Is Kenwood Towne Centre OK?
Lindner College of Business experts discuss the Cincinnati area's premier shopping mall
Carl Goertemoeller, executive director of the UC Real Estate Center, and Gary Painter, academic director of Lindner’s real estate program, spoke with Cincinnati Magazine about the future of Kenwood Towne Centre, the region’s leading shopping mall located northeast of Cincinnati.
In 1986, the U.S. claimed roughly 25,000 shopping malls, but today there are 1,150. But local analysts are optimistic about the future of Kenwood Towne Centre, which has managed to attract higher-end food experience and a large portfolio of tenants.
“Kenwood has continued to evolve and decidedly get better because of a couple of things,” Goertemoeller told Cincinnati Magazine for a story.
Carl Goertemoller
Sit-down dining experiences offered by restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory and Maggiano’s Little Italy have brought their own foot traffic and proved a smart gamble. With those elevated dining locales, “People linger longer, and they combine a dinner trip with a shopping trip,” Goertemoeller adds.
Second, Kenwood Towne Centre continues to attract and retain a vast portfolio of approximately 160 tenants, from accessible brands like Hollister and American Eagle Outfitters to luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton, as well as novelty shops like Lolli & Pops and Squishable.
Painter says that despite Kenwood Towne Centre’s success, its owners must keep planning for the future. “It’s essential to create opportunities in your business model to innovate, rather than just stick to what’s worked,” Painter told Cincinnati Magazine.
Initially known as Kenwood Plaza, the shopping center opened in 1956 in Hamiton County's Sycamore Township.
Gary Painter
Goertemoeller and Painter support the efforts of the UC Real Estate Center within the Lindner College of Business.
It is recognized for high quality research and academic programs as well as its extensive connections to the local real estate community.
Goertemoeller oversees the relationship between the Center and its students in the program, as well as center activities such as the UC Real Estate Roundtable series, and the Real Estate Center annual dinner.
Painter, in addition to serving as academic director of the real estate program, is a professor of real estate and the BEARE Chair in Real Estate.
Read the full article in Cincinnati Magazine.
Learn more about Gary Painter, PhD, and Carl L. Goertemoeller online.
Related Stories
UC Clermont to launch redesigned neuroinclusive business degrees
April 28, 2026
Local 12’s “Good Morning Cincinnati” reported on UC Clermont College’s launch of redesigned business degree programs built with a neuroinclusive approach aimed at better supporting neurodivergent students.
UC student leaders prioritize well-being, collaboration and spirit
April 28, 2026
Wilaini Alicea and Zohair Siddiqui were elected UC student body president and student body vice president in March. The two student leaders discuss their priorities for student government.
UC reinstalls Bearcat sculpture in time for commencement
April 27, 2026
The University of Cincinnati reinstalled the Fighting Bearcat statue after it was removed three years ago to make way for the new Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and reconstruction of Champions Way.