Mall construction began in 1976 and Sandusky Mall opened in 1977. Its original anchors included JCPenney, Elder-Beerman, The May Department Stores Company, and Montgomery Ward. The outdoor section, Child Worldclosed in 1992 and later converted to OfficeMax in 1994, then closed in 2005. It was converted to K&K Home Furnishings in 2006, then closed in 2014. It later converted to a Planet Fitness in 2015. The May Co. rebranded their store at the Sandusky Mall as Kaufmann's in the mid-1990s. In 2006, the store was converted to Macy's, when May Department Stores Company and Federated Department Stores merged into Macy's, Inc. Borders opened in 2005. TJ Maxx was added in 2009. Borders closed in 2011. A few months later, it was replaced by BAM!. On April 7, 2016, Sears announced that its store would be closing in June 2016. On January 4, 2017, Macy's announced that its store would also be closing as part of a plan to close 100 stores nationwide over the next several years. The store closed in March 2017. On April 18, 2018, it was announced that Elder-Beerman would be closing all of their stores after the parent company, Bon-Ton became bankrupt. The store closed late August 2018. In December 2018, Cafaro Company announced that they had a redevelopment plan set in place for the mall with chances on the horizon coming within the next year. On June 30, 2019, It was announced that Hobby Lobby, a crafts/ home decor store would be coming to the Sandusky Mall. They replaced roughly half of the former Sears store. It opened March 23rd, 2020. The mall is being transformed into a mix-used property to feature residential, entertainment, and even office space. Changes are currently underway. The mall features Tenants such as JCPenney, Hobby Lobby, BAM!, TJMaxx, American Eagle, Bath and Body Works, Victorias Secret, Kay Jewelers, Journeys, Spencers, Aeropostale, Lids, Express Factory, Zales Jewelers, Hot Topic, Finish Line, Shoe Department Encore, Christopher & Banks, and more. The malls Food Court offers Asian Express, Auntie Anne's, Mrs. Fields, and Cheers Sports Bar & Grill. The Food Court is located in the west corridor, or can be accessed through the main entrance outside. The mall also has a coffee shop located in Books-A-Million. Restaurants located on the mall property outside of the mall itself include: Cracker Barrel, Red Lobster, and Texas Roadhouse.
