In the past year, the mall has had many businesses shut their doors for good, including Kmart, Elder-Beerman and hhgregg. Others, such as Carmike Cinemas, have transitioned to new ownership and management. A big reason for many stores shutting down, according to mall officials, is the popularity of online shopping.

Macy’s announced a year ago that 100 of its stores would be shut down, but mall Marketing Director Candi Noble-GReathouse said the one located at the Ohio Valley Mall is not going anywhere and has had renovations done in recent years. The Ohio Valley Mall is home to the only Macy’s store between Pittsburgh and Columbus.

There also has been good news for the mall with new stores such as Marshalls, Levin Furniture, Division One Donuts, AMC Theaters and Sweet Treats, which offers Jelly Belly products and Hershey’s ice cream, opening in vacated spaces.

The space once occupied by Kmart has yet to be filled, but the space from Elder-Beerman next to Payless Shoes will be occupied by a Tilt Studios arcade. The previous arcade, located near the movie theaters, is run by the same company as the new arcade. The new arcade will be 25,000 square feet and will include arcade games, video games, racing simulators, redemption games, virtual bowling, lazer tag, black light golf, bumper cars, a restaurant and a Tilt-o-Whirl ride. It also will have party rooms available for birthdays and other occasions. Admission to Tilt Studio is free, but in order to play games or go on rides you will need to purchase a Tilt Studio Game Card that can be used at all attractions and video games. You can put any amount on the card and reload the card whenever you would like.

All of the attractions and games in the arcade are priced using a points system. While the Tilt arcade has been targeted for children, there will be games and attractions adults can enjoy as well.

Noble-Greathouse said this new addition will benefit the Ohio Valley.

“This will be great. People are wanting fun things to do with their kids. It can be for special occasions or an everyday thing. It’s something all ages will enjoy,” she said.

The Tilt Studios arcade is currently under construction, but the expected date for the arcade to open is spring 2018.

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