Note: A version of this story originally ran on July 8, 2018.
Malls across the country are closing. A 2017 report from Credit Suisse expected 25 percent of U.S. malls to close by 2022.
Is brick-and-mortar retail is dying?
Not exactly. Phil Wahba, a senior writer at Fortune, said the key to mall success is offering a little bit of something for everybody.
“The good mall operators are pulling away from the weak ones,” Wahba said during a May 2018 interview. “So it’s really an income inequality between mall operators.”
What makes some malls so successful? The Pa. malls that are surviving and thriving have adapted with the times and embraced this new idea of shopping combined with community.
With more than 70 malls in Pennsylvania, we went on a quest to find some of the best. Below is a list of our favorites.
To rank them we used the following methodology:
- Number of stores (according to the malls’ respective websites)
- Variety of stores
- Overall atmosphere (renovations, community events)
- Food (quality and variety)
9. The Mall at Robinson in Pittsburgh
The Mall at Robinson has a solid selection of stores, and it’s located right next to the Robinson Town Centre, which is home to a number of great restaurants and even more quality shops.
Number of stores: 128
PennLive’s store picks: Aldo, Build-a-Bear, BoxLunch, Forever 21, H&M, Jos. A. Bank, Dicks, Express, Macy’s.
8. Westmoreland Mall in Greensburg
With a Pittsburgh Popcorn store, this mall has wooed our candy-coated heart. Westmoreland Mall has a variety of stores to choose from, and after a long day of shopping, you can drop right into the AMC Westmoreland 15 theater for a movie.
Number of stores: 126
Pennlive’s top store picks: AMC Westmoreland, The Pittsburgh Popcorn Co., J.C. Penny’s, TJ Maxx, Victoria’s Secret, Yankee Candle.
The Oxford Valley Mall in Langhorne, Pa.
7. Oxford Valley Mall in Langhorne
This mall has it all. In addition to your typical shops, Oxford Valley Mall has a “virtual reality social hub” called Centertec. The mall also has a Color Me Mine, a Sephora and a Disney Store.
Number of stores: 150
PennLive’s Top Store Picks: Centertec, Color Me Mine, Cold Stone Creamery, Disney Store, Formals XO, Swavorski, Pandora.
South Hills Village Mall in Bethel Park
6. South Hills Village in Bethel Park
South Hills Village has two stores perfect for those with a sweet tooth: Pittsburgh Popcorn Co. and Chocolate Moonshine Co., the latter offering homemade fudge made with Pennsylvania ingredients. Besides the extensive food options, this is another mall focused on community.
Number of stores: 130
PennLive’s top store picks: Chocolate Moonshine Co., Disney Store, DSW, Noodle’s and Company, Macy’s, Michael Kors, Target, The Pittsburgh Popcorn Company.
The Lehigh Valley Mall
5. Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall
Back on the eastern side of the state, Lehigh Valley Mall stores are relevant and fresh, but their efforts to be more community-minded are impressive as well. According to the mall’s Facebook page, kids can meet the Minions in the mall in July, and the mall will host a National Night Out event in August. The mall also just revealed a brand new kids play area earlier this summer.
Number of stores: 150
PennLive’s top store picks: Apple Store, Barnes and Noble, Lululemon, Lolli-and-pops, Pandora, Papyrus, Chuck-E.-Cheese, Vera Bradley.
The Park City Mall in Lancaster, Pa.
4. Park City Mall in Lancaster
They’ve lost two anchor stores -- Bon-Ton and Sears -- but Park City continues to introduce new stores and dining options and remains a strong attraction for central Pa. shoppers. The mall itself is solid, but it’s also extremely close to a number of other shops and the new Shoppes at Belmont, which hosts a Nordstrom Rack, Whole Foods, Ulta and much more.
Number of stores: 151
PennLive’s top store picks: Michael Kors, Lush Cosmetics, Express, MAC, Lancaster Cupcake, Apple Store, Vans, Williams-Sonoma.
3. Millcreek Mall in Erie
Millcreek Mall is the 13th largest mall in the country, according to Worldatlas.com. Although it lacks the variety of luxury stores at some of Pennsylvania’s other malls, it has many unique shops and experiences that set it apart. Bridal Elegance is an award-winning gown store. Primanti Bros. is a western Pennsylvania staple. The mall also has a family entertainment center with everything from bowling to karaoke. If shopping isn’t for you, the mall is also the home of the community library.
Number of stores: 182
PennLive’s top store picks: Bridal Elegance, Home Goods, Dicks, Build-a-Bear, Primanti Bros., Smokey Bones, Macy’s, Erie City and County Library.
Ross Park Mall in Pittsburgh.
2. Ross Park Mall in Pittsburgh
Ross Park Mall offers the same kind of store variety as King Of Prussia, but in western Pennsylvania. The mall is home to luxury shops and all of the classic mall staples, and it continues to add new retailers. Simon Property Group recently announced plans to add a Lego Store to the mall, and when opened, it will be the second Lego Store in the state. Ross Park Mall is also home to one of the four Tesla showrooms/stores in Pennsylvania.
Number of stores: 170
PennLive’s top store picks: Apple Store, Burberry, Free People, Godiva, The Pittsburgh Popcorn Company, Tesla Gallery, Tiffany’s , Nordstrom, The Cheesecake Factory.
The King of Prussia 155,000-square-foot expansion officially opens with a ceremony joining the Plaza and the Court, Thursday, August 18, 2016. The expansion at the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania mall will add 50 new retail and dining storefronts and includes the new Savor King of Prussia dining area. Dan Gleiter, PennLive.com HARHAR
1. King of Prussia in Philadelphia
The biggest mall in America is located right here in Pennsylvania, if you rank by gross leasable square feet that is.
King of Prussia is the best mall in our state for a number of reasons. It has the most stores by far, but it is also the destination where you can find luxury and specialty stores and where fast fashion options are still available. It was also one of the first 10 malls in America, but it has been able to readjust with every new market demand. King of Prussia has adapted quickly and admirably with the addition of their new Town Center, which features a variety of dining options, stores and a beautiful outdoor space.
Number of stores: 450
PennLive’s top store picks: Bloomingdale’s (one of two in Pa.), Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Christian Louboutin and Kendra Scott, Gucci (only in Pa), Two Story H&M and Forever 21, Primark, True Food (only in Pa), Maggiano’s Little Italy.
- Read more: Dead and dying malls of Pennsylvania, updated: More shopping centers are bleeding retailers
- Read more: 20 defunct mall stores we miss the most
- Read more: Dave & Buster’s, Bass Pro, 2nd and Charles and more: These are the unique draws at central Pa. malls
- Read more: Outlet malls ranked: Pennsylvania’s best 8 shopping centers