BOARDMAN, Ohio — After an unexplained morning closure Monday that left tenants and shoppers confused, Southern Park Mall is expected to reopen at 12:30, according to a text message sent to tenants.
“We apologize for the inconvenience of today’s delay,” mall general manager Vince Tyler wrote in an email shortly before 11:30 a.m. “The mall will open at 12:30 p.m. today, November 3rd. Tenants will not be required to open due to this delay.” The text message reiterated the apology for what Tyler described as “this unavoidable situation,”
The property is owned by New York-based Kohan Retail Investment Group, which has been behind on its property taxes for several months.
Josh Langenheim, owner of Steel Valley Brew Works, said he first learned of the closure from news reports.
“I don’t know what the hell is going on, but this is crazy,” Langenheim said. “This is the kind of thing you just would never think would happen.”
Langenheim said Steel Valley Brew Works, which operates with its own exterior entrance, was not directly affected by the shutdown but was still left without any official communication from mall management.
“We’re a part of the mall because of the community of the mall — that’s what we wanted,” he said. “The community of the mall seems to have ceased to exist at this point.”
He said the closure did not appear to be related to utilities.
“It is not a utility issue,” Langenheim said. “We’re separately metered from the mall, so they could never turn me off anyway. We have all working, functioning utilities.”
Langenheim said Steel Valley Brew Works, which is normally closed Mondays and Tuesdays for cleaning, plans to reopen Wednesday as scheduled.
“I will be open Wednesday. I guarantee you that,” he said.
While the cause of Monday’s shutdown remains unclear, Langenheim said the incident highlights growing concern among tenants about the mall’s management and financial stability.
He said he hopes the reopening brings stability for the many workers and small businesses affected.
“This is horrible,” Langenheim said. “There are a lot of people who are going to be affected, and it’s the fourth quarter — it’s Christmas time. People need to work.”
Langenheim, whose business has operated at the mall for about four years, said he’s hopeful for a quick resolution.
“I hope they get it figured out,” he said. “There’s a lot of livelihood at the mall.”
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