I, like many people in Belmont County, grew up shopping at the Ohio Valley Mall.

But the mall meant much more than just shopping — it was the place to be during my junior high and high school years.

Even before that, it was an important destination for my family. The presence of the mall meant that we had a shorter trip to make when we needed to shop for school clothes or books or work shoes for my dad.

When we visited the mall, I got to explore fascinating corners filled with magazines or exotic pets. For a time, a trip to the mall meant visiting my older brother, Larry, at his job at Montgomery Ward.

Dad took me and my friends to see classic Disney movies there. Along with a group of three other friends, I saw my first movie without an adult there.

A few years later on, I went there with my friends to look for just the right stickers for our notebooks. We went in search of the perfect earrings and the coolest clothes that we could imagine.

We played video games in restaurants and arcades. Sometimes we snacked on pizza or candy.

Even later on, I went there on dates to watch movies with boys I liked.

Over the years, many of the necessities I have needed have come from the Ohio Valley Mall. Even today, I find myself heading to the mall at least once every few weeks.

I still go there on plenty of “dates” with my husband, Mike. Sometimes we go to eat sushi. Other days, we go to simply wander around and look at things we don’t really need.

Pretty much all of my Christmas shopping was done there this year.

On page one of today’s paper, reporter Gage Vota takes a look at how the mall continues to reinvent itself. An important aspect of that today is local small business owners.

I hear many people talking about how little there is to do at the mall these days. I don’t believe they are giving it a fair shot.

If you think the mall has nothing to offer, think again. Then, go check it out for yourself with an open mind.

I believe you will find that it is well worth the trip.