The current food court in The Piqua Center, will be redone to include food vendors and part of it sectioned off in the very center for a bar contained within glass walls.
Sheryl Roadcap | Miami Valley Today
The entrance of the Hero Day Action Park in The Piqua Center, which is under construction, and aims to open at the beginning of February.
Sheryl Roadcap | Miami Valley Today
Plans for Hero Day Action Park, the new inflatable action park geared toward kids that is developing in the old movie theatre located in The Piqua Center.
Courtesy photos | Hero Day Action Park
Smile Back Training Center, a MMA gym, is currently under construction and aims to open in The Piqua Center on Feb. 1.
Sheryl Roadcap | Miami Valley Today
By Sheryl Roadcap
PIQUA — Year 2023 was a transitional year for The Piqua Center, formally known as the Miami Valley Centre, located at 987 E. Ash St. The Miami Valley Centre was acquired in spring 2023 by Piqua Investment Partners LLC with the “hope of bringing in new life to the property with numerous entertainment additions.”
But 2024 will reveal numerous changes currently going on at the property that was formerly a mall in Piqua. Several businesses are developing and will transform the space to become more of an evening, entertainment venue, and provide warehouse space in a blocked off section that is out of view from the public.
“We are remaking the mall into a place that people go to for entertainment, rather than retail goods, which really died during COVID and the rise of Amazon,” said Helga Leap, The Piqua Center’s facility and sales manager. “And we have spent $2 million to date to update spaces and replace the HVAC systems. Most of the HVAC was not working when we took over, and 75% or more of the systems had to be replaced.”
The owners of The Piqua Center expects 180,000-square-feet of new businesses and warehouse units to move in by June. But aside from several new or warehousing businesses moving in this year, they have a vision beyond what is coming in 2024 to include an outdoor marketplace and even apartments to be built on part of parking lot in the future.
Current businesses, Amazing Space game room; American Freight Furniture, Mattress, Appliance; Buckle; Dunham’s Sports; Elegant Nails; Medicare Resource Center; a RCS Construction office; and Sc Collectables will be joined in 2024 by Carmela Foods, in January; Hero Day Action Park, an inflatable action park geared toward kids, and Smile Back Training Center, a MMA gym, in February; Mexican restaurant Las Marias, in May; and Do It Best Hardware. Smile Back will feature events in a boxing ring that will be erected prior to MMA matches outside of its store front and within the common walking space area of The Piqua Center.
Also in 2024, Leap said they hope to bring in other experience-driven businesses, such as a redemption arcade, ax throwing and a pickle ball court, located in units in the food court area.
The food court will be revamped with part of it sectioned off in the very center within glass walls for a bar to be installed; it will also include other food vendors. Hero Day will also have its own snack bar and an upstairs mezzanine for parents wanting to relax while watching their children play.
In terms of warehouse space, there are units with 1,000- to 100,000-square-feet available with “industrial incubator spaces” for small business, with build-to-suit options, Leap explained, that will utilize common docks. The Piqua Center plans a $10 million investment over the next two years, she said.
The Piqua Center has a list of events scheduled to take place at the property in 2024.
To say goodbye to 2023 and kick off the New Year, The Piqua Center hosted a 1920s New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball, which featured a comedy show, catered dinner, live music and a fireworks display provided by the city of Piqua. Leap said they probably will have a similar event on Dec. 31, 2024, but with an ’80s theme this year; however, that is not 100% set quite yet.
Other 2024 events scheduled so far, include:
• Midwest Exotic Animal Expo by Reptigirls Reptiles — Feb. 10, June 15 and Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• 2nd Saturday Vendor Shows — Held on the second Saturday of each month, next on Feb. 10 through Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Stretch & Dance Hour — Feb. 15 and March 21, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Sports Collectable Show — Feb. 17, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m, and Feb. 18, from noon to 6 p.m.
• 2024 Race Cars & Future Stars Expo — March 1-2, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and March 3, from noon to 6 p.m.
• Ego Boxing Series — March 9, from 6 to 11 p.m.
“We are looking forward to bringing this facility back to life for our community,” said Leap. “You will basically get an event space right in your back yard. You wont have to go far.”
More information on The Piqua Center happenings can be found online on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/piquacenter or website at www.piquacenter.com.
