Penn Central Mall Celebrates 25 years in the community.
Oskaloosa High School Band performs at Penn Central Mall
There were bands, displays, lazer tag, coloring, and that sense of community in the square.
The Penn Central Mall has 145,393 square feet of retail space. JC Penney, Dollar General and Hy-Vee are current anchor stores with several other smaller shops ranging from clothing to hobby occupy many of the other locations. You can get your cell phone plan or phone updated at Cellular Specialist, or grab some Mexican dinner at LaPachanga Mexican Restaurant. Wood n Stuff has many hobby ideas for all ages. The Mrs. can have her nails done at Glory Nails, her hair done at Regis Hairstyling, a new outfit at Maurices, and get her “Bling” on at Gardener-Collier. There are also vision and hearing services available in the Mall provided by Penn Central Eye Clinic and Iowa Hearing Aid.
I caught up with Joe Crookham and asked him his feelings on the days events. “I think it’s really neat and it’s generated some discussions about what might be able to be done to create activity in the center court. It’s starting down that path of how do we turn this back into a community center for the entire Mahaska Community. We have a central park here in the center of this, and it’s time it gets used again as a central park.”
People enjoying the William Penn Marching Band at Penn Central Mall
I asked Patti Ryan, Mall Manager, how things were going today. She thought things had been going pretty smooth overall. Oskaloosa High School Marching Band and the William Penn Marching Band both played center court. The High School band starting at 11, and the Penn band played at noon. Lazer Tag was going on all day long, and crafts for the kids kept everyone entertained. Beth from Music Square brought her piano to the center of the mall in the afternoon for everyone’s enjoyment.
In this tough economic time, things have not been all negative for Penn Central Mall. Patti was quick to point out recent success at helping to attract new business to the Mall. Schweser’s chose to be a part of Oskaloosa over Ottumwa, and LaPachanga just opened it’s doors in June. Goodwill is expanding and remodeling their presence at the mall by about 2,000 more square foot. With success, and a recent ownership change, there is a positive attitude that is evident by everyone involved. If your interested in locating at the Mall, or want more information, contact Patti Ryan, Mall Manager at (641) 673-9414.
Many more photo’s are available on our Facebook Page! Join us there for further discussion.
