Chambersburg Mall competing for consumer dollars

I think a great idea for that Mall would be to make it like an old town with lots of specialty shops and a variety of food shops. I love going to Old Town Fredricksburg and visiting all those quaint little shops. Just an idea. I think the people around here would love it.

How about adding in a Barnes & Noble and maybe Linens & Things, Ann Taylor, Brighton, Wegman's Food Market,Clarks Shoe Store,Christmas Tree Hill Shop,Pottery Barn, Ikea,Williams Sonoma just to name a few.

All a retial custmer has to do, is look and compare the Chambersburg Mall and Hagerstown Mall.

Look at the difference in atmosphere, quality of the stores, and the upkeep and design of the building and surrounding areas.

Hagerstown Mall gives the impression "There are shoppers with money coming here, let us give them the experience they deserve."

Chambersburg Mall says "This is an area of college kids and mostly $15 service sector jobs. Let us give them discount stores and trendy "stuff" and not spend a lot of money into making the place all that nice."

I go to Hagerstown - Chambersburg's facility desperately needs a clean-up and a good face-lift. Even walking in the entry doors, Chambersburg's doors are broken half the time and that worn-out carpet smells musty.

Are they kidding?? Do they think letting Chambersburg go into a slide physically as a building, will attract better shoppers - let alone better STORES??

It's just amazing to think both Malls are owned by the SAME COMPANY!!

Faith wrote:

How about adding in a Barnes & Noble and maybe Linens & Things, Ann Taylor, Brighton, Wegman's Food Market,Clarks Shoe Store,Christmas Tree Hill Shop,Pottery Barn, Ikea,Williams Sonoma just to name a few.

You know that these type stores will never open here. Not enough local draw.

I only go there for haircuts. we always drive to hagerstown for shopping and movies.

anyone know how greene twp can be made not dry? it would be nice to buy a case of beer, or have a glass of wine in a restaraunt up here. and maybe we could save the mall, so they don't have to demolish it and build a new one in a non-dry municipality (chambersburg)

I honestly don't go to the Chambersburg Mall too much, because you encounter too many people you know. Might sound weird, but true. I prefer to drive a little further to a larger mall with more stores and noone I know!

Both malls, Hagerstown and Chambersburg, are okay for teens. The serious adult shopper, with a need for fine professional attire and money to spend , will head east, way east. And that does not mean Frederick! The stores at both malls have very little to offer an adult who needs to look professional. They cater , mainly to the polyester crowd. Sad but true. I do purchase some clothing locally, but for appropriate career dressing there is a need to go elsewhere.

I still believe that what I wrote on my first comment would work. Change the Mall on the inside to look like Old downtown Chambersburg with a small replica of the fountain on the square. Maybe an old trolley car too. Then add little shops like coffee shops, chocolate shops, specialty eating shops, Art Shops, Toy Shops, HandMade Clothing Shops, Maybe one large resturant like the Melting Pot. The whole look would have to change on the inside. I`m not talking about people having junky flea market shops, but, good quality antique shops in some stores. I have been to Monterey Ca, where they took old buildings also on Cannery row, and added the little shops. Make it that way, and people will come.

that could be neat, but it would be nice to have a traditional shopping mall with at least the gap in it.

I personally perfer Hagerstown over Cburg. There is a variety of stores and even within a few miles is one stop shopping. if you go to the Cburg mall you can't do one stop shopping let alone get luch unless you are going to pizza or buffet. I keep hoping taht someday we'll get an old Navy in Cburg but it is unlikely that will ever see one. I was at Gettysburg outlets the other day and I was thinking on my ride home...amazing Hagertown and Gettysburg has outlets but Chambersburg doesn't but we keep getting more dollar stores and irregular clothing stores. If we all shop else where like the posts and article says then why can't we get some variety around here?
Even the Carlisle Crossing is better than our mall!

Being in a dry township coupled with the Chambersburg mentality of "take it or leave it" has doomed the mall from the start. Without exception, stores in Hagerstown and Martinsburg are superior in service and selection. Only a massive influx of "new blood" from the outside will ever bring this place up to date.

Do you know why people don't care for the Chambersburg Mall? Too many craft shops and jewelry stores! Way too many casual clothes.

How boring!

I do not go to this mall because the traffic is horrible. I spend more time trying to get back on the interstate than my shopping experience.

Chambersburg Mall unfortunely should be shut down cause their are no stores there.

The stores are too small. Sears has nothing and sends you to Hagerstown. No place to eat. It's pretty much a rowdy teen hang out. Traffic is bad now, wait until the three year bridge replacement begins. It has been for sale for years and no one wants it. The new stores come and go because once the free rent trial run is over, they realize there are no sales to be made. The new outlet mall coming north of Walker Road will close it for sure.

I haven't been to the Chambersburg Mall or Valley Mall in YEARS! The last time I went to the Chambersburg Mall looking for an outfit for a special occasion and couldn't find anything anywhere that suited, so I ended up wearing what I had. I need to go to Sears but I just dread the idea of going there so I keep putting it off. If they had something that really interested me I may be more willing to go,the bridge and traffic are horrible!

The new outlet mall coming north of Walker Road will close it for sure

Tell me more..........

how about changing the name to Scotland. That's really where the mall is. location! location! location!

The Chambersburg Mall site should have been purchased by CASD. This would be a great site for a new high school; close proximity to the new baseball field; I-81; and to the proposed site for a career tech center. The current site is too small for a 9-12 high school. Poor decision making in the school district; no future planning at all!!!

ThomasSt wrote:

<quoted text>
You know that these type stores will never open here. Not enough local draw.

I disagree, I believe there IS enough local draw to support upscale shops and unique eateries. A major overhaul would be needed to discourage flea market, novelty type shops, dollar stores and those of like ilk.
A Barnes and Nobles or Borders would make a great anchor store, Coffeeshops, Williams Sonoma, organic health foods, vegetarian gourmet restaurants, Yankee Candle, Container Store, etc. are some suggestions.
Perhaps just gut the mall and convert it to a WholeFoods?
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained... sadly my disposable income is spent out of town. Would love to shop locally if only....