The Shoppes at Montage

The Shoppes at Montage is a shopping center in Moosic, Pennsylvania. It opened on March 29, 2007 [ [http://www.theshoppesatmontage.com/shoppes-at-montage/events/detail/3.aspx Shoppes At Montage ] ] . It is the first lifestyle shopping center in the area. Unlike other local shopping centers, it focuses on mid to high-end retailers and seeks to attract patrons from an area much larger than the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. [ [http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16418508&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415891&rfi=6 The Times-Tribune - Retail boom shows no signs of slowing ] ]

Tenants

Jos. A. Bank, J. Jill, Coldwater Creek, Ann Taylor Loft, Chico's, and New York & Company have stores in the new mall. A number of restaurants, including Kildare's Irish Pub, Longhorn Steak House, Quiznos Sub, Panera Bread, and Pachero's Mexican Grill, have also opened. [ [http://www.theshoppesatmontage.com/shoppes-at-montage/merchants/list/alpha.aspx Shoppes At Montage ] ]

Reaction and Controversy

Generally, reaction to the new mall among area residents has been positive. A 2005 survey by the Scranton Times-Tribune indicated that residents wanted a shopping center with more high-end retailers (although census show median household income in Lackawanna County, where the shops are located, is $37,545 [ [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42069.html Lackawanna County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau ] ] ), as well as more variety than current local shopping options. Respondents also indicated that the new mall may help them avoid long drives to the Crossings Premium Outlets in Tannersville and the King of Prussia Mall near Philadelphia, where some currently travel to shop at high-end retailers. [ [http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=15648297&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=8 The Times-Tribune - SETTING UP SHOPPES ] ]

Prizm Asset Management Company (owner of The Mall at Steamtown in Scranton) and the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (owner of Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre and Viewmont Mall in Dickson City) have expressed both economic and environmental concerns about the new mall. Though the Moosic Borough Council has consistently voted in favor of the project [ [http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=15833669&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=8 The Times-Tribune - Moosic council vote favors Shoppes ] ] , they have filed lawsuits challenging both zoning and stormwater runoff plans in an effort to prevent the mall's construction [ [http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=15143533&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=8 The Times-Tribune - Local malls sue to block planned Montage shops ] ] . They have also appealed to the public to express their opposition to the new mall's construction. [ [http://www.themallatsteamtown.com/openletter.html New Page 1 ] ]

Each side has also accused the other of contacting retailers in an effort to either persuade them to relocate, or not to do so. Both sides have denied any such activity.

External links

* [http://www.theshoppesatmontage.com/ The Shoppes at Montage official site]

References