Canton Centre Mall

Canton Centre Mall, formerly Mellett Mall was a one-level shopping mall 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of downtown Canton, Ohio, between 11th Street Southwest, Tuscarawas Street West, Whipple Avenue Southwest and Skotnicky Court Southwest in the city of Canton. The mall has two anchors which houses CubeSmart Self Storage and JCPenney. There is also a Walmart store located right outside of the mall.
== History ==
Canton Centre Mall, originally known as Mellett Mall, has a storied history marked by its rise in the 1960s and subsequent decline in the 2000s. The mall, located in Canton, Ohio, opened in 1965 and was named in honor of Donald Ring Mellett, a local newspaper journalist. For several decades, it was a bustling shopping hub, particularly thriving during the 1980s and 1990s.
However, like many malls across the United States, Canton Centre began to face significant challenges in the early 2000s. The rise of online shopping and the opening of other shopping centers contributed to a steady decline in foot traffic and tenant occupancy. Major anchor stores, which are crucial for attracting shoppers, started closing their doors. JCPenney shut down its store in 2015, and Sears followed suit in December 2017, marking significant blows to the mall's viability.
By the late 2010s, the mall had become largely vacant. Various attempts to revitalize and repurpose the space were unsuccessful. The property saw a transformation with portions being repurposed for other uses. For instance, CubeSmart Self Storage now occupies part of the former mall area, and a Walmart was built on the site of the former Montgomery Wards store​ (Dad Blog)​​ (Cleveland Scene)​.
In early 2020, the mall was largely abandoned, with only a few businesses operating within its premises. The decline of Canton Centre Mall reflects a broader trend seen in many mid-sized American cities, where once-thriving retail centers have struggled to adapt to changing consumer habits and economic conditions.
Despite its decline, the mall holds nostalgic value for many locals who remember its heyday as a community gathering spot. Memories of the arcade, movie theater, and various stores remain vivid for those who frequented the mall in its prime. Efforts to remember and document the mall's history continue, with numerous photos and articles capturing its current state and past glory​ (Dad Blog)​​ (Cleveland Scene)​.
The story of Canton Centre Mall is emblematic of the larger shifts in retail and consumer behavior over the past few decades. While the physical structure may be largely empty now, its impact on the local community and its place in the history of Canton, Ohio, remain significant.
Category:Shopping Centers in Ohio
Category:Dead Malls
Category:Redeveloped Malls
Category:Walmart-anchored Properties
Category:JCPenney-anchored Properties
Category:Malls in Ohio
Category:Former Macy's-anchored Malls
Category:Former Woolworth's-anchored Properties
Category:Former General Cinemas-anchored Properties
Category:Former Kaufmann's-anchored Malls
Category:Power Centers