Old City Shopping Center in Yaroslavl Falls Vacant
In Yaroslavl, the Old City shopping center has largely emptied out, and owner Roman Galagaev addressed the departure of most tenants.
Jan 20, 2026 0
A photographic report shows the empty interior of the Old City shopping center in Yaroslavl.
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The Old City shopping center on Bolshaya Oktyabrskaya Street in Yaroslavl is nearly empty. Most retail outlets are closed, and only one chain discount store continues to operate on the first floor.
The center is situated at 30A Bolshaya Oktyabrskaya Street in Yaroslavl.
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Comments on the situation were provided by the complex«s owner, businessman Roman Galagaev.
Its operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Roman Galagaev noted: «I can»t say for sure yet, as I recently started dealing with this issue again. But since the situation is unusual, there could be various reasons: some moved out or some closed down. I read yesterday that 37 restaurants closed in Moscow. Demand is dropping somewhere, probably. After all, the situation is non-standard. We«ll think about what to do.»
By January 19, nearly all business tenants had vacated their spaces in the center.
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Entry to the building is unrestricted, and photographs capture the current desolation inside the shopping center.
The first floor once hosted vendors selling local produce, meat, fish, cheese, and dairy.
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In the past, Old City was a popular spot among Yaroslavl residents. It opened in December 1997 and initially belonged to the city mayor«s office. Essentially, it was a covered market where clothing was sold. In the early 2000s, it was considered one of the largest and most in-demand shopping complexes in the city.
Warning tape now blocks access to parts of the first floor.
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In 2018, the property was purchased by the family of well-known Yaroslavl entrepreneurs, the Galagaevs. By that time, Old City had already lost competitiveness against new modern shopping centers. The new owners decided to carry out modernization for its revival. The reconstruction project was developed by Italian specialists, and over 500 million rubles (approximately $5.5 million at current rates) were invested in the renovation.
A chain discount store remains open on the building«s first floor.
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The updated shopping center reopened in August 2022. According to the plan, grocery stores were to be located on the first floor, and on the second floor—departments with clothing and other goods, as well as a food court area. However, at the time of opening, many spaces remained vacant. The owners hoped that within a few months all spots would be leased, but instead, tenants began leaving the complex.
Signage from when the center was fully occupied still remains in place.
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Dozens of retail spaces are set up on both floors of the center.
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Escalators are out of service, with signs citing technical reasons.
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Every retail unit on the second floor is currently closed.
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Plans included DJ parties on a dedicated second-floor platform, but they never materialized.
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The shopping center«s halls are completely empty, with no visitors in sight.
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