Found an old food court map at Century III Mall that changed how I look at these places

I was poking around Century III Mall outside Pittsburgh last weekend and found a laminated food court directory stuck behind a planter. It showed all the original tenants from 1994 like Sbarro, Chick-fil-A, and this local place called Pittsburgh Pita. Seeing that map made me realize how much these malls died because the big anchor stores left and the food courts just couldn't draw people in anymore. Has anyone else found old directories or maps that gave you a new perspective on why a specific mall closed?

2 comments

2 Comments

aaron1975d ago

That laminated map from 1994 is a time capsule. I remember when Century III was still pulling in crowds, but looking at that list of places like Sbarro and Pittsburgh Pita it hits you how the food court was the social hub, not just a place to eat. You could sit there for an hour just watching people go by. So heres my question - did the map show any weird regional chains you never heard of, or was it mostly the usual suspects? Im curious if those local spots disappearing first is what broke the malls back.

knight.oscar5d ago

@aaron197 "sitting there watching people go by" was basically my whole childhood, I miss when malls felt like that.