Dick's Sporting Goods Eyes New Location at Great Lakes Mall

Mentor shoppers will likely see the construction of a larger Dick's Sporting Goods location in the future.

The retailer wants to move from Creekside Commons to Great Lakes Mall. The new location would be constructed as a 56,000-square-foot addition to the mall's east side, between JC Penney's and Macy's. The new store would be 10,000 square feet larger than the current one.

"We're pleased with the fact that Dick's has analyzed the market and feels that a larger store is necessary and appropriate in town," Economic Development Director Ron Traub said. "It's certainly going to contribute to the vitality of Great Lakes Mall. That project at the mall is going to bring in a customer element that perhaps hasn't been to the mall in some time."

Dick's and mall owner Simon Property Group are just one final site plan approval away from fully moving forward with the construction. City Planning Administrator Ric Spence said the final plan should include additional information for proposed landscaping facing Mentor Avenue. That plan will be viewed on June 14.

Though the Dick's move will likely lead to more employment, income tax dollars and customers, Traub said the only issue is replacing the site at Creekside. He said he remains confident that property owner First Interstate can find a new tenant, as it recently did with HomeGoods Store replacing the vacancy left by Borders.

"If there's anybody who operates within the local real estate community who can successfully bring in a new tenant, it's First Interstate," he said.