Author: Joe Bell

Cafaro puts the pedal to the metal in middle-market malls

Posted on | by Joe Bell

 

Cafaro puts the pedal to the metal on middle-market malls

Al Urbanski

10/3/2025  Chain Store Age

 

Cafaro aims to infuse Grand Central Mall with top-notch retail, restaurant, and entertainment brands.

 

A 76-year-old owner-operator of super-regional malls located in B and C markets such as Clarksville, Tenn.; Monroe, Mich.; Erie, Pa., and Puyallup, Wash., finds itself expanding during a period of paucity in quality retail real estate.

The Cafaro Company, whose headquarters reside in its 3.4 million-sq.-ft. Eastwood Mall Complex in Niles, Ohio, announced that it has acquired Grand Central Mall in Vienna, W.Va. The 908,000-sq.-ft. property, which opened in 1972 and houses 90-plus tenants, is the only enclosed mall within 35 miles of its region.

“We believe strongly in the viability of middle market shopping centers, a segment of the industry we have led for generations.” said Cafaro co-president Anthony Cafaro, Jr., whose grandfather William M. Cafaro and his brother founded the company in 1949.

Grand Central Mall draws more than five million unique visits annually, according to Cafaro. A recent redevelopment of a former Sears anchor made room for new tenants T.J.Maxx, HomeGoods, Ross Dress For Less, and PetSmart.

Other key tenants include Ulta, Old Navy, Five Below, and Panera which shadow-anchor the mall.

Cafaro is in the planning stages of a future mall-wide renovation aimed at creating a fresh and modern atmosphere for its patrons and retail partners.

“We will be infusing the necessary capital and expertise to attract best-in-class retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues to Grand Central Mall,” Cafaro said. “We are excited to incorporate this property and its vast trade area spanning two states into our portfolio of dominant fortress mall assets.”

Grand Central Mall and contiguous centers owned by The Cafaro Company occupy nearly 100 acres on the Ohio River in Vienna, W. Va. Cafaro reports that it is the only major shopping destination within a 70-mile radius.

Cafaro has proved fastidious in carving out precious mall anchor spaces and re-tenanting them with popular brands. It recently announced that 91,000 sq. ft. of empty anchor space at its Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville, Ohio, would soon be welcoming new tenants.

Academy Sports and Burlington will take up 78,000 sq. ft. of what used to be the Sears store at Ohio Valley, and Boot Barn will open in a 13,000-sq.-ft. space that used to be part of Macy’s.

 

Cafaro Acquires Grand Central Mall

Posted on | by Joe Bell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

October 2, 2025

 

Contact:

 

Joe Bell

Director of Corporate Communications

Cafaro Company

jbell@cafarocompany.com

330-743-7688

724-730-4532 (Mobile)

 

Cafaro Remains Focused on Middle Markets

Acquires Grand Central Mall in West Virginia

 

One of the nation’s pre-eminent shopping center developers has expanded its property portfolio.  CAFARO is pleased to announce that it has acquired Grand Central Mall in Vienna/Parkersburg, West Virginia, from Washington Prime Group.  The acquisition was finalized on October 1, 2025.  The all-cash purchase price was not disclosed. This is the third Cafaro mall serving West Virginia, the others being Huntington Mall in Barboursville and Meadowbrook Mall in Bridgeport/Clarksburg.  Additionally, Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville, Ohio, serves the Wheeling, West Virginia market.

            “We believe strongly in the viability of middle market shopping centers – a segment of the industry we have led for generations.” said Cafaro Company Co-President Anthony Cafaro, Jr.  “Consistent with the balance of our portfolio, we will be infusing the necessary capital and expertise to attract best-in-class retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues to Grand Central Mall.  We are excited to incorporate Grand Central Mall and its vast trade area spanning two states into our portfolio of dominant fortress mall assets.”

In its fifth decade of operation, Grand Central Mall has consistently evolved its offerings and boasts over 5 million unique visits annually. Recent additions include the redevelopment of a former Sears anchor to accommodate retail stalwarts T.J.Maxx, HomeGoods, Ross Dress For Less, and PetSmart complemented by ULTA, Old Navy, Five Below, and Panera which shadow anchor the mall. Cafaro is in the planning stage of a future mall-wide renovation aimed at creating a more fresh, modern and functional atmosphere for its patrons and retail partners.

Grand Central Mall and contiguous centers and outparcels owned by Cafaro encompass nearly 1 million SF serving Vienna/Parkersburg, WV, and the surrounding region including, Marietta, Ohio.  The complex occupies nearly 100 acres on the Ohio River in the City of Vienna, and adjacent to the City of Parkersburg.  It is the only major shopping destination within a 70+ mile radius. The property offers a dynamic mix of more than 65 retailers, restaurants and other businesses.

 

About The Cafaro Company

CAFARO, based in Niles, Ohio, is one of the nation’s largest privately held shopping center developers. Founded by the late William M. Cafaro in 1949, the firm is now in its eighth decade and third generation as a family owned and managed business. Over the years, Cafaro-affiliated companies have developed, owned and managed more than 50 million square feet of commercial real estate in 14 states. With the purchase of Grand Central Mall, Cafaro will operate 13 enclosed malls, along with more than 40 open-air shopping centers, coast-to-coast.  For more information about Cafaro, visit online at www.cafarocompany.com.

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Next Generation Dick’s Sporting Goods Moving into Eastwood

Posted on | by Joe Bell

Eastwood Mall to Add Next Generation DICK’S Sporting Goods Store as New Mall Anchor

Posted 

Construction has officially commenced on a new Next Generation DICK’S Sporting Goods store at Eastwood Mall in Niles, Ohio. The new, larger format store will relocate from its current 52,000 square foot building in the adjacent Great East Plaza, a fixture of the Eastwood Mall Complex since 2004, into a massive, state-of-the-art 72,000 square foot anchor store within the enclosed mall. This move represents a major investment in the local community and a commitment to providing an unparalleled selection of top-tier apparel, footwear, gear & more for athletes across the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys.

The new store format completely reimagines the traditional DICK’S layout, bringing together an evolved selection of team-sport gear across baseball, softball, soccer, football, lacrosse, and hockey. The store will also include a House of Cleats, showcasing a 360-degree view of more than 400 cleats across multiple sports, an expanded premium footwear assortment, and multiple golf hitting bays equipped with Trackman technology.

“Moving and expanding DICK’S Sporting Goods to a premium anchor position within the mall is expected to drive significant traffic, benefit all of our tenants, and further solidify Eastwood Mall Complex as the region’s premier one-stop destination to shop, dine, stay and play,” said Johnny Chechitelli, mall owner CAFARO’s Regional Director of Marketing & Communications.

 

The current DICK’S Sporting Goods location in the adjacent Great East Plaza will remain open until the new store is ready to welcome customers, with a Grand Opening celebration anticipated in summer 2026. Further details regarding the official opening date and special events will be shared closer to the opening.

The Eastwood Mall Complex is located at 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road, in Niles, Ohio. It is one of America’s largest shopping centers, with nearly 200 department stores, specialty shops, restaurants, hotels and entertainment options. The Eastwood Mall Complex is owned and managed in association with Cafaro-affiliated companies, based in Niles, Ohio. For more information, visit online at: www.eastwoodmall.com and www.cafarocompany.com.