People Take Their Last Stroll In The Neshaminy Mall
by Alex Lloyd Gross
A luggage shop and a Hall Mark store are the only two stores without outside points of entry operating in the Neshaminy Mall. Barnes and Noble and Boscov’s have outside entrances and are also open, but they are considered anchor stores. So if you want to get technical, four stores, no food court and nothing going on in the once bustling shopping center.
The Movie Theater is also open. These are the last days of the mall. It was the place to go in Northeast Philadelphia and Lower Bucks County. A kid could spend a Saturday afternoon and have a blast for under $10.00. They could go to Space Port to play games, pinball and in the early to mid 80’s, video games. Sam Goody had you covered for music, records were only about $3.99. In 1977 KISS Alive 2 could have had for under $7.00.
Sears had what you needed and when you got hungry, Cafe Rivera was the spot. It was also a great place to take a date. There was a bustling food court and if Sears did not have what you needed, Strawbridge and Clothier might. The Neshaminy Mall had it’s own security , it was not farmed out to a third party. Police had a detail every weekend to insure nothing got too out of hand. Let’s not forget Woolworths and their lunch counter.
By Christmas of this year, this mall will be closed. Currently, people are walking the corridors and length of this mall, taking it all in. Memories are all that exists now. The large totem pole is long since gone, replaced with a smaller one, which is gone as well.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com The mall.
Seniors and fitness buffs have been strolling the mall, getting their steps in. It was a great place to do that, the weather could be horrible outside, sweltering hot or bitter cold. Inside the mall, a brisk walk followed by a quick bite to eat was a thing to do .
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com The interior of the mall is just about vacant.
This mall had celebrities who made appearances.Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey who promoted their movie Here 0n Earth. They sang a few songs on a stage outside of the movie theater and warmed up the crowd on that February day in 2000. Then there was B*Witched that made an appearance which included a concert and an autograph signing. Rapper 50 Cent was at the movie theater in the mid 2000’s.
The mall is slated to close and be demolished . The last day is said to be Halloween. It is unknown what is going to be in it’s place. The three remaining dioramas will be saved and preserved.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com People get a last look at the dioramas .
Malls are dying and online shopping is proving to be the grim reaper. When you want to buy an item, you can shop online, and there are several places and all of the prices are right there. $10.99 , $12.99, $10.95. All of the shipping is the same price, most people go for the cheapest. The downside is when the item is defective , or you need to buy clothing and that clothing does not fit. Trying it on before you buy will save a headache return later, especially if time is of the essence.