Monroeville Mall
Encyclopedia
Monroeville Mall is a two-level, enclosed shopping mall in Monroeville, Pennsylvania
, east
of Pittsburgh
. It is located near the junction of Interstate 376
and I-76
. It sits on 170 acre (0.6879662 km²) and has 1418700 square feet (131,802 m²) of leaseable space on two levels, making it the second largest shopping complex in Western Pennsylvania
.
Developed by Oxford Development Company, the property was acquired in 2004 for $232 million by CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
, a REIT based in Chattanooga, Tennessee
. Recently, the mall finished a remodeling project to compete with several newer, more luxurious malls in the Pittsburgh area. It is one of two CBL malls owned in the Pittsburgh area, the second being Westmoreland Mall
in Greensburg
.
The mall is most famous for its appearance in the George A. Romero
horror film Dawn of the Dead (1978).
opened for business with numerous shops and eateries. As the novelty of shopping malls were becoming increasingly popular in the 1960s, residents of Monroeville and the eastern suburbs shopped at the defunct Eastland Mall
in nearby North Versailles
, or at Greengate Mall (now demolished and rebuilt as Greengate Centre
) in Greensburg
, Westmoreland County
.
in the middle. The five and dime G.C. Murphy store provided a lower-price alternative for shoppers on the lower level. The mall contained 125 stores on two levels and featured the Ice Palace, which was the first world-class ice skating rink in an enclosed mall on the East Coast
. Another unique feature was the location of a local Italian restaurant directly adjacent to the rink, with large picture windows in its dining rooms that gave patrons direct views of skaters on the rink. The mall's opening would eventually lead to the decline and closure of the East Hills Shopping Center in nearby Penn Hills
. It would also affect business at the near-by Miracle Mile Shopping Center, which was greatly impacted following the relocation of its J.C. Penney store to the Monroeville Mall, although business would gradually level out over time.
, a Marriott
hotel, a freestanding Montgomery Ward
store, and a number of retailers, auto service centers and restaurants were subsequentially built during the 1970s. The mall annex would also be developed directly behind the mall and feature an A&P
supermarket, among other businesses. The Greater Pittsburgh Merchandise Mart, the predecessor to the much larger Pittsburgh ExpoMart of Monroeville, was developed as a facility for the display of goods by representatives of various manufacturers. It would be replaced by the larger facility in 1981 and redeveloped for a Borders
bookstore. In February 1984, much to the dismay of local residents, the Ice Palace was replaced by a food court. In later years, most of the mall's decorative ponds and bridges would be replaced by numerous kiosks. In the early 1990s, the distinctive clock tower was dismantled in lieu of a stage, which has since been replaced with a bungee jumping attraction, while the fountain at the opposite end was removed in the early 2000s for a children's play area, themed to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The largest renovation and expansion project ever at Monroeville Mall was completed in 2003-2004. The main entrance area fronting the mall was redeveloped into an 80000 square feet (7,432.2 m²) lifestyle center
called The District. Inside the mall, cosmetic upgrades to the lighting fixtures, flooring, railings and seating were done. Escalators were also installed in the court areas at both ends of the center. In addition the glass Westinghouse elevator located in the food court was refurbished, the neon lightning was removed, and the outer structure was painted a silver color as it used to be red. The fountain behind the elevator has also been removed to maximize seating area for the food court. In 2009, the ExpoMart was converted into office space and a smaller convention center opened along Mall Boulevard in a renovated building.
In May 2010, local sources indicated that Walmart was considering opening a smaller format store in the former Boscov's anchor space. Other potential retailers that were mentioned included Cinemark Theaters and J.C. Penney, which currently operates a location at the mall. Recently, the mall's owners have been making an effort to reduce the environmental impact caused by the mall's operation. Much of the lighting inside the mall has been changed to Compact Fluorescent Lighting. The mall's interior lighting, which used to stay on during operating hours, now operates by photocell, so the interior lights turn on only when natural sunlight is not sufficient. Utilizing multiple trash compactors, the mall recycles 240 tons of cardboard every year. Also, in 2008 the Security vehicle was replaced with a fuel-efficient Mercedes SmartCar Fourtwo, which averages 40 MPG. As a result of their efforts, CBL & Associates, Inc. proclaimed Monroeville Mall to be the 2009 Green Property of the Year.
