Shoppes at Montage Open for Business in PA

Nestled just between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Moosic's Montage Mountain has for a long time been a yearlong recreational haven. However, this past year has brought many changes to the mountain-and one major, much-awaited addition just officially joined the mountain. The Shoppes at Montage, a two-year in the making project, had its grand opening March 29.

While Scranton has two indoor malls and Wilkes-Barre has one, the growth of the Northeast Pennsylvania area led to developer Ohio-based Anderson Realty finding a need for another retail Mecca. The halfway point between the two cities in an already high-traffic area, Montage Mountain seemed to be the perfect spot for its high-end outdoor "lifestyle center."

The lifestyle center concept is an alternative to the closed mall atmosphere. The 300,000 square-foot Shoppes at Montage offers more than 60 retailers and dining options, each with its own entrance. The complex, complete with historic looking buildings, also offers walkways, green spaces and gathering areas.

The Shoppes at Montage is just the latest addition to a mountain that already draws lots of local traffic and out of town visitors. Here's a look at what else this mountain has to offer:

Montage Mountain Ski Area has been a long-time winter favorite. This year, Lackawanna County sold the ski area to a private company, Sno Mountain. Prior to its first season, Sno Mountain greatly improved the ski area.

In the summer, the Mountain brings national touring acts to town at the Toyota Pavilion. This summer promises to be no different. Also in the spring and summer, baseball fans galore flocked to the mountain's Lackawanna County Stadium to see the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Red Barons. Baseball fans have a new team to root for: The stadium, now PNC Park is home to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Yankees, farm team for the New York team of the same name, and pinstripes.

Year-round, the Cinemark movie theater brings thousands of moviegoers to the mountain and hungry patrons to an array of restaurants including Johnny Rocket's and Ruby Tuesday. The mountain is also home to many large office buildings, townhouses and upper-class housing developments.

The Lackawanna County Visitor's Center and Gift Shop in an old train station greets visitors to the mountain, and is open year round. A rail project is also underway to start train service from Scranton to New York.

The Shoppes at Montage include: Aeropostale, Hallmark, Panchero's Mexican Grill, American Eagle, Hat World, Panera Bread, Ann Taylor Loft , Hot Topic, Portrait Innovations, Bath & Body Works, Icing by Claire's, Pretzel Twister, Beriyo by TCBY, J. Jill, Quizno's, Cacique, Jos. A Bank, S & K Men's Stores, Chico's, Journey's, Select Comfort, Christmas Tree Shops, Kay Jewelers, Sleepy's, Cingular - the new AT&T, Kildare's Irish Pub, Sprint, Coldwater Creek, Lane Bryant, Starbucks Coffee, DSW Shoes, Limited Too, Talbots, Eddie Bauer, Longhorn Steak House, The Children's Place, Famous Footwear, Maggie Moo's, The Gourmet Slice, Finish Line, New York & Company, The Sapphire Salon & Spa: An AVEDA Concept Salon, Gap, Olympia Sports, Victoria's Secret, Glamour Nails, Oreck, Yankee Candle, Pacific Sunwear, Zumiez and Guitar Center.