Early Commercial Beginnings and Land Acquisition
Harold Campbell acquired the land where Westgate Mall sits for $30,000 over 20 years before the mall’s opening. He used the land to solve water issues in a nearby property.
The site was first constructed in 1964. George’s IGA Foodliner opened in 1967, becoming one of the first stores on the property.
Hess’s department store followed in 1971, establishing an early retail presence before the mall was built. Construction of the main Westgate Mall structure started in 1973, culminating in the official opening later that year. The mall initially launched with 40 tenants, aiming to serve the growing demand for retail in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The property’s early commercial development marked the foundation of a key retail location for the area. Westgate Mall became a central part of things to do in Bethlehem, PA, as it offered various shopping opportunities from its earliest days.
Fire Incident and Rebuild
In 1977, on February 12, a fire broke out at Westgate Mall and destroyed 18 stores. The fire alarm sounded, and crews arrived quickly, but the flames spread quickly.
The fire only stopped when it reached a firewall. Several firefighters were injured, and the damage totaled over $2.8 million. Investigators later determined it was arson, but no one was arrested.
Westgate Mall faced challenges after the fire. Many stores had to close temporarily or relocate while the rebuilding process started. By the end of that year, reconstruction was underway.
The fire didn’t stop the mall’s operations for long, and tenants began reopening as soon as repairs were done. The rebuilding marked a turning point in the mall’s resilience, keeping it as a shopping destination in Bethlehem.
1990s Transformations and Hess’s Conversion
In 1992, George’s IGA, an early store at Westgate Mall, was sold to King’s IGA. King’s planned upgrades to modernize the grocery business. By 1993, Hess’s department store underwent a complete redesign, responding to changing retail trends.
The Bon-Ton acquired Hess’s space in 1994 as part of a $60 million deal that included other Hess locations. This change reflected how Westgate was evolving to stay competitive in the market.
Around the same time, Newberry’s transformed into Dollar Zone. This shift didn’t last long, though, as Dollar Zone eventually closed in 2002.
In the 1990s, Westgate adjusted its lineup to meet new consumer demands, keeping its retail offerings fresh for shoppers.
Legal Disputes and Ownership Challenges
In the late 1990s, Westgate Mall faced a complicated ownership battle. From 1999 to 2005, a dispute emerged over the land occupied by The Bon-Ton store.
The disagreement centered around a piece of land that was ultimately sold to PREIT for $500,000, though it was valued much higher.
This legal issue dragged on for years, but it was eventually resolved without causing too much disruption to the mall’s daily operations.
In 2002, the family of Harold Campbell, the mall’s original developer, tried to regain control of the property. They launched a legal fight, challenging the mall’s two managers who had held power of attorney since 1997.
The struggle ended with the managers keeping control of the property while the family stepped back. These legal challenges marked a tough period for Westgate, but the mall continued to operate and serve the community.
Revitalization Efforts in the 21st Century
By the 2010s, Westgate Mall began to need revitalization. In 2013, City View Capital LLC purchased most of the mall for $2.3 million.
Around this time, new stores and businesses began to take an interest in the location. In 2015, the mall underwent a $5 million renovation, which included updates to its facade and interior, giving it a fresh, modern look.
That same year, the announcement that Sky Zone Trampoline Park would be coming to the mall added a new dimension to Westgate’s offerings. The trampoline park became an anchor tenant, attracting families and younger crowds.
By 2018, The Bon-Ton, once a major retailer at Westgate, began liquidating its stores across the country.
The closure left a large vacancy, but by 2021, Weis Markets had moved into the former Bon-Ton space, showing how Westgate adapted to changing retail trends.
Latest Developments at Westgate Mall
In October 2018, Onyx Equities LLC and PCCP LLC bought Westgate Mall for $30 million. This marked a new phase for the mall, as the new owners planned to revitalize the property.
Weis Markets continued to be one of the mall’s major tenants. In December 2021, Lehigh Valley Health Network began using part of the remaining Bon-Ton space for equipment storage.
By 2022, new owners announced a redevelopment project that would demolish over 50,000 square feet of interior space, making room for new buildings and more exterior-facing shops. Harbor Freight Tools also opened in 2022, taking over the former Weis Markets space.
In early 2023, the mall asked six businesses to vacate as part of a broader renovation plan. These included long-standing local establishments that had been fixtures at Westgate for years.
Oak Street Health, a healthcare provider, moved into the space previously occupied by Rite Aid in June 2023.
Demolition started in November 2023, with 50,000 sq ft of the interior and older restaurants, like Dempsey’s, being removed to make way for new tenants, including restaurants and banks.
Starbucks opened a new location at the mall, complete with a drive-thru, in mid-2024. This marked a milestone for the revamped Westgate, as popular national chains are part of the strategy to reinvigorate the mall.
Alongside Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s Subs is slated to open on September 18, 2024, further expanding the mall’s food offerings.
In addition to dining, financial institutions like credit unions have opened branches at the mall, reflecting a trend toward mixed-use spaces combining retail with essential services.
Other planned tenants for 2024 include several national retailers, aiming to increase foot traffic and maintain Westgate’s relevance in a competitive retail market.