by Whatever happened to Lodi Outlet Mall? It used to be one of the most convenient and fun one tank trips for most North East Ohio residents. I went there recently with my family and less than 10 stores remained open for a location that once had nearly 100.
It was the most depressing and disappointing family trip in McKee family history. Oh, and you can forget riding the train “another family favorite”, because that is long gone too. Also over, are the days of KB Toy Store, Toys R Us Outlet store, Under Armor and that really great Chocolate store on the corner as well. It’s all gone!
Even the really cool sports store with the insanely overpriced sports collectibles is no longer there. Sure, we wouldn’t have enough money to buy the items, but it was fun to pick them up and pretend where they would go in our basement.
Speaking of food, you may want to load up on grub before you get there, because all but one eatery is now gone as well. No more pretzels, no more Mr. Hero, no more Panini style sandwiches, Pizza or even smoothies.
What happened? Was it COVID? Was it the massive growth of Amazon and the online shopping craze? Was it rent? What happened and furthermore, what will you miss the most? Feel free to leave your favorite Lodi Mall memory in the comment section below.
To further illustrate my point, please turn to the informative pictures on page two.
Marc and I went before COViD all set to shop and nothing was there or it was closing with no merchandise
We were there yesterday. Someone came in last month and bought the train, cars, and all the rails. They pulled up the rails and left a mess there. They left a mess for the employees to clean up. There’s still some stores open but you gotta look at a map and you gotta drive your car around to find them.
No idea what happened there but it sure is a sad looking place.
We went there every year for school shopping and then for Christmas and every year more stores were closing. When Yankee Candle left, we knew more would follow. Online shopping is great for some items, but I need to try on my clothes before I buy them. Sad to hear even the train stopped running too. That was the best part of the trip!
I had no idea. Thanks for saving me the drive. Has Aurora Farms suffered a similar demise?
Under Armor is NOT closed and there are 17 open retailers.
Now they are down to 10
My husband and I just drive up to the Lodi Mall 2 weeks ago from Ashland And I was really disappointed. Had NO idea all those stores closed! Was looking so forward to going to the Chocolate Factory, wanted to shop the women’s clothing store and the Kitchen Store, nothing there. What A let down. So SAD 🙁 to see such a great shopping outlet go to waste! Maybe someone that knows how to run things will purchase it and get it going again.
Now 8 stores are left! It’s truly a ghost town. So sad the new owner of 3 years now has let it go to the dump. No security so don’t come at dark.
I agree with the online shopping thing when you look at what’s left versus gone
Under armor isn’t closed! The stores that are still open are worth going for. My kids and I enjoy walking around and going to what is still there. If people don’t go and support what is left nothing will change. Negativity never changed anything.
Perhaps if they realize the customer base is non-existent, the owners may make an attempt to find quality retailers to fill the big void in this outlet mall
it would make a awesome retirement/village for senior living
I saw The Shoe Rack Open and Ralph Lauren open-didn’t look further-it’s a Ghost Town😢
Actually Amazon bought the Outlet Mall…..imagine that!
So is the under armour store open?
Almost ten years ago, the trend of shoppers going to the bigger outlet stores in Ohio (like Columbus) was beginning to be seen through loss in interest at Lodi. Ridership on the train was decreasing. Stores were already trading out. It was supposedly suggested to the owner that they try to attract stores (like Lee and UA that have done so well) that weren’t copies of stores that people would drive an extra hour to a bigger place to shop at. They should have pulled in businesses that provided for needs that locals would use regularly. But from what I understand, the Outlets was a pet project for the owner who wasn’t too concerned about whether it succeeded or not, so when it finally started to really decline in the last few years (before Covid), the plan was to sell it to someone else. That person is more interested in business real estate (like offices, etc) and pretty much began running the place as such. The handful of places that are left are not enough to sustain a regular customer base for the whole facility. Yes, the train was sold (to Lakeland Orchard in PA) but it had stopped operating at the end of 2019 due to mechanical reasons. Also, to a comment above – ripping out track does make a lot of mess, but the maintenance team knew that and had it relatively well put back together shortly thereafter. It was an expected part of the sale.
Hey Vince, I just came through there. I have not been here in 5-7 years, but my family has. A little sad to see no shoppers there. There is a cool looking hobby store for RC stuff and a couple tracks. Too bad they were already closed when the grand kids and I stopped.
Was there for the 1st time yesterday was very sad I can imagine what it was like thru instagram photos and peoples content of memories who ever is out there listening please bring it back to original glory days train and all 😊