Rolling Acres Mall; Akron, Ohio
Rolling Acres Mall is a sad, forgotten behemoth of a mall located in the southwest corner of Akron, Ohio. Due largely to renovations at other Akron-area malls, the nationwide trend away from enclosed dinosaur malls, and possibly the region’s downfall as a whole, Rolling Acres Mall has fallen on some very hard times recently.
Rolling Acres Mall opened with huge fanfare in August of 1975. During the grand opening, Sears opened with 21 other stores in its court on the north end of the mall. Before long, JCPenney and Montgomery Ward followed suit and opened their anchor stores onto the mall. Around this time, the mall featured typical mod 70s decor, a funky yellow “bubble elevator”, and a large aquarium in front of Wards. Sunken seating areas on the upper level would later be removed to give a more open feel to the center. It sounded like a great place to be, and it was. It quickly became the dominant center in Akron, which also boasted two previously-existing malls: Summit Mall and Chapel Hill Mall.
In 1978, a major expansion of the mall took place, adding a food court, in-line mall space on a new lower level at the south end of the mall, and O’Neil’s department store.
The mid 1980s saw continued success of Rolling Acres Mall through more popular national chains, and space in the mall was premium. Montgomery Ward closed, but it was replaced by Higbee’s which eventually became Dillards (and remains today). Also during this time the mall’s decor was updated, replacing some of the mod 70s colors with the pink and teal colors popular during the mid-1980s. The food court was renamed Picnic Place and remodeled with a vague Victorian-era look, which looks odd amid the rest of the mall’s design. It remains today.
During the late 80s and 1990s, a changing national retail landscape combined with extensive renovations and repositioning at other centers around Akron sealed the mall’s fate into the sad state it is today. Stores that once flanked Rolling Acres like Merry Go Round, County Seat, Petrie’s, and Chess King all folded at the national level, leaving holes at Rolling Acres. In 1997, Summit Mall in the now-booming retail area around northwest Akron got an extensive remodel and repositioned itself to receive the popular stores that would replace the ones that closed at Rolling Acres. It was around this time that the area around Rolling Acres experienced decline as well. Across the street are several dead plazas including one that was a Child World location. It was also around this time that JCPenney became JCPenney outlet, and Rolling Acres received its final addition: a Target store connected to a new, small wing off the food court in 1995.
Today, the mall’s condition is pretty bleak. Although the mall isn’t completely dead, I’d say it’s running with less than half a tank. In 2006, Target left the mall and opened in a new strip center 7 miles to the west in Wadsworth. The rest of the anchors remain; however, time will tell if Macy’s will keep the store during the conversion from Kaufmann’s, or for very long thereafter. As with many dead malls, a fan base has developed around the mall and its current condition. In fact, someone even created and maintains a myspace page as well as a fan site for the mall. This is, of course, not to be confused with the mall’s official website. All the pictures posted below are mine and were taken during the summer of 2005. As always, please leave comments about updates and/or corrections; they’re much appreciated.
UPDATE 1/28/07: The sale of the former Dillard’s and Target locations are underway. An auction will be held to sell the former 125,000 square-foot Dillard’s store on February 7, and the 98,000 square-foot former Target store will be purchased by Akron Commercial Development LLC by the end of this week. The Akron Beacon Journal reports that although speculation has emerged concerning the conversion of Rolling Acres Mall to a mixed-use hybridized retail/office center, these former anchors will be retail.
UPDATE 6/25/08: I just went to Rolling Acres on Sunday and it’s in really sad shape. All the info Mary has provided (in the comments) is accurate. None of the escalators are operating, so you have to take stairs between the lower and upper levels. Both JCPenney Outlet and Sears are open and have access into the mall during business hours (though JCPenney only opens to the upper level). The fountains are off, and the mall directories are at least a couple years out of date, though they indicate Macy’s as an anchor. Macy’s came to the mall in September 2006 when they ate Kaufmann’s, and then closed in February 2008. There are numerous issues with the degradation of the flooring, as many of the tiles have chipped off and have just been left as is. The ceiling has numerous leaks, as well as many spots on the floor beneath them. I thought this place was in bad shape when I first came here 3 years ago, but man, it’s incredible that the mall is even still open in this condition. Keep us posted on the deathwatch!
on October 7th, 2006 at 1:11 am
Just wanted to let you know that the Dillard’s Clearence Center closed at the end of Augest 2006. Now there is only 3 remaining department stores-
JCPenny Clearence Center,Macy’s (formaly Kaufmanns),and Sears.
on January 11th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
I remember shopping at this mall regularly in the early 90’s while going to Akron U and remember it constantly being packed. Unfortunately, the demographics of the area was its’ own worst enemy. Reports of alleged shootings at the Cinema, which was once operated by the defunct General Cinema Corp, didn’t help much either. As stated, Summit Mall was re-done and flourish. So did Chapel Hill. As of late, the mall was sold, now is up for sale again, with hopes to convert it to a mixed-use facility. It was being referenced as Rolling Acres Complex — or something like that. One thing is for sure…it’s not mall.
I haven’t been around Rolling Acres in a few years, but last I was there, most of the surrounding retail (Marc’s, Coconuts to name a few) packed up and left the area.
on March 11th, 2007 at 7:06 am
I went to this mall today and almost everything was gone
on March 11th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Gosh darnit, I keep wondering about this mall(since I’ve read so much about this one from other sites). What stores are left, other than I’ll presume, the JCPenney Outlet, Macy’s/Kaufmann’s, and Sears?
on March 29th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
JCPenney Outlet has been closed for a few years. Sears and Macy’s still exist.
on April 11th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
sad…today on the news they reported that a guy broke into a former diamond’s men store in the mall and has been living in there a month.
