Millcreek Mall
Encyclopedia
The Millcreek Mall or Millcreek Mall Complex is a one-level shopping center located 3.4 miles southwest of downtown Erie, Pennsylvania
, between Peach Street
and Interstate 79
, in Millcreek Township
. The center is often cited as being the third-largest shopping mall in the United States.
The complex opened in 1975 and was developed by the Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Company
, who still own and operate it. Due to Pennsylvania's lack of sales tax on clothing, the Millcreek Mall attracts many visitors from Ohio, New York and Canada. Presently, the mall proper houses 121 store spaces, with 12 kiosks. The 175 store and restaurants figure often cited includes stores within the physical mall and its many peripheral restaurants, stores and strip plazas.
s included Boston Store, Halle's, JCPenney, Kaufmann's
and Carlisle's and Sears. Boston Store became Horne's
in 1979, which in turn closed and became Lazarus
in 1994. Lazarus closed this anchor in 1997. Halle's later became a Dahlkemper's catalog showroom, which closed in 1993. Its space became Burlington Coat Factory
. HomePlace took the former Carlisle's location after Carlisle's closure in 1995. Elder-Beerman
took over the former Lazarus in 1998, but was converted five years later to The Bon-Ton
. After HomePlace closed, its space was divided between Steve & Barry's
and AC Moore
, the former of which closed in 2009. Also, Kaufmann's was converted to Macy's
in September 2006.
The combination of anchors has given it the shape of a gun pointed at downtown Erie when viewed from above. This has resulted in an urban legend which states that the mall was intentionally built that way under the direction of the mafia.
On March 27, 2008, it was announced that the mall would receive a multi-million dollar renovation. Among the new additions to the mall are a children's area, a food court, and renovated entrances to the building. The mall also got skylights, porcelain floors, a new west side entrance, and new parking lot lights. The food court opened in late 2008.
, Michaels Arts & Crafts
, Christmas Tree Shops
, Linens & More for Less, Gander Mountain
, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Dick's Sporting Goods
, Starbucks
and Cold Stone Creamery
.
The mall property is also home to several restaurants including Max & Erma's
, Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill
, Outback Steakhouse
, The Fox and Hound Pub, Red Lobster
, Arby's
and Aoyama Japanese Steakhouse, which is located in a former Chi-Chi's
.
A Homewood Suites, TownePlace Suites
and a Fairfield Inn
also sit on the property. The former Blair store, has been converted into the Erie Institute of Technology (EIT). The Hills / Ames department store, which sat empty for over five years, became All Seasons Market Place & Flea Market http://www.allseasonsmarketplace.com/, an eclectic mix of stores with new and used items. Also on the property is Cinemark 6
, a discount movie theater.
A Men's Wearhouse
, OfficeMax
, David's Bridal
, Ollie's Bargain Outlet
, and many smaller stores also occupy land on the site of the Millcreek Mall.
, has recently begun to experience a major change. On the land there are four restaurants; O'Charley's
, Moe's Southwest Grill
, Buffalo Wild Wings
, and McDonald's
, a SpringHill Suites
hotel, PNC Bank, and a Verizon Wireless
store.
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
, between Peach Street
Peach Street
Peach Street, part of U.S. Route 19, is a main artery serving downtown Erie, Pennsylvania. Once surrounded by nothing but rolling hills and farmland, "Upper Peach Street" , is the most significant center of urban sprawl in Erie and is now home to numerous strip plazas, a major shopping mall and...
and Interstate 79
Interstate 79
Interstate 79 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States, designated from Interstate 77 in Charleston, West Virginia to Pennsylvania Route 5 and Pennsylvania Route 290 in Erie, Pennsylvania...
, in Millcreek Township
Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania
Millcreek Township is a township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 53,515 at the 2010 census. It is the largest suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania and the sixth-largest municipality in the state; larger than the cities of Altoona and Harrisburg.Millcreek Township is home to...
. The center is often cited as being the third-largest shopping mall in the United States.
The complex opened in 1975 and was developed by the Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Company
Cafaro Company
Cafaro Company is an American company which owns several retail shopping centers throughout the United States. Based in Youngstown, Ohio, it is the largest privately owned shopping center development and management company in the United States....
, who still own and operate it. Due to Pennsylvania's lack of sales tax on clothing, the Millcreek Mall attracts many visitors from Ohio, New York and Canada. Presently, the mall proper houses 121 store spaces, with 12 kiosks. The 175 store and restaurants figure often cited includes stores within the physical mall and its many peripheral restaurants, stores and strip plazas.
