Wegmans to expand Pittsburgh area footprint with South Hills store

Context: Originally built as a Kaufmann's department store and converted into a high-end indoor shopping center in 1988, the approximately 168,000-square-foot Galleria has served the South Hills community for decades.

• Wegmans is also building a 115,000-square-foot Cranberry Township location, expected to open next year.

Zoom in: The store will feature a wide selection of produce, seafood, meats, prepared foods, a bakery, deli, cheese department, and wine and beer, per the company.

Between the lines: The area's suburban supermarket scene, including in the South Hills, is getting more crowded as players like Wegmans and Meijer move into a region long dominated by established grocers like Giant Eagle, which Kroger is set to acquire.

• Rumors about the mall's future have swirled for months, fueled by the abrupt closures of AMC Theatre and Bravo! Italian Kitchen.

What they're saying: The redevelopment "represents an exciting opportunity to strengthen one of Mt. Lebanon's key commercial destinations," said Keith McGill, Mt. Lebanon's municipal manager, in a statement. He called Wegmans a big win for the Galleria's revival and a welcome addition to the South Hills.

What's next: Washington, D.C.-based Roadside Development will lead the renovations, with work expected to begin in 2028. Existing retailers are expected to remain open during the construction, per a company news release.

• Wegmans and Roadside have not yet announced an exact opening date or project cost.