The Westgate
A shopping center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, formerly known as Westgate Mall.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Westgate, formerly known as Westgate Mall, is a shopping center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, serving the Lehigh Valley retail market. The property developed from land acquired by Harold Campbell, who had purchased the site more than two decades before the mall opened. Early development on the property included buildings constructed in 1964, followed by the opening of George's IGA Foodliner in 1967 and construction of a Hess's store in 1971. The shopping center formally opened as Westgate Mall in 1973 with approximately 40 tenants. The property experienced a major setback in February 1977, when a three-alarm fire destroyed 18 stores and injured several firefighters. Investigators determined that the fire was arson, although no suspect was identified. The mall subsequently underwent changes in its tenant base and ownership structure. George's IGA became King's IGA in 1992, while Hess's was remodeled in 1993 and acquired by The Bon-Ton in 1994. The mall also adopted a no-smoking policy in 1995. A prolonged legal dispute involving the parcel occupied by The Bon-Ton lasted from 1999 to 2005, after which the land was transferred through a sale to PREIT and later acquired by an affiliate of the mall's owners. Westgate's ownership changed substantially in the 2010s. City View Capital LLC acquired most of the property in 2013, and the owners announced a renovation program in 2015 that included a new exterior facade and other improvements. Sky Zone Trampoline Park was added in 2015, broadening the center's role beyond conventional retail. The Bon-Ton closed in 2018 after the chain entered liquidation, and the property was sold later that year to Onyx Equities LLC and PCCP LLC. Subsequent leasing activity repurposed former department-store and retail space for grocery, health-care, entertainment, and service uses. The center's redevelopment accelerated after plans announced in 2022 called for the removal of more than 50,000 square feet of interior space and construction of new buildings, accompanied by facade improvements. Several tenants were asked to vacate in early 2023 as the project advanced. Oak Street Health opened in the former Rite Aid space in June 2023, while demolition of part of the mall began later that year. In 2024, Lehigh Valley Health Network and The River Crossing YMCA opened a daycare facility, and a new development area gained restaurants and financial-services tenants including Starbucks, Jersey Mike's, Qdoba, So Fresh, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, McDonald's, Penn Community Bank, and People First Bank. Harbor Freight Tools, Weis Markets, Sky Zone, Lehigh Valley Health Network, and Oak Street Health became among the center's principal anchors or major users. In September 2024, the property was renamed The Westgate, reflecting its repositioning as a mixed-use shopping and services destination rather than a traditional enclosed mall. The center was listed for sale in June 2025 and was subsequently refinanced by its owners in December 2025. Its current tenant mix combines grocery, home improvement, health care, fitness and entertainment, restaurants, banking, and community services.
History
The property now known as The Westgate originated with land acquired by Harold Campbell more than two decades before the shopping center opened. Campbell had purchased the site for $30,000 after water-related problems affected another nearby project. The first structures on the property were built in 1964. George's IGA Foodliner began operating there in 1967, and a Hess's department store was constructed on the site in 1971. Westgate Mall opened in 1973 with 40 tenants. Its early development reflected the conventional American suburban shopping-center model, combining a department-store presence with a grocery anchor and smaller specialty tenants. On February 12, 1977, a three-alarm fire caused extensive damage, destroying 18 stores and injuring several firefighters. The fire was determined to be arson, but the perpetrator was never identified. Reported damage totaled $2,857,452, and a firewall prevented the fire from consuming the entire complex. Tenant and property changes continued during the 1990s. George's IGA was sold to King's IGA in 1992, with plans for improvements. Hess's received an interior redesign in 1993 and was acquired by The Bon-Ton the following year. Westgate prohibited smoking throughout the mall in September 1995. Between 1999 and 2005, a legal dispute concerned the land occupied by The Bon-Ton. The parcel was eventually sold to PREIT for $500,000. Newberry's later became a Dollar Zone store before closing in April 2002. In June 2002, Harold Campbell's family attempted to assume control of the mall, prompting