Exton Square Mall

Exton Square Mall
Location Exton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Coordinates 40°01′53″N 75°37′25″W / 40.0314°N 75.6236°W / 40.0314; -75.6236Coordinates: 40°01′53″N 75°37′25″W / 40.0314°N 75.6236°W / 40.0314; -75.6236
Address 260 Exton Square Parkway
Exton, PA 19341
Opening date August 1973[1]
Developer The Rouse Company
Management Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust
Owner Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust
No. of stores and services 110+[2]
No. of anchor tenants 3 (1 vacant)
Total retail floor area 1,086,859 sq ft (100,973 m2)[3]
No. of floors 2 (1 in northern half, northern half is 2nd floor of building)
Parking Lighted Lot, Parking garage
Public transit access SEPTA bus: 92, 204, Krapf's Transit Route A
Website http://www.extonsquare.com

The Exton Square Mall is a shopping mall located in the village of Exton, in West Whiteland Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located at "the crossroads of Chester County" at the intersection of U.S. Route 30 Business (US 30 Bus.) and Pennsylvania Route 100 (PA 100). The mall is anchored by Macy's, Boscov's, and Sears, and also contains over 110 smaller stores and a food court. The Exton Square Mall is shaped as a square, with the southern half of the mall two floors and the northern half one floor. Macy's is located at the center of the mall while the other two anchor stores and the food court are on corners of the mall. It is owned by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT).

The Exton Square Mall was developed by The Rouse Company and opened in 1973, at which time it contained Strawbridge & Clothier (later Strawbridge's) as an anchor surrounded by smaller stores. The opening of the mall led to rapid growth in West Whiteland Township. By the 1990s, the mall was in need of a renovation, with the Rouse Company proposing to expand the mall by doubling the size adding three anchor stores. Boscov's, JCPenney, and Sears signed leases to open locations at the mall and groundbreaking of the expansion took place in 1997. In 1999, Boscov's, Sears, and the food court opened with the expansion completed in 2000 when JCPenney and several new stores opened. In 2003, PREIT acquired the mall from The Rouse Company. The Strawbridge's store became Macy's in 2006. The JCPenney store closed in 2014.

Location

Location of Exton Square Mall

The Exton Square Mall is located in the unincorporated community of Exton in West Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania at the northeast corner of the intersection between east-west US 30 Bus. and north-south PA 100.[4] The intersection between US 30 Bus. and PA 100 is known as "the crossroads of Chester County".[5] The mall is located near the US 30 bypass of Exton, the US 202 expressway, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.[3] Two Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus lines stop at the mall, providing access to West Chester, King of Prussia, Eagleview, and Paoli.[6][7] The Exton Square Mall is also served by Krapf's Transit Route A bus which provides service to West Chester and Coatesville.[8] The mall is also near the Exton station that is served by the Paoli/Thorndale Line of SEPTA Regional Rail and Amtrak's Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian.[6] The Exton Square Mall has a market area that covers most of Chester County along with the western portion of Delaware County, the western portion of Montgomery County near Pottstown, the extreme southern portion of Berks County, and the extreme eastern portion of Lancaster County.[9]

Stores

The Exton Square Mall contains three anchor stores. The largest is Macy's, which is 181,200 square feet (16,834 m2) in area and opened with the mall in 1973 as Strawbridge & Clothier (later Strawbridge's) before becoming Macy's in 2006.[3][10][11] The second largest is Boscov's, which is 178,000 square feet (16,537 m2) in area and opened in 1999 as part of a mall expansion.[3][12] The third largest is Sears, which is 144,301 square feet (13,406 m2) in area and also opened in 1999 as part of the mall expansion.[3][12] There is also a vacant 118,000-square-foot (10,963 m2) anchor spot, which opened as JCPenney 2000 as part of the mall expansion; the store closed in 2014.[1][3][13] In addition to the anchor stores, the Exton Square Mall has over 110 smaller stores including American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, aerie, and Zumiez.[2][3] The mall also contains a food court with 13 spaces. The mall is shaped as a square, with the first floor looping around the southern half of the mall and the second floor looping around the whole mall. Macy's is located in the center of the square, with Sears at the northwest corner, the food court at the northeast corner, Boscov's at the southwest corner, and the former JCPenney at the southeast corner.[2] As of 2011, the Exton Square Mall has a nonanchor occupancy rate of 84.8%.[14]

