It’s the latest in our “Everything You Always Wanted To Know About” series — today looking at a shopping destination familiar to generations of Richland Countians: Richland Mall.
Announced: 1966
Groundbreaking: Spring 1968
Opened: October 22, 1969 (Mansfield had its first dusting of snow of the year on that date)
Acres: 64
Original stores: 37 stores, anchored by Lazarus, Sears, O’Neils, and including Hanover Shoes, Andre Duval, Bresler’s 33 Flavors, Dockter Pet Center, Fazio’s Supermarket, Hot Sam Pretzels, Komito’s, Walden Books, Singer Sewing Center, F.W. Woolworth, and others
Original central atrium feature: Large symmetrical pool with colored liquids circulating through lighted rocks and caves, with sculpted copper suspended from the ceiling to the pool below
Prices during Grand Opening sales:
- Wool worsted suits with 2 pants at Richman Brothers: $67.50
- Men’s dress shirts at Gray Drugs: $1.88
- Wood accent chairs at Lazarus: $69 to $99
- Dresses at Brooks: $19 to $49
Initial employment level: 1,500
Initial parking spaces: 5,000
Expansion: 1997, adding JCPenney and 108,000 square feet of retail space
Total current retail: 733,633 square feet
Other names: Westfield Shoppingtown Richland (2002-2006)
Current stores: 52 stores, eateries, anchored by JCPenney, Macy’s, Sears, and connected to the new Avita Ontario Hospital
Current owner/manager: Madison Marquette, headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Photo: Creative Commons License
