New Opportunities For Local Retail Shopping Plazas As Century III Mall Declines
PLEASANT HILLS (KDKA) -- Not long ago, Century III Mall was the center of the shopping universe along the Route 51 corridor.
But as the mall has declined, new retail has taken hold nearby.
"A little bit of a gloom, but also a little bit of opportunity," says Jeff Paul of Paul Property Management. "The 51 corridor is very exciting. We're very excited to be a little less than a half mile off the 51 corridor."
Just over a year ago, Paul Property Management bought the run-down Curry Hollow Center in Pleasant Hills. Now that outdoor shopping plaza is coming back to life.
"New windows, new front façade, we've done a new roof, a lot of new HVAC units," says Paul.
Emily's Hair Zone experienced the makeover, and owner Emily Sobieralski says it's amazing.
"Like a totally different place. It was scary before. Run down like a ghost town, and now everybody's here," she says.
On Thursday, Levin's Furniture opens its single largest store, leaving its old Century Square location next to Century III.
"Decided, you know what, it doesn't feel right," Levin's senior vice president Chris Pelcher told KDKA money editor Jon Delano.
Instead, it's a brand new home down the road in Curry Hollow Center.
"It's all about the people who own the property, right. For us, it was about coming together with another Pittsburgh family, the Paul family, the Levin family, coming together, and really putting this beautiful store together," says Pelcher.
This super-sized store will combine the traditional furniture store with the bedding and mattress center, an outlet store, and a home design center.
"It's great for the community and the shopping center," adds Paul.
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While much of this mall has already been updated, there's still plenty of work to do.
This used to be a Foodland grocery store, and it still remains unoccupied.
But Paul is upbeat that -- as Century III declines -- properties like his will prosper.
"We have a lot of buildings in the South Hills, and it's a very strong market. And that's one of the reasons that attracted us to this building," he said.
