Julie Ravotti grew up in Beaver County and remembers trekking to Pittsburgh Mills for family shopping adventures after the Frazer mall opened in 2005.
“We traveled to see all the new stores and it was bustling, so promising,” said Ravotti, who moved to Leechburg nine years ago.
“Fast forward to now, and as the stores close one by one, it’s been really sad.”
As Macy’s becomes the latest company to announce its departure from the Mills, shoppers on Friday digested the news with reactions that ranged from grief to hope.
Quincy Shea thinks there’s opportunity in the massive retail space just off of Route 28.
“They should put a casino in this space and it will revitalize the economy,” Shea said.
The Springdale resident cited the Live Casino at Westmoreland Mall, saying the entertainment venue has done wonders for the Greensburg area.
“The last thing we need is an empty mall for 20 years and more empty lots and storefronts,” Shea said. “Walmart and Sam’s (Club) will not hold that area down forever.”
Macy’s is among two remaining anchors, along with Mac.bid, at the Mills. About 20 smaller stores that include a newsstand and an Amish furniture showroom remain among 140 vacant spaces. The food court also is completely empty.
Macy’s leaders said the store will close in the next three months.
Scott Smith, manager at New Dimension Comics which has operated for 16 years at the Mills, said he wasn’t surprised by Macy’s impending closure.
He also isn’t worried that it will impact his store’s revenues, saying his customers come to the mall purposely to hold “in hand” their comics, games and collectibles.
“We have an awesome customer base who come to our store as a destination,” Smith said.
“We had a great year because a lot of our customers come to the mall just to see us. People like being among other collectors and talking about their finds.”
Other stores inside the mall also appear to be destinations — GQT Cinemas, TJ Buffet Sushi and Grill, Pittsburgh Reptile Show and the Z Corner newsstand. The mall’s website announced that the Easter Bunny will arrive April 4, an event that draws a specific demographic.
Ravotti said she’ll continue to frequent the mall because her 5-year-old daughter enjoys the indoor play space. But her afternoon shopping dates at Macy’s, followed by lunch at Panera will be just a memory.
“That will just be a dark corner,” she said. “Teens and kids around here will never know the excitement of a bustling shopping mall, with the beautiful Christmas decorations and just the excitement of walking around with friends.
“Yes, we can drive to Ross Park. But it’s not the same as that backyard mall that we were used to.”
Naydo Nance of Pittsburgh was thinking something similar as she stood outside Macy’s at the Monroeville Mall on Friday afternoon — except she’s not too interested in driving out to the McKnight Road corridor.
“I’m petite, and I can shop for mens’ clothing and cologne at Macy’s,” Nance said. “I don’t really do any shopping online — I’m ‘young-old-fashioned.’ If they close this one, I’d have to go out to Ross Park Mall, and I don’t want to do that.”
Tisha Fiore of Monroeville was also shopping at the mall’s Macy’s on Friday afternoon.
“I don’t come here all the time; it depends on what I need,” Fiore said. “But they have a good selection of makeup that you can’t always find elsewhere. I think Macy’s has more up-to-date stuff as opposed to a Burlington or Marshall’s.”
People on social media Friday lamented the news, especially since the Alle-Kiski Valley lacks options for clothes shopping other than Walmart, second-hand stores and boutiques.
“It is really disheartening to see Macy’s closing in our area, especially knowing how much older residents and longtime shoppers have relied on it over the years,” one user said. “Beyond the economic impact, it leaves a real gap in everyday life because there are fewer convenient places to quickly pick up an outfit or something needed on short notice.”
Shoppers will be forced to join the online movement or drive at least 30 minutes to the Ross Park, Monroeville or Westmoreland malls. But for some, the distance is a deterrent.
“Ross Park isn’t close for some of us,” a Facebook post from a Vandergrift resident read. “(Frazer) was convenient. We have to travel 45 minutes to go shopping now. Doesn’t seem like a long time for some but for others, that’s a lot. Especially if something is needed quickly.”
