The Shoppes at Montage

The Shoppes at Montage is a lifestyle shopping center in Moosic, Pennsylvania, serving the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre region. It opened on March 29, 2007, and was described as the area’s first lifestyle shopping center. Its concept differed from more conventional local malls by emphasizing mid- to high-end retailers, dining, and an open-air or destination-oriented shopping experience intended to draw customers from beyond the immediate metropolitan area. The center emerged in response to perceived gaps in the local retail market. A 2005 survey reported by The Scranton Times-Tribune found that residents wanted greater retail variety and more access to higher-end stores. Some respondents said that they otherwise traveled substantial distances to destinations such as The Crossings Premium Outlets in Tannersville and the King of Prussia mall near Philadelphia. The proposed development therefore positioned itself as a closer alternative for shoppers seeking brands and experiences not widely available in the existing local shopping stock. The project also generated opposition from established shopping-center interests. Prizm Asset Management Company, then associated with The Mall at Steamtown in Scranton, and PREIT, which owned Wyoming Valley Mall and Viewmont Mall, raised economic and environmental objections. They challenged aspects of the project’s zoning and stormwater plans through litigation and appealed to the public to oppose construction. The parties also accused one another of attempting to influence retailers’ decisions about whether to locate at the new center, although both sides denied engaging in such conduct. Moosic Borough Council nevertheless continued to approve the project, allowing construction to proceed. Known tenants have included apparel retailers J. Jill and Chico’s, along with restaurants and entertainment-oriented operators such as LongHorn Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Dave & Buster’s, and Pancheros Mexican Grill. These examples reflect the center’s intended mix of specialty retail, casual dining, and leisure uses rather than a department-store-anchored mall format. Publicly available reference material does not establish the center’s current ownership, management company, complete tenant roster, financial performance, or present operating status.

The Shoppes at Montage was developed in Moosic, Pennsylvania, as a response to demand for a broader and more upscale retail selection in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre area. Before the project was built, local shoppers who wanted higher-end brands or greater variety sometimes traveled to distant destinations, including The Crossings Premium Outlets in Tannersville and the King of Prussia mall near Philadelphia. A 2005 survey cited by The Scranton Times-Tribune indicated that residents favored a shopping center offering more upscale retailers and a wider selection than existing local options. The proposal was notable because it introduced a lifestyle-shopping-center concept rather than simply adding another conventional enclosed mall. Its stated market ambition extended beyond the immediate local area, seeking to attract regional visitors through a combination of specialty retail, restaurants, and leisure-oriented uses. The concept was also presented as distinct from the area’s established shopping centers. The development faced organized resistance from existing retail-property interests. Prizm Asset Management Company, then associated with The Mall at Steamtown in Scranton, and PREIT, owner of Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre and Viewmont Mall in Dickson City, expressed concern that the project could weaken existing retail centers. They also raised environmental objections connected with the site and its stormwater plans. Legal challenges addressed zoning and stormwater issues, while the opponents separately urged members of the public to resist the project. The dispute included competing accusations that the parties were contacting prospective tenants in an effort to shape retailer decisions. The available account records denials from both sides but does not establish that either allegation was proven. Moosic Borough Council continued to vote in favor of the project, and the center ultimately opened on March 29, 2007. The initial tenant mix illustrated the lifestyle-center strategy. Retail tenants included J. Jill and Chico’s, while food and entertainment operators included LongHorn Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Dave & Buster’s, and Pancheros Mexican Grill. The combination gave the property a retail, dining, and entertainment profile intended to serve both routine local visits and regional shopping trips. Available reference material does not document later ownership changes, management arrangements, expansions, renovations, current tenants, or financial results. Accordingly, the center’s present status and detailed recent history require further verification.

• 2007

  The center opens

  [1]The Shoppes at Montageen.wikipedia.org

  The Shoppes at Montage opened on March 29, 2007, as the area’s first lifestyle shopping center.

• 2005

  Local demand for a higher-end shopping center is reported

  [1]The Shoppes at Montageen.wikipedia.org

  A survey cited by The Scranton Times-Tribune found that residents wanted more upscale retail choices and greater variety, partly to reduce the need for long trips to regional shopping destinations.

A regional lifestyle shopping center emphasizing mid- to high-end specialty retail, dining, and destination appeal.

• Retail property · 2007

  Lifestyle shopping center

  The property’s central offering is a lifestyle-oriented shopping environment rather than a single branded product. It combines specialty retail, restaurants, and leisure-oriented tenants and was designed to appeal to shoppers across the broader Scranton–Wilkes-Barre region. The center’s reported positioning emphasized mid- to high-end retail and greater variety than conventional local shopping options.

• Apparel and specialty retail · 2007

  Specialty retail tenant mix

  Reported retail tenants have included J. Jill and Chico’s, providing women’s apparel and related specialty merchandise within the center’s intended mid- to high-end retail mix. The cited material does not confirm whether these tenants remain at the property.

• Restaurants and entertainment · 2007

  Dining and entertainment tenant mix

  Reported food and leisure tenants have included LongHorn Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Dave & Buster’s, and Pancheros Mexican Grill. Together, these operators represent the center’s effort to combine shopping with casual dining and entertainment, supporting visits beyond conventional retail transactions.

• 2007

  Launch of a regional lifestyle-center strategyStrategy

  Background

  The development was conceived in a market where residents reportedly sought more high-end retail and greater variety, and where some shoppers traveled outside the region for those options.

  Action taken

  The project opened as a lifestyle shopping center with specialty retail, restaurants, and entertainment, aiming to attract customers from beyond the immediate Scranton–Wilkes-Barre area.

  Aftermath

  The center opened on March 29, 2007. The available reference material does not provide later performance data, expansion details, or current tenant information.

  • Prizm Asset Management Company — The company, then associated with The Mall at Steamtown, expressed economic and environmental concerns and challenged aspects of the project.
  • PREIT — The owner of Wyoming Valley Mall and Viewmont Mall raised similar economic and environmental objections and pursued legal challenges involving zoning and stormwater plans.

  Source

1. 1The Shoppes at Montageen.wikipedia.org