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NILES -- Good fun, good food and good shopping. That's the Eastwood Mall, an experience the Mahoning Valley and its neighbors have immersed themselves in for nearly 60 years.
Chain Store Age, a national magazine, is directing its audience to the complex situated in Niles and Howland. Coming in at No. 7, the publication named the Eastwood Mall Complex as one of "Top 10 Retail Center Experiences."
Anthony Cafaro Jr., Cafaro Company's co-president, said the honor is appreciated. But, he is not surprised.
"This success is not by chance," he said. "Our family and talented team have made deliberate decisions and worked very hard over the years to create a place that is truly unique and our customers have likewise responded as sales revenues have experienced significant growth over the past 24 months."
The mall's first anchor stores consisted of Strouss', Montgomery Ward, Sears and Woolworths built on property that housed a golf course, Cafaro said.
"Today, we have 3 million square feet of retail in the mall and six different power centers," he said.
Chain Store Age highlighted the explosion of the complex's lineup beyond its original site at 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road. More than 200 businesses -- from retail stores to three hotels -- operate under the umbrella of the Eastwood Mall Complex.
A few of the featured attractions include Dick's Sporting Goods, Dave & Buster's, Sierra Trading Company, Bass Pro Shops, Boscov's and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, who play at 7 17 Credit Union Field at Eastwood. Patrons can take part in approximately 60 dining and entertainment choices.
"We're proud to be part of the Eastwood Mall community and congratulate the Cafaro family and their team on this well-deserved recognition," said Jim Boscov, chairman and CEO of Boscov's. "Eastwood creates a unique destination that combines shopping, dining, entertainment and service. This honor reflects the Cafaro family's long-term vision and commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience."
While its acknowledged reach is a 35-mile radius in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, visitors are known to travel 100 miles to shop at the Eastwood Mall. One analytics platform, Placer.ai, reports more than 16.2 million customers visit the location yearly.
Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, praised the news and the Cafaro family.
"Our economic development momentum right now depends on growing our population and talent pool," he said Wednesday. "Having one of the nation's Top 10 retail center experiences in the Mahoning Valley definitely helps the cause."
Coviello said that community investment makes the complex a unique destination.
"We're fortunate to have The Cafaro Co.'s headquarters and Eastwood Mall Complex here, and to have good corporate supporters like 7 17 Credit Union investing in the community," he said. "The Cafaro Company continues to invest in Eastwood, and 7 17's naming rights investment in 7 17 Credit Union Field, home of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, adds to what makes Eastwood such a unique destination.
"Those investments help us stay a cut above the competition when it comes to quality of life."
7 17 Credit Union's CEO John Demmler touted the mall's economic importance.
"The Eastwood Mall Complex is an economic link that connects the Valley, serving as a center of entertainment," Demmler said. "This accolade comes as no surprise.
"Furthermore, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers are the most amazing partners the credit union has ever worked with, bringing families together and creating a sense of community that makes them a gem in Northeast Ohio. We're proud to be part of that experience."