The North Hanover Mall — once a bustling commercial hub through the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and well into the new millennium — was officially condemned Monday morning after a partial wall collapse revealed extensive structural hazards, borough officials said.
The collapse occurred in the former JCPenney wing, prompting an immediate response from public safety chiefs and code enforcement teams. According to Chief Code Enforcement Officer and Zoning Officer Christopher Miller, inspectors uncovered a host of critical violations during their assessment, including major roof leaks, collapsed ceiling sections, plastic wall coverings, and water infiltration in electrical boxes. Officials also documented portable heaters being used inside the building and altered sprinkler heads, conditions they deemed too dangerous to allow continued public access.
Until the closure, 19 stores had been operating as usual, despite the mall’s long, slow decline and worsening maintenance concerns. The condemnation order shuttered nearly all remaining businesses immediately, bringing an abrupt end to regular operations in a once-vibrant retail center that anchored shopping and social life for generations of Hanover-area residents.
Only two tenants — Rural King and a dialysis center — will remain open for now, protected by a supporting firewall that separates their spaces from the compromised sections of the building. Borough officials emphasized that public safety concerns necessitated swift action and that further structural evaluation is ongoing.
The shutdown marks another chapter in the broader struggle facing American shopping malls, many of which have seen foot traffic and investment wither as retail trends shift toward e-commerce, big-box competition, and lifestyle-center development. North Hanover Mall followed that familiar trajectory: a lively corridor of department stores, specialty shops, and weekend crowds fading into a patchwork of vacancies, reduced hours, and aging infrastructure.
Through it all, Jerry and Sal’s Pizza remained a constant presence. The longtime local favorite, which opened during the mall’s early years and became a fixture for shoppers and workers alike, confirmed the closure in a social media update Monday. The restaurant noted that safety comes first and thanked customers for their continued support. The business has thrived through decades of change, outlasting national chains and storefront turnovers, but is now forced to step away from the space it occupied for generations.
Source: CBS 21