TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The largest mall in the Wabash Valley has been sold for more than 14 million dollars.
Honey Creek Mall in Terre Haute was sold to “Out of the Box Ventures, LLC”
But what do residents think about the change?
Honey Creek Mall used to be a destination spot and a busy area but over the years store after store have closed their doors.
“It is kind of slow over there in the mall,” Elementary school teacher Cassie Mobliy said. “There’s not as much traffic as I used to notice when I was younger. It’s just not the same as it was when I was growing up.”
After months on the market the mall was sold to “Out of The Box Ventures” a sub company to Lionheart for $14.6 million.
In a statement to WTWO the company said they are excited to put new life into the mall and that excitement has spread.
“I hope something great comes in,” Mobliy said. “I know a lot of people don’t think one would ever come just because we have so many of the Walmart’s and everything, but I’d love to see a Target.”
“An arcade because there used to be an arcade there,” Petland employee Devin Donahoe said.
“I just I don’t really care if there’s any new stores, but I would definitely make sure there’s an Earth Bound because that’s basically what me and my friend go to,” Petland employee Kelbie Thompson said.
“I kind of want to see a laser tag place,” College student Clark Hageman said.
“Something like mini golf, like laser tag,” Jairq Underwood said. “Something like that. It’d be pretty awesome to just see activities to do in the mall, so people don’t get bored.”
Honey Creek Mall was built in 1968 and sits on more than 54 acres of land.
Over recent years anchor stores like Sears and Macy’s have closed their doors leaving lots of empty space.
For employees at the neighboring Petland, they still see a steady stream of customers from the mall.
If the mall becomes more of an attraction, they believe it could be good for business, other people have cautious optimism about the mall’s future.
“The biggest thing would be if the mall closed and the theater closed, I think we would see a drop” Donahoe said.
“As long as they do a good job, I wouldn’t be worried,” Underwood said. “As long as they incorporate new ideas and have it growing, booming and have an interest in the mall I think it’ll be fine.”
“I think Terre Haute’s a novelty Midwest community,” Hageman said. “I don’t think there’s anything else like it. It’s in this great passion to go a lot of different directions and personally I’d love to see it go in the direction of growth.”
Some of the people WTWO talked had some ideas that might help the mall.
Some of their ideas including building fountains, adding greenery, attracting more specialty stores and even adding a petting zoo and a carousel.
Former owners CBL will remain involved with the mall by providing third party leasing and management services.
