Kyova Mall (formerly Cedar Knoll Galleria)

Opened on November 8, 1989 (12)(9), the 600,000 sq. ft. Cedar Knoll Galleria was completed on the outskirts of the Ashland, Kentucky metropolitan area. It opened soon after the Ashland Town Center was dedicated on October 19 (12), and contained a Sears, Stone & Thomas, Phar-Mor, and K-Mart as the primary anchors. Two planned department stores were planned for the rear. Other tenants included Rex TV and Appliances, Jone's New York, Pollock's Jewelry and a mix of other stores. The food court featured The White Mountain ice cream parlor, Luca's Pizza, and later Pretzel's-Plus; later, The Italian Oven opened next to K-Mart. It opened with an occupancy rate of 69%.

Between 2001 and 2003, the Meijer Corporation studied the possibility of locating at Cedar Knoll (11). Numerous architectural renderings were completed at a cost of $30,000 to $40,000 each. The Target Corporation was also interested in opening a big-box store at the mall as well. The reluctance to give out tax incentives from the Boyd County government prevented the developments from taking place (11).

In 2002, Phar-Mor closed all of their southern United States stores including the Cedar Knoll location. K-Mart also pulled out later in the year. In the summer of 2004, Artrip's Market and a flea market opened in the former K-Mart location. While they were marginally successful in terms of the number of patrons and sales, it did not compliment the type of market that the Zamia Corporation was hoping for.

Soon after, the Zamia Corporation went bankrupt and its creditors sold the company at auction (9).

Redevelopment

In 2004, Reyton Cedar Knoll LLC purchased the Cedar Knoll Galleria from Zamias Incorporated (11). The mall was soon rebranded as the Kyova Mall, taking apart Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia for the new title. A new roof was installed and major repairs to the concourse was completed. In June, discussions began about the construction of a new stadium-styled movie theater in the 40,000 square-foot department-store out-lot along the rear of the mall. In November, Steve and Barry's, a low-end clothing store, opened in the former K-Mart location.

On May 11, 2006, it was announced that a movie theater would open on a rear parcel of the mall by November 15 (3). Unlike previous statements, this announcement included details of an operator for the facility, the Indiana-based Great Escape Theatres. It would have included the demolition of 11,000 sq. ft. of existing mall space and the construction of an enclosed atrium to give the mall and the theater an "indoor and outdoor feel." However, on July 24, Great Escape Theatres backed out of the deal, giving the development rights to Phoenix Theatres (4); Phoenix had more experience with retrofitting existing buildings into theaters, which would save money over a conventional mall attachment in a new building (3). Construction had began only a few days prior on July 21 on the new theater in the former Phar-Mor location.

In November, The Bear Mill opened at Kyova Mall (10). The store, patterned after the successful Build-a-Bear franchise, is where customers can construct their own stuffed animal.

On May 18, 2007 (5), Phoenix Theatres 10 opened to the public, featuring stadium-style seating, high-back rocking chair seats, digital surround sound and wall-to-wall screens, and other upgraded amenities. It was also announced that Grab-N-Go, a hot-dog vendor, would open in the empty food court (8).

In early 2007, management at Kyova Mall began a push for Boyd County to become moist with restrictions (6), although the intention to serve alcohol was planned as far back as 2004 (11). The measure, which would allow certain restaurants to serve alcohol, was heavily pushed by the fledging mall in an effort to boost business and bring in popular restaurants. The attempt garnered nearly 6,000 signatures from registered voters on a petition and allows it to go to cote. On May 22, 2007, the measure to allow certain restaurants to serve alcohol passed by a 67% confidence (6); all but one precinct voted in favor as well (7). The law will allow restaurants that make at least 70% of their revenue from food sales and seat at least 100 people to serve liquor by the drink (7)(11).

Former tenants as of 2006

BB. Phar-mor
BB. K-Mart
BB. K-Mart became Artrips Market and Flea Market
A. Pollock's Jewlery
B. Arcade, Later Resolutions 2
C. Coach House Gifts
D. Kay-Bee Toys
E. Lane Bryant
F. Stars and Stripes
G. GNC
H. Things Remembered
I. The Italian Oven
J. Rack Room Shoes
2. Rex TV/Appliance
4. Formerly Furniture Store, which was a Fashion Bug.
4. Bingo Halls
7. Dollar Tree
8. Faith Christian Store
9. Monfried Optical Superstore
10. Lane Bryant
11. KAY Jewler
(Not Shown) Sbarro's
* Unknown

Links

1. Wikipedia's entry on Kyova Mall

Sources