WOW Outlets property for sale in Hempfield for $2.5 million

After about 30 years under the ownership of the Maskowitz family, WOW Outlets in Hempfield is for sale.

The building, which houses World of Values and Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity, among others, has been on the market for about a year, said owner Barry Maskowitz. He noted that the sale does not mean businesses at the location are closing.

“It’s a profitable operating business,” said Maskowitz, 55, of North Huntingdon. “There’s no reason an investor wouldn’t want to continue with it.”

The building, which dates to 1966, is listed at $2.5 million. Other tenants include Fulton Family Optical, Gateway Rehabilitation Center, Almost Perfect Appliances, Bloomin’ Genius Exotic Flowers & Gifts, Art & Frame Gallery, Your Favorite Things and Burglar’s Nightmare Locksmith.

Maskowitz said of his decision to sell, “All the family members are just getting older, and we’re looking to possibly move out of the area and just be done. It’s run its course.”

For Maskowitz, who once owned World of Values, the building holds decades of history — beginning when his dad, Jack, opened the first World of Values store in North Huntingdon in 1982. The closeout store quickly expanded with locations in White Oak and Monroeville.

Seven years after the first store opened, the family opened their flagship store in the WOW Outlets facility. Shortly after, Jack Maskowitz bought the roughly 85,000-square-foot WOW Outlets building.

Ownership changed when Jack Maskowitz retired, leaving Barry Maskowitz to run the store and building. About three years ago, Barry Maskowitz sold World of Values to his cousin, Gershon Guttman, but remained owner of the building. Barry Maskowitz noted that because the building is for sale does not mean World of Values is for sale.

“I’d like it to continue on,” he said of the center. “We’ve got some good tenants, I believe they have some good businesses. They’re good for the community, they’re different.”

John Lechner, president of ERA Lechner & Associates realty, is representing the sale of the WOW Outlets building. He said most tenants have long-term leases, “so, yes, the tenants would stay.” He noted that leases for some smaller tenants may come due earlier.

The building, which sits on more than 5 acres, is located at 212 Outlet Way, down the street from the former Ramada by Wyndham Greensburg Hotel and Conference Center, which recently closed to make way for a new Menards home improvement store.

Barry Maskowitz said a few people have expressed interest in the property. He added the facility was put on the market prior to the coronavirus pandemic, noting that was not a factor in his decision to sell.

“It ran its course. … Retail’s a tough business,” Barry Maskowitz said of seeing the facility on the market. “It’s long hours and a lot of work.”

But he added he’s happy to still see World of Values in the family.

“It was good we were able to work it into somebody else that can continue with it,” he said.