Philip Pelusi latest business to exit from Frazer's Pittsburgh Mills mall

Another business is leaving the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer.

Philip Pelusi, an upscale Pittsburgh-based hair salon with 11 locations throughout the region, opened at the Mills location in 2005, coinciding with the mall’s grand opening.

“We have a great team of designers that work at our Mills location,” Philip Pelusi vice president Henry Pelusi said.

The entire Mills Pelusi staff, about 15, will be sent to the Pelusi salon located in The Waterworks shopping plaza near O’Hara.

The last day for salon business at the Mills location will be Saturday.

Henry Pelusi cited an exodus of businesses leaving the Mills as a major factor in the decision to relocate to The Waterworks.

“Many stores are closing or will close (at the Mills), and the mall never became what it was intended to be,” Pelusi said.

A recent stroll inside the Mills mall revealed more than 80 empty storefronts.

Pittsburgh Mills anchor stores remaining include Macy’s, J.C. Penney, Dick’s Sporting Goods and a Cinemark theater multiplex.

Ernest Diaz, general manager at the Mills, wouldn’t confirm how many stores are vacant or comment on mall occupancy numbers.

“We don’t share that information,” Diaz said, citing a policy of confidentiality regarding leases.

Philip Pelusi joins a multitude of businesses, most recently Petland, which is scheduled to vacate this weekend, that have either closed or left the mall due to declining foot traffic.

The Mills offers almost 1.3 million square feet of retail space on 200 acres. It is owned by Long Island-based Mason Asset Management and affiliated with Namdar Realty Group, also of Long Island, N.Y.

Clients affected by the Philip Pelusi closing are invited to book appointments at the Fox Chapel Waterworks location by calling 412-782-6303.