classic, directed by George A. Romero
. In 1977, George A. Romero began filming Dawn of the Dead on location at the Monroeville Mall. All filming inside the mall took place at night after the mall had closed, with filming often continuing until dawn. Filming in the mall began in October 1977, but had to be suspended when the mall's Christmas decorations were hung shortly after Thanksgiving. Filming resumed in January after the decorations were removed. It was during that break that much of the mall's exterior shots were filmed, as well as filming at other locations. The mall was used as a fortress to protect four human survivors from a world taken over by the walking dead. Romero used the location to its fullest, beautifully displaying the mall and its vastness, almost giving the mall a cavernous feel. The movie went on to become a huge hit worldwide, leaving legions of dedicated fans in its wake. Fans travel far and wide, sometimes from other countries, just to have a chance to visit the location. Several pictures taken during the filming are on display in a room on the upper level near Macy's. In addition, Monroeville Zombies located on the lower level near Macy's and features an in-store museum and gift shop that is dedicated to celebrating zombies in film and pop culture. The museum's main focus is Dawn of the Dead and contains artifacts, memorabilia ,scale models of the mall as depicted in the movie and a boiler room walk through with various life sized replicas of movie zombies.www.monroevillezombies.com
, Gimbels, and JC Penney as the original anchors.
In 1970, the entire Gimbels chain was purchased by the tobacco conglomerate BATUS. In 1986, after years of declining sales, BATUS announced that Gimbels was on the block. Unable to find a buyer for the entire chain, BATUS closed down the entire Gimbels Pittsburgh division, selling or closing all locations. Some of the more attractive mall locations, such as Monroeville Mall, were taken over by the St. Louis based May Department Stores Company
for its Pittsburgh based Kaufmann's
division. This effectively caused the shuttering of the entire Gimbels Pittsburgh division. The Monroeville Mall location was closed and completely renovated, including adding a third floor, before reopening as Kaufmann's
. In 2006, when The May Department Stores Company
was purchased by Cincinnati based Federated Department Stores
, this store was acquired by Boscov's
as Macy's
was already located in the former Horne's
spot at the opposite end of the mall. In October 2008, Boscov's closed their Monroeville store as part of a restructuring plan within the company.
The Joseph Horne Company
(owned by the New York City
based Associated Dry Goods Corporation
) operated in Monroeville Mall until 1994. In October 1986, The May Department Stores Company
merged with Associated Dry Goods Corporation
. May promptly sold The Joseph Horne Company
to a group of local investors. In 1995, Federated Department Stores
acquired Horne's
and renamed all former locations under its own Lazarus
regional
nameplate
. In 2005, Federated eventually merged all its divisions (including the former Joseph Horne/Lazarus locations) into Macy's
as part of a nationwide rebranding program.
CBL announced in 2011 that J.C. Penney will relocate to the former Boscov's building and a new movie theater will be built on the J.C. Penney's current occupation.
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Monroeville is a home rule municipality in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located about east of the city of Pittsburgh, Monroeville is a bustling suburb with mixed residential and commercial developments...
, east
of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. It is located near the junction of Interstate 376
Interstate 376
Interstate 376 is a major auxiliary route of the Interstate Highway System in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, located entirely within the Allegheny Plateau. It runs from I-80 near Sharon south and east to a junction with the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Monroeville, after having crossed the Turnpike...
and I-76
Pennsylvania Turnpike
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a toll highway system operated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. The three sections of the turnpike system total . The main section extends from Ohio to New Jersey and is long...
. It sits on 170 acre (0.6879662 km²) and has 1418700 square feet (131,802 m²) of leaseable space on two levels, making it the second largest shopping complex in Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania consists of the western third of the state of Pennsylvania in the United States. Pittsburgh is the largest city in the region, with a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million people, and serves as its economic and cultural center. Erie, Altoona, and Johnstown are its...