History

Entrance to the food court

The Exton Square Mall was built by The Rouse Company in 1971 and 1972 and opened its doors in August 1973.[1][15] The mall had one anchor store, Strawbridge & Clothier, surrounded by a ring of smaller stores.[1][10] As part of developing the Exton Square Mall, The Rouse Company was responsible for restoring the Zook House, a historic 18th century farmhouse that existed at the site of the mall.[15] By the 1990s, the mall, which had no major renovations, was starting to show its age, leading to plans for expansion.[10] In 1992, the mall proposed adding two anchor stores.[16] In 1995, plans were made by The Rouse Company to expand the Exton Square Mall, in which the size of the mall would be doubled. The Rouse Company purchased 12 acres near the mall to be used for the expansion.[17] Boscov's and JCPenney signed leases to open locations at the Exton Square Mall in 1996 with Sears following in 1997.[18][19] In September 1997, West Whiteland Township supervisors approved the expansion of the Exton Square Mall.[20]

Groundbreaking for the expansion took place in December 1997.[10] In 1998, the Zook House, which had served as the mall management office, was relocated to make way for the new Boscov's store.[21] The expansion added three new anchor stores, a new food court, two parking garages, and a completed second level.[1] The expanded mall was designed to reflect the agricultural heritage of Chester County.[10] In addition to expanding the mall, The Rouse Company improved US 30 Bus. and PA 100 near the mall at a cost of $3 million.[22] Boscov's, Sears, and the new food court opened in 1999.[12] Construction concluded in May 2000 with the opening of JCPenney and 48 new stores; a grand reopening was held to commemorate this. The expansion of the mall cost $125 million. The number of stores in the Exton Square Mall increased from 95 to 150 and retail space expanded from 435,000 square feet (40,413 m2) to 980,000 square feet (91,045 m2). The expansion turned the Exton Square Mall into the first regional mall in Chester County.[1]

In 2003, The Rouse Company sold the Exton Square Mall along with the Cherry Hill Mall, Echelon Mall, Moorestown Mall, Plymouth Meeting Mall, and The Gallery at Market East to PREIT for $548 million.[23] In 2005, Federated Department Stores purchased May Department Stores, the owners of Strawbridge's, and planned to convert several Strawbridge's locations to Macy's, including the store at Exton Square Mall. Strawbridge's became Macy's in 2006.[11] In January 2014, Main Line Health opened a 32,000-square-foot (2,973 m2) healthcare facility on the first floor.[24][25]

On January 15, 2014, it was announced that the JCPenney store would be closing as part of a plan to close 33 locations nationwide.[13] With the closure of JCPenney, PREIT announced plans to reposition the Exton Square Mall. As part of the redevelopment of the mall, PREIT will take over the Kmart outparcel in 2016.[25] On July 29, 2015, PREIT announced that they would demolish the Kmart outparcel and replace it with Whole Foods Market. In addition, there are plans for the former JCPenney to become a dine-in movie theater and a bowling and entertainment center.[26][27]

On September 10, 2015, director Kevin Smith announced that the Exton Square Mall will be used in the filming of MallBrats, the sequel to his 1995 film Mallrats. MallBrats was originally intended to be filmed at the Granite Run Mall, but the plan fell through due to that mall's impending demolition. Filming at the mall took place in January 2016.[28]

Economic impact

The opening of the Exton Square Mall led to rapid growth in West Whiteland Township, with the population increasing from 7,900 in 1973 to over 16,000 by 2000. Since the opening, many shopping centers and office parks have been built in the township. Following the opening of the mall, the West Whiteland Township Police Department was created to patrol the township as the demand from the mall would be too much for the Pennsylvania State Police to handle.[5] When the Exton Square Mall first opened, several stores in downtown West Chester closed.[29] In 2011, the Exton Square Mall saw sales per square foot of $332.[14]

Exton Library

Chester County Library at Exton

The Exton Library is the main library of the Chester County Library System. The building, which is accessible from the mall, was dedicated to honor Congressman Paul Dague in 1971.[30] In 1982, the library in Exton received a National Association of Counties Award for its Library Literacy Program, the first in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania handling 30,000 illiterates and 15,000 non-English speaking residents.[31]

Exton Transportation Center

Exton Transportation Center
SEPTA bus terminal

Exton Transportation Center is located beneath the garage near the library
Location Exton Square Mall
Exton, PA 19341
Line(s) SEPTA Suburban Bus:
SEPTA 92 to West Chester / King of Prussia
SEPTA 204 to Paoli / Eagleview
Krapf Route A to West Chester / Coatesville
Construction
Disabled access Yes

The Exton Transportation Center is a SEPTA and Krapf bus transport bus terminal located on the eastern side of the mall. The station serves as a hub for transfers between SEPTA Routes 92 and 204 with service to West Chester, King of Prussia, Paoli and Eagleview and Krapf Transit Route A to Downingtown and Coatesville.[32]

