Our Business History
Upper Arlington’s tradition of retail excellence began in the 1920s when Phil Houston built a two-story Tudor structure on Arlington Avenue and signed the first lease there with Kroger. Within two years, Don Casto (creator of the nation’s first shopping center) and Ralph Campbell finished the rest of the Mallway buildings as they stand today on Arlington Avenue. The former high school (now Jones Middle School) and City administration building soon followed in that area.
When The Shops on Lane Avenue opened in 1949 (originally called The Lane), followed by the Tremont Center in 1953, people from neighboring suburbs began to patronize Upper Arlington retailers. The mid-1950s saw the opening of the Golden Bear Center and the Scioto View Center at Fishinger Road and Riverside Drive. Nothing compared, however, to the debut of Kingsdale Shopping Center in 1959 after it rose out of the land that was once the Galbraith farm. The Union was Kingsdale’s first tenant. Later, the world’s first Limited store and first ATM made their debut at Kingsdale. People came from all over central Ohio to spend their money here — at the region’s best retail center.
Fast forward to today, where our retail centers remain strong with the exception of Kingsdale. However, we are seeing progress between the City and Kingsdale's owners toward redeveloping this under-used retail space that comprises 20 acres of prime real estate in the heart of our community. Our City leaders envision this acreage as a town center with a combination of public gathering space, retail, residential, office, and medical space, and the UACIC supports that concept.
To learn more about the businesses in Upper Arlington, contact the UA Chamber of Commerce.
