The bitter end for Granite Run Mall

Bring on the wrecking ball.

That's about all that's left as the final curtain comes down on the Granite Run Mall.

The Middletown shopping icon will now what many had hoped to be a spectacular final act - serving as backdrop for filming of the sequel to the film classic "Mallrats."

Instead, talks between film maker Kevin Smith and the new owners of the mall hit a snag.

Yesterday, Smith announced he will make "Mallbrats" at the Exton Square Mall in Chester County.

I am always stunned at the reaction every time we post a story about Granite Run. Clearly it holds a very special place in the hearts of Delco residents.

I don't think it has anything to do with shopping. Instead, for a generation it became the center of their social world. Kids didn't hang out on the sidewalks and downtowns, or cruise the streets in their hot rods. They went to the mall.

Now, a generation later, that trend seems to be reversing course. Downtowns are hot again. In fact, Granite Run is expected to make way for a "town center" style mix of residential and retail uses.

We'll let you know when the wrecking ball starts to swing at Granite Run.

No doubt it will bring about another emotional reaction from Delco kids who maybe are not that young anymore who called the place home.

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