Summit Towne Centre is a power center 6.2 miles (10.0 km) southwest of downtown Erie, Pennsylvania, between Peach Street, Keystone Drive, Downs Drive and Interstate 90 in Summit Township, a suburb of Erie. It benefits from its close proximity to the Millcreek Mall Complex, in the heart of a thriving commercial corridor. It has seven open anchors which are Ashley Furniture, Gabe's, Goodwill, Family Farm & Home, John V. Schultz, Rose's and Sam's Club.
History[]
In July 1989, news broke out that a brand new shopping center was being planned to be built in the 7200 block of Peach Street in Summit Township. The original plans included two anchor tenants such as Loblaws and Kmart and the project would be built by Baldwin Brothers. In June 1990, the 72 acre site was cleared to built the brand new Summit Towne Center, this time the builders were announced to be both Baldwin Brothers & Cafaro Company. The confirmed anchor tenants were expanded to four with store such as Kmart, Builders Square, Pace Membership Warehouse and County Market. On November 2, 1990, Pace Membership Warehouse was the first store to open at Summit Towne Center, while the rest of the shopping center was still under construction. On March 10, 1991, County Market opened after construction was finished. Three months later on June 20, 1991, Builders Square opened after the construction was finished as well. Two months after, on August 2, 1991, Kmart finally opened and included a grand opening ceremony with music and dancing costumed characters. Other tenants began to open such as Hallmark, Thrift Drug, Fashion Bug, D&K, Marshalls, Chuck E. Cheese's, JoAnn Fabrics, Burlington Shoes, Dots Fashion, National Record Mart, Linens & More For Less, Payless ShoeSource and Kidco. In December 1991, McDonald's opened a restaurant on an outparcel at the entrance of Summit Towne Center near Peach Street. In January 1992, Marine Bank opened behind the McDonald's on an outparcel lot at Summit Towne. In December 1992, Old Country Buffet opened on the right of Marine Bank also on an outparcel lot. In April 1993, Marine Bank changed its name to PNC Bank. In November 1993, Kmart sold Pace Membership Warehouse to Walmart and shortly there after, the store was converted into Sam's Club in 1994. In July 1994, Kenny Rogers Roasters opened up on an outparcel on the west side of the entrance at Summit Towne. In 1994, PetSmart opened up a store in the former Petzazz space and became the fifth anchor in the shopping center. In June 1996, Giant Eagle took over County Market and added an extra 25,000 square feet to the building. In 1999, PetSmart relocated out of Summit Towne to move to Peach Street Square. Also in 1999, Builders Square closed down due to bankruptcy but was replaced with John V. Schultz Furniture three years later in 2002. In June 2002, Staples opened up in the former PetSmart space. In 2004, Kenny Rogers Roasters closed down and the space was shortly converted into a Verizon store the same year. In early 2007, PNC Bank closed their Summit Towne branch and moved to Millcreek Marketplace near the Millcreek Mall, the space would then be converted into an Urgent Care the same year. In 2010, Kmart would close down due to the Sears Holding Bankruptcy A year later in 2011, Staples would close and relocate to Peach Street Square. In 2013, Gabe's would open in the former Kmart space. In 2016, Goodwill opened in the former Staples space after being vacant for five years. In March 2016, Old Country Buffet closed down. In March 2017, Giant Eagle closed down and relocated to the Millcreek Marketplace. In May 2019, Imperial Buffet opened in the former Old Country Buffet space after relocating from the Kearsarge Plaza due to a fire. In December 2022, Roses opened in the former Giant Eagle space, splitting the space into two spaces.