Breaking Ground and the Early Retail Boom
The land where Wyoming Valley Mall stands wasn’t always meant for shopping.
In 1968, Crown Construction Company bought the property from the Blue Coal Corporation, aiming to build a regional shopping center in Wilkes-Barre Township.
The area needed work—piles of illegally dumped waste from the East Side Landfill Authority had to be cleared before construction could begin.
By early 1971, before the mall itself was completed, Sears opened its doors, giving shoppers in Luzerne County a taste of what was to come.
That August, Pomeroy’s arrived, bringing department store shopping to the mix. The following spring, JCPenney followed suit, making April 1972 a turning point for Wyoming Valley Mall.
Then, something unexpected happened. In June 1972, Hurricane Agnes tore through northeastern Pennsylvania, leaving behind one of the worst flood disasters in U.S. history.
Large parts of Wilkes-Barre were underwater, businesses shut down, and recovery efforts dragged on for months.
The mall, sitting on higher ground, remained intact. Suddenly, Wyoming Valley Mall wasn’t just another shopping center—it became the go-to place for supplies, clothing, and essentials while the city rebuilt.
Foot traffic surged, and the mall found itself in the right place at the right time.
Entertainment followed retail. A two-screen movie theater opened inside the mall, giving shoppers another reason to linger.
Not long after, an external theater with three more screens expanded the options.
By the late ’70s, the mall was thriving. Some stores came and went—Zollinger closed in October 1977, but Hess’s took over the space in May 1978, keeping the momentum going.
Wyoming Valley Mall wasn’t just holding its own; it was shaping the shopping culture in Luzerne County.
Ownership Battles and Retail Shakeups
By the early 2000s, Wyoming Valley Mall had settled into its role as a retail hub, but the shopping landscape was changing.
In 2003, Crown American sold the property—along with Viewmont Mall—to Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT).
The new owner saw potential and made plans to modernize the aging shopping center.
Three years later, in 2006, an $8 million renovation project began. Fresh paint, new flooring, updated lighting—every corner of the mall got a facelift.
Storefronts were redesigned, the food court was refreshed, and shoppers were met with a sleeker, more inviting atmosphere.
These updates helped keep foot traffic steady, but changes in consumer habits were already causing cracks in the foundation.
Retailers were struggling. Some stores closed quietly, replaced by trendier brands. In September 2017, H&M moved in, taking over three storefronts at once—a sign that fast fashion was driving foot traffic more than traditional department stores.
But the gains didn’t last. By April 2018, two anchors—The Bon-Ton and Sears—announced they were shutting down.
Then came the storm. In June 2018, an EF2 tornado ripped through Wilkes-Barre Township, damaging buildings nearby.
The mall was spared, but the power was out, forcing a temporary closure.
Sears closed in mid-July 2018. Bon-Ton, which had operated as Pomeroy’s since 1971, closed on August 29, 2018. In a matter of months, the mall lost two of its oldest tenants.
Financial Collapse and the Fight for Survival
PREIT was running out of options. The retail industry was shifting toward online shopping, and malls across the country were feeling the pressure.
Wyoming Valley Mall was no exception. By mid-2018, PREIT’s financial troubles had deepened. The company owed $72.8 million on the property, and the loan had been placed in special servicing.
The mall’s value had plunged—down 75% from its 2014 peak of $122 million.
In September 2019, PREIT handed the mall over to its lender, GS Mortgage Securities Trust, after failing to find a buyer.
The property had become a financial burden, and PREIT was cutting its losses. A month later, management was transferred to Jones Lang LaSalle, a commercial real estate firm tasked with stabilizing the struggling shopping center.
New ownership arrived in August 2021 when Kohan Retail Investment Group purchased the mall for $17 million.
The company had a track record of buying distressed properties, and Wyoming Valley Mall fit the pattern—it had lots of empty storefronts, declining foot traffic, and no clear path forward.
New Owners, New Problems
Two years later, another shift. In October 2023, 4th Dimension Properties took control, adding Wyoming Valley Mall to its portfolio.
The new owners inherited a property in decline. Two anchors were left, dozens of vacant spaces were left, and the shopping landscape had changed beyond recognition.
The question was no longer about keeping retailers—it was about finding a new purpose.
But ownership wasn’t the only thing changing. In June 2024, a deal was struck to lower the mall’s real estate taxes from $68.7 million to $13.6 million.
The move reflected what had become obvious—Wyoming Valley Mall wasn’t worth what it once was.
The decline in foot traffic, vacancies, and anchor store closures had dragged down its assessed value.
While the tax reduction gave ownership some breathing room, it didn’t solve the bigger issue: empty space.
Then, another setback. In July 2024, a gas explosion at K Pot Korean BBQ and Hot Pot, a restaurant being prepared for opening, forced an evacuation.
Two workers were injured. The timing couldn’t have been worse. The mall needed new tenants, not more disruptions.
The Decline of Traditional Retail
Macy’s made the next move. On January 9, 2025, the company announced it was closing 66 stores nationwide, including the Wyoming Valley Mall location.
By March, the doors would shut for good, leaving JCPenney as the mall’s last anchor.
For years, department stores have been the backbone of shopping malls, drawing customers who browse smaller shops along the way.
But with Sears, The Bon-Ton, and now Macy’s gone, the old model wasn’t working anymore.
Wyoming Valley Mall hadn’t closed, but it was far from the thriving retail hub it once was.
Recent Developments and Future Prospects
On December 10, 2024, the Wilkes-Barre Township Zoning Board approved MotorWorld | MileOne Autogroup’s proposal to expand into the mall and take over large vacant spaces.
The plan includes converting the former Sears and Bon-Ton locations into car showrooms and service centers, shifting the mall’s focus away from traditional retail.
With eight dealerships set to move in, the project marks a drastic change in how the property will be used.
While most stores can continue operating, some, like Grotto Pizza, will be forced to relocate to make room for parking lots and vehicle displays.
The soon-to-be-empty Macy’s space may be used for non-retail purposes. Ideas include a supermarket, an entertainment venue, or medical offices.
These shifts reflect a broader trend—malls are adapting to stay relevant in a retail landscape dominated by online shopping and changing consumer habits.
With cars replacing department stores and fewer national retailers left, Wyoming Valley Mall is on a path few could have predicted years ago.
Whether these changes bring stability or accelerate its decline remains to be seen.