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STEUBENVILLE -- The Ferguson family is planning to have its new entertainment center at the Fort Steuben Mall open by spring.
"It is going to be a family entertainment center," Ron Ferguson, the family spokesman, said. "People have long asked for things for youth to do in this area. We certainly want to provide that opportunity -- things for kids to do. But it will also be open later hours. We'll also have opportunities for adults to come in and have a good time."
The Ferguson family -- headed by Derek Ferguson and his wife, Judge Lisa Ferguson -- has purchased the two-story Sears building plus some adjacent retail spaces, Ron Ferguson said. The as-yet-to-be-named entertainment complex will encompass more than 120,000 square feet.
"This area, the Ohio Valley, is what we consider to be 'ripe,'" he said. "It was really just finding the right opportunity. (The mall) is a place that naturally has a lot of people who tend to go there, that's a major part of it."
Ferguson said no decisions on individual attractions will be made until after a trade show in Atlanta in November, but once they have the information they need on the latest and greatest opportunities he said they'll be outfitting the property with activities that will appeal to young children as well as adults. He did say they've applied for a liquor license.
"It's going to be great," he said. "It's a question of how many things can you actually fit into a space most effectively, and if you can fit more than one attraction."
Ferguson said the family "wanted to give back to the community."
"We've gone to places like this in Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cleveland … they're a really good time," he said. "Knowing there isn't one nearby, that's really a gap in the marketplace. It's something you can do all the time, even when the weather is colder or on rainy days."
Ferguson figures the business eventually will employ more than 200 people, full and part time, making it a revenue generator for the mall and the community as a whole.
"A rising tide raises all ships," he added. "Hopefully, by my family investing in the area, more places will want to come in -- more restaurants, auxiliary businesses. Hopefully, we can be a hub, a draw, and help build up the area."
Mall Manager Susan Westling Huff said that's already happening: Since word leaked that the Fergusons had something big in the works, she said she's fielded inquiries from other potential tenants.
"We are ecstatic," Huff said. "It's going to bring traffic in here, it's bringing people who are possibly interested in opening new businesses in our area in and helping us get this mall moving in the right direction. I think it's going to be excellent, I really do. I think we'll gain more foot traffic and interest, and we'll likely get some new tenants."
That's not bad for a mall that a year ago was in bankruptcy, losing two of its anchors -- Macy's and Sears.
"It's not quite a year yet and we've brought in five new businesses so far," Huff said. "Touch of Elegance, Thorns Kitchen & Catering, Steubenville Custom Tailoring and Alterations, Luscious Lippies and a photography studio, and we've got several others showing interest, so we're going in the right direction, for sure. I just think this will be a big boost for us and the area, there's nothing like it. It's going to be good for everybody."
Ferguson said it's an exciting time.
"I have a job right now, I'm really taking this on as a second job right now because I want to make sure it goes well -- it can be everything the community wants it to be, and that's really exciting. (We're looking for) a lot of feedback from the community. We really want it to be community led, community-driven."
For now, he said his focus is on getting the mall property up and running. "Our focus is on this one, making it successful," he said. "Currently, there's no vision for more. But anytime something is successful, if it does go over well and it's well received, how great would it be to take it to other communities?"