TOLEDO, Ohio — Jennifer Augustuniak shops at the North Towne Commons Plaza in west Toledo often. She's glad to hear new businesses like Michaels are coming to the area.
The arts and crafts store will move into the building that used to be Dick's Sporting Goods.
"I'm glad that they're getting more stores in this area so we have more options," Augustuniak said. "When we lost NorthTowne (Square) Mall over there it was a little difficult. You didn't have too much selection."
The mall closed in 2005. In 2021, the city of Toledo announced a $70 million plan to develop the land into an industrial park after it was sold to Kansas City-based NorthPoint Development.
North Towne Commons is in Toledo City Council member Theresa Morris' district. She's pleased with businesses coming into the area, but said more work still needs to be done.
"I grew up in that neighborhood and it's important to me. I want to see it thrive again," she said.
Morris added that when road construction is complete on Lewis Avenue, she hopes it'll bring even more business to the area.
"With all of these investments in infrastructure, and now with investments from the private sector, I'm really hoping that we're going to start changing some things around in that Alexis and Lewis corridor," Morris said.
While only Michaels has announced coming to the shopping plaza, there are still more vacant spaces up for grabs.
For Augustuniak, this means more space for businesses like clothing stores and restaurants.
"A lot of different choices that could come," she said. "I think it would make it great in this area."
Michaels told WTOL 11 that it plans for construction to be done in July of 2024 and is accepting job applications on its website.