If anyone thought there was not a need for the Monroeville Convention Center, they should have been in the area of the convention center this past weekend. Since I live close by, I still shop in the stores that are in Monroeville Mall and the surrounding stores and restaurants. This past weekend, the Steel City Con was held at the Monroeville Convention Center. This event is the exclusive comic con of the Monroeville Convention Center. It is one of the largest comic cons in the United States. The surrounding parking lots were packed. The lot at the now-empty Doubletree hotel was packed, the nearby store parking lots were at capacity, and people were walking to the convention center from all around the Monroeville Mall area. It was good to see the activity. I worry about Monroeville Mall, and I don’t want to see it go the route of Century Three. If you know me, you know I like to ask questions, and when I get a chance to put on my interviewer/reporter hat, I do it. I engaged in conversation with one of the clerks at the store while shopping, and she told me there is a lot of interest in the vacant hotel. To me, that sounds like companies are looking to revive the vacant hotel, and it will not be empty for long. Let’s keep our fingers crossed on that one. We even talked about Hobby Lobby pulling out of the deal to occupy a portion of the convention center and found several alternative locations. Number one on “our” list was the empty Bed Bath and Beyond; then there is the empty toy store. I believe it was a Toys”R”Us. I want to see Monroeville Mall and the surrounding area thrive. Let’s hope for the best.
Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com
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