He stole over $30,000 in merchandise..how sad. & on top of that Dollar General is now closed…yes Dollar General. The esclators are closed as well. Basically..this mall is officialy “dead”
on May 6th, 2007 at 1:06 am
would anyone have a sugestion what can be done to this mall
how about an indoor farmers market
on May 11th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
I just want to make a correction to JACK’s statement about JC Penney. It is still open as it always has been, along with Sears and Macy’s. I am an employee at the mall and there still are a lot of loyal customers who say they will keep shopping there to the very end. The price of gas alone would make the mall worth opening. Customers from the surrounding areas are tired of paying for the gas necessary to have to go shopping at the other malls.
on June 3rd, 2007 at 7:11 pm
When I was in high school in the mid eighties, this mall was basically positioned between Summit Mall (upscale, at least by Akron standards) and Chapel Hill Mall (a nice enough mall, but without many of the hotter stores of that time, like Merry Go Round). I’m really interested in the process of how a bustling, popular mall like Rolling Acres becomes a place to be avoided by average shoppers (unless, like me, you’re a tightwad who actually LIKED it when the Dillard’s store became an outlet… I live in Chicago now and I REALLY miss those bargains). All I know is that it seemed like an alarmingly fast transition from lively and trendy to a bunch of independent stores with bad signage selling royal blue suits with matching alligator shoes. The place was so dead the last time I was there (2004) that you might walk the length of the mall and only see a few other people.
on August 13th, 2007 at 10:42 am
This is part of a cohort of malls that never should have been built: NorthTowne in Toldeo, and Euclid Square in the Cleveland area also come to mind as well as a host of others like Bellevue Mall in Nashville. These all went into non-growing areas with less than upscale demographics. Rolling Acres, North Twone and Euclid Square bizarre opened up in recessionary times, which were particularly bad in Akron. Euclid Square was small with particularly small anchors. Rolling Acres was really too big for the area it could serve. These malls were all testimonies to the willingness of local politicians to belive the nonsense that developers tell them.
Crime sounds like it was a problem here and crime kills malls in a way that it doesn’t seem to affect other kinds of retail.It violates the not entirely credible image of suburbs and environments that are supposed to be “safe”. It particularly drives out people who come some distance and those who may have more of a choice of where to shop.
on August 16th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
I think its wrong to give up on this mall. Newer and Better is not always the answer. I go past the mall all of the time and it is very sad to see it mostly empty. I do see some changes starting to happen in the plazas surrounding the mall. A new school moved into the old Apples, and it looks like there is an area conversion into a more industrial type setting starting to happen in other plaza’s. A new Church is being constructed as well. The demographics are still mixed, but more importantly Montrose really did a number on the Rolling Acres Complex as a whole. I find it hard to believe that the surrounding communities do not have the need for a mall. Even if it is full of mom and pop type shops. Macy’s actually stunned me when they kept the Kaufmann’s store open but since they own the building (as does Sears and Penny’s), I can see some of the logic , no revenue, but also no rent. JC Penney seems to be doing ok as an outlet and that Sears is the only one on the West side of Akron that I know about. Montrose(Summit Mall) doesn’t have one in that area. The thing I can’t understand is this: Why did they build that huge Plaza in Wadsworth with the Lowe’s , New Target, Kohl’s etc, and not give consideration to the mall. There was plenty of room for Kohl’s (to take the old Dillard’s store) to go in. Target could have retained their spot and Lowes could have easily taken one of the abandoned plazas. This disturbs me that the past is forgotton, when there is a perfectly good structure that could have served the needs of the community perfectly fine.. As for the demographics, EVERYONE needs to shop once in a while, and EVERY mall has problems. I think the City of Akron is just giving up on it. We shouldn’t give up on it… A power Center isn’t fun to shop in when there’s a windchill of 10 below outside.
Just my thoughts.
on August 16th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
I think maybe the mall can be repositioned as a mixed-use complex. Maybe demolish half of it, and build condos and an office complex that connects to the mall. Just a thought.
on August 23rd, 2007 at 12:07 pm
I grew up around the Rittman/Wadsworth area, and Rolling acres was it for us (unless you drove 30 min to the wooster wal-mart). The last time I was there was about 4 yrs ago, and as I remember it wasnt completely dead.
What a shame to see it this way, I think I may drive from all the way from WVA to pay one last visit. (que nostalgia)
on September 15th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
man i miss this mall. i am only 15 but i will b 16 on dec.24.07. i remember being in 1st and 2nd grade and going to the mall with my mom. it was packed and it was easy 2 get lost.i did a few times. i remember the big train by the front,roming rd. entrance. it dosent even run anymore. the fountains dont run or elevators. the mall which was once a big hit is now a place 2 go and u talk in the food court.and u here your voice echo through the mall.
on September 26th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Here’s a video showing the transformation of this mall from its heyday through its demise.
on September 26th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Sorry about that last post, I put the link in the “website” box on the input form.
Let’s try that video link again…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3g3Xw5Id0A
on September 29th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
How awful! There seems to be an embarrassingly low amount of stores today:
Anchors
JCPenney Outlet Center (apparently closed)
Macy’s
Sears
Fashions & Shoes
Diamond’s Menswear (apparently closed)
Foot Action
Specialty Stores
Bridals by Philven’s
General Nutrition Center (dead malls staple?)
Rolling Acres Cinema
Stockade (what’s this?)
Electronics
Digital Palace
Personal & Professional Services
Braids & Naturals
Creations Beauty & Barber Salon
Healthwise Center
Jackson Hewitt
Kid’s Gymnastics
Rosen Research Quick Test
Food Specialty
Big Star Pizza
Eli’s Char Grille
Meghan Janel’s Homemade Delites
OK, Sears and Macy’s are still there. That alone gives a bit of life into the mall. Obviously, a mid/upper scale mall is not going to happen. Perhaps adapting it to local demographics, if there are any, to maybe a Spanish speaking, Asian, or African American community. Option B is turning it into a service-oriented mall. A gymnastics is there, maybe you could add a YMCA, a model railroader’s club, and so on. Option C is re-bigboxing it. This doesn’t mean demalling, maybe add some traditionally big box anchors to it. Perhaps a Stein Mart, Steve & Barry’s, a grocery store, a big-box electronics store, a Micheals and a 24 Hour Fitness. If market permits, maybe a large discount store (maybe a SuperTarget to replace the Target down the road), and a big-box home improvement store. A Burlington Coat Factory can easily fill in the old Dillard’s space.
on September 29th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Anybody have a map of the mall? Apparently some mall owners are allergic to directory maps.
on October 6th, 2007 at 11:48 am
For those too lazy to check Archive.org, the 2001 version of the site is much busier than today’s website. Granted, by 2001, the mall was well on its way to doom, but…
In fact, the 2001 main page says:
Rolling Acres Mall is the largest mall in Akron and the only mall home to five department stores: Sears, Kaufmann’s, JCPenney Outlet, Dillard’s Clearance Center, and Target, as well as over 85 specialty shops. While shopping, enjoy our many events and activities and don’t forget to visit our “Picnic Place” Food Court where you’ll find a variety of delicious cuisine. Great shopping, great food, and great service … Rolling Acres Mall …. A Great Deal More!
Now it says:
Make Rolling Acres Mall your place for shopping fun & excitement!
The stores are a lot more back in November 2001:
http://web.archive.org/web/20011211145812/www.rollingacresmall.net/stores.htm
on October 20th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
The DeadMalls.com page does have a great history of the mall.
