My thoughts on Century 3 Mall (Pittsburgh, McKeesport: buy, square footage, live)

[alastad]

I see all these people posting on the c3 FB page saying that the place is going to close in the immediate future and I don't think it will. I think it has at least an other few more years if not an other decade or two. Why? Because if you look at other malls on the same level of decline as C3 they have like 2 anchoring stores like Macy's and Penney's keeping them alive and all of the rest of the stores are non clothing stores, whereas c3 has some other places that sell clothing besides Penney's, like Victoria's Secret, Jimmy Jazz, Hot Topic and those other malls don't. I think in the case of C3 even if Penney's closes those other clothing stores could keep the mall kicking for at least a little longer.

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by alastad

I see all these people posting on the c3 FB page saying that the place is going to close in the immediate future and I don't think it will. I think it has at least an other few more years if not an other decade or two. Why? Because if you look at other malls on the same level of decline as C3 they have like 2 anchoring stores like Macy's and Penney's keeping them alive and all of the rest of the stores are non clothing stores, whereas c3 has some other places that sell clothing besides Penney's, like Victoria's Secret, Jimmy Jazz, Hot Topic and those other malls don't. I think in the case of C3 even if Penney's closes those other clothing stores could keep the mall kicking for at least a little longer.

The other stores don't take up the square footage of Penny's.

[Forging Steel]

Abercrombie, Gap forecasts signal tough holiday quarter for retailers | Reuters

I just saw that article this morning. It suggests that things aren't looking rosy for some of the big name stores, one can posit that they are not the only two seeing slumping sales.

The Amazon effect will continue to slowly kill malls like Century III that already suffer from a bad reputation and is in need of a renovation. Even the new mall at Pittsburgh Mills was never able to find success in the current environment.

Some malls will continue to survive, like Ross Park and South Hills Village. I feel like Century III has been on its last leg for a while now. It will be interesting to see what happens though.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by Forging Steel

Abercrombie, Gap forecasts signal tough holiday quarter for retailers | Reuters

I just saw that article this morning. It suggests that things aren't looking rosy for some of the big name stores, one can posit that they are not the only two seeing slumping sales.

The Amazon effect will continue to slowly kill malls like Century III that already suffer from a bad reputation and is in need of a renovation. Even the new mall at Pittsburgh Mills was never able to find success in the current environment.

Some malls will continue to survive, like Ross Park and South Hills Village. I feel like Century III has been on its last leg for a while now. It will be interesting to see what happens though.

I don't disagree per se but using Abercrombie & the gap as any kind of bellwether is a bit too biased as those brands have been in decline for years.

[safak]

Originally Posted by UKyank

I don't disagree per se but using Abercrombie & the gap as any kind of bellwether is a bit too biased as those brands have been in decline for years.

fo realz? time to upgrade wardrobe

[PreservationPioneer]

There are a bunch of big box retail stores in the area around C3 mall. If only Kohl's, Burlington, and Gabe's, among others, could move into the mall, it would probably have a comeback. I think the problem is these retailers don't want to be chained to a sinking ship, and dying indoor malls are a thing nationwide.


This got me thinking. If malls are dying, could local business districts stage a comeback? Couldn't some of these retailers just as easily move to downtown Greensburg or downtown McKeesport or downtown Braddock, as in the old days? Some of the old department stores are still sitting vacant in these towns.


Rather than speculating on how to fix an empty mall, wouldn't it be better to focus on revitalizing local business districts (you know, the places that the malls killed)?

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by Forging Steel

Abercrombie, Gap forecasts signal tough holiday quarter for retailers | Reuters

I just saw that article this morning. It suggests that things aren't looking rosy for some of the big name stores, one can posit that they are not the only two seeing slumping sales.

The Amazon effect will continue to slowly kill malls like Century III that already suffer from a bad reputation and is in need of a renovation. Even the new mall at Pittsburgh Mills was never able to find success in the current environment.

Some malls will continue to survive, like Ross Park and South Hills Village. I feel like Century III has been on its last leg for a while now. It will be interesting to see what happens though.

This is often stated, but I don't know anyone who's purchased a single article of clothing from Amazon. If you're using Amazon as shorthand for online shopping, then maybe. I buy a lot of clothes online, but I wouldn't if I lived in a city with better retail options.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by gladhands

This is often stated, but I don't know anyone who's purchased a single article of clothing from Amazon. If you're using Amazon as shorthand for online shopping, then maybe. I buy a lot of clothes online, but I wouldn't if I lived in a city with better retail options.

What retail options does this area lack? Ross Park Mall has a wide array of upscale clothiers. Downtown has upscale apparel retailers also.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

What retail options does this area lack? Ross Park Mall has a wide array of upscale clothiers. Downtown has upscale apparel retailers also.

Moda is pretty much the only option for fashion-forward casual wear. Most of Downtown's high-end is business/formal oriented. Ross Park's high end stuff is really cheesy BRANDZ like Burberry or Louis Vuitton. You aren't going to find items from young interesting designers in Pittsburgh.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Originally Posted by gladhands

Moda is pretty much the only option for fashion-forward casual wear. Most of Downtown's high-end is business/formal oriented. Ross Park's high end stuff is really cheesy BRANDZ like Burberry or Louis Vuitton. You aren't going to find items from young interesting designers in Pittsburgh.

How about Vestis or Kinsman in Lawrenceville? I agree with the premise that there is little selection, though. That said, these places don't appeal to the average Pittsburgher, and many who can afford the more upscale options can also afford to shop when traveling.