BOARDMAN TWP., Ohio - Uncertainty continues at Southern Park Mall as workers said foot traffic has dropped sharply following a temporary closure earlier this month and months of concerns involving missed payments by the owner and the resignations of the Mall's General Manager. 

Bryce Reigh, who has worked in the mall for about seven years, said that stores are feeling the impact.

"All of the workers, myself, my store, other stores, they’re feeling the impact of people’s uncertainty," Reigh said, "because nobody’s showing up to the mall."

Ashcroft & Oak store manager Jessica Przybylski also said customers have been asking whether the mall is closing and whether stores are still open.

"We're here. We're open," she said, "There's Christmas trees up."

She also said different events are happening within the mall, too. 

Workers said the slowdown intensified after the mall temporarily closed for part of a day earlier this month for what mall leadership described said was an operational safety concern. 

"I've gotten calls at work many times... I've had guests come in that have shopped with me in the past, and their main concern is, 'What happens if? Where do I go? What happens if? Are you guys closing?'" Reigh said, "A lot of people think that it was a permanent closure, and it's not." 

When 21 News visited the mall office on Thursday, staff said there is currently no acting general manager.

Former General Manager Vince Tyler confirmed he resigned, but declined to comment further

Owner Mike Kohan answered a call from 21 News, said he could not talk because he was “in meetings all day,” and ended the call. 

Boardman Trustee Steve Yacovone said in the meantime, township leaders are talking with Senator Michael Rulli’s office and others about possible ways to stabilize the mall, but details are not finalized.

Yacovone said the township has limited authority because the mall is privately owned.

Despite the uncertainty, workers want to ensure local shoppers understand the mall and stores inside are fully open and already have Black Friday sales underway. 

"I have 40, I have 35, I have 25-30% percent off watches...I have 40% off the whole store, up to 60% off," Przybylsk of Ashcroft & Oak said, "Every $300 you spend, you earn holiday dough that you can redeem all the way up till the end of February. So it takes care of your Valentine's Day."