As for the video, at 5:21 I see a former B&B Works. I often never read YouTube comments…for health reasons primarily…
(note: all comments have been spell/grammar checked by me)
The first person wrote:
“Glad to see it finally closed up. Last time I was there, 15 years ago, I thought I was going to get shot and robbed. Not that I wanted to buy any pagers and baby clothes anyway.”
They were pretty short-sighted, although the mall has massive swaths of storefronts abandoned, the mall is still open for business and actually has a few operating stores.
The second person wrote:
“It is a shame the thugs ran all the shoppers off. Roving gangs of black youths scared all the shoppers off. Now all this left is a ghost town with boarded up and closed stores. They should have know better than to open a mall in the crappy area of Akron!”
That’s only half-true. Rolling Acres was a wonderful place in the ’70s, and the crime, poor demographics, economy woes, and anchor bankruptcies caused the neighborhood to spiral downhill. However, it were crime/rumors of crime/demographic changes that frightened everyone off.
The third basically describes the life of preteen female mallrats, and is not very interesting.
A Service mall could be Rolling Acre’s last hope, IMHO.
on October 20th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
I forgot to say in case anyone is wondering, the expansion in the ’80s adding O’Neil’s went from O’Neil’s to May Company Ohio to Kaufmann’s to Macy’s.
on October 20th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I’m in a very Rolling Acres mood today, but I found a FLOOR PLAN! Here:
The map
on October 22nd, 2007 at 4:44 pm
There are a lot of options on what to do with this mall, providing the guy that owns the building actually gets off of his rump and takes the initiative to do something. Look at all of the younger generational clothing stores like Aeropostale, Hollister, American Eagle, Abercrombie, anjd Old Navy that are a huge percentage of profit for Summit mall AND Chapel Hill Mall. I say, charge the stores $1 to move a location into the mall and see where it goes from there. There are so many stores that thrive at both Summit and Chape Hill (which is becoming a ghost mall too), and look how perfect the location of the mall is, I am a resident of Barberton, and I work AT Summit Mall, which is about 15 to 20 minutes from my house on a good day, and Chapel Hill is anywhere from 30-45 minutes from my house depending on various conditions, while Rolling Acres is a mere 5 minutes from my house. I know I’m sick of driving up to Summit almost every day for work, and I know a lot of people that won’t drive up there simply for the fact you’re going to spend about a half an hour driving there and back, and thats on a GOOD day, I’ve easily spent a half an hour there one way some mornings. The mall would get so much business from Barberton and Norton, espicially since Chapel Hill has begun a decline as well. Summit Mall may be booming, but I can tell you for sure, Summit is about a quarter of the size of Rolling Acres, and a LOT of the stores in Summit don’t get crap for business. I think the real problem with reopening Rolling Acres is the crime rate of Akron and surrounding areas, my Grandfather was AT the movie “Colors” in Rolling Acres Cinema when a random gang fight broke out IN the theatre, thats ridiculous…. So many stores would prosper in Rolling Acres, but then again I guess when you think about it, whats the use of having stores there when people are afraid to come to the mall because theres a chance they can be jumped or something…….. MAN have Barberton and Akron gone to waste, both used to be such booming cities, now look at them..
on October 22nd, 2007 at 5:46 pm
But the mall is still open for business.
on October 25th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
There is a PSP commercial running currently (saw it on Comedy Central) where a guy at a mall squeezes into a glass mall elevator as the doors are closing and admires another guys Star Wars PSP. I swear it looks like it was shot in Rolling Acres. Can anyone confirm?
on October 29th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Wow… I grew up in the Akron area and made numerous trips to Rolling Acres Mall (up until the mid-1990’s) and I do remember the Mall being steadily packed. About mid-1990’s the demographic quickly changed from shoppers to nothing more than a hangout for the area teens… The plaza’s in the area had alot of empty spaces with a few stores that have been there for a while (Toys ‘R’ Us) and some stores I frequently visited.
About the same time that Rolling Acres started the ‘unintentional’ change I began going to Summit Mall more just because it was easier to find what I was looking for there.
I do miss the ‘packed’ days of Rolling Acres Mall
on November 4th, 2007 at 12:31 am
Hello everyone,
I’m a university student in AZ and has been assigned to do a research paper for my marketing class on the Rolling Acres Mall. I’m trying to understand why the mall started to go down hill. Was it because there was new mall development in the near area and violence? What kind of violence? Did people have fear when they visited the mall?
How far is the nearest plaza or mall, shopping center from the R.A. mall?
Can anyone help?
on November 4th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
The nearest competitors are Summit Mall in Fairlawn and Chapel Hill Mall in Akron, each about five miles away.
Chapel Hill opened in 1967 and is anchored JCPenney, Macy’s, Old Navy, Sears, and Steve & Barry’s. Summit Mall opened in 1965 and is anchored by two Dillard’s stores and Macy’s (although it looks like one of these Dillard’s may be closed now). Both of these malls seem to be doing just fine.
There’s also the Akron Centre (formerly Orangerie Mall), a small collection of boutiques and restaurants, located in downtown Akron.
on November 4th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Vero, check out the DeadMalls.com on RA. It explains it quite well. Also see RollingAcres.org.
on November 4th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Thanks for the info, I have to write an 8 page paper on how we can rescue the mall, so I need all the info that I can get. Thanks again!!
on November 4th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
One more question, how far is the nearest Walmart from Rolling Acres Mall? If there is, is it a super Walmart?
on November 4th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
The nearest WM is about 2 miles away (on S. Arlington St.), and it’s not a Supercenter. Nearest Supercenter is about 6 miles away in Kent.
on November 5th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
To correct some of the recent posts regarding the work for the research paper:
Summit Mall is about 5 miles away, and both Dillard’s there were completely remodeled within the last 2 years. Summit is currently adding a “lifestyle” outdoor component with some more upscale shops and restaurants and extensive landscaping. It is located in a favorable demographic (high income) area.
Whomever mentioned the Arlington St. Wal-Mart being the closest to Rolling Acres obviously knows nothing about the area! That is at least 8 miles from Rolling Acres. There is a Wal-Mart in Rosemont Commons which is in the Montrose area just west of Summit Mall, again about 5 miles from Rolling Acres. Kent is considerably farther than 6 miles from Rolling Acres! Try at least 15. A Wal-Mart Supercenter opened in Wadsworth, 7 miles west of Rolling Acres in 2004.
on November 5th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
I was going off WM’s store locator; evidently I messed up. Thanks John!
on November 5th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
No, they messed up. Don’t blame yourself for Wal-Mart’s incompetence.
on November 6th, 2007 at 1:49 am
Thanks to all for helping me out. Is the area where the Summit mall at higher scale than the area where Rolling acres is at?
on November 6th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
More upscale? I believe so.
on November 6th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Despite a few fights that broke out in the mall,violence was not the main source to the downfall of Rolling Acres. In fact I would say the economy (gas, living conditions, household income) would be to blame for the center. Obviously gas was cheaper,and so were many other things in the past, thus making shopping popular. Another blame would be the condition of the center. Summit Mall was remodeled in late 90’s, & Chapel Hill Mall was remodeled in 1994. Rolling Acres
did add Target wing,but the entire mall was not remodeled, and not very many new
(chain) stores opened.
on November 7th, 2007 at 2:25 am
Kudos, I say, and kudos again; Any professor who assigns a paper about The Rolling Acres Mall is A-OK in my book.
