Celebrating the 25th anniversary, Polaris Fashion Place has grown from a classic shopping mall to Central Ohio’s epicenter of memorable food, fun, and unique experiences. As Polaris celebrates a milestone anniversary, its journey is a testament to both the changing tastes of our community and a commitment to always serving up more than consumers expect—especially at the table.
Since opening in 2001, Polaris Fashion Place has kept pace with changing consumer habits, but nowhere is the transformation more visible than with its vibrant dining scene. In 2008, the fashion place added its popular Lifestyle Center, welcoming icons like The Cheesecake Factory, Dave & Buster’s, and Godfrys. This turning point ushered in an era where eating out became just as big a draw as shopping itself.
"One of the biggest ways the center has evolved beyond traditional retail is by becoming a destination for experiences, not just shopping,” Polaris General Manager Tamra Bower said. “Events and activations bring people to the property who may not otherwise have a reason to visit, creating opportunities to introduce new customers to the center and encourage repeat visits."
With e-commerce giants Amazon and Doordash changing consumer expectations, the challenge is giving people a reason to visit in-person. Polaris meets that head on by offering experiences that cannot be replicated online—bringing in exciting new retailers like their highly anticipated Fabletics store.
"We have to keep up with those different trends and then give them a reason to come out to our property," Marketing Director Ben Harrison said. “You can look at an item, see and feel it, and try it out before blindly making a purchase online.”
It’s this focus on the experience, whether it’s their LIVE @ Polaris concert series, holiday events, or a hands-on class, that keeps consumers coming back.
“The experience and play portion is relatively new with folks like Dick's House of Sport where you can go in and do a climbing wall,” Ben observed.
Polaris’s dining options in particular have embraced this experiential approach. The soon-to-open Simply South will bring new, innovative vegan fare to the Lifestyle Center, joining mainstays like Benihana, a hibachi restaurant known for its tableside showmanship.
"Today, every meal and beverage has the potential to be an 'Instagram-worthy' moment... the appearance of the food, drinks, restaurant environment, and overall experience can be just as important as the product itself,” Tamra said.
And the evolution of Polaris echoes in the surrounding community. What was once undeveloped land along I-71 is now a major destination, calling in visitors from all over Ohio, with experimental experiences like Big Air Trampoline Park. The center has continued to act as an engine for local growth and suburban development.
For the Polaris team, it’s the community connection that matters most.
"As we look toward the next 25 years, our commitment remains the same: to continue evolving with our community, creating memorable experiences, and providing a safe and family-friendly destination people are proud to visit,” Tamra emphasizes.
One thing is for certain: even being 25 years old, Polaris Fashion Place is just getting started. You can keep up with what’s happening at Polaris by following @PolarisFashionPlace on social media.