TROTWOOD, Montgomery County — City leaders and entrepreneurs are looking to transform an old building that has sat empty for the last decade.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, the Sears building at the Salem Mall is an old, abandoned piece of property in the 5200 block of Salem Avenue.
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People are happy to hear that there’s a plan to bring new life to the property.
“I grew up at the Salem mall. I saw Santa Claus at the Salem mall, MCL cafeteria at the Salem mall, so I have great memories there,” Owner of Ella Mae’s Broaster Hut Leiland Woods said.
Small business owners like Woods are glad to hear the city is working to turn the building into a food hall.
“It’s very much needed here… it’s a food desert and people want other options to be able to eat different cuisine,” Woods said.
The Executive Director for the Trotwood Community Improvement Coalition said they plan to create a space that’s a one-stop shop.
“It would be great for us and give us a different type of visibility,” Co-owner of Palmer Place Meshell Palmer said.
Meshell and Paul Palmer opened their restaurant in Trotwood over a year ago.
“I like what they were talking about like the food court, have a different type of food all in one not just the same thing, just all of us working together on different things,” Paul said.
“And see how we can build Trotwood and put us all together on a map,” Meshell said.
A spokesperson with the City of Trotwood said it would cost more to tear the building down than it would cost to repair it.
With support from Congressman Mike Turner, the federal government freed up $2 million to help transform the space.
“I think it’s wonderful that they’re deciding to do something with that property. It has a lot of historical value for a lot of us that grew up in and around the city of Trotwood,” Woods said.
The city hopes to start construction next summer or fall, and open in early 2026.
News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.
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