Franklin Park Mall is a super-regional shopping mall in Toledo, Ohio. It is anchored by Dillard's, JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods, and DSW. There are two vacant anchor stores formerly occupied by Macy's and Forever 21, both of which closed in early 2025.[2]
Developed by The Rouse Company, the mall opened on July 22, 1971, occupying the former site of the Franklin Airport.[3] The mall was built using the Syncon modular building subsystems for an estimated savings of $500,000.[4]
In 1974, Lamson Brothers went bankrupt and the store was replaced by Jacobson's of Jackson, Michigan. This store was the fourteenth in the Jacobson's chain.[6]
In 1993, Rouse significantly remodeled the mall and added a new wing anchored by the Lion Store. In 1998 the Lion Store was renamed Dillard's, while in 2001, Hudson's was renamed Marshall Field's. The Westfield Group acquired the shopping center in early 2002, and renamed it "Westfield Shoppingtown Franklin Park", dropping the "Shoppingtown" name in June 2005. Jacobson's went bankrupt and closed its location in early 2002, days before Westfield announced the takeover.[7]
The former Lamson Brothers/Jacobson's was demolished in 2004 and in its place a new wing, the centerpiece of a massive $100 million renovation, opened in 2005. It was at this time that a new National Amusements multiplex theater and Dick's Sporting Goods were built, as well as a new Food Court and Borders books.[8] Marshall Field's became Macy's in 2006.[9]
In 2008, Westfield Group held a press conference at Franklin Park to announce were shoe retailer DSW Warehouse, clothing store Old Navy, and an Ulta cosmetic salon. The stores opened as part of the 49,000 sqft addition.
After Borders ceased operations in 2011, its space became Forever 21, which relocated from a smaller store within the mall.[10]
In fall 2013, the mall was sold to Starwood Capital Group with 6 other Westfield properties. As a result, it reverted to Franklin Park Mall.[11]
In December 2020, the mall was sold to Pacific Capital Retail Partners along with 6 other Starwood properties.[12]
In January 2025, Macy's announced that its store at Franklin Park Mall would close in the first quarter of 2025. It closed in March 2025.[13] The location where the Macy's is has been listed on a real estate website, and it is unclear what will happen with the location going forward.[14]
In March 2025, Forever 21 announced it would file for bankruptcy protection and close all its U.S. locations, including its store at Franklin Park Mall, by May 1.[15] The store at Franklin Park closed on March 30, 2025.[2]
