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| An excavator on standby Friday to begin demolition at the Washington Mall. |
Locals gathered in South Strabane on Friday to say goodbye to the Washington Mall and usher in a new plan for this prime real estate along Interstate 70.
The plan is to build a warehouse club and other retail businesses on the 40-acre site, but I can't help but recall Washington Mall's glory days. I know a lot of my readers feel the same way, because I received a lot of positive feedback in February when I wrote about the plans to demolish the old mall property. So, today, as we say Goodbye to the mall that once stood proud, I'd like to revisit my February article and take one more look at the memories we all share.
Thanks,
Larry
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| Larry Maggi speaking at the ceremony on Friday. |
Washington Mall: Big Plans & Big Memories
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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 (2/20/2025) 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 56 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 |
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| 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.
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 Best Yet 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 we called the band - CCR. The February 20, 2025 story in the 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.
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