Main Line Health at Exton Square

Main article: Main Line Health
Main Line Health Exton Square

The Main Line Health at Exton Square is a 32,000 square foot facility with radiology, physical rehabilitation, occupational health, and other lab services in the areas of cancer treatment, family health, and cardiology. The facility first opened in 2012.[33] According to the mall directory, the facility occupies the first floor of the complex situated between Macy's and Boscov's.[34] The design of the facility is similar to buildings where physician practices are grouped together.[35]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Weidener, Susan (May 3, 2000). "Exton Square Mall Settles Into Its Space After More Than A Year, Work Is Complete.". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 "Exton Square Mall Directory" (PDF). PREIT. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Exton Square Mall Fact Sheet" (PDF). preit.com. PREIT. Retrieved December 21, 2006.
  4. ↑ Chester County, Pennsylvania (Map) (17th ed.). 1"=2000'. ADC Map. 2006. ISBN 0-87530-778-7.
  5. 1 2 "The West Whiteland Township Police Department History". West Whiteland Township. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Route 92 bus map" (PDF). SEPTA. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Route 204 bus map" (PDF). SEPTA. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  8. ↑ Public Transportation Serving Chester County (PDF) (Map). Transportation Management Association of Chester County. 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Exton Square Mall Property Overview". PREIT. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Weidener, Susan (December 21, 1997). "Exton Mall Poised For Leap Into A Big Future Four Years In The Planning, The Expansion Of The 24-year-old Shopping Center Has Begun. The $100 Million Project Will Triple The Size Of The Complex.". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  11. 1 2 Tanaka, Wendy (July 29, 2005). "Strawbridge's stores to be sold, converted New owner will change 10 to Macy's. Boscov's wants to buy others. New owners plan to sell, convert Strawbridge's". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 Weidener, Susan (September 28, 1999). "A Milestone For Mall Project Due Friday At Exton Square: New Store And More Parking.". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  13. 1 2 "Here's A List Of The J.C. Penney Stores That Are Closing". The Huffington Post. January 15, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  14. 1 2 "Supplemental Financial and Operating Information". PREIT. December 31, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  15. 1 2 "Zook House/Exton Meadows Construction: c. 1750". West Whiteland Township Historical Commission. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  16. ↑ Ashby, Georgia S. (March 15, 1992). "More Mall Exton Square Wants To Add 2 Anchors". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  17. ↑ Weidener, Susan (July 27, 1995). "Mall Plans To Double In Size Exton Square Mall Wants To Bring High-end Retailers Into The Market.". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  18. ↑ Weidener, Susan and Rachael Smolkin (July 31, 1996). "Exton Mall Signs Penney's, Boscov's The Center Will Nearly Triple In Size. It's A Coup In The Battle By Two Developers To Build A Chesco Regional Mall.". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  19. ↑ Weidener, Susan (February 28, 1997). "Exton Mall Developer Says Sears To Be Fourth Anchor It Would Open In 1999 As Rouse Triples The Shopping Area. The Deal May Doom A Rival Proposal By Kravco.". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  20. ↑ Weidener, Susan (September 10, 1997). "Expansion Of Exton Square Approved West Whiteland Supervisors Unanimously Endorsed The $100 Million Mall Project.". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  21. ↑ Weidener, Susan (August 3, 1998). "Archaeology Precedes Zook House's Move The Grounds Are Providing History. The Home Will Be Relocated For Mall Expansion.". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  22. ↑ Weidener, Susan (April 6, 1999). "Exton Square Road Project Looms". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  23. ↑ Cooper, Porus P. (March 7, 2003). "Rouse sells six malls for $548 million". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  24. ↑ Freeman, Matt (March 4, 2013). "Main Line Health to open center in Exton Mall". Main Line Suburban Life. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  25. 1 2 Van Allen, Peter (January 17, 2014). "With Penney's closing, PREIT will reposition Exton Square". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  26. ↑ Adelman, Jacob (July 31, 2015). "PREIT to demolish Exton Square's Kmart, add organic grocery store". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  27. ↑ "PREIT Announces Whole Foods Market Will Join Exton Square Mall". CNNMoney. PR Newswire. August 3, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  28. ↑ Lindak, Virginia (September 10, 2015). "MallBrats movie shooting happening in Exton". Daily Local News (West Chester, PA). Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  29. ↑ Whyte, William H. and Paco Underhill (1988). City: Rediscovering the Center. Doubleday. p. 337. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  30. ↑ "Chester County - Page 37".
  31. ↑ "Public Libraries and Nontraditional Clienteles: The Politics of ... - Page 88".
  32. ↑ "Rail Stations and Transportation Centers".
  33. ↑ "Main Line Health Center at Exton Square".
  34. ↑ "Exton Square Mall".
  35. ↑ "New Main Line Health Center at Exton Square opens<".

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