Mall history
The mall's original anchor storeAnchor store
In retail, an anchor store, draw tenant, anchor tenant, or key tenant is one of the larger stores in a shopping mall, usually a department store or a major retail chain....
s included Boston Store, Halle's, JCPenney, Kaufmann's
Kaufmann's
Kaufmann's was a department store that originated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was owned in the early 20th century by Edgar J. Kaufmann, patron of 'Fallingwater' and the Kaufmann's Desert House. In the post-war years the store became a regional chain in the eastern United States, and was last...
and Carlisle's and Sears. Boston Store became Horne's
Horne's
The Joseph Horne Company, often referred to simply as Joseph Horne's or Horne's, was an iconic, regional department store chain based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The store was one of the oldest in the country being founded on February 22, 1849 but due to its regional presence in the country, it...
in 1979, which in turn closed and became Lazarus
Lazarus (department store)
F&R Lazarus & Company — commonly known as Lazarus — was a regional department store retail chain operating primarily in the U.S. Midwest, and based in Columbus, Ohio...
in 1994. Lazarus closed this anchor in 1997. Halle's later became a Dahlkemper's catalog showroom, which closed in 1993. Its space became Burlington Coat Factory
Burlington Coat Factory
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation is a national department store retailer focusing on clothing and shoes, with over 450 stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico.. In 2006, it was acquired by Bain Capital, LLC in a take-private transaction...
. HomePlace took the former Carlisle's location after Carlisle's closure in 1995. Elder-Beerman
Elder-Beerman
Elder-Beerman is a U.S. chain of department stores founded in 1883 and owned by The Bon-Ton. The chain is based primarily in the United States' Midwest region...
took over the former Lazarus in 1998, but was converted five years later to The Bon-Ton
The Bon-Ton
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. is a regional department store company based in York, Pennsylvania, chiefly operating 275 stores, including 11 furniture galleries, in 23 states throughout the northern United States. Stores carrying its namesake nameplate serve the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions of...
. After HomePlace closed, its space was divided between Steve & Barry's
Steve & Barry's
Steve & Barry's was an American retail clothing chain, featuring casual apparel. By mid-2008, the chain operated 276 stores in 39 states. The company was headquartered in Port Washington, New York. The company liquidated all of its stores throughout 2008....
and AC Moore
AC Moore
A.C. Moore is an arts and crafts retail chain with 132 locations in the eastern United States, with its corporate headquarters in located in Berlin, New Jersey. AC Moore sells a variety of arts and crafts products, including scrapbooking, beading, knitting, rubber stamping, home decor items,...
, the former of which closed in 2009. Also, Kaufmann's was converted to Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
in September 2006.
The combination of anchors has given it the shape of a gun pointed at downtown Erie when viewed from above. This has resulted in an urban legend which states that the mall was intentionally built that way under the direction of the mafia.
On March 27, 2008, it was announced that the mall would receive a multi-million dollar renovation. Among the new additions to the mall are a children's area, a food court, and renovated entrances to the building. The mall also got skylights, porcelain floors, a new west side entrance, and new parking lot lights. The food court opened in late 2008.
Current Anchor Stores
- Bon-Ton (opened 2003)
- Burlington Coat FactoryBurlington Coat FactoryBurlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation is a national department store retailer focusing on clothing and shoes, with over 450 stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico.. In 2006, it was acquired by Bain Capital, LLC in a take-private transaction...
(opened 1993) - JCPenney (opened 1975) - original anchor
- Macy'sMacy'sMacy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
(opened 2006) - Sears (opened 1975) - original anchor
Former Anchor Stores
- Boston StoreBoston Store-History:The Boston Store is mentioned in Theodore Dreiser's "Sister Carrie" published in 1900 and Carl Sandburg's Mamie, part of his 1916 Chicago Poems collection....
(opened 1975, replaced by Horne's in 1979) - Carlisle's (opened 1975, replaced by HomePlace in 1995)
- Dalkemper's Catalog Showroom (opened 1982, replaced by Burlington Coat Factory in 1993)
- Elder-BeermanElder-BeermanElder-Beerman is a U.S. chain of department stores founded in 1883 and owned by The Bon-Ton. The chain is based primarily in the United States' Midwest region...
(opened 1998, closed 2003, replaced by The Bon-Ton) - Halle's (opened 1975, replaced by Dalkemper's Catalog Showroom in 1982)
- HomePlace (opened 1995, closed 2001, and replaced by Steve and Barry's and AC Moore in 2005)
- Horne'sHorne'sThe Joseph Horne Company, often referred to simply as Joseph Horne's or Horne's, was an iconic, regional department store chain based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The store was one of the oldest in the country being founded on February 22, 1849 but due to its regional presence in the country, it...
