Parma gets ready for life after Macy's

PARMA, Ohio - Parmatown Mall looks to refocus on serving the neighborhood, after the announcement that Macy's is closing.

"Parmatown has been on the list for some time," David Browning, the court appointed receiver for the mall, said.

Browning said stores like Macy's needs to be close to the interstate to do well -- Parmatown is about two miles away.

But Browning said the mall will re-focus on being more of a neighborhood establishment, with stores like Target or Kohl's, and move away from a regional focus. With so many malls popping up, he feels this is the best way for the mall to thrive.

Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter, who learned of the Macy's situation on only his second day on the job, sounded very upbeat.

"The City of Parma will be aggressive and proactive in working with a developer looking to invest in and renew this important city center," he explained in a news release. "The city is fully prepared to utilize every economic development tool and incentive to promote a complete and transformative redevelopment of the Day Drive corridor."

Some shoppers we spoke with outside of Macy’s were less optimistic about the future of the mall. “Devastated,” said Mary Margaret Smith on her way into the store to do some shopping. “Now Parmatown is going down hill.”  Anna Fox, who works at the retail chain, told us employees were told at a meeting about the store closing. “I work with a great bunch of women and men in this store,” Fox said while leaving work.  She was uncertain about her future and after ten years she thought it might be time for her to retire.