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Westgate Mall (Pennsylvania)

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Coordinates: 40°38′31″N 75°24′12″W / 40.6419°N 75.4033°W / 40.6419; -75.4033
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Westgate Mall
Exterior of Westgate Mall in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, May 2018
Map
LocationBethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Coordinates40°38′32″N 75°24′09″W / 40.642231°N 75.40239°W / 40.642231; -75.40239
Address2285-2524 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1]
Opening date1973[2][3]
DeveloperHarold Campbell[4][5][n 1]
OwnerOnyx Equities LLC
PCCP LLC[3][6]
Total retail floor area270,000 square feet (25,000 m2)[4]
No. of floors2[8]
Parking1,600 spaces[7]

Westgate Mall is a shopping mall located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It is anchored by Harbor Freight Tools, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Oak Street Health, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, and Weis Markets.[9]

History

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20th century

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Harold Campbell purchased the land Westgate Mall is located on for $30,000 over two decades before it opened due to water issues it caused in another project he owned nearby.[10] The first buildings on the mall property were constructed in 1964.[7] George's IGA Foodliner opened in 1967 and Hess's was built on the site in 1971.[11][12] Westgate Mall was built in 1973 and opened with 40 tenants.[10][13] On February 12, 1977 a three-alarm fire occurred at the Westgate Mall causing the loss of 18 stores and injuries to several firefighters. The fire only stopped due to a firewall and was ruled arson, but no suspect was ever found. Damage to the mall totaled $2,857,452.[14][15]

George's IGA was sold to King's IGA in 1992, with King's planning to make upgrades.[11] Hess's interior was redesigned in 1993 and the store was purchased by The Bon-Ton in 1994.[12][16]

21st century

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From 1999 to 2005, a legal dispute over the land that housed The Bon-Ton occurred, and it was eventually sold to PREIT for $500,000.[17] Newberry's converted to a Dollar Zone before closing in April 2002.[7][18] The family of Harold Campbell attempted to take control of Westgate Mall on June 4, 2002, which resulted in legal action by the mall's two managers, who had power of attorney over it since 1997.[5][19] The issue was later settled in 2002 with the managers retaining control of the mall.[20]

Starting in November 2011, The Market at Westgate farmers market opened at the mall on Wednesdays.[2] City View Capital LLC purchased most of the mall in June 2013 for $2.3 million. PREIT, who owned the land that housed The Bon-Ton, later sold it to an affiliate of the mall's owners in December 2014 for $3.85 million.[4] The owners of Westgate announced in mid-2015 that the mall would receive $5 million in changes, including a new facade.[4][13]

In August 2015, Sky Zone Trampoline Park was announced as a future addition to the mall.[21] The Bon-Ton chain liquidated starting in April 2018, with Westgate's store closing during the summer.[4][22] Jack Williams Tire subleased space from The Bon-Ton.[23]

In October 2018, Westgate Mall was sold to Onyx Equities LLC and PCCP LLC for $30 million.[4][6] Weis Markets moved from its existing space at Westgate into part of the former Bon-Ton in May 2021.[24][25] Lehigh Valley Health Network leased part of the former Bon-Ton for equipment storage in December 2021.[26][27] Harbor Freight Tools opened in the mall 2022, using part of the space formerly occupied by Weis Markets.[26][28] Redevelopment plans for Westgate Mall were announced in March 2022. The plans called for over 50,000 square feet of interior space to be demolished and replaced by new buildings, along with facade changes.[27][29]

In January 2023, several stores were asked to vacate in anticipation of the redevelopment, with some relocating to other locations in the Lehigh Valley. New restaurants and a bank will replace that portion of the mall.[30][31][32] Oak Street Health opened in June 2023, using the former Rite Aid space.[33] Demolition began on part of the mall in November 2023, with the former Dempsey’s restaurant being already removed in October.[34]

Notes

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  1. ^ Also known as Harold S. Campbell Sr.