legal proceedings by two managers who had held power of attorney since 1997. The dispute was settled later that year, with the managers retaining control. A Wednesday farmers market, The Market at Westgate, began operating in November 2011. City View Capital LLC purchased most of the mall in June 2013 for $2.3 million. PREIT sold the Bon-Ton parcel to an affiliate of the mall's owners in December 2014 for $3.85 million. In 2015, the owners announced a $5 million improvement program that included a new facade. Sky Zone Trampoline Park was announced in August 2015 and opened later in the year, adding an entertainment component to the tenant mix. The Bon-Ton entered liquidation in April 2018 and its Westgate location closed during the summer. Jack Williams Tire subsequently subleased part of that space. Onyx Equities LLC and PCCP LLC acquired Westgate Mall in October 2018 for $30 million. Weis Markets moved into part of the former Bon-Ton space in May 2021, while Lehigh Valley Health Network leased part of that former department-store area for equipment storage in December 2021. Harbor Freight Tools opened in 2022 in space previously used by Weis Markets. A broader redevelopment was announced in March 2022. The plan called for demolishing more than 50,000 square feet of interior space, constructing replacement buildings, and updating the facade. Several tenants were asked to leave in January 2023, with some moving to other Lehigh Valley sites. The redevelopment was intended to introduce restaurants, a bank, and other service uses. Oak Street Health opened in the former Rite Aid space in June 2023, and demolition began in November 2023 after the former Dempsey's restaurant had been removed in October. In July 2024, Lehigh Valley Health Network and The River Crossing YMCA opened a daycare facility at the complex. Beginning in August, new restaurants opened in the newly constructed portion, including Starbucks, Jersey Mike's, Qdoba, So Fresh, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. McDonald's, Penn Community Bank, and People First Bank also established locations during 2024. In September 2024, the property adopted the name The Westgate, marking its transition from the Westgate Mall identity toward a more open, mixed-use retail and services format. The property was offered for sale in June 2025 and was later refinanced by its owners in December 2025 through U.S. Bancorp.
- 2024
The Westgate name adopted
[1]The property was renamed The Westgate in September during its redevelopment.
- 2022
Large-scale redevelopment announced
[1]Plans proposed demolition, new construction, and exterior modernization.
- 2018
Onyx Equities and PCCP acquire the property
[1]The current ownership group acquired Westgate Mall.
- 2015
Renovation program and Sky Zone addition
[1]The owners announced facade and other improvements, and Sky Zone opened later in the year.
- 2013
City View Capital acquires most of the mall
[1]City View Capital LLC purchased most of the property.
- 2011
The Market at Westgate begins
[1]A Wednesday farmers market began operating at the shopping center.
- 1994
The Bon-Ton acquires Hess's
[1]The Bon-Ton took over the former Hess's department-store operation.
- 1992
George's IGA becomes King's IGA
[1]The grocery operation changed ownership and was slated for upgrades.
- 1977
Major fire damages the mall
[1]An arson fire destroyed 18 stores and caused extensive property damage.
- 1973
Westgate Mall opens
[1]The mall opened with approximately 40 tenants.
Products and positioning
A community-oriented Bethlehem shopping center repositioned through redevelopment into a mixed retail, dining, health-care, entertainment, banking, and family-services complex.
Retail · 1973
Retail and grocery tenancy
The center provides everyday retail and grocery services through tenants such as Weis Markets. Its retail offer has evolved from the department-store and supermarket model associated with Hess's, The Bon-Ton, and earlier IGA operators toward a more diversified community shopping mix.
Home improvement retail · 2022
Harbor Freight Tools
Harbor Freight Tools occupies space at The Westgate and provides tools, hardware, automotive products, and related home-improvement merchandise. It opened at the complex in 2022 in space previously used by Weis Markets.
Entertainment · 2015
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Sky Zone adds indoor active entertainment and family recreation to the center. Announced in 2015 and opened later that year, it helped diversify Westgate beyond conventional shopping tenants.
Food service · 2024
Restaurant and beverage cluster
The redevelopment introduced a cluster of food and beverage operators, including Starbucks, Jersey Mike's, Qdoba, So Fresh, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and McDonald's. These openings shifted part of the center's role toward convenient dining and service-oriented visits.
