MUNCY TOWNSHIP, LYCOMING COUNTY(WBRE/WYOU-TV) – Stores have been shuttering at the Lycoming Mall and now the struggling shopping center is watching its anchor store leave.

“I think it’s sad that the stores are closing because anyone who knows me at all knows that I love to shop till I drop and once Bon Ton closes there’s not too much left,” said Shopper from Montgomery, Sharon Steele.

That’s right, shoppers will soon be saying good-bye to Bon Ton, the last anchor store at the Lycoming Mall.

“I feel sort of sad,” said Shopper from Montoursville, Judy Olinsky.

Many shoppers reminisce on what the shopping center used to be, back in the day.

“It was like the place to go and it was really great having one place to go and you could go to like 30 40 stores,” said Director of Planning in Lycoming County, Kurt Hausammann Jr.

“Just stores all over, we used to have fountains in the middle. It was just a really cool place to come,” said Steele.

But with anchor stores closing starting with JC Penny, Macy’s, Sears abd biw Bon Ton..the mall is starting to feel abandoned.

“I think right now we just have to do some brainstorming and try to get out in front of this,” said Lycoming County Commissioner, Jack Mckernan.

First county leaders need to know what mall owners are going to do.

Based on that, they will begin working out zoning ordinance modifications.

“We could look at making appropriate changes to the ordinance that would give the mall the best chance of staying vibrant,” said Hausammann.

“What’s really exciting about future prospects is that the infrastructure is all in place in this mall,” said Lycoming County Commissioner, Rick Mirabito.

The Eyewitness News team caught up with an out of state shopper.

He thinks the mall could benefit from stores rarely seen in this area.

“When I went in there last week they didn’t have no Buckle. I shop at Buckle a lot I’m from down south so that’s all I wear,” said Payton Jackson from Arkansas.

Local shoppers also weigh in.

“H&M and Forever 21. I think they would do well here,” said Olinsky.

“I keep hoping that a Boscovs or something like that might come in,” said Steele.

Regardless, Planners say they’re ready to get this mall back on track.

“What I would like to see is something that gives an opportunity for growth,” said Commissioner Mirabito.

“We’re going into it with an open mind,” said Hausammann.

The Economic Development Task Force will hold its first work session meeting on the Lycoming Mall this Wednesday.