Please, if at all possible, will you delight us with the finished product when applicable?
Rolling Acres is the ONLY mall I have fond memories of. It started with countless youthful nights, blowing $5 of my parents money at Aladin’s Castle (I was bad-ass at Street Fighter at the age of eight). And the time I found misappropriated merchandise from The World of Science in the bushes outside the mall, including a tadpole kit. Not to mention the awful movies I’ve taken in at the incredibly crappy ‘Rolling Acres Cinema’.
I still try to shop there when possible. I buy all my throwing stars from The Stockade, and my irregular Converse from JCPenny.
No mall shall ever even come close in my opinion. Ah, good times, good times.
on November 7th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Jeremy, according to DeadMalls, some new chain stores like Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works did open.
on November 12th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
I’ve been living in Akron since 2000. I live in Highland Square, where I shop a lot, and I also buy all kinds of stuff on Market Street from Giant Eagle west to Montrose at I-77. I drive up and down I-77 a lot. I work at the U of Akron. I have NO IDEA where the heck is the Rolling Acres mall. I have heard about it. It’s not like I want to go to it, but someday I would think I would drive by it and see it. This may be part of the problem. Where the heck is Rolling Acres mall? How can someone live in Akron for almost 8 years and never bump into it? I wonder.
on November 13th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
On I-77 exit Vernon Odom/Wooster West and turn left at Roming. It should be on the right…maybe RA has bad location.
on November 19th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Yep. Roming Rd. Just up the hill a bit and on the right, can’t miss it.
I think location did play a role in the downfall of the mall. I mean unlike the other two malls in the area (from the last time I’ve been in the area) the surrounding businesses seems to be primarily focused on one side with maybe a few scattered on the opposite side. There’s really only one main road to the mall (coming up the hill). It’s been so long since I’ve been on the other side of the Mall I can’t even remember if there’s anything over there, lol.
With Chapel Hill Mall, there’s businesses on every side (except for one corner where a Church sits) and Summit Mall’s sitting squarely on one of the Main streets in the Fairlawn/Akron area.
Like I said… It’s been about 7 years since I last seen the area so things might’ve changed, lol.
on November 26th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
I live in Youngstown, Ohio about an hour east. Is this mall safe to visit today?
on November 26th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Pat Yes Rolling Acres is very safe to go to today.J.C.Pennys is a very good store to shop for bargains.There are very few stores left inside of the mall.You will not see many people inside but there is still one grille open in the food court open til 6pm and the pizza place is open on Fridays and Saturdays til 6pm.The mall is open til 9pm weekdays and 6 pm on Sunday.
on November 27th, 2007 at 11:55 am
The mall’s location is kind of perplexing. It’s definitely not the typical standout mall location amid tons of retail strip or right at an exit visible from a large highway. But yeah, it’s safe to visit.
on November 27th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Thanks. Heading there tonight. Should get there by 8pm. Dont know what to expect but am excited!
on November 27th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Visited Rolling Acres tonight and found this “Notice” sign funny.
What a dead mall this is. It is huge. Does not seem that any of the closed stores had done any remodeling for atleast 20yrs or so.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d28/nyjets22/RollingAcresMall004.jpg
on November 27th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Pat,Did you find any bargains at Pennys?The present owner of the mall lives in California along with other investers of the mall.They do not have the money to fix the mall up.They have been trying to sell it for the last 2 years.
on November 28th, 2007 at 12:37 am
Only there for about 30mins. Took the whole time looking at the complete interior of the concourse. Never made it to Penny’s.
Dont the anchor stores own their own buildings? If so, I cant imagine how this mall stays open with no retailers in the concourse. It’s got to be a tax right off as a loss for the owners. And if that’s the case, if they have the cash to waste on a vacant mall, they should be able to do something with this place.
Entire mall is very outdated. From the suspended ceiling with 2×4 lamps and the terrazzo flooring. I thought the area its located would be worse that it actually is. I can see this mall comming back to life with 20million or so investment.
It’s a big mall and would need BIG TIME retailers.
It was clean inside however. I just cant get over how outdated the ENTIRE place is. Didnt any of the retailers EVER remodel?
on November 28th, 2007 at 9:13 am
I never realized that Ohio was such a mecca for dying malls. Rolling Acres, Euclid Square, Randall Park, American Mall, uh, at least two malls in Toledo… Road Trip anyone?
How is Tri-County Mall in Cincinnati doing these days?
on November 28th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Tri County in Cincy looks pretty healthy, save for the vacant Penney’s.
on November 28th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
They’re in the process of renovating Tri-County right now, so the vacant Penney’s is becoming an Ethan Allen along with some restaurants in the very near future.
on November 28th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Pat,Yes,the anchor stores own their own buildings.The inside stores have not done any remodeling for years that I know of.The ceilings leak in a lot of them.You probably noticed all the carts and trashcans in the walkways that catch the water.Pennys always has good deals and does good business.The mall owner does not have the money needed to fix the roof and parking lot.What few store remain will probably leave after the first of next year.A lot of the big name stores moved out to the new shopping complex in Wadsworth or went to Chapel hill Mall.
on December 3rd, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Living in nearby Canton in the 80’s, I probably visited this mall. I remember driving up to Akron and seeing a 2-story mall. Since RA is the only 2 story, it must have been this one. Canton’s Belden Village was (and sitll is) a very good mall so there was little reason the travel to Akron. Is Canton Centre still open??
on December 7th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
I see in the Beacon Journal today that Diamond’s Men’s Wear is advertising a going out of business sale. This is one of the mall’s oldest tenants. A quick check of the mall’s website shows a very small handful of shops left at this time. I wouldn’t be surprised to see others go right after the first of the year. This is often when big store closings take place after giving it one last shot during the holidays. It wouldn’t be inconceivable for the mall to actually close if there are no stores left. JC Penney has all but blocked itself off from the mall now by narrowing their entrance.
