FORT WAYNE, IND. — Mid-America Real Estate Corp. has arranged the sale of Covington Plaza, a 182,051-square-foot shopping center in Fort Wayne. The transaction, which closed on August 28, 2025, marks the latest chapter in the property's nearly 50-year history as a key retail hub in the city's southwest corridor. Anchor tenants include The Fresh Market, Office Depot, Planet Fitness, and The Woodhouse Day Spa. Other tenants include Pet Supplies Plus, Tequila Mexican Cantina, Cap n’ Cork, Christopher James Menswear, and Catablu Grille.

 

Additional retailers and eateries at the center encompass a mix of national brands and local favorites, such as Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant, Deema Turkish Cuisine, The Monogram Shoppe, and The Olive Twist, contributing to its reputation as an upscale, community-oriented destination.

 

Built in 1979, Covington Plaza has evolved from its origins as a neighborhood shopping center featuring early tenants like Maloley's grocery store into one of Fort Wayne's most visited open-air retail spots, drawing shoppers with its blend of grocery-anchored stability and boutique appeal. The property's ownership timeline reflects broader trends in retail real estate: initially held by local owners Duane and Peter Bobeck, it was acquired by New Jersey-based Lamar Cos. before being purchased by Broad Reach Retail Partners in September 2015 for an undisclosed amount. Under Broad Reach's decade-long stewardship, the center maintained high occupancy (around 82% at the time of its 2015 acquisition) and emphasized local merchants, with founder Nate Tower noting, “We like the dynamic of having the local merchants.” Broad Reach invested in preserving the center's classic brick facade and covered walkways while pursuing leasing opportunities, positioning it as the top-ranked neighborhood center in Fort Wayne by visitation.

 

Ben Wineman, Joe Girardi, Rick Drogosz, and Eric Geskermann of Mid-America represented the seller, Broad Reach Retail Partners. Charleston, S.C.-based Ziff Real Estate Partners was the buyer, expanding its Indiana portfolio, which already includes centers in Fishers and Noblesville, to three assets with this acquisition. Ziff, a 34-year-old firm managing over 3.1 million square feet of retail and self-storage space across multiple states, highlighted the deal on social media: "Just a few minutes ago, we officially closed on our newest retail asset: Covington Plaza! Located in the booming (yet still under-the-radar) market of Fort Wayne." The purchase aligns with Ziff's focus on neighborhood retail, as noted in their announcement that it "marks our first in Tim Walter's hometown of Fort Wayne."

 

Tenants have expressed optimism about the transition. Sara Keltsch, owner of The Monogram Shoppe and More, shared, “I’m just hoping we can do more events or marketing to get our name out there. We just want to be at people’s top of mind.” Chris Lambert, owner of Christopher James Menswear, added, “I believe they will put some money into the center to give it a needed facelift, including the parking lot. Many of the tenants stressed to the new landlord the importance of keeping traditional events, such as the Covington Art Fair.” Shoppers and diners have long praised the center's offerings; one reviewer of Catablu Grille described it as "one of my favorite restaurants in Fort Wayne. Menu changes seasonally which we love, from pasta to grilled seafood I have never had anything short of delicious."

 

The sale underscores Covington Plaza's enduring appeal in Fort Wayne's bustling retail corridor, where its proximity to high-end residential areas and strong demographics; including an average household income of $99,172 within a 3-mile radius, continue to drive foot traffic. Ziff's core values of pursuing excellence and ethical decision-making position it to build on this legacy, potentially through further investments and community-focused initiatives.