Three more stores leave Towne Square

By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

January 12, 2009 11:21 pm

— ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Shoppers can chop The Yum Yum Tree, Claire’s Accessories and Spencer Gifts from the list of stores at Ashtabula Towne Square.
The Yum Yum Tree card and gift store will close Feb. 18, a store manager confirmed Monday.
Spencer Gifts is having a big close-out sale and will shut its doors for good on Wednesday, while Claire’s will be out of business by the end of the month, employees said.
The news of three more stores closing comes less than a month after Old Navy announced it will close Jan. 31.
Steve & Barry’s sportswear clothing store closed in November, Ruby Tuesday’s restaurant closed in March and Dillard’s moved out a little more than a year ago.
While Ashtabula Towne Square spokeswoman Meghann Flynn was in meetings all day Monday and could not be reached for comment, she was optimistic throughout the holiday season. The mall boasted four new stores for Christmas shoppers: Arm Candy Boutique, Hickory Farms and two stores featuring homemade crafts, gifts and other items for the holiday season. Business picked up, too.
“There are lots of new and exciting changes at the mall,” she said.
Norman Steinberg, vice president of asset management for Cabot Property Investments, announced two months ago the firm’s plans for major improvements to the Ashtabula Mall, including the new name, a complete paint job, resurfacing ramps and roads, new curbstones, new lighting, new soft seating areas, restroom renovations, a new indoor playground and new holiday woodland displays.
Steinberg asked Ashtabula-area residents to shop at the mall and buy from the tenant merchants so they will thrive.