.
Developed by Oxford Development Company, the property was acquired in 2004 for $232 million by CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., , is a real estate investment trust based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. The fourth largest shopping mall REIT in the United States, it owns, holds interests in or manages 130 properties including 79 market-dominant enclosed malls...
, a REIT based in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
. Recently, the mall finished a remodeling project to compete with several newer, more luxurious malls in the Pittsburgh area. It is one of two CBL malls owned in the Pittsburgh area, the second being Westmoreland Mall
Westmoreland Mall
Westmoreland Mall, owned and operated by CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., is a two-level, enclosed shopping mall in the municipality of Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh. It was completed in 1977, extensively renovated and expanded in 1993-1994, and includes The Bon-Ton,...
in Greensburg
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Greensburg is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States, and a part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The city is named after Nathanael Greene, a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War...
.
The mall is most famous for its appearance in the George A. Romero
George A. Romero
George Andrew Romero is a Canadian-American film director, screenwriter and editor, best known for his gruesome and satirical horror films about a hypothetical zombie apocalypse. He is nicknamed "Godfather of all Zombies." -Life and career:...
horror film Dawn of the Dead (1978).
History
Before the 1950s postwar migration movement, Monroeville was predominantly a rural farming area. The opening of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the early 1950s followed by completion of Interstate 376 (Parkway East) in the early 1960s would expedite the growth of Monroeville and the eastern suburbs. In November 1954, the Miracle Mile Shopping CenterMiracle Mile Shopping Center (Monroeville, Pennsylvania)
The Miracle Mile Shopping Center opened in November 1954, and it was one of the few large shopping destinations for Monroeville municipality until the Monroeville Mall opened its doors in July 1969....
opened for business with numerous shops and eateries. As the novelty of shopping malls were becoming increasingly popular in the 1960s, residents of Monroeville and the eastern suburbs shopped at the defunct Eastland Mall
Eastland Mall (North Versailles, Pennsylvania)
Eastland Mall was a two-level, enclosed shopping mall located at 833 East Pittsburgh-McKeesport Blvd in North Versailles, Pennsylvania, situated on of land at the peak of a hill overlooking the Monongahela River. The mall was home to such stores as Gimbels, Sears, J.C. Penney, F.W. Woolworth...
in nearby North Versailles
North Versailles, Pennsylvania
North Versailles is a first class township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,229 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, or at Greengate Mall (now demolished and rebuilt as Greengate Centre
Greengate Centre
Greengate Centre is an expansive open-air power center in Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. It is located on U.S. Route 30. The center opened in 2005 on the site of the defunct Greengate Mall, which was demolished in 2003. Greengate Centre currently encompasses over of retail space, and more than...
) in Greensburg
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Greensburg is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States, and a part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The city is named after Nathanael Greene, a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War...
, Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 369,993 people, 149,813 households, and 104,569 families residing in the county. The population density was 361 people per square mile . There were 161,058 housing units at an average density of 157 per square mile...
.
Proposal
In the mid-1960s, Don-Mark Realty (later Oxford Development Company) proposed building the largest shopping mall in the United States in the form of Monroeville Mall. For the development, Don-Mark acquired a 280 acres (1.1 km²) tract known as Harper's Mine. Despite local residents questioning whether the land was indeed a prime location for development, Don-Mark was confident that the site was perfect for the proposed mall. By 1966, grading equipment would begin leveling part of the massive site in preparation for the mall's construction. In fact, more than 5000000 cubic yards (3,822,774.3 m³) of dirt would be moved to level the 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) portion of the 280 acres (1.1 km²) site, with excavation costs totaling $2.5 million at the time. Construction on the $30 million dollar mall would begin in 1967 and last for two years. Outside, the massive parking lots were paved and spaced to accommodate 6,500 vehicles.Opening
In May 1969, the 1130000 square feet (104,980.4 m²) Monroeville Mall opened its doors with Gimbels and Joseph Horne Co. at opposite ends and J.C. PenneyJ.C. Penney
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. The company operates 1,107 department stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. JCPenney also operates catalog sales merchant offices nationwide in many...
