Fashion Week Returns

Posted on February 24, 2026 | by Joe Bell

Fashion Week returns to Ohio’s Eastwood Mall Complex

2/24/2026

High school fashionistas will take to the runway to vie for a $5,000 first prize.

“Fashion Week is more than just fashion and clothes. It’s about bringing our community together,” according to Bri Ventimiglia, marketing director of the 3.4 million-sq.-ft. Eastwood Mall Complex in Niles, Ohio.

From March 5-7, the center court of the enclosed mall portion of the complex will be transformed into a high energy runway featuring three distinct fashion shows that are free and open to the public.

The first night of Fashion Week focuses on formal wear. The runway will showcase dress collections from Macy’s, Boscov’s, and Lavish, complemented by sharp suits from Rondinelli Tuxedo, footwear from Reyers, and professional hair and makeup styling by the Casal Aveda Institute.

Night Two is for the dogs — and cats — with a “Dog & Catwalk Adoption Show” sponsored by the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County. Gussied-up pooches and felines will strut their stuff down the runway —and hope to be taken home by onlookers.

At the “High School Fashion Face-Off” on the final night of Fashion Week, natty teams from local high schools will take over the runway in a competition for cash prizes. The first-place school will win a prize of $5,000, with $2,500 and $1,000 gifts awaiting the second-and-third place young fashionistas.

“2025 was the first time we held this event and so many people showed up to support their schools that we knew we had to do it again,” said Johnny Chechitelli, Eastwood’s regional director of marketing and communications. “The schools that came up short last year know that they’ve got to pack the house this time to take home one of the top three prizes.”

Run by the Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Company, the Eastwood Mall Complex is one of America’s largest shopping centers, holding more than 200 department stores, specialty shops, restaurants, hotels and entertainment options.

It is located equidistantly between Cleveland and Pittsburgh off Interstate 80.

Macy’s Backstage to Debut at Eastwood

Posted on February 12, 2026 | by Joe Bell

Macy’s Backstage shopping experience set to open inside Eastwood Mall in Niles

By Staff report February 3, 2026 Mahoning Matters

Mahoning Valley shoppers will soon have access to Macy’s Backstage, an “ever-changing assortment of carefully curated brands and unexpected treasures” available at a discounted price. First launched in 2015, Macy’s Backstage has since expanded to several locations around Ohio, the newest coming to the Eastwood Mall Complex, according to the company’s Facebook page.

There’s no opening date available yet for the new Macy’s Backstage set to open up inside the existing Macy’s, bringing a new discount shopping experience to the area. Customers will find discounted apparel, accessories, home goods and cosmetics, as well as overstock department store merchandise. The corporation started added Backstage stores to existing locations and freestanding stores to drive foot-traffic and encourage the discount-shopping experience that’s difficult to replicate online. Vanessa LeFebvre played a significant role in developing Macy’s Backstage stores. “Macy’s Backstage is for the shopper who is always on the hunt for a deal, where time, convenience and money are a commodity,” she said.

Read more at: https://www.mahoningmatters.com/news/business/article314324694.html#storylink=cpy

Raising Canes opens doors at Eastwood Mall Complex

Posted on January 30, 2024 | by Joe Bell

Raising Cane’s opens doors to Eastwood Mall Complex, Niles customers

BY KELCEY NORRIS MAHONING MATTERS JANUARY 30, 2024 1:56 PM

The new Raising Cane’s restaurant will be open from 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Raising Cane’s

The new Raising Cane’s in Niles held a grand opening today for customers frequenting the Eastwood Mall Complex area.

During the grand opening, franchise owners donated $1,000 to Inspiring Minds in Warren, which offers free after-school and summer enrichment programs for grades 3-12. “We’re excited to open another restaurant and continue to grow in the Youngstown/Warren area,” said Justin Pesicek, area leader of restaurants. “This marks our 55th restaurant in Ohio, and we’re thrilled to serve this community.” The new restaurant will bring more than 100 jobs to the Niles area; the dining room is also decorated with decor and graphics representing the Niles community. Visit Raising Cane’s at 1954 Niles Cortland Road SE in Niles.

The new restaurant will be open from 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. During the grand opening, there was a DJ playing music from 7 a.m. to noon, a ribbon cutting at 9:15 a.m. and giveaways for the first 100 customers. The new restaurant will bring more than 100 jobs to the Niles area; the dining room is also decorated with decor and graphics representing the Niles community. Raising Cane’s READ NEXT

Read more at: https://www.mahoningmatters.com/news/local/article284870701.html#storylink=cpy