If you’ve ever walked through downtown Scranton, you know the vibe. It’s a mix of heavy stone history and that scrappy, "we’re still here" energy. Right at the center of that feeling sits 300 Lackawanna Ave Scranton PA 18503. Most people know it as the The Marketplace at Steamtown. Or, if you’re of a certain age, just "the mall." But calling it a mall in 2026 is kinda like calling a smartphone a pager. It’s just not accurate anymore. This massive footprint—nearly 400,000 square feet of real estate—has become a fascinating case study in how a city survives the death of traditional retail without letting its downtown turn into a ghost town.
Honestly, it wasn’t always looking this hopeful.
The address has a storied past. It sits on land that was once the literal engine of the region: the railyards. When the mall opened in the early 90s, it was supposed to be the "miracle on Lackawanna Avenue." It had the big anchors. Boscov’s. The Bon-Ton. It had the fountain. But then, the internet happened. Then suburban sprawl happened. By the mid-2010s, the place was largely a cavernous echo chamber of empty storefronts and "For Lease" signs. It looked grim. It looked like another Rust Belt casualty.
What’s Actually Happening at 300 Lackawanna Ave Today?
The transformation of 300 Lackawanna Ave Scranton PA 18503 into The Marketplace at Steamtown changed the game by ditching the "only shopping" model. You’ve got to look at who is actually inside those walls now to understand the shift. It’s a weird, functional blend. You’ve got Delta Medix taking up huge chunks of space for medical offices. You have Geisinger and the Wright Center for Community Health. Basically, instead of just buying shoes, people are going there for neurological exams and primary care. It’s smart. It brings foot traffic that isn’t dependent on the whims of fashion cycles.
But it isn’t just a giant doctor’s office.
The food scene actually carries weight here now. The Scranton Food Co-op has a presence. You have local favorites like The Salad Shop and various ethnic eateries that replaced the generic Sbarro-style food court of the 90s. It’s become a hub for small business owners who can’t afford—or don't want—the massive overhead of a standalone building on Spruce Street but want the visibility of Lackawanna Avenue.
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The Boscov’s Factor
We have to talk about Boscov’s. It is the absolute titan of 300 Lackawanna Ave. While every other department store in America seemed to fold under the pressure of Amazon, Boscov’s stayed. They own their real estate. That’s the secret sauce. Because they aren't beholden to insane mall REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) rents, they’ve remained the anchor that keeps the entire 18503 zip code anchored. If Boscov’s leaves, the vibe changes instantly. But for now, they are the steady heartbeat of the block.
The Logistics of the 18503 Hub
Location is everything. If you're looking at this address from a business or real estate perspective, you have to realize it’s the literal gateway. It connects the Steamtown National Historic Site—which brings in thousands of tourists for the trains—to the rest of the downtown core.
The parking situation is actually one of its biggest assets. In a city where street parking is a nightmare of quarters and apps, the massive attached garage at 300 Lackawanna Ave is the secret weapon for anyone working downtown. It’s one of the largest parking structures in the city. It serves the medical staff, the shoppers, and the office workers nearby.
Why People Get This Address Wrong
A lot of folks think 300 Lackawanna Ave Scranton PA 18503 is just a failing mall. That’s the "old Scranton" mindset. If you actually look at the data, the transition to a mixed-use facility is working. It’s not a "mall" in the sense of a 1985 teenage hangout. It’s a "community service center."
Think about it.
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Where else can you get a flu shot, buy a new suit, grab a locally-sourced sandwich, and then walk across a bridge to see a 1920s steam locomotive? Nowhere. That’s the point. The diversity of the tenants—from the Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den to the various state offices—means that if one sector dips, the whole building doesn't collapse.
The Aquarium is actually a huge deal for the 18503 area. It sounds crazy to have sharks and stingrays in a former mall basement, but it’s a massive draw for families from Wilkes-Barre, Clarks Summit, and even the Poconos. It turned the address into a destination rather than just a pass-through.
The Future of the Lackawanna Corridor
There is a lot of talk about the Amtrak train link to NYC. If—and it’s a big "if" that locals have been hearing for decades—the rail connection to New York City fully materializes, 300 Lackawanna Avenue becomes the most valuable piece of dirt in Northeast Pennsylvania. It sits right next to the tracks. It’s the first thing people would see getting off the train.
Current urban planning suggests that more residential units could be the next step. While 300 Lackawanna is currently commercial and medical, the surrounding buildings are rapidly converting to "luxury" lofts. The demand for housing in 18503 is spiking as people flee the costs of Philly and New York.
Realities and Challenges
It isn't all sunshine. Maintaining a building this size is a literal nightmare. The utility costs alone are staggering. There have been complaints over the years about the temperature control in the common areas and the general wear and tear of a building that has seen heavy use for over 30 years.
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Also, the competition from the Shoppes at Montage Mountain is real. That’s where the "big box" energy went. 300 Lackawanna has to fight to stay relevant by being "local" and "useful" rather than just "big."
Navigating the Area
If you're visiting or looking to do business at 300 Lackawanna Ave, here’s the reality of the layout:
The ground floor is where the "heavy" traffic is—medical and the Aquarium.
The second floor is more of a mix, and where you'll find the bridge access to the Steamtown National Historic Site.
The Boscov’s side operates almost like its own planet, with its own entrances and a very loyal, older demographic that shops there religiously.
Actionable Steps for Navigating 300 Lackawanna Ave
If you are planning a visit or considering a business move to this part of Scranton, keep these specific points in mind:
For Visitors: Use the parking garage entrance on Washington Ave rather than trying to find a spot on the street. It’s cheaper than a ticket and keeps you out of the snow during Scranton's notoriously brutal winters. If you're heading to the Aquarium, check their mid-week rates; it gets packed on Saturdays with birthday parties.
For Business Owners: Don't look at this as a retail play. Look at it as a service play. The foot traffic here is coming for appointments. If your business solves a problem for someone waiting for a doctor or someone on a lunch break from a state office, you'll thrive.
For Real Estate Watchers: Keep an eye on the city's zoning meetings regarding the "Steamtown" footprint. Any shift toward residential use within the marketplace structure itself would be a massive indicator of a property value spike in the surrounding blocks of the 18503 zip code.
300 Lackawanna Ave Scranton PA 18503 isn't just a building; it’s a barometer for the city’s health. As long as those doors are open and the mix of tenants continues to evolve, Scranton’s downtown has a fighting chance. It’s a weird, sprawling, multi-level testament to the fact that "The Electric City" knows how to keep the lights on, even if the bulb looks a little different than it used to.