in the middle. The five and dime G.C. Murphy store provided a lower-price alternative for shoppers on the lower level. The mall contained 125 stores on two levels and featured the Ice Palace, which was the first world-class ice skating rink in an enclosed mall on the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
. Another unique feature was the location of a local Italian restaurant directly adjacent to the rink, with large picture windows in its dining rooms that gave patrons direct views of skaters on the rink. The mall's opening would eventually lead to the decline and closure of the East Hills Shopping Center in nearby Penn Hills
Penn Hills, Pennsylvania
Penn Hills is a large Home Rule Municipality in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population as of the 2010 census was 42,329, making it Pittsburgh's second largest suburb by population.-History:...
. It would also affect business at the near-by Miracle Mile Shopping Center, which was greatly impacted following the relocation of its J.C. Penney store to the Monroeville Mall, although business would gradually level out over time.
Mall amenities
The mall was decorated with fountains and plant life that flourished under enormous skylights. The Gimbels court of the mall featured a large yellow clock tower that housed 12 animated puppets, each one representing an ethnic group in the Pittsburgh area. One puppet performed every hour, and all performed together at 1pm and 6pm. The court at the Horne's end of the mall had a large, circular fountain, surrounded by a seating area. The store selection in the mall ranged from high fashion to hardware. There was a bank, several places to eat, pharmacies, pubs and even a ministry center, as developers had intended on making the mall into an indoor "town center" for the Monroeville community.Renovations and expansions
With Monroeville Mall fully operational, the areas surrounding the mall began to develop as well. Outparcels such as a movie theaterMovie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
, a Marriott
Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. is a worldwide operator and franchisor of a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Founded by J. Willard Marriott, the company is now led by son J.W. Marriott, Jr...
hotel, a freestanding Montgomery Ward
Montgomery Ward
Montgomery Ward is an online retailer that carries the same name as the former American department store chain, founded as the world's #1 mail order business in 1872 by Aaron Montgomery Ward, and which went out of business in 2001...
store, and a number of retailers, auto service centers and restaurants were subsequentially built during the 1970s. The mall annex would also be developed directly behind the mall and feature an A&P
The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, better known as A&P, is a supermarket and liquor store chain in the United States. Its supermarkets, which are under six different banners, are found in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. A&P's liquor stores, known as...
supermarket, among other businesses. The Greater Pittsburgh Merchandise Mart, the predecessor to the much larger Pittsburgh ExpoMart of Monroeville, was developed as a facility for the display of goods by representatives of various manufacturers. It would be replaced by the larger facility in 1981 and redeveloped for a Borders
Borders Group
Borders Group, Inc. was an international book and music retailer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The company employed approximately 19,500 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders and Waldenbooks stores....
bookstore. In February 1984, much to the dismay of local residents, the Ice Palace was replaced by a food court. In later years, most of the mall's decorative ponds and bridges would be replaced by numerous kiosks. In the early 1990s, the distinctive clock tower was dismantled in lieu of a stage, which has since been replaced with a bungee jumping attraction, while the fountain at the opposite end was removed in the early 2000s for a children's play area, themed to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The largest renovation and expansion project ever at Monroeville Mall was completed in 2003-2004. The main entrance area fronting the mall was redeveloped into an 80000 square feet (7,432.2 m²) lifestyle center
Lifestyle center (retail)
A lifestyle center is a shopping center or mixed-used commercial development that combines the traditional retail functions of a shopping mall with leisure amenities oriented towards upscale consumers...
called The District. Inside the mall, cosmetic upgrades to the lighting fixtures, flooring, railings and seating were done. Escalators were also installed in the court areas at both ends of the center. In addition the glass Westinghouse elevator located in the food court was refurbished, the neon lightning was removed, and the outer structure was painted a silver color as it used to be red. The fountain behind the elevator has also been removed to maximize seating area for the food court. In 2009, the ExpoMart was converted into office space and a smaller convention center opened along Mall Boulevard in a renovated building.
