NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio – For many it’s the go-to place to shop.
Now, Westfield Great Northern Mall reveals big plans for 2013.
“Big, big news for Westfield Great Northern,” said mall marketing director Annie Dorsey. “We are adding a 10-screen Regal Cinemas as well as several more restaurants and a new grand main mall entrance all to open this holiday season.”
The state-of-the-art theater will take over the mall’s former food court. Dorsey said the Regal Entertainment Group site will include luxury high-back seats, 3D movies and special features for visually and hearing impaired patrons.
“The movie theater is cool,” said Mike Zeber of Olmsted Falls. “I think it’s nice because it’s going to be a lot closer, cause the closest movie theater to us is now 15 to 20 minutes away.”
Three sit-down restaurants will be alongside the theater. Some of the eateries will include outdoor patios.
Thus far, Dorsey said Mama Fu’s Asian House will be the first to join the Northern market.
“We love walking here and the food, said Bill Hale of North Olmsted. “I think [the new restaurants] are great. They’ll bring more people in. This eatery is beautiful. It’s a nice place to eat lunch.”
Among the changes, Forever 21 will expand its trends in a larger, 20,000-square-feet store.
North Olmsted resident Ryan Muskin said he’s excited for the change, but disappointed that the mall has to tear down one of his favorite traditions.
“My friends and I come down here all the time,” he said. “I was bummed when they got rid of the arcade.”
Muskin said the arcade was taken down a couple weeks ago, but he understands the change may bring better services for more customers.
”I think at first for people, it’s going to be a little frustrating just because they’re not used to it,” Muskin said. “But, over time, people are going to grow to like it, and I think our mall is going to look a lot nicer in the end.”
Westfield Great Northern expects to have the movie theater, restaurants and new main gate entrance completed by December.