7 recent business moves at Upper Valley Mall in Springfield

Editor's note: This story first published on May 2, 2018.

The Clark County Land Bank announced in May its purchase of the 40-acre Upper Valley Mall property in Springfield in an effort to ignite redevelopment.

What has been happening at the mall? Here are seven recent business moves:

Chakeres Cinema 5 goes dark

The five-screen movie theater at the mall’s entrance closed in 2017 after being a tenant for nearly five decades.

The movie theater had served customers since the mall opened in 1971, the owner said, but declining foot traffic made it impossible to keep the venue open.

DETAILS: Upper Valley Mall movie theater closes after decades

Chakeres still operates a 10-screen theater on East National Road.

Discount retailers move in

In June 2017, several discount retailers claimed space in the mall, including Upper Valley Values, which sells bargain cookware and camping gear, and Paparazzi Jewelry and Accessories, which specializes in costume jewelry that costs $5 or less.

Driver education takes up residence

Cross Roads Driver Training Center, a driver education program, has been in business since 2015 and moved into the mall in 2017.

MC Sports closes

After filing for bankruptcy, MC Sports closed all 68 of its Midwest stores, including the location at the Upper Valley Mall in 2017. Other MC Sports stores closed in Piqua and Wilmington.

MORE COVERAGE: MC Sports files for bankruptcy, immediate closing of stores

Furnishings store fills empty Elder-Beerman

Unique Furnishings Plus was open for a decade in the Southern Village Shopping Center in Springfield before it needed room to expand. The business found a home in the former Elder-Beerman storefront at the mall in 2017 because it provided ample room for storage and a showroom.

The store specializes in finding antique and unusual furniture and other decorative items, but also sells newer items

Rue 21 relocates to Bechtle

Rue 21, a young adult clothing store, was a tenant at the mall for eight years before it relocated to a space on Bechtle Avenue in late 2016.

The new retail location allows the chain to feature a line of plus-sized clothing, a category the company now carries in 242 stores nationally.

CVS wants to stand alone

RELATED: National retailer to move out of Upper Valley mall, build store nearby

CVS Pharmacy announced plans in March 2018 to close its location within the mall and build a standalone store with a drive-thru pharmacy next to the parking lot.

The CVS store was one of the larger national retail tenants remaining in the mall.

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