ScareHouse moving to Pittsburgh Mills mall

The ScareHouse is moving to the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer.

“You know that Pittsburgh Zombies love shopping malls,” the haunted attraction said in announcing the move with a cheeky homage to George A. Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead,” filmed primarily at the Monroeville Mall.

“We think you will love our new, larger and permanent home inside the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills,” the company announced on its website. “No more parking hassles and no long lines in 2020.”

The planned opening date is Sept. 25, according to the calendar on the company’s website. Time slots are available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 14.

There will be coronavirus-­related restrictions. Attendance will be limited to 50% of normal occupancy, and each group will be private. Only six people are allowed per group. Individual groups will be the only ones allowed to enter together.

Face masks are required. Groups must maintain 6 feet of social distance from other groups and ScareHouse staff while on the premises. Because some time slots may sell out in advance, the company suggests buying tickets online.

Frazer Supervisor Lori Ziencik is excited for the haunt, which will be inside the former H&M location.

“Anything recreational seems to be (successful),” Ziencik said. “Spirit Halloween always does well here. Cinemark’s gone. People need entertainment ideas. It will be a positive addition.”

“The Basement” experience, during which spooks get up close and personal with guests for added thrills, won’t be happening this year because of the pandemic. It will return in 2021.

This will be the second recent move for the ScareHouse, which has gained national attention for its over-the-top effects and in-your-face chills.

Last August, the company announced plans to relocate from its longtime Etna location into a 10,000-square-foot space on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. “The Scream District” was supposed to offer two distinct scare experiences in 2019: “The Basement” and “Stalked by a Killer” escape room. The attraction was unable to open in time for Halloween.

At the time, Scott Simmons, ScareHouse’s creative director, attributed the failure to open to “unforeseen issues.” He did not respond to requests for comment on the move to the Mills mall.

Since then, the company has launched two new, year-round attractions in the Strip District space: Steel City Axes, an axe-throwing facility, and Bold Escape Rooms, which features the “Stalked by a Killer” and “data/bass” escape rooms. Both are at 2420 Penn Ave.