Richmond Town Square
A former super-regional shopping mall in Richmond Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Richmond Town Square was a super-regional shopping mall in Richmond Heights, Ohio, a suburb on the eastern side of the Cleveland metropolitan area. The property opened on September 22, 1966, as Richmond Mall. It was developed by Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. and originally combined major department-store anchors, entertainment, specialty retail, and community services at the intersection of Richmond Road and Wilson Mills Road. The original anchor lineup included Sears and JCPenney. The mall also contained a Loews movie theater, Woolworths, Richman Brothers, Winkelman's, and other inline retailers. Over time, the center became known locally both as Richmond and as Richmond Mall. Its scale and tenant mix positioned it as a regional destination rather than a neighborhood strip center. A Cuyahoga County Public Library branch opened inside the mall in 1988. The library initially operated from a freestanding kiosk, but its circulation expanded substantially. During a major mall renovation, the kiosk closed in August 1998; the branch reopened in September 1999 in a larger space near the northeast entrance and Sears, illustrating the property's role as a civic and commercial gathering place. The mall underwent a major transformation in the late 1990s. Woolworths closed in 1997, while Kaufmann's was brought in as an anchor from the former Euclid Square Mall. The Loews theater expanded from 10 screens to 20, and Barnes & Noble was added as a junior anchor. DeBartolo Realty Corporation merged with Simon Property Group in 1998, and Simon subsequently remodeled, expanded, and renamed the property Richmond Town Square. The renovation was reported to have cost approximately $100 million and incorporated updated materials, technology, architectural treatments, and decorative features. The center later experienced the pressures affecting many traditional enclosed malls. Kaufmann's became Macy's in 2006 following the Federated–May department-store merger, and the Loews theater became a Regal Cinemas location. Barnes & Noble closed in 2010. Planet Fitness subsequently occupied that former bookstore space, while the former Kaufmann's/Macy's building was later used by LifeStorage. Macy's closed in 2015, followed by Sears and JCPenney in 2017. These departures removed the mall's principal traditional department-store anchors and left large portions of the property vacant. Ownership also changed several times. In 2014, the property was identified for transfer from Simon Property Group to Washington Prime Group, a Simon-related spinoff later known as WP Glimcher. In November 2016, Richmond Town Square was sold to Kohan Retail Investment Group for $7.25 million. Subsequent redevelopment proposals sought to replace or reposition portions of the aging mall complex. DealPoint Merrill announced a proposed $69 million project in 2018 involving apartments, a hotel, and a park, later branded Belle Oaks at Richmond. Early apartment plans were presented in 2019. Kohan announced in August 2020 that the mall would close permanently for redevelopment. Although the property continued operating longer than initially planned, it finally closed on May 6, 2021. The remaining portion was sold to DealPoint Merrill in July 2021. Demolition began on September 18, 2023, ending the physical life of the enclosed mall while redevelopment plans continued to define the site's future.
History
Richmond Town Square began as Richmond Mall on September 22, 1966, in Richmond Heights, Ohio. Developer Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. created the property as a major enclosed shopping destination for the eastern Cleveland suburbs. Sears and JCPenney served as the original department-store anchors, while Loews operated a cinema and Woolworths, Richman Brothers, Winkelman's, and other retailers occupied the remainder of the center. The property developed beyond a conventional retail function. In 1988, the Cuyahoga County Public Library opened a branch inside the mall. It first operated from a small freestanding kiosk, but growing circulation led to a more substantial presence. The kiosk closed during a major renovation in August 1998, and the library reopened in September 1999 in a 1,200-square-foot location near the northeast mall entrance and Sears. The late 1990s brought the mall's most significant expansion and repositioning. Woolworths closed in 1997. In 1998, Kaufmann's was relocated to the center from Euclid Square Mall, Barnes & Noble was added as a junior anchor, and the Loews theater expanded from 10 screens to 20. DeBartolo Realty Corporation merged with Simon Property Group during the same period. Simon renovated and expanded the property, changing its name to Richmond Town Square. The work reportedly cost $100 million and used updated construction materials, technology, architectural elements, and decorative treatments. Brand changes continued in the following decade. In 