Harrisburg Mall

Harrisburg Mall was a regional shopping mall located in Swatara Township, just outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1969 as Harrisburg East Mall, it became one of the principal enclosed retail destinations in the Harrisburg metropolitan area and was described as the area's largest mall for much of its later operating history. The property was built around traditional department-store anchors and a broad mix of apparel, specialty, dining, entertainment, and service tenants. The original anchor lineup included Wanamaker's and Gimbels, with JCPenney joining later. The center's tenant composition changed repeatedly as department-store chains consolidated or failed. Gimbels left in 1978 and its space was taken by Hess's. After Hess's remaining stores were sold to May Department Stores in 1994, the location was rebranded as Hecht's and later became Macy's following Federated Department Stores' acquisition of May in 2005. Wanamaker's closed in 1999 and was replaced by Lord & Taylor, which itself closed in 2004. Bass Pro Shops subsequently occupied an expanded portion of that former anchor space and became the mall's most durable major tenant. JCPenney departed in 2001, with Boscov's opening in the space in 2003. Boscov's later entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed its Harrisburg Mall store in 2008. Macy's announced in January 2020 that its mall location would close as part of a nationwide store-reduction program; after that closure, Bass Pro Shops was the only remaining traditional anchor. Other notable changes included the opening of a 14-screen Great Escape theater and entertainment complex during a major 2004 redevelopment effort, the demolition of the Sega Sports Restaurant space in 2012, and the opening of a 2nd & Charles store in 2013 in a space originally intended for Barnes & Noble. The mall's ownership and financial position also changed substantially. Its former owner, Feldman Mall Properties, experienced financial difficulties and defaulted on a $52.5 million mortgage. The property was sold at a sheriff's sale in July 2009 to three financial groups. St. John Properties and Petrie Ross Ventures acquired the mall from TD Bank in June 2012. The new ownership later pursued a broader transformation rather than another conventional mall renovation. In February 2023, St. John Properties presented a redevelopment concept that would retain Bass Pro Shops while demolishing most of the existing mall and replacing it with a mixed-use commercial project. The proposed uses included retail, medical offices, schools, light manufacturing, and general office space, subject to approvals. Tenants were given notices to vacate by January 31, 2024. Harrisburg Mall officially closed on that date after 54 years of operation, ending its identity as an enclosed regional mall while redevelopment planning continued.

Harrisburg Mall opened in 1969 in Swatara Township, Pennsylvania, under the name Harrisburg East Mall. Its initial department-store anchors were Wanamaker's and Gimbels, and JCPenney joined the center later. During construction, workers uncovered a natural limestone cave known by names including Big Pit, Paxtang Cave, and Crystal Paradise Cave. The cave was notable for anthodite and speleothem formations, although it did not become part of the mall's operating identity. The center's first major anchor transition came in 1978, when Gimbels closed because of weak sales and the location's distance from other stores in its chain. Hess's took over the space later that year. In 1994, May Department Stores acquired Hess's remaining locations and converted the mall store to the Hecht's name. Wanamaker's closed in 1999; Lord & Taylor opened in the former space one year later. JCPenney left in 2001, and Boscov's eventually filled that location in 2003. A major redevelopment program began in 2004. The reported $77 million project included interior improvements and a 14-screen Great Escape theater and entertainment complex on the mall's southwest corner. A later phase called for a streetscape-style north-side expansion, but the work was never completed. Changing market conditions and financial problems affecting owner Feldman Mall Properties contributed to the unfinished condition of several planned spaces. Lord & Taylor closed in 2004, and Bass Pro Shops opened later that year after a two-floor expansion of the building. A portion of the former Wanamaker's third floor was made private. Hecht's was converted to Macy's in 2006 after Federated Department Stores acquired May Department Stores. Boscov's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2008 and closed its Harrisburg Mall store among a group of ten locations. The Boscov's building subsequently remained vacant. Financial pressure on the property intensified when Feldman Lubert Adler defaulted on a $52.5 million mortgage. The mall was sold at a sheriff's sale on July 9, 2009, to three financial groups. St. John Properties and Petrie Ross Ventures purchased the property from TD Bank in June 2012. During the following period, the Sega Sports Restaurant space was demolished, and Books-A-Million opened a 2nd & Charles store in 2013 in a location originally intended for Barnes & Noble. These changes did not reverse the broader decline of traditional department-store anchoring. Macy's announced in January 2020 that its store would close in March as part of a national program affecting 125 stores. Bass Pro Shops was then the only remaining anchor store. Rather than pursue another conventional mall renovation, the ownership group proposed a substantial redevelopment. On February 7, 2023, St. John Properties disclosed a plan to retain Bass Pro Shops while demolishing most of the existing mall and creating a mixed-use commercial district. Proposed uses included retail, business and general office space, medical offices, schools, and light manufacturing. The plan required approval, and demolition was not expected to begin before 2024. Tenants were instructed to vacate by January 31, 2024. The mall officially closed that day, ending 54 years of operation as an enclosed regional shopping center.

