With such close proximity -and with such similar names- it's no wonder that the Western Hills hubs were often confused with one another. WESTERN HILLS PLAZA opened in 1954 and is still in existence. The strip center is often referred to as WESTERN HILLS MALL. WESTERN WOODS MALL (which actually was a mall) opened in 1963. It had a destiny date with a wrecking ball in 1998.

The first phase of WESTERN WOODS MALL (in black) consisted of Shillito's, Gallaher (later Gray) Drug and a Thriftway supermarket. These were completed in 1963. A 120,000 square foot second phase (dark gray) was dedicated in December 1966. Fully-realized, the mall now housed approximately 320,000 leasable square feet and contained twenty stores and services. Free parking was provided for 1,400 autos.

WESTERN WOODS MALL TENANTS 1967:

SHILLITO'S (with Patio Grill restaurant and attached Tire Center) / GRAY DRUG (with luncheonette) / THRIFTWAY supermarket / W.T. GRANT (with The Skillet restaurant) / Baker's Qualicraft Shoes / Barracini Candy / Dolly Madison Beauty Salon / Economy Savings & Loan / First Ohio Savings Association / Getz Jewelers / Hershel York, Optometrist / Mall Realtors / Mary Lester Fabrics / Paul Harris ladies' wear / Richman Brothers men's wear / Stuarts ladies' ready-to-wear / The Gift House / Thom McAn Shoes / Western Woods Barber Shop / Western Woods Cinema (single-screen)   

The complex was expanded twice. The first project brought a new Thriftway. The second enlarged the old Grants-Penney's space to accommodate a Zayre discount mart (and -eventually- a HomeGoods). WESTERN WOODS was facing competition from newer and larger retail centers. By 1996, the 30-year-old mall was in a downward spiral from which it would never escape.