Dear Editor,

October 2023 marked the 45th anniversary of the grand opening of the area’s primary shopping, dining, and entertainment destination, known as the Ohio Valley Mall, which is in Belmont County, Ohio.

The Ohio Valley Mall, which is owned and operated by the Cafaro Co. of Youngstown, began construction in 1976 and has approximately 1.2 million square feet under its roof. Upon its opening in 1978 as one of the largest shopping malls in the United States, it was constructed utilizing only private sector funds with no taxpayer dollars being spent.

When the Ohio Valley Mall began its operations in October 1978, it did so with more than 100 businesses, with the majority of businesses inside the mall at that time being retail stores and restaurants with Sears, JCPenney, Kaufmann’s, Montgomery Ward, LS Good and Co. and Hills department store serving as its original major “anchor stores.”

Over the years the mall’s business environment has expanded to add a large number of businesses, restaurants, and retail establishments on surrounding mall property outside the mall superstructure.

In addition to its wonderful shopping and dining destinations, the mall also houses and sponsors a myriad of public events throughout the year that have proven to be of great interest to the people of the area and well beyond. In fact, the Ohio Valley Mall undoubtedly has helped make the area an even more popular destination for tourists over the years.

George Diab serves as property manager for the Ohio Valley Mall properties, a position he has held for over four decades, and I commend him and his professional staff for their excellent work.

In addition, kudos to Candy Noble-Greathouse for her outstanding work in her position of Public Relations Executive for the mall in keeping the public informed as to specifics regarding mall updates activities and events.

Personally, I, as do many have enjoyed the Ohio Valley Mall experience and am grateful to those who have made and continue to make it all possible and hope to enjoy the wonderful facility for years to come.

Richard Hord

Martins Ferry