SCRANTON -- The long awaited reveal of who now owns the Mall at Steamtown is now over. We learned Monday evening the man who bought it is a businessman from Lackawanna County.
John Basalyga, from Roaring Brook Township, was able to snag the downtown Scranton property at an auction on June 24 for $5.512 million.
"I'm thrilled with it because that needs help, desperately and it will be nice to have somebody local put some real work into it, we need it,” said Melinda Bannick from Dunmore.
The Olde Brook Inn near Moscow is among several properties owned by Basalyga.
His customers, many of whom are regulars, are very happy to hear the news.
“He's very successful and I mean he's really nice to know. He's a really friendly guy, easy going and his track record is really good,” said Peter Brenkosh from Covington Township. “He's making a success out of a lot of stuff there, so I would think he'll do good with it.”
“It's very important, even though it's not in the middle of downtown, it's the center of downtown and I'm happy to see that a local person bought it,” said Maureen Brink from Scranton.
Basalyga bought the Olde Brook Inn in 2014 and customers say he transformed the building with time, effort and money.
He's done similar things with properties in Olyphant and Dickson City and plans to do the same with several store fronts on Main Avenue in Scranton.
Those who know Basalyga believe he'll do great things for the mall.
“If he's planning to do anything like what he has done here I would assume that he would do the best thing for the community,” said Lyndsay Grady from Moscow.
“I think that's very encouraging that it will be better than it has been,” said Sharon Birmelin from Lake Ariel.
“It's a beautiful restaurant, from what it used to be to what it is now, night and day and it he could do that at the mall that'd be great,” said Bannick.
As for what those plans may be, Basalyga is not saying at this time.
In a statement, Basalyga called the mall “…one of the most significant pieces of commercial real estate in northeastern Pennsylvania and a landmark in downtown Scranton. I am excited and honored to be involved in its future.”