Services · 2024
Community and financial services
The Westgate's newer uses include a daycare opened by Lehigh Valley Health Network and The River Crossing YMCA, together with banking locations operated by Penn Community Bank and People First Bank.
Controversies
2002
Control dispute involving the Campbell family
Harold Campbell's family attempted to take control of the mall, leading to legal action by two managers who held power of attorney. The matter was settled with the managers retaining control.
1977
Arson fire at Westgate Mall
A three-alarm fire destroyed 18 stores and injured several firefighters. Authorities ruled the incident arson, but no suspect was ever identified.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011The Market at Westgate
Bethlehem · Lehigh Valley
A Wednesday farmers market began operating at the shopping center in November 2011, adding a recurring community and local-producer activity to the property.
Outcome. The market became part of the center's community-oriented programming, although the available source does not provide further performance details.
Brand decisions
2024
Rebranding as The WestgateStrategyBackground
The property was being repositioned as a broader retail, dining, health-care, entertainment, and services destination.
Action taken
Westgate Mall was renamed The Westgate in September 2024.
Aftermath
The new name accompanied the opening of restaurants, banks, a daycare, and other replacement development.
2022
Mixed-use redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The owners planned to adapt the property to changing retail patterns and reduce underused interior mall space.
Action taken
Plans called for demolishing more than 50,000 square feet of interior space, constructing new buildings, and updating the facade.
Aftermath
Demolition began in 2023, followed by new restaurants, banks, health-care uses, and community services in 2024. The property was renamed The Westgate in September 2024.
2021
Weis Markets relocationStrategyBackground
The center had vacant or repurposable large-format space after changes in its department-store and grocery tenancy.
Action taken
Weis Markets moved from its existing Westgate space into part of the former Bon-Ton location.
Aftermath
The move supported reuse of a large former department-store area and preceded further redevelopment.
2015
Facade and property renovationStrategyBackground
The owners sought to modernize the shopping center and broaden its appeal.
Action taken
A renovation program valued at approximately $5 million was announced, including a new facade and other changes.
Aftermath
The property added Sky Zone Trampoline Park later in the year, beginning a longer shift toward entertainment and diversified services.
announced renovation investment. $5 million announced (2015)
1995
Mall-wide smoking banStrategyBackground
The property adjusted its operating policies amid changing expectations for indoor public spaces.
Action taken
Smoking was prohibited throughout the mall in September 1995.
Aftermath
The source records the policy change but does not provide further operational or financial effects.
Recent events
- 2025
The Westgate is offered for sale[1]
Other
The property was put up for sale in June 2025.
- 2025
The Westgate is refinanced[1]
Other
The owners later refinanced the property through U.S. Bancorp for $35 million in December 2025.
- 2024
New restaurants and services open at The Westgate[1]
Product launch
The redevelopment added a daycare and new Starbucks, Jersey Mike's, Qdoba, So Fresh, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, McDonald's, Penn Community Bank, and People First Bank locations.
- 2024
Westgate Mall renamed The Westgate[1]
Other
The shopping center adopted the name The Westgate in September 2024 during its redevelopment and repositioning.
- 2023
Oak Street Health opens at Westgate[1]
Product launch
Oak Street Health opened in the former Rite Aid location in June 2023.
- 2023
Redevelopment demolition begins[1]
Other
Demolition began on part of the mall in November, following removal of the former Dempsey's restaurant.
- 2022
Westgate redevelopment plan announced[1]
Other
Plans called for demolition of more than 50,000 square feet of interior space, new construction, and facade improvements.
- 2021
Weis Markets relocates within Westgate[1]
Other
Weis Markets moved from its existing space into part of the former Bon-Ton premises.
- 2018
Westgate Mall sold to Onyx Equities and PCCP[1]
M&A
Onyx Equities LLC and PCCP LLC acquired the property in October 2018.
- 2015
Westgate owners announce major renovation program[1]
Product launch
The owners announced approximately $5 million of improvements, including facade work, and added Sky Zone Trampoline Park later that year.
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