ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Finish Line is finished with Ashtabula Towne Square, and King’s Jewelry is running right behind it.
The Finish Line will close April 18, store officials said.
King’s Jewelry will shut its doors for good Wednesday, a store employee confirmed.
The news of two more stores closing comes less than three months after Claire’s, the Yum Yum Tree and Spencer’s Gifts left the mall.
Old Navy closed Jan. 31, Steve & Barry’s sportswear clothing store closed in November 2008, and Ruby Tuesday’s restaurant closed a little more than a year ago.
Even so, the owner of Ashtabula Towne Square, Carlton Cabot, remains optimistic. He believes the property can be more than a retail mall: It can be an incubator for local entrepreneurs.
Cabot was in town two weeks ago to meet with Ashtabula County commissioners and Patrick Arcaro, director of Ashtabula County Department of Job and Family Services. He said while it’s difficult to get new retailers to a mall in this tough economic climate, there is an opportunity to nurture small entrepreneurs. He hopes the Job and Family Services Department moves to the mall, which will in turn, bring more people to the area to shop, he said.
Cabot plans to invest more than $3.5 million in improvements to the property. The parking lot and entrance drives already have received extensive upgrading, as well as the building’s facade and interior. By the end of April, the old sign at the entrance of the mall will be replaced with an electronic reader board.
The mall now features new soft-seating areas, a children’s play area, a community room and a large entertainment zone with wireless Internet access, big-screen televisions and games.
Local News
Two more stores leaving Ashtabula Towne Square
Finish Line and King’s Jewelry are packing it up
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