on December 7th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Here’s a listing for an auction coming up next week for 28 acres right behind the mall. Looks like Forest City, the mall’s original owners still own this property, even though the mall itself has changed hands several times since they sold it in 2000. Opening bid is $15,000. Cheap!
http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/ProfileSE.aspx?LID=15462745&linkcode=10850&sourcecode=1lww2t006a00001
on December 10th, 2007 at 12:44 am
John,It looks as if the property in the real estat elisting is adjacent to Greenlawn Cematary.That would be a good investment for them.Also,Pennys has no inside entrence to thei store from the lower level,claiming that thier utilities are killing them as the mall is not heated.Alot of shoppers coming from Macy’s on that level do not realize that the bubble elevator still works[most of the time]and leave rather than go up the steps from the food court.It has also killed off any business that Eli’s Grille had coming from there.It is so sad to see what has happened to the mall
on December 10th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Mary: I had been wondering if the utilities had something to do with Penney’s closing off the entrance. That does make sense. It will be interesting to see if that auction generates any interest. Seems like you have “inside” information. I am always looking for any old photos and visual memorabilia in my attempts to memorialize my favorite old teenage hangout, so if you have any or know of any, let us know!
on December 11th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
John,Sorry,I don’t have any old photos of the mall,and yes I have access to some ” inside “info concerning what is going on there now.I personally feel that if there were any future for the property for sale next to the mall that Forest City would already have done something to it by now.
on December 11th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
John: Have you browsed the image selection at RollingAcres.org or seen the video on YouTube?
on December 12th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Jonah: I submitted most of those ’70s and ’80s era photos on rollingacres.org. I took them when I was a teenager. I made the YouTube video also, and I’m working on another one. This one will be more upbeat and celebratory, trying to use images from the old days before the decline. But it’s hard to find much to work with. I’ve yet to see any photo of the huge aquarium that used to be in Wards (Dillard’s) court. That would be the biggest prize!
on December 24th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
John,I have found some old photos of the inside of the mall they are of some of the earlier stores.the merry-go-round,crowds in the 80’s and a few of old black and white of some of the big shots at the mall before it was actually built.Sorry, I am very computer illiterate and do not know how to e-mail photos.Maybe I can find some one to help me later on.Wish there was a way you could see the photos.
on December 28th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Macys is going to close it store in the mall.
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/industries/retail/article/macys-close-stores_420029_7.html
Along with
Washington Square, Indianapolis, IN
Prien Lake Mall, Lake Charles, LA
Canton Centre, Canton, OH
Valley View Center, Dallas, TX ( Macys is in the upscale Galleria Dallas and that mall is across the street from Valley View Center. VVC store was a Foley’s store and Galleria store was always a Macy’s. Some people wanted the Galleria Macy’s turn into a Bloomingdales store. Returning Bloomingdales to Dallas. Also keeping the Valley View Center Macy’s open. When Bloomingdales came to Dallas , the store was in the Valley View Center Mall. Bloomingdales closed in 1990 and space is now JCpenny. Bloomingdales is looking for stores in Dallas. Maybe Bloomingdales might return to the Valley View Center. Who knows.)
Family Center at Riverdale, Riverdale, UT
and the two malls I posted about,
Randall Park Mall & Crossroads Mall.( These malls have labelscar posts about them.
on December 28th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
NOOOOOOOOOO! Rolling Acres is officially doomed. That leaves Sears, JCPenney Clearance Center, and…
RIP Rolling Acres
on December 28th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
That is not so suprising that Macys is closing.They have not had much business since they opened.Also was in Sears around Christmas.No crowds there,either.Foot Action has closed.Digital Palace is still there near Pennys.Also,the theatre is still open.Does any one know who bought the 28 acres adjacent to the mall?Oh,almost forgot,GNC and Eli,s Gille are still there.Pizza place open on Fri. and Sat.
on January 1st, 2008 at 5:47 pm
I wrote a comment detailing the store lists and what should be done with the site, but it got deleted somehow. Could you retrieve it, because it did have worth…
on January 2nd, 2008 at 10:48 am
Another interesting RA story, this time in today’s Beacon Journal…
http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/12966952.html
on January 2nd, 2008 at 11:18 am
“Another interesting RA story, this time in today’s Beacon Journal…”
Nice find!
I understand Canton Centre Mall is nearly as deserted as Rolling Acres, and already has a “de-malling” plan looming over it in the future. Its on my list to see as soon as possible.
on January 3rd, 2008 at 12:04 am
THe Beacon Journal has never been a friend of the mall.If the reporter would have came to the mall the week before Christmas he would have seen plenty of people shopping,no crowds,and no problem finding a parking spot.The stores were closed New years Eve because not many people want to shop or work.
on January 5th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
It is a shame. RA used to be the nicest mall in the Akron Canton area. I have lived within 10-15 miles or less since first moving to the area in 1978.
I used to spend a lot of time there in the 80’s, and did some shopping in the 90’s.
The mall developed an image and security problem, due to the young primarily black hoodlums who congregated there.
White middle class women became afraid to go there as Montrose flourished and developed. It was considered much safer to shop in Montrose, even though it was further for many.
Montrose offers a wide variety of shopping and eating options.
Personally I don’t see any hope for this mall, the entire area has become blighted like an inner city downtown area.
Last I read a couple years ago it sold for some dirt cheap price $1-2 MIl.
on January 7th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I’ve been adding my pictures to my Flickr page; all that’s up right now are Rolling Acres and Euclid Square (and I still need to add captions). But for now, feel free to browse. I’ll add more soon, so check back often.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8474804@N05/sets/72157603655151348/
on January 20th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
My husband and I walked at Rolling Acres Mall today (Jan. 19, 2008) because it was too cold to do our daily walk outside. We saw quite a few people there today. The reason for the crowd was because Macy’s is having a going-out-of-business sale. The food court is empty. The only stores that were open was JC Penny’s outlet, Sears, GNC and Macy’s. I shopped at Rolling Acres the entire time that my children were growing up. We used to wait in line to try clothes on when it was back-to-school time. We would spend the whole day there, eating breakfast and lunch at the mall. I think the mall could have survived longer had they enlisted some security when trouble first started at the mall. They waited too long, and people were afraid to go there. It’s really a shame because it was a beautiful mall.
on January 20th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Has Diamond’s Menswear closed up? They were having a store-closing sale when I was there a few weeks ago.
on January 20th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
So has Eli’s Char Grille, Meghan’s Homemade Delites, and Big Star Pizza all gone? That’s terrible…
on January 20th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Eli’s is open every day from 11am to about 6pm.His pizza place is open Fri.and Sat. Same hrs.He will be there til March 1 unless the mall is sold before,then he may stay.A prospective buyer was looking at the mall last week.Will just wait and see wht happens.The cookie store wll be moving out to Market St.in Fairlawn in anouther month or so,as soon as they have their other store remodeled.Quick Test is in the process of moving now.GNC will be moving to Wadsworth but I don’ know forsure when.