• 2024

  Harrisburg Mall closes

  [1]Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The mall closed on January 31, ending its 54-year run.

• 2023

  Mixed-use redevelopment proposed

  [1]Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Ownership proposed removing most of the mall and replacing it with a mixed-use commercial development while retaining Bass Pro Shops.

• 2020

  Macy's closure announced

  [1]Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Macy's announced the closure of its mall store as part of a nationwide store-reduction plan.

• 2013

  2nd & Charles opens

  [1]Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Books-A-Million opened a 2nd & Charles location in space originally planned for Barnes & Noble.

• 2012

  St. John Properties and Petrie Ross Ventures acquire the mall

  [1]Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The developers purchased the property from TD Bank.

• 2009

  Property changes hands after mortgage default

  [1]Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A sheriff's sale followed the former owner's default on a reported $52.5 million mortgage.

• 2008

  Boscov's closes its mall store

  [1]Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Boscov's Chapter 11 restructuring led to the closure of its Harrisburg Mall location.

• 2006

  Hecht's becomes Macy's

  [1]Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The Hecht's anchor was rebranded Macy's following Federated Department Stores' acquisition of May Department Stores.

• 2004

  Major revitalization and Bass Pro Shops opening

  [1]Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A reported $77 million revitalization added interior improvements and a 14-screen Great Escape complex. Bass Pro Shops opened later in an expanded former Lord & Taylor/Wanamaker's area.

• 1999

  Wanamaker's closes

  [1]Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Wanamaker's departed; Lord & Taylor opened in the former space in 2000.

• 1978

  Gimbels closes and Hess's takes over

  [1]Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Gimbels left the property after poor sales, and Hess's opened in the former anchor space.

• 1969

  Mall opens as Harrisburg East Mall

  [1]Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The regional shopping center opened in Swatara Township with Wanamaker's and Gimbels as its initial anchors.

A regional enclosed shopping center serving the Harrisburg metropolitan area, historically positioned around department-store anchors and a broad tenant mix, and later oriented toward destination outdoor retail and redevelopment into a mixed-use commercial property.

• Retail real estate · 1969

  Regional enclosed shopping center

  Harrisburg Mall provided an enclosed retail environment for department stores, specialty shops, food outlets, services, and entertainment venues. Its commercial offer evolved with the replacement of traditional department-store anchors and the contraction of the enclosed-mall format. The center ceased operating as a mall in January 2024.

• Outdoor retail anchor · 2004

  Bass Pro Shops

  Bass Pro Shops opened at the property in 2004 after a two-floor expansion of the former anchor building. It became the mall's only remaining anchor after Macy's closed in 2020 and was identified for retention in the proposed redevelopment plan.

• Entertainment · 2004

  Great Escape theater and entertainment complex

  The 14-screen Great Escape theater and entertainment complex was added during the mall's 2004 revitalization. It represented an effort to supplement conventional retail with destination entertainment and increase visitor traffic.

• Books and entertainment retail · 2013

  2nd & Charles

  Books-A-Million opened a 2nd & Charles store at the mall in 2013. The store occupied space that had originally been planned for a Barnes & Noble location and broadened the center's books, media, and used-merchandise offer.

• 2023

  Pursue mixed-use redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  The property's traditional department-store model had contracted substantially, with Bass Pro Shops the only remaining anchor.

  Action taken

  St. John Properties proposed demolishing most of the mall, retaining Bass Pro Shops, and developing retail, office, medical, educational, and light-manufacturing space.

  Aftermath

  Tenants were directed to vacate by January 31, 2024, and the mall closed on that date. The redevelopment plan still required approval according to the available reference material.

  Source

• 2004

  Undertake a major mall revitalizationStrategy

  Background

  The property sought to refresh its traditional enclosed-mall format and add more destination-oriented traffic drivers.

  Action taken

  Ownership invested a reported $77 million in renovations and added a 14-screen Great Escape theater and entertainment complex, while also planning a streetscape-style expansion.

  Aftermath

  The final planned phase was not completed, and several proposed spaces remained unfinished amid changing market conditions and owner financial difficulties.

  Reported revitalization investment. $77 million (2004)

  Source

• 2004

  Add Bass Pro Shops as a major anchorProduct launch

  Background

  Lord & Taylor had closed, leaving a substantial former department-store space available.

  Action taken

  The property expanded the building by two floors and opened Bass Pro Shops later in 2004.

  Aftermath

  Bass Pro Shops became the mall's enduring anchor and the only anchor remaining after Macy's closed.

  Source

1. 1Harrisburg Mallen.wikipedia.org