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South Hills Village Celebrates Makeover With Freebies For Customers

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Fifty years ago this summer, South Hills Village opened. It was the first fully enclosed shopping center in Pittsburgh.

Now the iconic shopping mall has undergone a multi-million dollar make-over.

It starts with the shopper's arrival.

"We have five newly-renovated mall entrances," says Jennifer Carroll, South Hills Village marketing director.

Once inside, the changes will be noticeable to most shoppers.

"New flooring treatments, new glass railings, a brand new look and feel with the color scheme, LED lighting throughout the mall," adds Carroll.

Owned by Simon Property, the owner of Ross Park Mall, the "Village," as locals call it, hopes to carve its own niche in shopping experience, including a new food court called the Dining District.

"It has a new modern sleek look, brand new tiles, banquette and communal seating, charging stations throughout, decorative columns," says Carroll.

Besides the traditional anchor stores of Macy's, Sears, Target, and Dick's Sporting and 120-plus specialty stores on two levels, 20 new retailers are open, including Forever 21, Oil & Vinegar, Lane Bryant, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, Noodles and Company, Michael Kors, along with soon-to-open Sweet & Sassy and Zumiez.

To ease getting to all the stores, old-fashioned staircases at either ends of the mall have now been replaced with new escalators.

Mall manager Linda Accettulla thanked customers.

"Our customers have been extremely patient throughout this process," she notes.

So this weekend South Hills Village will host a number of free activities -- including food, entertainment, and makeovers, coupled with a Macy's fashion show featuring Pittsburgh singer and Voice star Chris Jamison.

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