Once the epicenters of activity for towns, most of Pennsylvania’s malls are dying as previously loyal customers change their shopping habits, writes Wallace McKelvey for the Harrisburg Patriot-News.

When shoppers had fewer alternatives, malls and their anchors, such as Sears and JCPenney, were popular all around the country. However, with the gradual encroachment of big-box stores, discount stores, wholesalers, and online retailers, malls have seen their foot traffic continue to decrease. As a result, around 1,100 malls nationwide are in danger of closing.

Some, though, are bucking this trend. For example, King of Prussia Mall is actually expanding, partly thanks to its suburban demographics of affluent middle- and upper-class families.

Meanwhile, other malls are finding new life in town centers, such as York’s West Manchester Mall.

“Rebranding these redevelopments is very important,” said developer Tony Ruggeri.

Now the latest trend for malls is to become homes for entertainment-based tenants, which add a play aspect to the shopping and dining experience. According to Spencer Levy, head of research for the Americas at CBRE, this is key.

Make them “places people have to go to get the services they’re looking for,” he said.

Read more about the future of local malls in the Harrisburg Patriot-News by clicking here.