References

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  1. ^ "For Lease Westgate Mall" (PDF). CBRE. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b Olanoff, Lynn (17 October 2011). "Westgate Mall in Bethlehem to host year-round farmers market". Lehigh Valley Live. Advance Local Media. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b "CBRE Hired as Exclusive Leasing Agent at Westgate Mall in Bethlehem, PA". CBREUS. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Harris, Jon; Radzievich, Nicole (October 19, 2018). "Westgate Mall in Bethlehem sold to N.J. real estate investment firm". The Morning Call. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  5. ^ a b Braden, Tyra (June 7, 2002). "Complaint: "Physical force' used in struggle over Westgate Mall ** Son of Bethlehem shopping center owner is in fight for control". The Morning Call. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  6. ^ a b Harris, Jon (October 25, 2018). "New owner of Westgate Mall in Bethlehem: We plan on 'revitalizing this well-located retail center'". The Morning Call. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Assad, Matt (June 6, 2002). "Developer's son, managers fight for Westgate Mall ** Harold Campbell Jr. wants to take charge. Guards watch records". The Morning Call. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Westgate Mall". Colliers International. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Westgate" (PDF). Metro Commercial. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  10. ^ a b Novak, Steve (1 October 2023). "Westgate Mall turns 50: It started with flooded basements". Lehigh Valley Live. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  11. ^ a b Kunsman, Ken (April 7, 1992). "SALE OF GEORGE'S IGA TO BERKS COUNTY CHAIN MARKS END OF AN ERA". The Morning Call. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  12. ^ a b Walker, Constance (August 30, 1993). "PURSUIT OF CONSUMER PREFERENCES DICTATES NEW SPIN IN STORE DESIGN REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: RETAILING". The Morning Call. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  13. ^ a b Olanoff, Lynn (13 August 2015). "Bethlehem's Westgate Mall getting more new stores, major overhaul". Lehigh Valley Live. Advance Local Media. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  14. ^ Boyle, Phil (May 26, 1991). "UNWELCOME INCIDENTS LEFT MISERY, LOSS OF LIFE". The Morning Call. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  15. ^ Boyle, Phil (April 17, 1998). "FIRE MARSHAL RETIRES AFTER THREE DECADES * STATE POLICE'S UMBERGER PROBED BETHLEHEM'S '77 WESTGATE MALL INFERNO". The Morning Call. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  16. ^ Hernan, Michael (October 1, 1994). "BON-TON FINALIZES $60 MILLION DEAL FOR 19 HESS'S STORES, WAREHOUSE". The Morning Call. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  17. ^ Harris, Jon (May 11, 2018). "How Hess's once negotiated a sweet deal at Westgate Mall". The Morning Call. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  18. ^ Millman, Christian (November 30, 2001). "McCrory says it's going out of business** The five-and-dime chain joins others in giving up to bigger merchandisers". The Morning Call. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  19. ^ Assad, Matt (June 12, 2002). "Heirs question Westgate Mall managers' moves ** Doctors will decide if owner can transfer power of attorney". The Morning Call. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  20. ^ Lauer-Williams, Kathy (November 3, 2005). "Sale price of Westgate Mall property stands, high court says ** 10-acre tract was sold for $500,000, but is worth $4.7 million". The Morning Call. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  21. ^ Olanoff, Lynn (8 August 2015). "Indoor trampoline park coming to Bethlehem's Westgate Mall". Lehigh Valley Live. Advance Local Media. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  22. ^ Harris, Jon (April 20, 2018). "Liquidation sales start today at all Bon-Ton stores". The Morning Call. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  23. ^ Harris, Jon (May 11, 2018). "Life without Bon-Ton: Disaster or opportunity for Lehigh Valley malls?". The Morning Call. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  24. ^ Harris, Jon (October 21, 2020). "Weis Markets spending 'tens of millions' on 2 Lehigh Valley stores. 'These two stores will be as nice as any stores in our chain,' CEO says". The Morning Call. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  25. ^ Kneller, Ryan (May 6, 2021). "Weis Markets opening two new Lehigh Valley stores later this month". The Morning Call. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  26. ^ a b Sroka-Holzmann, Pamela (8 February 2022). "Here's what a vacant Rite Aid store will become at Westgate Mall in Bethlehem". Lehigh Valley Live. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  27. ^ a b Kneller, Ryan (March 17, 2022). "Westgate Mall owner to demolish part of shopping center to welcome three quick-service restaurant chains". The Morning Call. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  28. ^ Kneller, Ryan (January 12, 2022). "Popular retail chain to open fifth Lehigh Valley area location at former Weis space at Westgate Mall". The Morning Call. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  29. ^ Satullo, Sara K. (11 March 2022). "3 new national retailers revealed as Westgate Mall tenants". Lehigh Valley Live. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  30. ^ Kneller, Ryan (January 26, 2023). "'It's a shame!': Six businesses vacating Bethlehem's Westgate Mall amid redevelopment". WFMZ. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  31. ^ Jones, Evan (26 January 2023). "After decades at Westgate Mall, several merchants told they have to leave to make way for renovations. Some are shutting down for good". The Morning Call. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  32. ^ Kneller, Ryan (April 10, 2023). "Amid Westgate Mall redevelopment, longstanding jewelry store finds new home in Bethlehem". WFMZ. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  33. ^ Kneller, Ryan (6 June 2023). "Amid redevelopment, Westgate Mall welcomes new tenant". WFMZ. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  34. ^ Kneller, Ryan (15 November 2023). "PHOTOS: Crews demolish part of Westgate Mall's interior in Bethlehem". WFMZ. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
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40°38′31″N 75°24′12″W / 40.6419°N 75.4033°W / 40.6419; -75.4033

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