Southern Park Mall

Southern Park is a shopping mall in Boardman, Ohio, United States, serving the Youngstown–Warren metropolitan area. It was developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation in 1970, and is now owned and operated by Kohan Retail Investment Group. The mall, which is the largest shopping destination in Mahoning County, has approximately 1,018,400 square feet (94,610 m2), with space for about 108 stores. Its anchor stores are JCPenney and Macy's, with junior anchors H&M, Shoe Dept. Encore, and Planet Fitness. Notable retailers include Bath & Body Works, American Eagle, Zumiez, Victoria's Secret, and Tilly's. History Development The Southern Park Mall was named after the Southern Park Race Track; a historic horse racing facility that was about 1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km) miles south of the mall's present position. The horse track was bounded by Washington Boulevard, Southern Boulevard, and McClurg Road. One of the only remaining structures, the Southern Park Stable, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 10, 1986. Originally planned as a joint venture with fellow Youngstown-based developer William M. Cafaro, the DeBartolo Corporation bought out the Cafaro Company's interest in the project in 1968. The mall originally had three anchor stores and totaled 905,600 square feet (84,133 m2). Sears opened in October 1969 along with the Sears wing that included junior anchor Woolworth. JCPenney and the Youngstown-based Strouss both opened in April 1970. JCPenney and Strouss' relocated from DeBartolo's Greater Boardman Plaza, located approximately one mile west of Southern Park Mall. Other initial stores included Gray Drugs, Kroger, and Southern Park Theater. The Pittsburgh-based Joseph Horne Company began construction on a fourth anchor unit in July 1972 and opened in July 1973. Late 20th century The Strouss' store was changed into Kaufmann's in 1986 when The May Department Stores Company merged its divisions. Dillard's acquired Joseph Horne Company with Horne's closing in July 1992 and Dillard's opening the following month. Dillard's bought their store and adjoining land in October 1993. In 1996, the Software Etc. location inside the mall was listed in SEC filings as a store to keep open. In 1997, the mall went under an extensive renovation, shortly after the DeBartolo Corporation merged with Simon Property Group. Simon spent $19 million making improvements to the interiors, adding a food court and a Cinemark Tinseltown USA 7 movie theater at the southeastern edge of the mall's property. It opened in 1997 and has 7 screens. Jillian's, a bowling alley, arcade, and bar, was a tenant from 1999 to 2011. Jillian's, along with Lady Footlocker, Kids Footlocker, Men's Footlocker, and The Afterthoughts replaced Woolworth at this time. 2000s and 2010s In February 2005, it was announced that Cachè would be opening in center court. In 2006, Kaufmann's was re-branded to Macy's following the latter's acquisition. In 2007, there was talk of demolishing and expanding a portion of the Sears wing to bring outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment to the mall. Simon instead filled the space with Shoe Dept. Encore in 2011. In October of the same year, Fox Head opened in center court. Mrs. Fields Cookies, closed their corporate owned location at the mall on June 30, 2011. In April 2014, Simon Property Group announced the sale of Southern Park Mall to its spinoff, Washington Prime Group. On April 30, 2015, H&M opened a location at the mall. In October 2015, Bath & Body Works announced they would be expanding and remodeling their store at the mall. In January 2016, Zumiez and Vanity announced they would be coming to the shopping center. Zumiez opened in February next to Crazy 8 in the former Coach New York space. In mid-April, Vanity opened in the former Wet Seal space, next to American Eagle Outfitters. In April 2018, Sears announced that they would be closing their location at the mall in July after nearly 49 years at the mall. In February 2019, Dillard's announced that they would also be closing in May of that year after the mall terminated their lease, leaving JCPenney and Macy's as the only remaining anchors. That same week, the Dillard's building was sold to a Cafaro Company subsidiary, Boardman SC LLC. The Cafaro Company being the owner of nearby competitor, the Eastwood Mall has not announced any redevelopment plans for their site. Redevelopment In redevelopment efforts, Washington Prime Group tore down the Sears building in late 2019 and replaced it with the DeBartolo Commons, which added some smaller exterior storefronts whilst decreasing the overall square footage of the mall. DeBartolo Commons opened in 2021, adding recreational spaces and restaurants to the complex. Earlier in 2021, a Planet Fitness relocated to the mall, combining former tenant locations and creating a new junior anchor space on the mall's east side. In August 2023, Windsor officially opened in the former Aeropostale space. As of May 2, 2023, the mall has an occupancy rate of 76%. On August 27, 2024, it was announced that Chick-Fil-A would be closing on August 31 after 44 years of business at the mall. In October 2024, it was announced that Kohan Retail Investment Group was in talks with Washington Prime Group to purchase Southern Park. The transaction was completed on December 23, 2024, for $24.1 million. On December 24, 2024, Sunglass Hut closed their in-line location after over 40 years of sales inside the mall. Two days later, mall employees called the day after Christmas, "the saddest day in retail." In January 2025, it was announced that Touchdown Gifts would be closing their location in the mall after nearly 25 years of occupancy. They stated they would be moving their store to a different Ohio mall. Also in January, Sarku Japan closed their doors without any prior announcement. Since the purchase of the Southern Park Mall by the Kohan Group, local officials have heard very little from Kohan and property tax payments were delinquent for the mall. As of May 2025, approximately $520,000 in back taxes were owed, as well as nearly $50,000 in penalties. On December 22, 2025, Kohan Group paid the balance of just over $1 million in back taxes and penalties, days after Boardman Township trustees asked the Ohio Attorney General to investigate the Kohan Group for alleged fraudulent activity. Peripheral properties In 1992, a Chili's opened outside of the mall on the northwestern portion of the property. In 2008, following the recession, PNC Financial purchased National City Bank, therefore re-branding the branch outside Southern Park Mall, to PNC. On April 12, 2012 Cheddar's Casual Cafe announced it would be opening a location directly next to Chili's on the northwestern edge of the property. On November 16, 2015 Cheddar's closed permanently.On July 16, 2016 BJ's Restaurant & Brew House announced they would be opening a new location in Boardman, by demolishing the former Cheddar's. BJ's opened on April 24, 2017 on the pad of the former Cheddar's. In March of 2021, PNC Bank announced they would be renovating their branch on the south-western portion of the parking lot. On May 14, 2025 Burke Decor Outlet located in the C-Square, outside of the mall, abruptly closed. On January 23, 2026 Kohan Retail Investment sold a parcel of land on the south-western part of the property to a local group, Cocca Development for $350,000. Photo gallery See also List of shopping malls in the United States Boardman Township, Mahoning County, Ohio Edward J. DeBartolo - Owned and developed property. 1970-1996. Simon Property Group - Owned Southern Park Mall 1996-2014. WPG (Washington Prime Group) - Owned Southern Park Mall 2014-2024. Cafaro Company - Partial developer of mall, and current owner of former Dillard's building. Kohan Retail Investment - Currently owns and manages Southern Park Mall. References