STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — A small business is now permanently closed because its owner claims South Park Mall failed to adequately communicate and notify him about new changes at the mall.
Jamie King has been operating inside South Park Mall for almost 10 years.
“This is my baby. This is my life,” King said.
Shop N Play is considered a “temporary tenant” at the mall, meaning it does not have exclusive rights to the children’s play center.
The king said he chose the temporary option only because it was the cheaper route.
In April, King said he learned some heartbreaking news.
“I had worked there for 10 years, and was told by a customer, not even by South Park, that I was going to be replaced by another play center,” King said.
Shop N Play’s lease agreement with South Park Mall is valid until August 31, 2026.
However, the lease further states that the mall can terminate it at any time and can do so immediately. However, King said that is not the case.
“[The South Park Mall] “Never gave me the right of first refusal to say ‘no… or, well, I want to be a permanent tenant or no, go ahead and let them have it,’” King said. “I would love to be a part of that process. I just hope that other small businesses see what they’ve done and they can hopefully get ahead of the curve. Use this as a lesson learned.”
King said he has reached out to mall management and their attorneys for next steps and to see if there are any options for where he can live, but has not heard back for “months.”
News 5 reached out to the South Park Mall owner, Spinoso Real Estate Group, through a contact form on its website. We reached out once Tuesday night and a second time Wednesday afternoon.
We also reached out to Spinoso Real Estate Group’s Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy on Wednesday but never received a response.
News 5 then reached out to the South Park Mall management office, and within an hour, the General Manager returned our call. He said he could not meet our deadline of Wednesday night but offered to send out a statement on Thursday.
“I think I lost all hope. Honestly, I don’t think there was any hope. I realized it was over,” King said.
Raja said he had tried looking for relocation sites in several shopping centers around him, but had not been successful.
“At this point, I want to dissolve this business. Words can’t describe it. There are no words. [I’m] “sad, hurt, angry, shocked. I’ve seen children grow from the womb to learning their ABCs. It’s a long journey. There’s no way to describe it,” King said through tears.
King said he was told the new play center would move in in February 2025 and “not to worry.”
However, King said plans have now changed, and he has been asked to leave the mall by July 19.
“I started crying. I couldn’t believe it. I just felt like [it was] “It’s probably a nightmare,” said Maya Khaleq, manager of Shop N Play for six years. “I hope the mall management softens up a little bit and they see how devastated the families are. The children are devastated. I’ve actually had parents come to me in tears.”
Khaleq said Shop N Play is his only source of income, and he has not found a new job.
“I love going to work. It’s not just work anymore. It’s just part of my lifestyle. I love it. I don’t even call it work. I call it my life,” Khaleq said.
King said he has contacted his attorney to discuss his options going forward.
Once South Park Mall sends a statement to News 5, it will be posted here.
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