SCRANTON -- Officials at the Mall at Steamtown in Scranton have set off a lot of speculation after saying they're in the process of signing a major new retailer.
A lot of people are buzzing about what new store may be coming to the mall to replace the closing Bon-Ton. No one who runs the mall would give any hints.
There's quite a buzz from shoppers hearing another big retailer could be taking the Bon-Ton's place.
Mall officials said they are negotiating a deal with another anchor store, but won't say what it is.
"The only thing I can tell you is it's a game changer, an absolute game changer, and it's not something that's at our competing malls in Lackawanna County," said John Topa of the Mall at Steamtown.
The term "game changer" certainly gets shoppers thinking and throwing out possibilities. Could it be Bed Bath and Beyond, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, of something else?
What would you like to see here? asked the reporter, "Something that's not in the area, something different, I don't really know what that would be, just something different," said Sherry Roberts of Scranton.
"Something more for like the younger people. I feel like they're all like older people stores. I don't know what store specifically though," said Elizabeth Lockwood of Lenox.
Shoppers said one thing is clear, the mall needs something to take the Bon-Ton's place.
Mall officials said this is more than just filling vacancies at the mall. They hope the buzz about a new anchor store, would help keep other stores like American Eagle Outfitters, which is just the latest to announce it's leaving.
"I don't understand why it doesn't make it here, why all these stores are closing?" said Arlene Schmidt of Scranton.
The mall is spreading excitement now saying one big one is opening.
"I don't want to get everyone's hopes up if I didn't think this was going to go through," said Topa.
We couldn't even get a hint about what this store sells, because we're told that would give it away.
Mall officials said as soon as they have the deal finalized, they will let us know what's replacing Bon-Ton.