It's The End Of The Road For This Popular Pittsburgh Mall And We'll Never Forget It
By Beth Price-Williams|Published February 28, 2019
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Let’s take a stroll down Memory Lane today, fellow yinzers! Those of us who grew up in Pittsburgh have all – at least one time or another – been to or passed by Century II Mall, three floors once jam-packed with stores, restaurants, and people. But, after a run of nearly 40 years, the once-popular mall in Pittsburgh has become only a memory for those of us who regularly shopped, who hung out with our friends on Friday and Saturday nights, and who got all of our Christmas shopping done there.
Remember the good old days when Century III, which opened in October 1977, was always so busy that we'd have to go searching for a parking space? Fortunately, the mall had plenty of parking spaces and six entrances.
When it first opened in 1979, Century III held distinction as the world's third largest mall, boasting 1,290,000-square feet of shops, restaurants, the food court, and decorative fountains. (And, it attracted shoppers from all over PA and beyond.)
In those early days, the mall was home to all the biggest brand stores in the area: Montgomery Wards (remember walking up the elevated walkway to get to the first floor indoor entrance?), Gimbel's, Sears, Kaufmann's, and JCPenney.
Throughout the years, stores came and went. But, for most of those years, the food court was always busy, with shoppers ordering meals from such eateries as Wendy's, Taco Tina's, Orange Julius, and Italian Village Pizza.
What were some of your favorite shops or eateries at Century III over the years? Gene & Boots Candies? Wicks 'N Sticks? National Record Mart? Fashion Bug? Or, another one?
Unfortunately, Century III Mall began its downward spiral at the end of the 20th century. Some attribute the downfall to the new shops at the Waterfront and the appeal of new malls like The Mall at Robinson and Pittsburgh Mills.
By 2006, Century III faced a 30 percent vacancy rate, which would only increase in the coming years. Then, in 2013, it looked like Century III would be reborn when Moonbeam Capital Investments LLC purchased the struggling mall.
However, the plans to revive the mall to its former glory stalled. A sheriff's sale was scheduled - and postponed - several times in 2018. A broken water system led to the temporary closure of the mall in February 2019 and...
Just days later, the few tenants who remained were given notice to vacate their space within 30 days. Only JcPenney and Dick's remain, and what will happen to the now-empty mall remains unclear.
What are your favorite memories of Century III Mall in Pittsburgh? Join the conversation in the comments! Then, if you’re feeling a bit misty-eyed or nostalgic, click here to read about 12 of the stores we all knew if we grew up in Pittsburgh.
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