Earlier this year, we heard that worrying news that the Monroeville Mall, the primary filming location for George A. Romero’s classic Dawn of the Dead (get it HERE) had been purchased by Walmart. For decades, fans have been going to the Monroeville Mall to check out the spots where Romero had zombies walk and bikers ride – and while there have been plenty of changes over the years, this sale got fans worried that things are going to be changing too much soon. And we were right to be concerned, as a new report from WTAE indicates that Walmart is planning to demolish the mall in 2027. As WTAE learned, a development project called Monroeville Mall Gateway is among the candidates for the 2025 round of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, according to a list posted on the PA.gov website. The project is asking for $7.5 million so that the mall can be demolished to make way for a modern, mixed-use destination.
Here’s the description of the project: The Monroeville Mall Economic Revitalization Project will transform the space into a modern, mixed-use destination that strengthens the regional economy. The project begins with full demolition of the existing mall structures, clearing the site entirely for redevelopment. Construction will include new retail, restaurant, and entertainment space, supported by new landscaping, pedestrian-friendly design, and public open spaces for community use. Site preparation will include grading, stabilization, and modernization of utilities such as water, sewer, electric, and telecommunications. Business owners inside the mall have been told they can stay until April 2027.
This is extremely disheartening to hear. Dawn of the Dead star Ken Foree recently joined the fans who have been speaking out on social media and signing a Save the Monroeville Mall petition in trying to make sure this piece of history will be preserved… but it looks like Walmart has different plans for this location.
If you’re a Dawn of the Dead fan, you might want to start planning your trip to the Monroeville Mall now, because it might not exist much longer.
UPDATE: As pointed out by the Collier’s Weekly editorial in Pittsburgh Magazine, “Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has requested public comment before the grant to redevelop the site is approved. The best way to comment is to send an email, with the subject line Public Comment for Monroeville Mall Gateway, to [email protected]. For neighbors, residents and anyone who frequents (or even has fond memories of) Monroeville Mall, it’s worth weighing in.” Sending polite messages conveying the importance of this mall as a landmark may be the only chance Dawn of the Dead fans have to save the location.
Sean Collier also points out, “Some local leaders are in favor of — or at least open to — the redevelopment, according to statements made to both the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and The New York Times. In these and other stories about the fate of the mall, the shopping center is presented as struggling or embattled, and comparisons to other ill-fated malls in the region are made.
Here’s the thing, though: Monroeville Mall isn’t struggling. Not really. There are 120 tenants currently in Monroeville Mall, with more in satellite shopping areas in the mall’s footprint. I frequently visit the Cinemark movie theater inside the mall and end up eating in the food court or shopping at Barnes & Noble or Lids; on my recent visits, there has been solid foot traffic in both the mall and the stores. Monroeville Mall has also embraced nontraditional options for some of its storefronts, from indoor athletics like Pickle Parlor, a pickleball complex, to stores that host a collection of local crafters and artisans. It’s also the home of the Living Dead Museum, which exists as a tribute to the mall’s chief claim to fame, as the filming location for George A. Romero’s enormously influential Dawn of the Dead.” So why knock down a perfectly functional mall full of local businesses and replace it with a Walmart?
Are you disappointed to hear that Walmart wants to demolish the Monroeville Mall in 2027? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.