In May 2010, local sources indicated that Walmart was considering opening a smaller format store in the former Boscov's anchor space. Other potential retailers that were mentioned included Cinemark Theaters and J.C. Penney, which currently operates a location at the mall. Recently, the mall's owners have been making an effort to reduce the environmental impact caused by the mall's operation. Much of the lighting inside the mall has been changed to Compact Fluorescent Lighting. The mall's interior lighting, which used to stay on during operating hours, now operates by photocell, so the interior lights turn on only when natural sunlight is not sufficient. Utilizing multiple trash compactors, the mall recycles 240 tons of cardboard every year. Also, in 2008 the Security vehicle was replaced with a fuel-efficient Mercedes SmartCar Fourtwo, which averages 40 MPG. As a result of their efforts, CBL & Associates, Inc. proclaimed Monroeville Mall to be the 2009 Green Property of the Year.
In popular culture
The Monroeville Mall has been featured prominently in numerous films, as well as in various computer/video games.Dawn of the Dead
Monroeville Mall is most famous as the filming location for the movie Dawn of the Dead, the 1978 cult horrorHorror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
classic, directed by George A. Romero
George A. Romero
George Andrew Romero is a Canadian-American film director, screenwriter and editor, best known for his gruesome and satirical horror films about a hypothetical zombie apocalypse. He is nicknamed "Godfather of all Zombies." -Life and career:...
. In 1977, George A. Romero began filming Dawn of the Dead on location at the Monroeville Mall. All filming inside the mall took place at night after the mall had closed, with filming often continuing until dawn. Filming in the mall began in October 1977, but had to be suspended when the mall's Christmas decorations were hung shortly after Thanksgiving. Filming resumed in January after the decorations were removed. It was during that break that much of the mall's exterior shots were filmed, as well as filming at other locations. The mall was used as a fortress to protect four human survivors from a world taken over by the walking dead. Romero used the location to its fullest, beautifully displaying the mall and its vastness, almost giving the mall a cavernous feel. The movie went on to become a huge hit worldwide, leaving legions of dedicated fans in its wake. Fans travel far and wide, sometimes from other countries, just to have a chance to visit the location. Several pictures taken during the filming are on display in a room on the upper level near Macy's. In addition, Monroeville Zombies located on the lower level near Macy's and features an in-store museum and gift shop that is dedicated to celebrating zombies in film and pop culture. The museum's main focus is Dawn of the Dead and contains artifacts, memorabilia ,scale models of the mall as depicted in the movie and a boiler room walk through with various life sized replicas of movie zombies.www.monroevillezombies.com
Other films
- The ice skating rink at Monroeville Mall appears in the 1983 film FlashdanceFlashdanceAnother song used in the film, "Maniac", was also nominated for an Academy Award. It was written by Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky, and was inspired by the 1980 horror film Maniac. The lyrics about a killer on the loose were rewritten so that it could be used in Flashdance...
as the rink on which Jeanne auditions. - Some scenes from the film Zack and Miri Make a PornoZack and Miri Make a PornoZack and Miri Make a Porno is a 2008 romantic comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith, distributed by The Weinstein Company, and starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks. It is Smith's second film not to be set within the View Askewniverse and the first not set in New Jersey. It was...
, directed by Kevin SmithKevin SmithKevin Patrick Smith is an American screenwriter, actor, film producer, and director, as well as a popular comic book writer, author, comedian/raconteur, and internet radio personality best recognized by viewers as Silent Bob...
, were filmed in the mall. - In the 1984 children's fantasy filmFantasy filmFantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic, supernatural events, make-believe creatures, or exotic fantasy worlds. The genre is considered to be distinct from science fiction film and horror film, although the genres do overlap...
The Boy Who Loved TrollsThe Boy Who Loved TrollsThe Boy Who Loved Trolls is a 1984 American Fantasy/Adventure film. The story was adapted by James A. DeVinney from a play by John Wheatcroft. The original play, entitled Ofoeti, was telecast in 1966, on NET Playhouse.-Plot:...
