Category: Ohio Valley Mall

MAY 13, 2020

JENNIFER COMPSTON
Managing Editor

Numerous cars are parked outside the Ohio Valley Mall on Tuesday, when the retail center reopened after being closed for weeks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Business was more “brisk” than expected as the Ohio Valley Mall reopened on Tuesday.

The retail complex had closed along with other “non-essential” businesses across the Buckeye State on March 13 as government leaders worked to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. A limited number of mall businesses, such as restaurants, continued to operate — but with only limited services available in accordance with state guidelines.

Joe Bell, spokesman for mall parent the Cafaro Co., said he spoke with marketing managers at the company’s malls across Ohio on Tuesday, including OVM spokeswoman Candi Noble-Greathouse. According to Bell, she reported that the mall was busier than officials had anticipated, with Boscov’s in particular welcoming a large number of customers.
Bell said all retail employees in Ohio are required to wear face masks on the job, including at the mall in St. Clairsville.

“We want to make sure we are doing this responsibly,” Bell noted.

In addition, he said marketing managers observed that about half of all mall customers were wearing face coverings while doing their shopping Tuesday. He said patrons also were “conscientious” about social distancing, keeping at least 6 feet of space between themselves and others.

Bell added that the Ohio Valley Mall is working with its assorted retailers to develop its planned “Mall to Go” program, which will designate parking spots for customers who call ahead to have their order delivered to the vehicle. The mall also is working on ways to allow local residents who have begun to manufacture face masks or hand sanitizer to secure kiosk space rent-free where they can sell the sought-after products.

The mall has resumed its normal operating hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Individual stores’ operating hours may vary, so Bell urges customers to call ahead to ensure they can visit a particular store.

MAR 18, 2020 | CARRI GRAHAM | Times Leader Staff Writer

T-L Photo/Carri Graham/ The new St. Clairsville Chick-fil-A will open its drive-thru on Thursday.

CLAIRSVILLE — Amidst the closings of many local eateries one restaurant will proceed with its grand opening via a drive-thru window — Chick-fil-A will open Thursday morning in St. Clairsville.

Although Chick-fil-A will not open its doors, it will open its windows to new customers. The chicken chain is proceeding with its grand opening however it will welcome customers through its drive-thru window only.

The chicken chain was originally planning to host a grand opening celebration to begin the night prior in which the first 100 new customers would receive a year’s supply of Chick-fil-A meals. The “12-hour First 100 Campout” was subsequently canceled due to concerns pertaining to the coronavirus.

As of Tuesday no give-aways are planned during the opening.

The new restaurant will encompass nearly 5,000 square feet and will bring nearly 110 new jobs to the community, according to officials.

The fast food eatery is located next to Longhorn Steakhouse beside the Ohio Valley Mall.

Whilst the Ohio Department of health has restricted the operations of restaurants across the state due to COVID-19, the Ohio Valley Mall said they are continuing to provide residents of the valley tasty food options.

Joe Bell, spokesman for Cafaro Co., the mall’s parent company, said there are 17 various restaurants and eateries at the mall that will continue to serve food on a carry-out or delivery basis.

“As much as we know it has caused an inconvenience for a lot of people, it’s a reasonable compromise. If someone is in need of a meal they can get it at the Ohio Valley Mall. We want people to be aware that the restaurants are open. People can even order from delivery services like Grubhub they will take your order, pick it up at the mall and deliver it to you,” Bell said.

With the addition of one store, another is planning to close. Long-time retailer Macy’s department store will close its doors for good at the end of March, Bell said. The 104,00-square-foot mall location opened to the public in 2006. Bell said officials are discussing potential replacements for the large space, but none have been announced as of yet.

MAR 6, 2020 | RICK SHRUM | For The Intelligencer

CLAIRSVILLE – One hundred years later, Levin Furniture is back in the family.

Robert Levin, grandson of the founders and former owner/president of the company, walked away from retirement this week to purchase the firm — and possibly save the jobs of its 1,200 employees.

He reached an agreement late Wednesday to reacquire the business from Art Van, which bought the chain from the Levin family in November 2017.

The parent of Warren, Mich.-based Art Van is considering options that include filing for bankruptcy, according to a report in Crain’s Detroit Business. Levin’s deal also included acquiring the Wolf Furniture chain, which Art Van purchased along with Levin in late 2017.

Levin announced the deal Thursday morning at a store in Monroeville, Pa. The company has 39 locations in Pennsylvania and Ohio, including one at Ohio Valley Mall near St. Clairsville.

Altoona-based Wolf Furniture has 17 locations: nine in central and southeastern Pennsylvania; seven in Maryland; and one in Virginia.

Levin is pleased to be in the president’s chair again.

“I’m coming back as the owner of Levin Furniture for the employees who were at risk of losing their jobs,” he said in a prepared statement. “They are the most loyal, dedicated, and hardworking people I’ve ever known.

“It will be a privilege and honor to once again lead this company as we prepare to celebrate 100 years in the furniture and mattress business,” said Levin, who has led the family-owned operation since 1993.

The company will celebrate its 100th birthday later this year