The Shopping Dead
I have to get something out before November ends, I'm actually in the middle of writing a different blog post but randomly lost motivation so I'm gonna write about this instead.
Forest Fair Village aka Cincinnati Mall, Cincinnati Mills or Forest Fair Mall (Pick your favorite) is a former shopping center located on the outskirts of Cincinnati. Construction began on the mall in 1986 with the first wing opening in 1988.
At the time of completion the mall was the second largest in the state. However from this point on things would only get worse. Only a year after completion the owner of the mall would go bankrupt and in less than 3 years the mall had already lost three of it's anchor stores.
In an effort to keep their head above the water the mall would undergo major renovations in the mid 1990s and at some point a whole freaking Ferris wheel pulled up wtf.
This picture invokes deep lost memories I struggle to recall.
I am fairly certain some of these games are still trapped in that mall.
In 2002 the mall was renamed to "Cincinnati Mills" and in 2004 more renovations took place. By the time the 2008 recession rolled around the mall was already on the decline leaving the recession to do what recessions do best, gut retail.
Surprisingly the mall didn't officially close until late 2022 when it was announced that the mall would be demolished. Up until 2022 the mall was frozen in a strange zombified state. This mall wasn't your typical "Dead mall" where the mall is just empty but still staffed and such, this mall had fallen into total disrepair despite still being open.
The power had failed in many areas, the ceiling leaked despite the clear skies above, and most strangely of all there was not a single staff member in sight. Now I am no stranger to dead malls having grown up in the Midwest and all but this place was especially dead.
To my horror I became stuck here after the escalator broke down.
The funny thing is I remember this mall fairly vividly yet I actually have no idea why I was there or why I was in Cincinnati to begin with. I don't even know what year these were taken.
Walking the mall felt like a month after the apocalypse, no people yet no vandalism.
Seeing a mall playground in this state is just saddening, I don't recall ever seeing one in the other abandoned malls I've been too.
I was even more saddened to find the Skyline Chili and Auntie Anne's no longer open.
The elevator had power, but if it got stuck I'm not sure I would have ever been let out.
Unfortunately the door was locked.
After walking for a little while I did find two humans, one was sitting in what appeared to be some kids play place manning the cash register, and the other was sleeping on a bench.
The original center court had been decorated uhhhhh interestingly.
I went in a few of the stores that were unlocked but they were mostly empty.
I was hoping to get inside the old movie theater but at this point it was well sealed.
Despite the condition of the mall, two anchor stores; a Bass Pro Shop and a Kohl's remained somewhat busy. I actually ended up in the backrooms of the Kohl's by accident while exploring a passageway.
The most depressing hallway in the world.
Anyways hope you enjoyed this quickie, I promise I am working on other stuff I have just been strained for time lately.
Mutagen Out.