(opened 1979, replaced by Lazarus in 1994) - Kaufmann'sKaufmann'sKaufmann's was a department store that originated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was owned in the early 20th century by Edgar J. Kaufmann, patron of 'Fallingwater' and the Kaufmann's Desert House. In the post-war years the store became a regional chain in the eastern United States, and was last...
(opened 1975, replaced by Macy's in 2006) - LazarusLazarus (department store)F&R Lazarus & Company — commonly known as Lazarus — was a regional department store retail chain operating primarily in the U.S. Midwest, and based in Columbus, Ohio...
(opened 1994, closed 1997, replaced by Elder-Beerman in 1998)
Outside the Millcreek Mall
The Millcreek Mall Pavilion consists of stores including Old NavyOld Navy
Old Navy is an American clothing brand as well as a chain of stores owned by Gap, Inc., with corporate operations in San Francisco and San Bruno, California. It is one of the first major corporations to house headquarters in the new Mission Bay district of San Francisco.Gap, Inc. was run by...
, Michaels Arts & Crafts
Michaels
Michaels is an arts and crafts retail chain. It currently operates more than 1040 Michaels Arts and Crafts Stores located in 49 U.S. states and in Canada. The company owns and operates the Aaron Brothers retail chain which consists of more than 140 stores...
, Christmas Tree Shops
Christmas Tree Shops
Christmas Tree Shops are a retail chain that started in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts on Cape Cod in 1970 as a complex of three small stores; the Front Shop, the Back Shop, and the Barn Shop. The multiple store location, which was located on Route 6A, explains why the name is Christmas Tree Shops...
, Linens & More for Less, Gander Mountain
Gander Mountain
Gander Mountain, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a retail network of stores for hunting, fishing, camping, marine, and other outdoor recreation products and services...
, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. , or Dick's, is a Fortune 500 American corporation in the sporting goods and retail industries.The company's headquarters are on the grounds of Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick's has 451 stores in 42 states as of...
, Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 17,009 stores in 55 countries, including over 11,000 in the United States, over 1,000 in Canada, over 700 in the United Kingdom, and...
and Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone Creamery is an American-based ice cream parlor chain. The company, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is owned and operated by Kahala Franchising, L.L.C. The company's main product is premium ice cream, or ice cream made with approximately 12-14% butterfat, that is made on location and...
.
The mall property is also home to several restaurants including Max & Erma's
Max & Erma's
Max & Erma's is a casual dining restaurant chain based in Columbus, Ohio. It operates throughout parts of the Eastern and Midwestern United States, and was founded in 1972 by Todd Barnum and Barry Zacks. The two businessmen purchased a local tavern in Columbus's German Village which had been...
, Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill
Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill
Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill is a chain of casual dining restaurants. An affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Smokey Bones is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, United States. The first Smokey Bones restaurant opened in Orlando, Florida, in 1999 under its then owners, Darden Restaurants...
, Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse is an American casual dining restaurant chain based in Tampa, Florida with over 1200 locations in 22 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It was founded in February 1988 in Tampa by Bob Basham, Chris T...
, The Fox and Hound Pub, Red Lobster
Red Lobster
Red Lobster is a U.S. chain of seafood restaurants. It also operates in Canada, the UAE and Japan . It is aimed at the mid-level "casual dining" segment of the market...
, Arby's
Arby's
Arby's is a fast food restaurant chain in the United States and Canada. Roark Capital Group owns 81.5% of the company, with Wendy's Company owning the other 18.5%. It is primarily known for selling roast beef sandwiches and curly fries. The Arby's menu also includes chicken sandwiches, appetizers,...
and Aoyama Japanese Steakhouse, which is located in a former Chi-Chi's
Chi-Chi's
Chi-Chi's was a popular Mexican restaurant chain from 1975 to 2004. It ceased to exist within the United States following a 2003 Hepatitis A outbreak that began at one of its locations in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Chi-Chi's is still in operation in Belgium, Luxembourg, United Arab...
.
A Homewood Suites, TownePlace Suites
TownePlace Suites
TownePlace Suites, a division of the Marriott International hotel chain, is an extended-stay hotel chain generally catering to a more mid-priced market than its more upscale sister brand, Residence Inn, also operated by Marriott International.-History:...
and a Fairfield Inn
Fairfield Inn
Fairfield Inn may refer to:*Fairfield Inn , a historic inn listed on the NRHP in Pennsylvania*Fairfield Inn , listed on the NRHP in North Carolina*Fairfield Inn by Marriott, a chain of hotels...
also sit on the property. The former Blair store, has been converted into the Erie Institute of Technology (EIT). The Hills / Ames department store, which sat empty for over five years, became All Seasons Market Place & Flea Market http://www.allseasonsmarketplace.com/, an eclectic mix of stores with new and used items. Also on the property is Cinemark 6
Cinemark Theatres
Cinemark Theatres is a chain of movie theatres owned by Cinemark Holdings, Inc. in North and South America and Taiwan. It has its headquarters in Plano, Texas.Cinemark's Missions Statement Reads as follows:...
