the mall's role as a social destination, promoting dwell time through non-retail experiences during the and . Arcade games were also available in dedicated zones during this era, offering casual gaming options that appealed to younger patrons and complemented the overall entertainment mix. Overall, these entertainment elements helped sustain high attendance in the peak era by transforming routine shopping trips into full-day outings.

Seasonal and unique displays

One of the most iconic seasonal features at Chapel Hill Mall was the Talking Snowman, an interactive animatronic display installed in 1968 as a attraction in the mall's central area. The original Archie stood 20 feet tall with glowing blue eyes and a , featuring a speaker system allowing children to converse with him about their wishes, while pre-recorded messages and responses promised to relay information to ; the display was surrounded by an elaborate "Archie Land" setup including animatronic elves, twinkling lights, and decorations. Archie operated annually during the winter season for 36 years until 2003, when new mall ownership discontinued it as part of modernization efforts, though campaigns led to its brief return in using a newer, approximately 16-foot-tall version, with seasonal appearances at the mall continuing until 2019 before relocation to Lock 3 Park in 2020. Complementing the holiday theme, the mall introduced a vintage in 1994, crafted by the Carousel Works of , as one of the first new wooden merry-go-rounds built in the United States since the . Featuring 30 hand-carved wooden animals, including horses, giraffes, and mythical creatures, all hand-painted with intricate details, the was positioned in the to serve as a centerpiece, offering rides for $1 per person and fostering intergenerational enjoyment. It remained a staple attraction until the mall's closure, after which it was donated to the City of Akron for potential relocation to a public park. Beyond winter highlights, Chapel Hill Mall hosted seasonal displays for other holidays, including Bunny photo opportunities with elaborate spring-themed setups featuring pastel decorations, floral arrangements, and bunny habitats in the center court, drawing families for annual visits from the through the . Halloween events similarly transformed common areas with spooky setups like patches, haunted walkways, and costume contests, such as the "Halloween on the Hill" gatherings that encouraged among stores and promoted community participation. These displays played a key role in local , creating multigenerational memories of holiday outings and reinforcing the mall as a seasonal gathering spot amid peak holiday traffic. Maintaining these features required ongoing investment over decades, with Archie undergoing annual assembly, electrical repairs, and voice system updates handled by mall staff like retired electrician James Yareff, who managed its operations into the late despite rising costs from aging mechanics and seasonal storage. The carousel similarly demanded regular woodworking restorations, mechanical tune-ups, and animal figure repaints to preserve its craftsmanship, with mall management budgeting for professional servicing from Carousel Works to ensure safety and appeal, though exact figures were not publicly detailed amid the property's financial challenges in .

Redevelopment and legacy

Transition to business park (2024–present)

In 2024, the Chapel Hill Business Park saw significant expansion through the relocation of OnQ Solutions, a California-based retail display manufacturer, which consolidated its entire production operations into a renovated 200,000-square-foot facility occupying the former JCPenney store and adjacent center court space. This move, completed with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in October, added approximately 47 full-time jobs with potential for further hiring and supported clients including Walmart, Target, and Apple. OnQ's addition complemented existing tenants focused on logistics and light manufacturing, such as Quantix (supply chain management, 160,000 square feet), Craft33 (cabinetry production, 217,000 square feet), and Driverge Vehicle Innovations (vehicle modifications, 164,500 square feet). As of April 2024, the 715,000-square-foot core property achieved nearly full occupancy, with only about 40,000 square feet remaining available, primarily in the former Auto Center. By November 2025, the park continued to serve as an industrial and office hub, employing over 150 workers across its major tenants and integrating into the broader Chapel Hill neighborhood, which has emerged as a destination for Akron's immigrant communities from regions including the and . Future plans include leasing the remaining space and constructing a new 112,000-square-foot industrial building on the adjacent 60-acre site to accommodate additional tenants. Developer Industrial Commercial Properties (ICP) has emphasized , preserving elements like a historic mall while addressing structural challenges in converting retail layouts to industrial standards, such as updating outdated amid rising costs.

Community and economic impact

Since its opening in , Chapel Hill Mall served as a central economic hub in North Akron, generating substantial retail activity and supporting for local residents through its array of stores and services. At its peak, the mall housed over 100 stores, contributing significantly to the regional economy by drawing shoppers from Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, and surrounding areas, bolstering household incomes and local tax revenues for Summit County. Socially, the mall functioned as a key gathering spot, providing a safe, climate-controlled space for families, teens, and diverse groups to socialize, shop, and participate in events amid the urban challenges of the late and beyond. It fostered inclusivity by attracting a broad demographic, including early immigrant families settling in the area, and hosted activities that strengthened neighborhood ties. Following its closure in 2021 and redevelopment into the Chapel Hill Business Park, the site has continued to positively influence ; by 2025, the surrounding neighborhood—now 33% Asian and 60% non-white—has emerged as a vibrant hub for Akron's immigrant , with initiatives like the Kirat Community's planned temple and center on nearby land promoting and support services such as food banks for refugees from and . The mall's cultural legacy is evident in its frequent appearances in local media, from grand opening celebrations in the to documentaries on Northeast Ohio's retail history, reflecting its role in community milestones like holiday events and back-to-school sales. Its gradual decline, marked by anchor store closures starting in 2007, paralleled broader regional and national retail trends driven by and shifting consumer habits, as seen in the fates of nearby malls like Rolling Acres. Looking ahead, the transition to a —now hosting over 150 employees across four tenants and projected to reach 400 jobs—holds promise for neighborhood revitalization, with a $20 million enhancing values, attracting light industrial firms, and stimulating adjacent businesses in the Chapel Hill area.

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