Rose's Discount Store in Lower Burrell to close

An anchor store leaving Hillcrest Shopping Center in Lower Burrell is another blow to the city’s business district, but officials are hopeful something else will be coming to the plaza soon.

Rose’s Discount Store is scheduled to close Jan. 10, although the date is tentative, according to a Rose’s customer care representative, who offered no other information.

Councilman David Stoltz said it’s his understanding Rose’s wasn’t generating enough business to justify renewing its lease.

“The (plaza) owner had indicated that he was told it’s not profitable to be there,” Stoltz said.

A national discount retailer, Rose’s opened in Lower Burrell in 2011. It sells apparel, health and beauty products, home furnishings, toys, housewares and seasonal products.

The nearest Rose’s to Lower Burrell is in West Mifflin.

Rose’s departure means Hillcrest will have one remaining anchor store, Community Supermarket. Other tenants include Rudy’s Table; Shoe Sensation; Fine Wine and Good Spirits; NTB Tire & Service Center; GameStop; and Smartbox, a technology manufacturer for assisted communication for people with disabilities.

Built in 1960 and renovated in 1993, Hillcrest has seen better days.

The shopping center previously was owned by the U.S. National Bank Association and was acquired by Nassimi Realty, of New York City, in an auction last summer. Real estate transaction records indicate Nassimi purchased the property for more than $3.78 million.

Lower Burrell Mayor Chris Fabry said the city learned of Rose’s closure through social media. Stoltz said he reached out to Nassimi and heard back within minutes.

Nassimi did not return a TribLive request for comment.

Fabry said it’s his understanding Nassimi is working with a national chain to fill the space and will keep city officials posted on any progress. Fabry said some type of retail establishment would be ideal to fill the spot.

“From their steady communication and instant replies, they seem committed to filling the store fronts,” Fabry said.

“Our residents are obviously anxious and rightfully so, but it does appear they are trying.”

According to the company’s website, Nassimi owns more than 40 properties, mostly in the eastern half of the country. They have been in business for more than 40 years.

“They have established relationships with a lot of big-name people,” Stoltz said. “They’re constantly pushing that plaza to get big-name people in there.”

Councilman Ron Welker said he shares the community’s concerns about empty storefronts at the plaza, but also is optimistic.

“(Nassimi) has a proven track record of securing good tenants in similar plazas throughout the 14 states that they own rental space,” Welker said. “I’m also encouraged by the fact that they partner with several large to medium size companies as well as mom-and-pop businesses showing their previous successes.

“Filling the empty spaces at the plaza will never be fast enough for any of us, but they need time to turn around like they have at their other locations.”

Nassimi, since acquiring the property, has followed through on its plans: including fixing a sewage drainage issue at the plaza and securing most existing businesses’ leases, Stoltz said.

“They’re doing what they said they would,” he said. “The big third step is to fill it up, we just haven’t seen that part yet. I’m carefully optimistic that will happen.”

Stoltz said city officials cold-call and email businesses to gauge their interest and promote moving into Lower Burrell. Through that, he said, he’s been told by larger retailers that the city’s demographics don’t justify moving there. That includes declining population and low traffic count near the site.

Last year, the reported average daily traffic count surrounding the shopping center was about 17,000 vehicles.

“I’ve had a lot of people call me out on Facebook making excuses, but unfortunately that’s the sad reality,” Stoltz said.

He emphasized city officials continue to make inquiries to try to recruit businesses to come to town but there’s not much they can do beyond that.

“We’re well aware of the needs of the community, everyone wants a big-name retail,” Stoltz said. “That’s who we’re trying to get to come here.”