The Foundry at South Strabane

The Foundry at South Strabane is a closed 575,000 square foot (4) shopping center near Washington, Pennsylvania along U.S. Route 19. The first major tenant to locate at The Foundry was JCPenny in February 2007.(1) It had been previously located at Washington Mall. Other tenants included Ross Dress for Less and Bed Bath & Beyond.(3) Max and Erma’s opened October 15.(3)

Built atop an old mine dump and a steep hillside, the retail structures began developing structural issues due to the ground settling. At the same time, the property owner, Premier Properties of Indianapolis, began experiencing financial difficulties that eventually led to the company filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 23, 2008.(3)(4) Premier listed $2.8 million in debts to 20 creditors, which did not include millions of dollars in unpaid bills. On May 30, the judge reclassified the bankruptcy to Chapter 7 liquidation.

On May 21, Bed, Bath & Beyond closed their store, followed by Ross Dress for Less the day after. On June 6, JCPenny closed their store at The Foundry and reopened in mid-September at Washington Mall.(2)

On June 16, Premier founder and CEO Christopher White was charged with three felonies in Marion County, Indiana.(3)(4) Carl Brizzi, the prosecutor for the county, stated that White had knowingly defrauded The National Bank of Indianapolis by depositing $500,000 backed by insufficient funds, committed check fraud and stole at least $100,000 from the bank. White also faced lawsuits alleging loan defaults and illegal rent payments.

Only Max and Erma’s is open at The Foundry today.

Gallery

Sources

  1. Taylor, Lynda Guydon. “J.C. Penney exit makes others at mall nervous.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 14 Jan. 2007: n. pag. Post-Gazette. Web. 29 Aug. 2011. Article.
  2. “J.C. Penney to reopen Washington mall site.” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 26 July 2008: n. pag. TribLive. Web. 29 Aug. 2011. Article.
  3. Ola, Crystal. “Future uncertain for The Foundry shopping center in South Strabane.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 22 June 2008: n. pag. Post-Gazette. Web. 29 Aug. 2011. Article.
  4. Schooley, Tim. “Developer of South Strabane’s Foundry complex in a quandary.” Pittsburgh Business Times 23 June 2008: n. pag. Business Times. Web. 29 Aug. 2011. Article.