on January 21st, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Golly! That leaves only Sears, JCPenney Clearance Center, Bridels by Philven, Digital Palace, Braids & Naturals, Healthwise Center, Jackson Hewitt, Kid’s Gymnastics, Eli’s Char Grille, and Big Star Pizza. Is that it? Seriously?
on January 21st, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Yes.Jonah, that is about it.The theater is also open.
on January 31st, 2008 at 11:50 am
i just moved back to akron 2 yrs ago.my brother jay took me to rolling acres mall and i was shocked.the last time i was there the movie star wars return of the jedi came to the theatre,that was in 1983.my jaw dropped when we went there a year ago.i can remember when that place was packed.
on February 1st, 2008 at 5:03 am
Well,things are really looking bad now. All of the outside trash compacters have been removed except for one.The maintenence man and housekeeper (me) were laid off last Saturday Even tho there was no heat I still enjoyed working there keeping it as clean as I could for the few remaining customers.
on February 3rd, 2008 at 6:54 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3g3Xw5Id0A
is the latest tribute to Rolling Acres on YouTube.
on February 4th, 2008 at 7:38 am
I’d like to see what this guy could do with Rolling Acres…
http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/02/developer_stuart_lichter_is_on.html
on February 14th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
According to Macy’s ad, Saturday will be the store’s final day.
on February 18th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I happened upon this website enroute to somewhere else. I have enjoyed reading your comments. I grew up in Stow and my grandparents lived in Barberton when I was young. My grandmother and I used to take the bus to Rolling Acres, shop and have lunch at the Terrace restaurant that was in the O’ Neills store (does anyone remember that?). I remember my first pair of Nikes and Jordache purchased from stores in the mall. I thought that I was so high class! Thanks for the fun memories.
on March 3rd, 2008 at 2:21 am
I’ve been to Rolling Acres Mall quite a few times in the past couple of months. Eli has some new hope that a sale may go through soon, so he’s decided to renew his license and keep Eli’s Char Grille open. So I’ll stilll be able to order my favorite double meat gyro or grilled philly chicken sub with fries when I stop in. He won’t be operating Big Star Pizza again until new plans for the mall are announced. If you go there, be sure to look for him in the food court on the lower level. Yes, the elevator does work well, and is both maintained and inspected. The escalators work but were blocked off for insurance reasons, which unfortunately makes people think they can’t go downstairs. This has reduced Eli’s business, so try to stop by to help him out. The food there is really the best around. There are also stairs straight out from Penney’s that lead to the food court.
The few stores that remain at RAM are actually great places to shop, and I try to support them so they’ll stick around through the current negotiations to sell the mall. The JC Penney Outlet store is a pretty rare thing in this area, and we used to have to drive to Columbus to find one. The RAM Penney’s Outlet has a lot of great deals on clothes and furniture.The Sears is the only one on the west side of Akron, and you can get your car in for service there with little notice. A place in Montrose told me that I’d have to wait a week for them to check on a rapidly deflating tire, so I put on my spare, drove to Sears, and they took the car in right away. They usually give you a store coupon so you’ll buy other stuff while you’re waiting too. I also usually stop in at Digital Palace to check out their electronics deals. I just bought a GE 15 foot HDMI cable there for $25. That’s about one third the price of other stores. I think they run an ebay store too, but why pay for shipping?
One advantage to the mall’s current lack of stores is that there’s nothing to attract the unruly youths who used to hang out there. I have seen large groups of loud teens at another area mall, but I haven’t seen that sort of thing at Rolling Acres on any recent visits. There’s not much of interest to those kids at RAM anymore. Most of the people that you see walking the corridors now are mall walkers.
on March 8th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Mary,
If you need help scanning your old Rolling Acres pics, let me know.
rollingacres (at) gmail.com
Dress to the Nines, Spend to the Fives,
Rolling Acres
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Rolling Acres is on Craigslist:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/rfs/604162766.html
on March 14th, 2008 at 9:20 am
I would so buy it. I would convert it into a “retail museum”, complete with permanent and temporary galleries. However, I don’t the cash needed…
on March 14th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I remembber going there when I was um about 5 years old even though im 12 um I mean there are alot of stores there back then, but the last time I was at rolling acres mall this year it was dead!!! All there is now is the cinema, Penny’s and sears. They closed mayc’s this year. I think they should put a recreation center in the mall.
on March 18th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
It was my first time to the Rolling Arcres Mall a few days ago. I went in the main entrance and thought I was in the wrong place. Every single store was closed up. Except Sears and JC Penny Outlet, and there at opposite ends, and the cinema. The escalators were shut down and blocked off with wood and the ceiling was crumbling. The parking lot has giant holes in it and the area riddles of a ghost town. It was kinda dangerous inside the mall. I did not see any type of security and could believe people were permitted to roam free throughout the mall. It reminded me of the Wil Smith movie I am Legend.
on March 21st, 2008 at 4:14 pm
i think the mall at rolling acres could be turned into a hockey rink and education center for kids we could get our black and white kids playing hockey at a young age plus an education center i am sure the national hockey league wood support and fund contact the owner of rolling acres mall i heard on nhl tv there needs to be more american arenas for the kids to play thank you ted skeens 1043 shannon ave barberton oh 44203
on March 27th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
what about renting part of it and turning it into a indoor bmx track and skate park? get some big name sponsers to come in and try to make it safe and fun for kids to stay out of trouble
on April 10th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
As of April 10th,2008 at 6:35 p.m eastern,
the official mall website is down.
on April 10th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Its been down for about a month already.
on April 25th, 2008 at 1:37 am
Was at rolling acres yesterday with my aunt who left ohio in 83 she worked at JCP we went in the main entrance and tear’s started falling down her face i had told her and she had seen the you tube video but seeing it in person really got to her all she keep on saying i cannot believe this and what a shame the beautiful mall she knew and loved is just sitting there rotting and dying i started to cry myself remember the good old day’s a RAM i mean dam this mall should have never never never let get to the condition it is now my aunt said she just can’t believe that someone does not care enough to do something we walked the whole deserted mall some of the storefront’s the gate’s were half open some childern were running in and out of them and the bathroom’s at the main enterance are really nasty we ended at JCP bough t some stuff and my aunt talked to a worker at JCP she said they are going to be here for a while which i thought was good my aunt forget her camera so we are going to go back before she leave’s she want’s to take some pix she has a lot form the good old day’s of RAM as well it is just so sad what happened and if it is true about the thug’s and roving gang’s ruined it for everybody and took down a beautiful mall all i got to say is shame on you.
