Judge Orders Lincoln Mall To Shut Down
(CBS) -- A mall in the south suburbs has been ordered to be shut down not because of the economy, but because of customer safety.
CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports between 80 and 100 people are expected to lose their jobs. Employee Alex Sanders learned from CBS 2 that the mall in Matteson where she works at will be closing on January 7.
"I knew it was coming pretty soon," she said.
In the past 15 months, tenants have gone from 56, to just 40.
"I just got married, so if I don't get sent anywhere once they close this, , what am I supposed to do?" said mall employee Bobby Nossem.
A judge ordered the mall to close citing safety and financial concerns. In some spots, the mall is visibly crumbling.
"One of the main things is that people have to have the ability to exit a building and I stress that if you look at it from the outside, you look at it from the inside and you just don't expect that when you open a door that it is not a safe exit for you to get out in case of an emergency," said village administrator Brian Mitchell.
For those who call Matteson home, they have lost a neighborhood shopping destination.
"Because we grew up when the mall was at its height, and all of the stores were occupied, I wish there was something they could do to resolve this situation," said shopper Jerome Cain.
Developers are proposing plans for the sight and the attorney for Lincoln Mall Holdings says he hopes that the property can be revitalized and that it happens quickly.
Nearby Carson Pirie Scott, J.C. Penney and Target which are not a part of the Lincoln Mall will remain open.
