Could Chapel Hill Mall be going dark?
Tenants expressed concern after receiving letters from Ohio Edison saying electricity would be turned off Monday because mall management hadn’t paid the bill.
The letters delivered to tenants were a sent as a courtesy from FirstEnergy so they'd have time to move perishables and make plans to be without power.
WKYC reached out to Mall owners Tuesday regarding the claims and did not receive a response.
Chapel Hill Mall in Akron, like many around the country, has seen a steady decline in foot traffic and tenants. Losing two of its three anchor stores –JCPenney is the last one left. But for tenants who have chosen to stay, a letter saying they could lose power came as a shock.
“We just opened up the shop this morning, we were closed Sunday and Monday, and it was just tucked in the door.”
The letter says service would be shutoff April 8 at 7a.m. since Ohio Edison hadn't received payment from mall management.
WKYC reached out to mall operations manager, Fred Salzwimmer and he told WKYC they bill had been taking care of.Despite the resolution, it's no long-term guarantee for tenants worried about the future.
Inside, there are more vacancies than tenants – many stores sitting between open spots.
Many visitors and tenants, reflecting on what the mall once was, remain hopeful that the mall will somehow, someway make a comeback.
"We are in hopes that Chapel Hill Mall will remain open. Still remain a community legacy. Because it's been in the community for so many years."