Peebles in Allegheny Township to take on sister store name Gordmans

Gordmans, a discount department store, will soon replace its sister brand, Peebles, in Hyde Park Plaza, Allegheny Township.

Both stores’ owner, Stage Stores, headquartered in Houston, Texas, announced the grand opening for Gordmans for 9 a.m. Feb. 18 at with gifts and other giveaways.

Given the demise of big box stores and shopping malls, residents were relieved to learn that another store was succeeding Peebles at the Hyde Park Plaza. Shopping opportunities have dwindled at the plaza since the closing last summer of the Big Kmart, a casualty of Sears Holdings’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

“I am excited about the new store, and I am glad that they are here,” Jaime White of Gilpin said on Saturday when Peebles was still open, offering deep discounts.

White, who lived previously in Harrison’s Natrona Heights neighborhood, lamented the loss of shopping opportunities including the Macy’s that once operated in the Heights Plaza, which has been losing its tenants as well.

“Another thing is, with the continuation of another store here is that it keeps the job loss down,” White added.

Because the same parent company, Stage Stores, is bringing in the new store, there is confidence among regular shoppers.

“I liked Peebles, and I guess I’ll like the new store,” said Marlene Helgert of East Vandergrift.

The Allegheny Township Gordmans will be one of a handful of new stores opening in the region Feb. 18 including ones in Belle Vernon, East Huntingdon, Ellwood City, New Castle and Somerset.

The apparel and home décor retailer is opening 23 new Pennsylvania stores. It is donating $1,000 to local schools near each new location.

For the Allegheny Township Gordmans, which has a Leechburg ZIP code, the donation will go to the Leechburg Area Middle/Senior High School — even though the store is in the Kiski Area School District.

According to the Chain Store Age website, Stage Stores plans to convert more than 100 of its retail stores to Gordmans.

In March 2017, Stage acquired Gordmans stores after the company filed for bankruptcy and liquidated, according to Chain Store Age.

Stage has been successful in turning the old Gordmans into an off-price retail store, the trade website added.