New firm to add jobs after settling into former JCPenney building site in Lower Burrell

The buyer of the former JCPenney building in Lower Burrell plans to bring some jobs with them after they renovate and settle in to the site, which has sat empty for 17 years.

Earlier this week, Schaedler Yesco, an electrical distribution and supply company in O’Hara’s RIDC Park, announced it is buying the nearly 185,000-square-foot building in Burrell Plaza. It plans to open in summer 2023, company officials said.

Lower Burrell will serve as the company’s main distribution center in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties and beyond, said Gary Meanor, territory manager for Schaedler Yesco.

It will start with 30 employees or more at its Lower Burrell site and will add more as the company continues to grow, he said.

Company excited for opportunity

It’s hard to tell who is happier about the purchase of the largest parcel in Burrell Plaza — city officials and residents or Schaedler Yesco.

“I’m excited to not only see a new business in Lower Burrell but also for the possibilities that it brings with it,” said Councilman Chris Fabry.

He and Councilman David Stoltz have prioritized drawing new businesses to the city.

“That plaza is one of the cornerstones of Burrell,” Fabry said, “and as it continues to grow and prosper, hopefully, it will serve as a catalyst for other areas of our city to do the same.”

Meanor had been driving around for 16 months trying to find the perfect location.

“We’re as excited as they are,” he said, adding design and renovation plans for the plaza site will be in the works.

“The company was at a crossroads and needed a larger facility strategically located,” he said. “Proximity to Allegheny and Westmoreland counties is important to us.”

They plan to leave their current RIDC Park site when their lease expires next year and will find a smaller facility in the Pittsburgh area.

Fabry doesn’t yet know the full financial impact of tax revenues from the sale of the former department store but there will be a trickle-down effect on local businesses.

Stoltz added, “Another good part of the deal is that Schaedler Yesco will bring a lot of people to the city who otherwise would have no reason to come here, including employees and contractors.”

Life after big box stores

While buyers and tenants passed on the empty, former JCPenney building for 17 years, Schaedler Yesco bought the site because of its size and strategic location.

The parcel was listed for $2.4 million by Newmark Real Estate. The final sale price is not yet available.

The revitalization of the vacant JCPenney is a much-needed spark for the tired-looking shopping hub.

The departure of the plaza’s two largest anchor stores, Montgomery Ward in 2001 and JCPenney in 2005, greatly dampened shopping in Lower Burrell.

A series of discount department stores have gone in and out of the space in the nearby Hillcrest Shopping Center that once was anchored by a Hills Department Store. Rose’s Discount Store operates there today, but foot traffic in the area is far lower.

Worse yet, Burrell Plaza’s large empty parking lots and vacant buildings looked shabbier by the year.

‘A long time coming’

Some relief came in 2017 when U-Haul moved into the front end of the Montgomery Ward building.

“Before U-Haul moved in, when you passed the plaza it looked like you were living in the ghetto,” said Christine Schubert, 76, who has lived in the city most of her life.

“It’s been a long time coming and I’m so glad we’re finally getting something in that building.”

She credited Fabry and Stoltz efforts to make it attractive and easier for business to come to the city.

“Lower Burrell is a great city to live in,” Schubert said, “but when you have these empty storefronts, it gives a bad impression,”