2006, Kaufmann's was converted to Macy's as part of the Federated–May merger, and Loews Cinemas became Regal Cinemas. Barnes & Noble closed in 2010. Planet Fitness moved into the former bookstore building in 2012. The former Kaufmann's/Macy's building was later used by LifeStorage after the department store closed. The mall's traditional anchor base deteriorated during the 2010s. Macy's announced in January 2015 that its Richmond Town Square store would close, and the location was empty by mid-March. In 2014, ownership had been slated for transfer from Simon Property Group to Washington Prime Group, its shopping-center spinoff, later known as WP Glimcher. Kohan Retail Investment Group acquired the property in November 2016 for $7.25 million. Sears announced a March 2017 closure in January of that year, and JCPenney announced in March that it would close its store on July 31. Their departures left the former department-store spaces vacant, while Regal, Planet Fitness, and LifeStorage remained among the notable occupants. Redevelopment proposals subsequently replaced the mall's retail expansion strategy. DealPoint Merrill announced in July 2018 that it planned to invest $69 million in apartments, a hotel, and a park on the north end of the site, particularly around the vacant Sears building and adjacent parking area. In May 2019, the developer presented early plans for luxury apartments under the name Belle Oaks at Richmond. A community event in June 2021 displayed the proposed plans. Kohan announced on August 31, 2020, that Richmond Town Square would close permanently for redevelopment. The property remained open longer than initially expected and finally ceased operations on May 6, 2021. The remaining portion was sold to DealPoint Merrill in July 2021. Demolition began on September 18, 2023. Richmond Town Square therefore moved from a prominent suburban shopping destination, through repeated ownership changes and anchor losses, to a defunct mall site being repositioned for mixed-use development.
- 2023
Demolition begins
[1]Demolition of the former shopping mall began on September 18.
- 2021
Mall closes and remaining property changes hands
[1]The mall closed permanently on May 6, and its remaining portion was sold to DealPoint Merrill in July.
- 2018
Belle Oaks redevelopment announced
[1]DealPoint Merrill proposed a $69 million mixed-use redevelopment with apartments, a hotel, and a park.
- 2017
Sears and JCPenney close
[1]Both original department-store anchors announced and completed their closures during 2017.
- 2016
Kohan Retail Investment Group acquisition
[1]Kohan acquired the mall in November for $7.25 million.
- 2014
Property transfer to Washington Prime Group announced
[1]The mall was identified for transfer from Simon Property Group to Washington Prime Group.
- 2006
Kaufmann's becomes Macy's and Loews becomes Regal
[1]Two prominent tenants changed brands following corporate transactions and theater rebranding.
- 1998
Expansion and renaming as Richmond Town Square
[1]The mall was expanded and remodeled under Simon Property Group, with Kaufmann's, Barnes & Noble, and a larger cinema contributing to the new tenant mix.
- 1988
Library branch opens inside the mall
[1]The Cuyahoga County Public Library established a branch at the property.
- 1966
Richmond Mall opens
[1]The enclosed shopping center opened on September 22 in Richmond Heights with Sears and JCPenney as original anchors.
Products and positioning
A large enclosed regional shopping and entertainment center serving Richmond Heights and the wider Greater Cleveland market. The property historically competed through department-store anchors, a multiplex cinema, specialty retail, and community-oriented amenities, but later shifted toward a redevelopment proposition after anchor departures and declining mall activity.
Anchor retail · 1966
Department-store retail
Richmond Town Square's principal commercial offering was its department-store anchor network. Sears and JCPenney opened with the mall in 1966, while Kaufmann's was added during the 1998 expansion and later converted to Macy's in 2006. The anchor stores provided broad merchandise categories including apparel, home goods, accessories, and general retail products. Sears and JCPenney closed in 2017, and Macy's closed in 2015.
Entertainment · 1966
Regal Cinemas
The mall's cinema began as a Loews theater and was expanded from 10 screens to 20 during the late-1990s redevelopment. It was later rebranded as Regal Cinemas in 2006. The theater was one of the notable entertainment components associated with the property and was among the remaining significant occupants after the department stores departed.
Community service · 1988
Cuyahoga County Public Library branch
The library branch opened at the mall in 1988. Originally housed in a small kiosk, it moved to a larger 1,200-square-foot space near the northeast entrance after the 1998 renovation. Its presence gave the shopping center a public-service and community function in addition to its retail and entertainment uses.
