The mall was given another makeover in the mid-1990s. Penney's relocated from the west end of the mall into a newly-built store at front center. On the periphery of DAYTON MALL, the grand Southland 75, a cool, Mid-Century Modern drive-in, had been bulldozed. The land became too valuable to waste as a lowly outdoor movie theater.

After J.C. Penney moved out of the west anchor store, McAplin's moved in. This store was rebranded by Elder-Beerman in July 1998. It is ironic that this chain ever operated in DAYTON MALL. In 1968, Elder-Beerman (then Dayton-based) was blocked -by Federated Stores and Edward J. Debartolo- from being included as a mall anchor. 

 

A circa-2005 aerial, with a section of Elder-Beerman in the upper right. The mall's northwest parking area has been excavated in preparation for a new lifestyle addition.
Photo from www.glimcher.com / Glimcher Realty Trust

A bird's-eye view of the new VILLAGE AT DAYTON MALL lifestyle center. Charter stores opened between September 2006 and December 2007.
Photo from www.glimcher.com / Glimcher Realty Trust