Nostalgia, hope surround revitalization project expected to transform Concord Mall
ELKHART, Ind - Concord Mall, which has been serving the Elkhart area for over 50 years, is set to close its door.
The mall, which was built in the early 70’s, is set to undergo a $20 million revitalization project to turn it into a modernized mixed-use development.
Right now, there are only a handful of stores left in operation at the mall and most of them have been closing over the years.
The Elkhart City Council unanimously approved the plan to turn it into a mixed used site, with housing, businesses and more.
‘I've been coming here probably over 20 years and I started coming here when I was 13 years old,” said Robert Lane, a resident of Wakarusa and mall frequenter.
Lane used to love Concord Mall back in its heyday.
He said he was adopted from Romania as a child and met Santa Claus for the first time at the mall.
He said he will miss the original version---but welcomes the new revitalization plan.
“But yeah it's going to be sad that it's going to be gone, but I'm kind of glad because it's just run down and I can't wait for the new people to bring new business and bring new atmosphere, and I'm pretty happy that this place is going to be gone, but it's going to be sad too. It is what it is, but Concord Mall has been a great atmosphere for me,” said Lane.
The developer, Industrial Commercial Properties, got the greenlight to remake the shopping center, with construction set to start later this year.
They want to preserve some existing businesses, like Hobby Lobby, ABC Warehouse, and Enzo’s Pizza, while also making new residential and commercial spaces.
Sue Cripe, a customer for almost 50 years and who once worked at the mall’s JCPenney, remembers how big an attraction the mall once was.
“My kids, when they went to Concord High School, worked here and the shopping was fabulous, and we enjoyed all the activities. Sorry to see everything going, I still go to the nailcare, Tony and Anne’s, got my nails done today, I'm anxious to see what they are developing in here and hopefully they can do some kind of manufacturing and training or something so the businesses can still come and go,” said Cripe.
Timothy Dolan says he's been coming to Concord Mall for 30 years and used to go Christmas shopping with his late wife here.
He has some suggestions for the new developers.
“I got a wood shop with fellas I want to put in here, they got an old arcade they got down by the old JCPenney area where I used to play that ticket game, and I'm going to talk to the people when they come here in September,” he said.
Construction is supposed to start within the next couple months but there's no confirmation on exactly when parts of the mall will have to close for the renovations.