Fitness services · 2012
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness opened in 2012 in the building formerly occupied by Barnes & Noble. The fitness center represented an effort to reuse a former retail anchor space with a service-oriented tenant as the mall's traditional bookstore and department-store mix weakened.
Storage services
LifeStorage
LifeStorage occupied the former Macy's building after the department store closed. Its use reflected the conversion of a large vacant anchor structure from conventional retail toward storage and other nontraditional mall functions.
Brand decisions
2020
Permanent closure for redevelopmentStrategyBackground
Anchor departures and prolonged deterioration of the traditional mall model made continued operation difficult.
Action taken
Kohan Retail Investment Group announced that Richmond Town Square would close permanently to permit redevelopment.
Aftermath
The mall remained open beyond the initial announcement but ultimately closed on May 6, 2021.
2018
Belle Oaks mixed-use redevelopment proposalStrategyBackground
The closure of major department stores left substantial vacant space and reduced the viability of the traditional enclosed-mall format.
Action taken
DealPoint Merrill proposed apartments, a hotel, and a park on the site's north end, later presenting the concept as Belle Oaks at Richmond.
Aftermath
The proposal shifted the property's strategic direction from conventional mall retail toward mixed-use redevelopment. Demolition eventually began in 2023.
Proposed redevelopment investment. $69 million (2018 proposal)
2016
Sale to Kohan Retail Investment GroupM&ABackground
After ownership was associated with Simon Property Group and Washington Prime Group, the mall entered a new ownership phase.
Action taken
Kohan Retail Investment Group acquired Richmond Town Square in November 2016.
Aftermath
The property continued operating while its anchor base contracted and redevelopment became increasingly central to its future.
Acquisition price. $7.25 million (November 2016)
2006
Anchor and cinema brand conversionsGeneration changeBackground
Corporate consolidation and brand portfolio changes affected two major mall tenants.
Action taken
Kaufmann's was converted to Macy's following the Federated–May merger, and the Loews theater was rebranded as Regal Cinemas.
Aftermath
The property retained department-store and multiplex anchors under successor brands.
1998
Major expansion and repositioningStrategyBackground
The mall faced the need to modernize its physical environment and refresh its tenant mix as suburban retail competition evolved.
Action taken
Simon Property Group remodeled and expanded the property, added or repositioned major tenants, expanded the cinema to 20 screens, and renamed the center Richmond Town Square.
Aftermath
The redevelopment produced a larger and more contemporary regional mall, with reported spending of approximately $100 million.
Reported renovation cost. $100 million (1998)
Recent events
- 2023
Demolition begins at Richmond Town Square[1]
Other
Demolition of the former enclosed mall began on September 18, marking the physical end of the property as a shopping center.
- 2021
Richmond Town Square closes for good[1]
Other
After remaining open beyond the originally anticipated schedule, the mall closed permanently on May 6.
- 2021
Remaining mall property transferred to DealPoint Merrill[1]
M&A
The remaining portion of the former mall was sold to DealPoint Merrill in July as redevelopment plans advanced.
- 2020
Permanent mall closure announced[1]
Other
Kohan Retail Investment Group announced on August 31 that the mall would close permanently to enable redevelopment.
- 2019
Belle Oaks apartment plans presented[1]
Other
DealPoint Merrill released early plans for luxury apartments as part of the proposed Belle Oaks at Richmond project.
- 2018
DealPoint Merrill proposes Belle Oaks redevelopment[1]
Other
DealPoint Merrill announced a proposed $69 million redevelopment featuring apartments, a hotel, and a park on the mall's north end.
- 2017
Sears announces closure of its mall location[1]
Other
Sears announced in January that its store would close in March, removing one of the property's original anchor tenants.
- 2017
JCPenney announces closure of its Richmond Town Square store[1]
Other
JCPenney announced in March that its location would close on July 31, leaving the mall without its other original department-store anchor.
- 2016
Kohan Retail Investment Group acquires Richmond Town Square[1]
M&A
The mall was sold to Kohan Retail Investment Group in November for $7.25 million.
- 2015
Macy's announces closure of its mall store[1]
Other
Macy's announced that the Richmond Town Square location would close as part of a nationwide plan affecting 14 stores. The store was shuttered by mid-March.
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