AKRON, Ohio — Some shoppers are devastated.
"I feel a little disappointed because my friend and I, we would always walk around here," said shopper Brandon Harris.
Others don't know how this Akron mall is still around.
"It's not surprising really, I guess its kind of sad to see that they're in that bad of shape," said shopper Anne Rawleigh. "They've just lost so many stores in the last few years, I don't know how they could afford to stay open really."
For Chapel Hill Mall, with many stores now gone including two of its anchors, foreclosure could be the final blow. The mall owners were served the notice on Monday.
"This current owner purchased the property in 2017 for about $8.6 million, since then he has never been current in his taxes," said Summit County Fiscal Officer Kristen Scalise.
Scalise says Chapel Hill Mall Realty, the property owners, paid some money on back taxes a year ago but nothing since then.
"When I took a look at the delinquencies and the fact that the property's never been current and then I factored in the taxes that will be due, the first half and second half of this year, if those go unpaid, this will be the number one delinquent property in all of Summit County and that is why I've chosen to move forward," said Scalise.
According to the county, the owner must pay $753,732.82 in order to stop the foreclosure process. This bill includes what will come owe next month and some back water and sewer bills.
Ohio Edison filed its own lawsuit against the mall for back monies it says its owed.
Store owners, employees and shoppers still have some time before the mall could be closed for good.
"Because the mall is somewhat occupied, the foreclosure will take 9-12 months in its entirety because it is a foreclosure that will go through our common pleas court," said Scalise.
News 5 reached out to the mall owner for comment, the person who answered the phone told us to call back tomorrow.
RELATED: Summit County pursuing foreclosure against Chapel Hill Mall