, 12-year old Paul is seen wandering through the halls of the mall as shots of many long gone storefronts such as the Candy Tree are shown. - The Monroeville Mall marquee, overlooking U.S. Route 22U.S. Route 22U.S. Route 22 is a west–east route and is one of the original United States highways of 1926, running from Cincinnati, Ohio, at US 27, US 42, US 127, and US 52 to Newark, New Jersey, at U.S. Route 1/9 near the Newark Liberty International Airport.US 22 also carries the names of the William...
, is shown in a brief scene in the Greg MottolaGreg MottolaGregory J. "Greg" Mottola is an American filmmaker, screenwriter and television director. Mottola wrote and directed the 1996 independent film The Daytrippers, then concentrated for several years on directing in television for series such as Undeclared and Arrested Development...
film AdventurelandAdventureland (film)Adventureland is a 2009 Retro comedy-drama film written and directed by Greg Mottola. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Margarita Levieva, Ryan Reynolds, Martin Starr, Bill Hader, and Kristen Wiig.-Plot:...
.
Miscellaneous
- The fictional mall of Willamette named "Willamette Parkview Mall" of Dead RisingDead Risingis an action-adventure, survivor horror video game, developed by Capcom and produced by Keiji Inafune. It was released on August 8, 2006 exclusively for the Xbox 360 video game console. The game was a commercial success. It has been introduced into the Xbox 360 "Platinum Hits" lineup, and a cell...
was also inspired by Monroeville Mall as the same setting as Dawn of the Dead, although the creators had noted that the game was not developed, approved or licensed by the owners or creators of George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead. - A zombie walkZombie WalkA zombie walk is an organized public gathering of people who dress up in zombie costumes...
, an organized public gathering of people who dress up in zombie costumes, takes place at the mall around October of each year. - A second city of MonroevilleMonroeville, PennsylvaniaMonroeville is a home rule municipality in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located about east of the city of Pittsburgh, Monroeville is a bustling suburb with mixed residential and commercial developments...
was started in the browser-based multi-player game Urban DeadUrban DeadUrban Dead is a Free To Play HTML/text-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game created by Kevan Davis. Set in a quarantined region of the fictional city of Malton, it deals with the aftermath of a zombie outbreak. Players enter the game either as a survivor or a zombie, each with...
on the 25th of February 2008 including Monroeville Mall, as a promotion for the release of the film Diary of the DeadDiary of the DeadDiary of the Dead is a 2007 American/Canadian horror film by George A. Romero...
. - An inner-city shopping centre named "Monroeville Mall" is shown on the cover of the zombie survival board game Mall of Horror.
- Rock group My Chemical RomanceMy Chemical RomanceMy Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
recorded a song, "Early Sunsets Over Monroeville", based on the film Dawn of the Dead. - The fictional Pittsburgh suburb of Libertyville, Pennsylvania, in the Stephen KingStephen KingStephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
novel Christine was inspired by Monroeville, Pennsylvania, and the Monroeville Mall. - The original television commercial was parodied by Adult SwimAdult SwimAdult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
in the form of a promo. - Exterior scenes of the mall were used in the television series Queer as Folk, in an episode during the show's final season.
Anchor stores
In 1969, the Monroeville Mall opened with The Joseph Horne CompanyHorne'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...
, Gimbels, and JC Penney as the original anchors.
In 1970, the entire Gimbels chain was purchased by the tobacco conglomerate BATUS. In 1986, after years of declining sales, BATUS announced that Gimbels was on the block. Unable to find a buyer for the entire chain, BATUS closed down the entire Gimbels Pittsburgh division, selling or closing all locations. Some of the more attractive mall locations, such as Monroeville Mall, were taken over by the St. Louis based May Department Stores Company
May Department Stores
The May Department Stores Company was a national department store chain in the United States, founded in 1877 by David May. The company ceased to exist in 2005 when it was merged with Federated Department Stores, Inc . Prior to the merger it was headquartered in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri...
for its Pittsburgh based 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...
division. This effectively caused the shuttering of the entire Gimbels Pittsburgh division. The Monroeville Mall location was closed and completely renovated, including adding a third floor, before reopening as 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...
