A Look Back
A Look Back
The city-block-long Newark Arcade, once known as the Arcade Mini Mall, is located between Third and Fourth Streets in Downtown Newark. It was formally opened on June 7, 1909, and was one of only eight glassed‐in shopping centers in Ohio. The original space was a collection of livery stables, buildings, and storage sheds. Arcade Realty Company, a group of distinguished businessmen that included Carl Weiant, Francis Kennedy, Charles Spencer, E.T. Rugg, and Harry and John Swisher, built the original Arcade. It was designed by Columbus architect Carl E. Howell, of Howell & Thomas Architecture and E. K. Hoban was the General Contractor.
Originally, the Arcade was built for twenty‐three stores, and at one point, thirty businesses occupied the space. In its early years, the Arcade was known for more than its businesses. It had a beautiful fountain, the Arcade Theater, and was rumored to have a speakeasy on the second floor as well as poker parties in the basement. The fountain and theater are no longer there but the Arcade still houses a few local businesses. The 3rd Street, or east side of Arcade, consists of three stories; with apartments, offices, and ground-level commercial stores. The 4th street entrance only had two levels. Both the 3rd and 4th Street original construction remains intact. The “South Annex” was subsequently constructed, consisting of two levels, for similar purposes mirrored the original layout of the 4th Street construction.
In its prime, The Arcade was full of life. Children played around the fountain (removed decades ago) and orchestras played from the balconies overlooking the Arcade, filling the area with music. Dances were a regular occurrence except for Sundays.