2 businesses leave Moraine Pointe Plaza after change of management
BUTLER TWP — Since new management of Moraine Pointe Plaza was announced earlier this year, at least two businesses have moved out or are making plans to do so.
The shopping plaza — home to Giant Eagle, Sam’s Club and wide variety of smaller, sometimes locally owned businesses — saw Northwest Thermax close on July 31. Pets in the Park also will close by September.
In a May 1 letter acquired by the Butler Eagle, Oxford Development Company, the plaza’s owner, relays information regarding the change of billing address, mailing address and contacts for new management — Echo Real Estate Services Company.
The letter was signed by Oxford President Shawn Fox and Francesca Rossi, vice president of acquisitions for Echo Realty.
“On behalf of Oxford, it has been a pleasure working with you over the years,” the letter said.
Northwest Thermax, a vacuum and Pittsburgh sports teams’ merchandise store, officially had its last day of business at the plaza on Thursday, July 31. The business will continue to operate at its Meadville location.
Meanwhile, Pets in the Park, a pet store that has resided in the plaza since the 1990s, is expecting to close its doors no later than September.
Employees at both businesses declined to speak about why they are moving out of the plaza, but others at businesses located in the plaza expressed concern about the loss of two neighbors, saying they may have been “forced out.”
Randi Kummer, who works at Encore Studio with her sister and owner Audra Jane, shared her interactions with Echo Realty.
“We have not had any issues ourselves with the new owners, and we’re hoping that it’s a smooth transition,” Kummer said. “We have heard of a few others being forced out, which is concerning and alarming because we were told our lease transitioned over. I don’t know how that can happen.”
Echo Realty was yet to respond to a request for comment.
Laura Moore, manager, of Pets in the Park said her longtime customers will be missed.
“We know what people want before they even get to the door,” she said.
The locally owned pet store opened in 1974 and moved into Moraine Pointe Plaza in the 1990s. The business said it sells sizable fish tanks that aren’t offered elsewhere in the area. Visits with the store’s resident dog, named Guss, and the staff’s knowledge were called irreplaceable by one customer.
According to Echo Realty’s property listing for the plaza, the space currently hosting the pet shop is listed for “future” availability.
Assignment editor Tracy Leturgey contributed to this report.
