History

“The friendliest mall of all” opened in 1967. It was built by Richard Buchholzer and Forest City Enterprises on land once owned by Richard’s father, who owned Hower’s department store in downtown Akron. When Richard was a boy, he discovered an old Indian council circle on his father’s land, prompting him years later to name his mall development “Chapel Hill.”

In 1994, the mall added a food court, a fountain and additional retail space. That addition also included upgrades to the mall’s flooring, ceiling and lighting.

The mall housed a multi-screen theater from 1966 to 1996, when a 10-screen Regal Cinema was built south of the mall. Old Navy now occupies the old theater space.

CHapel HIll Mall is currently managed by McKinley.  Chapel Hill Mall holds more than 100 stores in its 860,000 sq. ft., including three anchor stores: Sears, JCPenney and Macy’s.