, a discount movie theater.
A Men's Wearhouse
Men's Wearhouse
Men's Wearhouse is a men's dress apparel retailer in the United States. The company is based in the Westchase area of Houston, Texas, and it is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange...
, OfficeMax
OfficeMax
OfficeMax , is an American office supplies retailer that was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Naperville, Illinois.-History:On April 1, 1988, OfficeMax was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, by Bob Hurwitz and Michael Feuer. Hurwitz served as executive chairman and chief executive officer and Feuer...
, David's Bridal
David's Bridal
David's Bridal is a clothier in the United States that specializes in wedding dresses, prom gowns, and other formal wear. It is the largest American bridal-store chain.David's Bridal currently operates more than 300 stores in 45 states, Canada and Puerto Rico...
, Ollie's Bargain Outlet
Ollie's Bargain Outlet
Ollie's Bargain Outlet is a chain of retail stores founded in 1982 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania by the late Morton Bernstein. The first store was opened in Mechanicsburg, just outside Harrisburg. The chain now has 108 locations throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Ohio,...
, and many smaller stores also occupy land on the site of the Millcreek Mall.
Millcreek Marketplace
Across the street from the Millcreek Mall, the land that was once woodsWoods
Woods is a common surname of English and Irish origin.-A:* Alan Woods * Albert Woods* Albert H. Woods* Aubrey Woods* Ayiesha Woods-B:* Bambi Woods* Barbara Alyn Woods* Belita Woods* Ben Woods, rugby union player* Bill Woods...
, has recently begun to experience a major change. On the land there are four restaurants; O'Charley's
O'Charley's
O'Charley's is a casual dining restaurants chain in the United States, with more than 240 company-owned locations. O'Charley's is located in 17 Southern and Midwestern states, including four franchised O'Charley's restaurants in Michigan, one franchised O'Charley's in Ohio, three joint venture...
, Moe's Southwest Grill
Moe's Southwest Grill
Moe's Southwest Grill is an American chain of fast casual style Tex-Mex restaurants headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.Moe's was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in December 2000, by Raving Brands. In August 2007, the brand was purchased by FOCUS Brands...
, Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar is a casual dining restaurant and sports bar franchise in the United States that is known for its Buffalo wings.-History:...
, and McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
, a SpringHill Suites
SpringHill Suites
SpringHill Suites is part of the Marriott International family of hotels.In 1998, Marriott International announced plans to convert Fairfield Suites to SpringHill Suites by Marriott. By doing so, Marriott hoped to capture a share in the upper moderate-priced all-suite lodging segment of the hotel...
hotel, PNC Bank, and a Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless
Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, is one of the largest mobile network operators in the United States. The network has 107.7 million subscribers as of 2011, making it the largest wireless service provider in America....
store.
Major Stores
- Christmas Tree ShopsChristmas Tree ShopsChristmas Tree Shops are a retail chain that started in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts on Cape Cod in 1970 as a complex of three small stores; the Front Shop, the Back Shop, and the Barn Shop. The multiple store location, which was located on Route 6A, explains why the name is Christmas Tree Shops...
- Linens & More for Less
- Dick's Sporting GoodsDick's Sporting GoodsDick's Sporting Goods, Inc. , or Dick's, is a Fortune 500 American corporation in the sporting goods and retail industries.The company's headquarters are on the grounds of Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick's has 451 stores in 42 states as of...
- DSW Shoe Warehouse
- Gander MountainGander MountainGander Mountain, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a retail network of stores for hunting, fishing, camping, marine, and other outdoor recreation products and services...
- Michaels Arts & CraftsMichaelsMichaels is an arts and crafts retail chain. It currently operates more than 1040 Michaels Arts and Crafts Stores located in 49 U.S. states and in Canada. The company owns and operates the Aaron Brothers retail chain which consists of more than 140 stores...
- Old NavyOld NavyOld Navy is an American clothing brand as well as a chain of stores owned by Gap, Inc., with corporate operations in San Francisco and San Bruno, California. It is one of the first major corporations to house headquarters in the new Mission Bay district of San Francisco.Gap, Inc. was run by...