The mall, formerly known as the Harrisburg East Mall, opened in 1969 with JCPenney, Wanamaker's, and Gimbels as anchors. During construction a natural limestone cave known variously as Big Pit, Paxtang or Crystal Paradise Cave known for its anthodite and speleothem formations was uncovered. In 1987, Gimbels closed, as all remaining locations were closing due to the company's liquidation. Hess's opened in that space later the same year. In 1994, Hess's closed, due to the company's merge with other stores. Hecht's, being one of them, opened immediately after. In 1999, Wanamaker's closed, and Lord & Taylor opened a year later. In 2001, JCPenney closed, and Boscov's opened in that space in 2003. In 2004, A $77 million revitalization of the mall which, in addition to renovations to the mall's decor, included the addition of a 14-screen Great Escape theater and entertainment complex on the southwest corner of the mall. The last phase of the renovation was planned to be completed in 2008 with a brand new "streetscape" look on the north side of the mall. However, the addition remained uncompleted in 2009, due in part to changing market conditions, as well financial difficulties with the mall's owner, Feldman Mall Properties. All three of these stores were abandoned in an unfinished state. In 2004, Lord & Taylor closed, and Bass Pro Shops opened later that year, after a two floor expansion of the building was built, and the Wanamaker's third floor was made private. In 2006, Hecht's was converted to Macy's due to Macy's parent company having acquired Hecht's parent company in 2005. In 2008, Boscov's filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, causing 10 stores to close, the Harrisburg Mall location being one of them. The building has been vacant since. On July 9, 2009, the Harrisburg Mall was sold at sheriffs sale to three financial groups after the previous owner, Feldman Lubert Adler defaulted on a $52.5 million mortgage. In June 2012, Harrisburg Mall was purchased from TD Bank by Maryland-based commercial real estate developers St. John Properties and Petrie Ross Ventures, who collectively own or have developed over 25 million sq. ft. of commercial property in six states. The Sega Sports Restaurant space was demolished in mid-2012. In 2013, Books-A-Million opened a 2nd & Charles store in the spot originally slated for Barnes & Noble. On January 6, 2020, it was announced that Macy's would be closing in March 2020 as part of a plan to close 125 stores nationwide, which will leave Bass Pro Shops as the only traditional anchor store left.