on April 25th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Stephen,There are no bathrooms at the main entrance, THere is one back near the office and 2 in the food court which I clean 3 times a week.That is all the present time I can get as the owners are out of money and cannot afford tp hire any more cleaning help.As far as some of the storefronts gates being half open they are cleaning out the empty stores and are going to sell whatever the former tenents left behind so that they can pay thier bills.They have been in negotiatons to sell.We will just have to wait and see what happens.
on April 26th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Hello mary i thought that those were restroom’s on the left hand side right down from the rolling acreas mangement office’s i did not go in i alway’s check in on this site and read the new post’s and saw a while back you were laid off and thought no one must be cleaning the restroom’s so i did not go in nothing against your cleaning skill’s mary sorry i did not mean for it to come off the way it did.. I have a few question’s maybe you can answer my aunt was wondering when were the court of 12 tree’s taken down and why were they? When was the fountion turned off and one from me is the sale for the stuff left over going to be in the paper i would love to have someting from there.And once again thank’s for the information mary whatever happen’s to RAM i just hope it is a good thing there has been to much of of this person saying this and then another person saying something else blame it on the black’s blame it on the mangement blame it on where it was built just tear it down everyone got scared away with all this going back and forth the sad fact still remain’s a beautiful mall is a shell of what it was and that’s the sad part.
on April 26th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Stephen,Those trees were taken down a long time ago.I dont know exactly when or why.The fountain was turned off because security said they could not hear the emergency calls on their police walkie talkies.As for the thing that they are cleaning out,there is a lot.You would be suprised what people leave behind.I talked to the lady in charge of that cleaning group yesterday and she dos not know how they will sell the stuff yet.If I hear any more I will let you know.
on May 3rd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Wow, the carnage. Is there anymore stores left…apart from Sears…at Rolling Acres?
on May 4th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Jonah,Yes,J,C.Pennys Outlet, Digital Palace,Diamonds mens wear,The Bridal store .Also ther is a small church and a gymnastics for kids .Downstairs there is a braids beauty shop,WIC health dept. a theater,and Eli’s Grille.
on May 4th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Hmm…Big Star Pizza closed then…and I thought Diamond’s closed too.
on May 4th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Diamond’s was having a going-out-of-business sale when I was there, right after New Year’s.
on May 5th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Jonah and Charles,Yes .Eli closed the pizza rest. as he could not afford the food liscence for it and his grille.He still has the Eli”s grille open.Diamonds is still open.There are still negotiations going on for the sale of the mall.Watch for the mall to have an auction of all the stuff left behind by former tenents.It will probably be in anouther month or so and they will propably advertise it in the Beacon Journal.
on May 13th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I went to Rolling Acres on the weekend on May tenth, the mall is in pathetic condition. All by four of the in-line stores remain and only one was opened on the day I went, the others had various operating hours. Macy’s closed in February and Dillards closed in ‘04 or ‘05. Diamonds Men’s Wear is currently having its closing sale, there is nothing in the food court. JCPenny’s Outlet and Sears are the two remaining achors, it was sad that rs as they seem to be doing fine.Sears actually had a sign on the door that said it was indeed open and would stay opened and thanked the public for their patronage, JCPenny’s had a simalar sign, these to anchors had a decent amount of people in them and seem to be holding their own against the empty in-line stores. The mall’s condition is pathetic, and depressing. It is upsetting to see this knowing that ten year prevous this mall was still doing relatively well. The owner should tear down the in-line mall and keep the anchors seem to be doing fine.
on May 13th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Sam I don’t know what time you were at the mall but Eli’s Grille is open from noon til about 5:30 or so.Also the present owner does not have the money to tear down the mall or to do anything with it.That is the reason for the upcoming sale of items left behind by former tenents.Owner needs money to pay the bills.
on May 13th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I was there at 1 o’clock and Eli’s Grill was not opened, I went on a Sunday though is it open on Sundays? When I went in February it was opened on Sunday but it could have been opened in hopes of making some money with the hoards of people at Macy’s closing sale.
on May 13th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
If “the present owner does not have the money to tear down the mall or to do anything with it”, maybe he should reduce his asking price on the sale of the mall, and find someone who does. In July of ‘06 he paid 1.7 million for the place, then about 6 months later listed it for 4.9 million. I see Cuyahoga Falls is taking State Rd. plaza by eminent domain. Maybe Akron should do the same here…
on May 14th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Lately,Eli’s Grille has not been open every Sunday because businness has been bad.And I don’t know why the owner does’nt come down on his asking price.Nothing has been done to fix the mall up.Also it seems as if Akron is’nt interested in acquiring it.They could have done so a long time ago.There have been prospective buyers looking but so far nothing seems to be happening.
on May 15th, 2008 at 11:47 am
The owner does need to lower his asking price or just shutter in-line and keep the anchors open.I love Rolling Acres but I also can’t stand to see it in its current condition it is a reminder of how bad things have become socioeconomicly in Northern Ohio.
on May 19th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
i heard this Kaufmanns ( i mean macy’s) just close!!!
anyone, is this true?
on May 19th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Yes it is true that Macy’s is closed..Is there anymore news on a possible buyer or has nothing materialized at all? Also, is the owner really asking 5 million just 2 years after paying 1.7 million for it and now in an even worse real estate market.. He will lose it at public auction in foreclosure before that happens as from everything here and elsewhere that I have read he is struggling to keep up with his payments and is behind in property taxes.. Thanks for any info..
on May 19th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Wow…I was actually in this mall today.
There are two stores that survived, and one place in the food court. I can’t remember the name, but the guy was selling lemonade.
The two stores were Digital Palace, and a men’s clothing store that was going out of business.
The Mall looks really awful. All signage was gone, escalators blocked off, etc.
I decided to strike up a conversation with the guy working at the Digital Palace. I told him how I used to visit the mall back in the mid to late 90’s, and how seeing it now was shocking. He told me about how the mall is up for sale, and how a new owner might turn things around…he proceeded to tell me that the stores left to make the sale go through faster (?).
I couldn’t tell if he really bought into what he was saying, but trust me, it would take an extraordinary effort to convince any business to set up shop in what used to be Rolling Acres. He was packing boxes, so I have to think that he is bailing, too.
As I told him, I did stop by the mall occasionally back in the mid to late 90’s, again sometime in 2001-2002, and maybe a few times in 05-06.
There once was a video game arcade, a nice GNC, the food court had a good number of options, in addition to a sporting goods shop (which mainly sold jerseys), a Waldenbooks, a toy store, a music shop, a “Cookie Company” type store, and a Foot Locker. There was also the occassional baseball card show during summer.
