In 1967, KENWOOD MALL housed forty-one tenant spaces. Its split-level parking area had accommodations for 2,200 autos. At the time of this plan, the freestanding Kenwood Theatre had just been dedicated.
KENWOOD MALL TENANTS 1967:
SHILLITO'S (with Public Meeting Room and snack bar) / THRIFTWAY supermarket / Adam's Travel Bureau / Annette's Restaurant (outparcel) / Arnold Palmer Cleaners / Baker's Qualicraft Shoes / Barricini Candy / Citizen's State Bank / Dolly Madison Beauty Shop / Dorl & Fern Florist / Firestone Tire & Auto / Getz Jewelers / Golden Cage Cards & Gifts / Graeter's Confections / Hot Shoppes Restaurant / Hunter Savings & Loan / Kenwood Theatre (single screen outparcel) / Kichler's Superior Drapery Shop / Klein Optical Center / La Rue sidewalk cafe restaurant / Lillian's ladies' wear / Marmer's Shoes / Martin's Town & Country Fashions (with Beauty Salon) / Mary Lester Fabrics / Maternity Modes / National Uniform Shop / Nobil Shoes / Neumark Melody Shop records / Parklane Hosiery / Paula Lee Shoes / Roderick St. John apparel / Size 5-7-9 Shops / Spencer Gifts / The Fireplace Shop / Tony's Barber Shop / Unique Basket Shop wicker accessories / Waldenbooks / Walt's Hobby Shop / Wilson Paint
KENWOOD MALL
Montgomery and Kenwood Roads
Hamilton County, Ohio
Greater Cincinnati's first enclosed shopping center was built across the road from the KENWOOD PLAZA strip complex. KENWOOD MALL occupied a 30-acre parcel at the southeast corner of the intersection of Montgomery and Kenwood Roads. The shopping hub was developed by Cincinnati's Carl and Robert Lindner. The Baxter, Hodell, Donnelly & Preston firm, of Cincinnati, was the project architect.
An official dedication was held on August 15, 1966. Encompassing approximately 370,000 leasable square feet, KENWOOD MALL housed thirty-five stores and services (out of an eventual forty-one). Anchoring the single-level complex was a 2-level (160,000 square foot), Cincinnati-based Shillito's ["shil-uh-towz"].
Charter tenants included Martin's Town & Country Fashions, Lillian's ladies' wear, Paul Harris ladies' wear, Marmer's Shoes, Unique Basket Shop, Parklane Hosiery, Spencer Gifts, a Hot Shoppes Restaurant and Thriftway supermarket.
The focal point of the original KENWOOD MALL was its 40-foot-high "Rain Fountain", which graced its Center Court. This water-less "Wonderfall" consisted of a circular network of nylon strings which conducted drops of glycerin from ceiling to floor. These faux fountains featured stunning colored light displays.
The RKO-Stanley Warner Kenwood Theatre was built as a north parking area outparcel. The first feature at the venue was shown on February 15, 1967. The cinema was twinned in 1978 and shuttered in 1994.
KENWOOD MALL began to decline following the late 1980s renovation of KENWOOD PLAZA into the glitzy, superregional KENWOOD TOWNE CENTRE.
Shillito's at KENWOOD MALL had been rebranded as a Shillito Rikes in June 1982 and came under the Lazarus brand in March 1986. In October 1988, the store moved to a new location at KENWOOD TOWNE CENTRE. The lower floor of the original Shillito's / Lazarus at KENWOOD MALL became a (69,400 square foot) Lazarus Furniture Gallery.
