Add Francesca’s to the list of stores closing at the Nittany Mall in 2019. The women’s clothing and jewelry boutique has signs posted stating the entire store’s stock is 75 percent off.
One sign reads “We miss you already” and states the boutique will be closing its doors on Jan. 27.
The next nearest Francesca’s is located in Harrisburg.
The upcoming closing comes along with the recent closure of Zales Jewelry in late December and the news that longtime mall staple Matthew’s Hallmark store will be closing on Feb. 25. Children’s retailer Gymboree is leaving the mall as well and is currently conducting a going out of business sale, and video game and electronics retailer GamesStop closed on Jan. 20, leaving its store on North Atherton Street as it lone Centre County location.
These closings follow a turbulent year for the mall, which lost two anchor stores in 2018 when Sears and Bon-Ton closed their doors.
In late June, Nittany Gaming LCC signed a lease option for the former Bon-Ton space, but no gaming license has been procured for the space as of yet and no plans for a casino have been submitted.
Other mall businesses that closed in 2018 include Charlotte Russe, Things Remembered, Pearle Vision, Regis Salon, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, RC’s Dogs, Garfield’s Restaurant and Pub and Old State Deli.
Seasonal stores Can’s Art and Native Crafts returned to the mall in the fall for the holiday shopping season. Can’s Art is now closed for the season. Native Crafts plans to close at the end of February and owner George Lima said he plans to return again in the fall as of now.
Last year did see business such as Dance Academy of State College, Happy Wraps and Chinese Hot Pot (Gudong) open at the mall. So far in 2019, the mall has seen the arrival of KnB’s Inflatables Please, an indoor family entertainment center which is now open, with Rampage Room and Happy Dishes restaurant to open in the coming months.
