Eastland may have lost anchor stores, but aging mall remains neighborhood staple
Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of Eastland Mall, Columbus’ first enclosed shopping center. It’s the last surviving mall of the original three “directional” malls in Columbus: Northland was razed and redeveloped years ago. Westland sits vacant.
There was no celebration at the mall, but because it was Valentine’s Day, there was a bit more activity than on a typical weekday afternoon. A couple shopped for jewelry at one of the several remaining jewelry stores. Fathers and mothers strolled with toddlers in tow, sometimes carrying what looked to be a Valentine’s gift.
The single-story mall has lost all its anchor stores in the past two years, and it is The food court entrance to Eastland Mall is on the Hamilton Road side of the sprawling property.
dotted with empty storefronts. But its public areas are clean, well-lighted and patrolled by security guards.
It remains a popular place
for East Side residents. The retail spaces are spacious, safe and close to home. The vendors like it, too. “I work alone a lot of times. Here, there are cameras everywhere,” said Sone Opma, who owns Sone’s Bridal with her husband. Like a number of the mall’s independent vendors, Opma, who was born in Laos, is a first-generation immigrant.
Opma had a space in the former Brice Outlet Mall for several years.
After it closed, she wanted to stay in the area because she’d developed a local clientele for wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses and gowns for beauty pageants, proms and other events.