. In 2006, when The May Department Stores Company
May Department Stores
The May Department Stores Company was a national department store chain in the United States, founded in 1877 by David May. The company ceased to exist in 2005 when it was merged with Federated Department Stores, Inc . Prior to the merger it was headquartered in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri...
was purchased by Cincinnati based Federated Department Stores
Federated Department Stores
Macy's, Inc. is a department store holding company and owner of Macy's and Bloomingdale's department stores. Macy's Inc.'s stores specialize mostly in retail clothing, jewelery, watches, dinnerware, and furniture....
, this store was acquired by Boscov's
Boscov's
Boscov's is an American department store founded by Solomon Boscov in 1911. The first store was in Reading, Pennsylvania, and today 40 stores are spread throughout the Mid-Atlantic states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and Delaware....
as 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...
was already located in the former 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...
spot at the opposite end of the mall. In October 2008, Boscov's closed their Monroeville store as part of a restructuring plan within the company.
The Joseph Horne Company
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...
(owned by the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
based Associated Dry Goods Corporation
Associated Dry Goods
Associated Dry Goods was a chain of department stores that merged with May Department Stores in 1986. It was founded in 1916 as an association of independent stores called American Dry Goods, based in New York City.-History:...
) operated in Monroeville Mall until 1994. In October 1986, The May Department Stores Company
May Department Stores
The May Department Stores Company was a national department store chain in the United States, founded in 1877 by David May. The company ceased to exist in 2005 when it was merged with Federated Department Stores, Inc . Prior to the merger it was headquartered in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri...
merged with Associated Dry Goods Corporation
Associated Dry Goods
Associated Dry Goods was a chain of department stores that merged with May Department Stores in 1986. It was founded in 1916 as an association of independent stores called American Dry Goods, based in New York City.-History:...
. May promptly sold The Joseph Horne Company
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...
to a group of local investors. In 1995, Federated Department Stores
Federated Department Stores
Macy's, Inc. is a department store holding company and owner of Macy's and Bloomingdale's department stores. Macy's Inc.'s stores specialize mostly in retail clothing, jewelery, watches, dinnerware, and furniture....
acquired 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...
and renamed all former locations under its own 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...
regional
Régional
Régional Compagnie Aérienne Européenne, or Régional for short, is a subsidiary airline wholly owned by Air France which connects hubs at Paris, Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, and Bordeaux to 49 airports in Europe. The airline operates in Air France livery, retaining its name in small titles and logo on...
nameplate
Nameplate
A nameplate identifies and displays a person or product's name. Name plates are usually shaped as rectangles but are also seen in other shapes, sometimes taking on the shape of someone’s name...
. In 2005, Federated eventually merged all its divisions (including the former Joseph Horne/Lazarus locations) into 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...
as part of a nationwide rebranding program.
CBL announced in 2011 that J.C. Penney will relocate to the former Boscov's building and a new movie theater will be built on the J.C. Penney's current occupation.
Anchors
- 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...
- 240,567 sq ft, 3 levels (formerly Hornes, 1969-1994; Remodeled and Re-branded to Lazarus, 1994-2005; converted to Macy's in 2005)
- J. C. PenneyJ. C. Penney-External links:*...
- 210, 467 sq ft, 2 levels (original anchor, opened 1969; closing in September 2012 and re-locating to former Boscov's space; space to become Cinemark Imax Theater in near future)
- Space Available - 262,000 sq ft, 3 levels (formerly Gimbels, 1969-1986, expanded and re-opened as Kaufmann's, 1986-2006, converted to Boscov's, 2006-2008, space to leased by J.C. Penney and open in September 2012)
External links
- Monroeville Mall
- Monroeville Mall 1978 Tour
- Monroeville Mall Satellite Image
- Harper's Mine Birthplace of Monroeville Mall
- Monroeville Mall Ice Palace gift to the area
- O.T.I.S.(Odd Things I've Seen): A Firsthand Account of Visiting Monroeville Mall
- Worker dies of burns suffered in mall accident
- Man helps nab purse snatcher
- Urban Dead Monroeville