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| Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi looks at the old J.C. Penny entrance to the Washington Mall on February 20, 2025. |
As a Washington County Commissioner, I’m pleased to announce that there are big plans for the old Washington Mall property.
The mall,
which opened to the public on October 17, 1968, was a wonderful asset to our
county for decades. But in recent years the mall hit hard times, formally
closed in 2014, and has sat mostly abandoned at the intersection of Interstates
79 and 70 ever since. As Washington County grew and prospered, this former shopping
destination proved to be a waste of prime real estate.
We announced yesterday that federal stimulus funds through the county’s blight mitigation program are earmarked to raze portions of the building to make way for new development. This process took decades to negotiate and has been a long time in coming. Now, I look forward to seeing new businesses in this area.
It was a big
deal when the $6 million mall opened 57 years ago on a 40-acre tract of land.
It was the perfect place to meet with friends and neighbors as they strolled the
halls and shopped.
On the day
of the grand opening, it was such big news and our local newspaper the
Washington Observer-Reporter sent photographers to snap the amazing
photos I’ve included with this story. These pictures are proof that the
Washington Mall was the place to be.
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| Observer-Reporter photo of the ribbon cutting on October 17, 1968 |
I remember eating hot dogs at Shorty’s, grabbing a famous stromboli at Pizza Boy, and enjoying a chocolate peanut butter ice cream cone, which was my favorite of the 31 flavors at Baskin-Robbins. For special occasions, our family went to the old 21st Amendment Restaurant and Lounge for great food.
| Observer-Reporter photo October 17, 1968 |
In November of 1972, I took my wife to the theater for a first date to see a re-showing of the 1965 movie Dr. Zhivago. When our daughter Bronwyn came along, we took her to the mall to sit on Santa’s lap, and I would sneak over to do “Santa Shopping” at Toys ‘R Us.
I also remember
taking my state police uniforms to Imperial Cleaners to have them dry cleaned.
Then, when I was promoted to my new assignment as a criminal investigator, I
went to the J.C. Penney store to buy new suits and sport coats.
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| Observer-Reporter photo October 17, 1968 |
When I left the state police barracks after my shift, I would often get prescriptions filled at Thrift Drugs, pick up items at G. C. Murphy Co., and grab a gallon of milk at Giant Eagle. Of course, I'd also get a treat at Time for Donuts, which was located in the middle of the mall.
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But one of
my favorite places to visit was National Record Mart, where I could spend
hours flipping through records to add to my collection. I’m really dating myself now, but I remember going
to this store to buy a Creedence Clearwater Revival album, or as called the
band - CCR.
Today’s
Washington Observer-Reporter stated that only two tenants remain on the
property: Grand China Buffet and Harbor Freight. It’s not certain if these
establishments will remain once portions of the mall are razed. It was also
reported earlier this month that a recreational vehicle dealer plans to set up shop at the site of the former Toys ‘R Us and Giant
Eagle locations.
Although I
have many fond memories of the old Washington Mall and I’m sad that it suffered
a tragic fate, my hope is that it sees brighter days, is a beacon of local
commerce, and that it is once again a destination for our residents and those
who travel through Washington County. It’s progress like this that makes me
proud to be a Washington County Commissioner.
For more information about the project, please check out this link to today’s story in the Washington Observer-Reporter.
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| Commissioner Maggi with the Washington Mall in the background. |
Larry Maggi
Here are more photos of the Washington Mall's Grand Opening:
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| The Trinity High School Band performed at the grand opening of the Washington Mall on October 17, 1968. Observer-Reporter photo. |
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