The cinema that never was. In September 1965, plans for a Lima Mall Theatre were announced. The 900-seat venue would connect into the climate-controlled shopping concourse and feature an ultra-wide screen and stereophonic sound. Although the theater is included on some 1965 and '66 tenant lists, it was never completed. The last mention of the prospective movie house was in March 1966.

Drawing from Broumas Theatres 

LIMA MALL, circa-1966. The tri-anchor facility encompassed approximately 500,000 leasable square feet and contained twenty-nine stores and services. Free parking was provided for 4,500 autos. LIMA MALL was the third fully-enclosed shopping center in Ohio; the first and second having been Greater Cleveland's SEVERANCE CENTER and Greater Akron's SUMMIT MALL.

LIMA MALL TENANTS 1966:

SEARS (with Coffee House, lawn & garden center and attached Auto Center) / J.C. PENNEY (with Coffee Shop, beauty salon, lawn & garden center, portrait studio and freestanding Auto Center) / THE LEADER (with beauty salon, bridal shop and Art Needle Workshop) / F.W. WOOLWORTH 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / Abraham's ladies' wear / Butler's Shoes / Claire Hats / Cleveland Fabrics / Corwin's Pastries / First Lady Beauty Salon / Holloway House Cafeteria / Howard's Camera Shop / Kinney Shoes / Lima Optical Fashion Center / Madison's apparel / Metropolitan Bank / Moore's Auto Supply / Neumode Hosiery / Pangles Master Market (with InStore Bakery and Snack Shop) / Paul Harris ladies' wear / Petrie's ladies' wear / Richman Brothers men's wear / Sills Shoes / Singer Sewing Center / Suburban Barbers / The Hobby Center / Thrift Drug (with luncheonette) / United Men's Wear / Zale's Jewelers