Five Below coming to Sandusky Mall

Five Below and T.J. Maxx will occupy two of the spaces being divided from the former Macy's.

Michael Harrington, Sandusky Register

Dec 17, 2020 

PERKINS TWP. — The Sandusky Mall will welcome new tenants in 2021.

The mall’s owners, Cafaro Co., recently announced Five Below as one of the tenants that will occupy 10,276 square feet of the former Macy’s.

The Philadelphia-based discount store has 1,000 stores in 38 states. It sells most of its items for $5 or less, including candy, tech, toys, party supplies and more.

“Five Below is widely popular no matter where it opens its doors,” Bell said. “It caters to a certain segment of the public that’s looking for tech, party gear and toys. It’s very popular with teenagers.”

A plan to revitalize the Sandusky Mall has been underway. The plan included a remodel of the former Macy’s complex.

“We’ve carved that store into two to three tenant spaces,” Cafaro spokesman Joe Bell said.

T.J. Maxx, a longtime mall tenant, will move from its current location to occupy a 26,000-square-foot storefront inside the former Macy’s.

“They wanted to move to a larger space with more visibility,” Bell said. “This fits their needs perfectly and puts them right at the front of the mall.”

Bell added they are in discussions with another national retailer to occupy a store space between T.J. Maxx and Five Below, but said it’s too early to announce.

The mall will also welcome a new restaurant when Another Broken Egg opens up next to Cheers.

The restaurant chain with 100 locations first opened in Louisiana. It offers a unique menu of breakfast, brunch and lunch items.

“We think it will strike a chord with the foodies in the Sandusky area,” Bells said.

According to Bell, the mall will turn the spaces over to the new tenants by late spring, and they hope to open by fall.

An aerial view showing the demolish at the Sandusky Mall. Provided photo/CAFARO CO.

Mall revitalization

Cafaro’s plan to revitalize the mall, which first opened in 1976, involves remodeling it into a mix-used complex with spaces for retailers, restaurants, offices and entertainment.

It demolished a portion of the mall to create pedestrian walkways, green space and more exterior tenants.

The mall brought craft store Hobby Lobby to the complex earlier this year. The Shoe Department Encore also moved to a new 13,500 square foot space on the Center Court.

Cafaro is also planning more tenant spaces and a residential complex behind the mall near the Cinemark Theater.