Cressona Mall is an oddity. It's the least known of the Schuylkill County malls that run along PA-61 and includes the soon to be closed Schuylkill Mall, the ailing Fairlane Village Mall, and this. Cressona Mall isn't really a mall; it would be more accurately classified as a shopping center.
This mall has obviously evolved with the changing retail market over the years. Anchors have changed several times, with the former Ames being extensively subdivided between several business including Ollie's Bargain Outlet and Planet Fitness. Many businesses in the front have shopping center style entrances and no interior mall access. Alvernia University includes one of the more non-traditional tenants. Giant Food Stores and Staples occupy the far end of the complex.
The interior of Cressona Mall is right out of the 70's/80's with its coloring and decor. Goodwill has a large store in the center of the mall. Somewhere In Time Sports Collectibles, a large old school baseball card shop is also here. Interior has several vacancies, with a few used by the mall for storage. Look for the old hot dog stand that's been vacant for at least 10-20 years. The former anchor entrances are both closed and sealed with glass by Dollar General and Planet Fitness.
For many, this wouldn't be a mall worth shopping at. If a local, this mall has a wide variety of decent businesses. I'm giving Cressona Mall a decent rating, because if a few more stores could be brought in and the name changed, this shopping center still has decent potential. read more