The Woodland Mall, a staple in the Bowling Green community for over four decades, is officially on the market, leaving the future of the previous shopping space uncertain. The mall was listed by the online auction company, Ten-X, with the bid starting at $875,000 and set to start this week on Sept. 23.
The property, located on the south side of Bowling Green at 1234 North Main Street, was recently listed for sale. Once thriving with stores like Sears, Elder-Beerman, and JCPenney, the mall has struggled in recent years to keep a steady customer flow due to a variety of changing trends such as online shopping.
Today, only a handful of stores remain open, and much of the building is either vacant or being used for non-retail purposes. The mall’s occupancy rate stands at approximately 65%, with only a small handful of businesses still operating, including a mini golf course and a couple of restaurants.
While the bid starts at $875,000, the mall has been described as a “prime redevelopment opportunity” and “ a rare value-add opportunity,” according to Ten-X. The 270,000 square-foot property, which sits on 42 acres of land, has the potential for a variety of uses beyond retail, including entertainment or community space.
“The Woodland Mall has been here since I was a kid, and I’m sad to see it go, but I hope that whoever buys it will turn it into something everyone can enjoy again,” said Kara Yeary, a local resident and shopper.
The Woodland Mall, built in 1987, was once a popular shopping spot for the surrounding communities, over the years many of the mall’s main stores closed, and foot traffic diminished significantly. However, despite the lack of customers, the mall has been renovated many times with the most recent renovation in 2010.
“I remember going to the mall every Saturday as a kid just to walk around, it was something my mom and I did to spend the day together,” added Yeary.
For the local businesses still operating in the mall, the news of the sale brings some uncertainty. However, many are hopeful it will mark a fresh start for the community and bring life to the area.
As the Woodland Mall enters a new chapter, residents and businesses are eager to see what the future holds for this once-thriving shopping center.