My memory is a bit foggy, but it couldn’t have been more than a few years ago that I wandered in a few times. I remember a kid opened his own video game shop along the lines of GameStop, and he did have a few good arcade machines in his store, along with some nice displays. This was before the horrific conditions of today, but even back then I knew the poor kid wasn’t going to make it. I could see the mall falling apart back then, but I never imagined things could get that much worse in a few years.
Across the street a Toys R Us once stood, but that and everything else is long gone. Akron really is in bad shape, along with the rest of Northeast Ohio. Funny thing is, there’s a strip club right outside Rolling Acres, basically in the same parking lot. I read that it was raided a few times over the years, and the place has a dubious reputation…yet the parking lot seemed full. Don’t take the parking lot comment as an endorsement: I’ve heard nothing but bad things about that establishment.
One other thing that stood out for me: the movie theatre had some huge movie posters/cut-outs lined up right outside its closed gates. I don’t keep up with movies, but the posters all read “July” on them, so maybe these were for upcoming events. I really can’t see the theatre re-opening. One of the cutouts was vandalized, and the mall management left a comment for whoever did it…pretty sad.
If anyone is interested in checking out what’s left of the mall, they might want to get in there soon. I can see the whole thing being boarded up very soon.
Watch out for the enormous potholes that are all over the parking lot. Boy, what a mess…
on May 20th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
J,Yes the mall is in bad shape.The guy at Digital Palace does a lot of internet business so he could have been packing boxes for shipping.The Ups man is there quite a lot.Eli sells lemonade as it is fresh and a good seller,but he also sells gyros,sanwiches,fries,etc.The theater is open after 5p.m. and open late on Saturdays.Also,a lot of business men go to Gatsby’s Pub during the day so it is O.K. then. It can get a bit rowdy at night when they have the younger people come in for birthday parties or bachelor parties.I used to do cleaning there after closing time.I have cleaned at the mall for over 10 yrs.and clean the restrooms 3 times a week now.
on May 20th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Michael,Yes ,there are still some interested buyers for the mall.Nothing much happening yet that I know of.
on May 20th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Thanks for the info, Mary.
I do hope the best for Rolling Acres…but I just don’t see it turning around.
Take care.
on May 21st, 2008 at 10:32 am
Mary,
Thanks for the info and good luck to you. I hope it is sold and then gets turned around so that you can keep your job. I also remember the mall fondly from my youth in the 70’s and 80’s and cannot believe the condition and emptiness of it now. Keep us updated if you can on any possible sale or other prospects for the mall as it is greatly appreciated.
Take care.
on May 22nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I saw in the Beacon about Randall Park Mall closing next month.Just makes me wonder how much longer for Rolling Acres ? Anyways,allthe vacant stores have been cleaned out.The auction for the items left behind is scheduled for May31 but I can’t confirm it.Watch the Beacon Journal as they will probably advertise it there.
on May 22nd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Hey mary i saw that also and it does make ya wonder about RAM i was at penny’s last weakend talking to the cashier said she heard sears might be gone by the fall and they will be the only anchor left said the manger’s keep telling them penny’s is staying where they are for now and i hope they do i will truly miss it if penny’s goes too it is just so sad but i am not giving up hope that something can be done to RAM i did walk around see that everything is cleaned out of the storfront’s i will be there for the auction hope to get some good stuff.
on May 25th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
The auction is listed in todays’ Beacon Journal under “Auctions”,
on May 25th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Checked it out online here is the link on that day that will be the most car’s old RAM has seen in a long time. Go to auctions click May 2008 and you will see it.
www.homesteadauction.net
on May 25th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
http://www.homesteadauction.net/Homestead_New_Web/May_31st.html
Sorry Here is the link read the bottom it say’s to make room for a new mall mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm wonder what’s gonna happen does this mean RAM is getting torn down i hope not.
on May 28th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
The auction actually sounds pretty cool. Can someone go and get a detailed list/photos?
on May 30th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Go to www.homesteadauction.net for the list and pictures.Auctio is at 10a.m. tomarrow.You can preview the items from 8-10 tomarrow a.m. Also no plans to tear the mall down.There is an interesed potential buyer that wants to fix it up and keep it as a mall.Will just have to wait and see what happens. .
on May 31st, 2008 at 9:05 pm
So,did anyone go to the auction? When I was there about 3p.m. today there were maybe 50 people there.Thought there would be a lot more than that ,
on June 1st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I went to the preview on Friday. I made an absentee bid on some old architectural renderings of the mall (one interior, one exterior), but I haven’t heard from the auctioneer whether I got them or someone else did.
on June 1st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I also went to the preview on friday i got there saturday about 10:30 i was expecting on seeing more car’s then i did i was surprized at the turn out i bid on some of the christmas decration’s and won some of what i wanted glad to hear that there might be a potential buyer for the mall i do hope it goes through while in the crowd you here people talk some were saying they ought to tear it down or if they do decide to do something with it they would hope the new owner get’s the APD back or else they are not comming back to RAM.
on June 3rd, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I was at the mall today.With all the people ther with drills,saws and axes you would think they were demolishing the place but they were there to take out cabinets and other fixtures bought at the auction.Anyways,the proposed new owner said he will 1 Fix the roof and parking lot 2 Put in a kids park near the food court for babies-6yr.olds with swings,slides and teeter totters.This will be free.3 In the Target area there will be anindoor beach with sand and water fixtures,a bird and butterfly habitat,restaurant store ,showers and bathrooms.The admission will be $20 a day.4.A skatepark of approx.20,000 sq.ft.5 A rock wall for climbing,6 A new cabaret bar and restaurant approx.50,000 sq.ft.Live music,MTV plasma screens, when no live music a shallow pool for “Dancing in the water”tiki huts and a sand beach.Sure sounds good to me and I hope the deal goes through.
on June 3rd, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Sounds suspiciously like Summit Place Mall and “Festivals of Waterford”, a proposed renovation that sounds very much like that (example: a waterpark in the former Wards). Well, either way, even if the remodel does not go through, it’s an interesting chapter in the story of Rolling Acres.
on June 3rd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
This renovation plan that one would-be owner would do to Rolling Acres sounds interesting. I hope if this person does purchase RAM, that he could find a way to work and/or tweek(if necessary) his plans, so that the remodel of the mall can succeed. Maybe he could get the water fountain to work again, so it could look as nice as it did during RAM’s prime, and as shown in the first part of this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3g3Xw5Id0A
on June 5th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
That is such good new’s i do hope the deal goes through i just read today someone bought randall park mall and it is staying open so two mall&