After announcing plans to leave the mall earlier this year, JCPenney now plans to open a 100,00 sq. ft. space in the same location in Franklin Mills.

The store is expected to return in March with an updated design. The Franklin Mills location was one of 19 outlet stores J.C. Penney Co. Inc. planned to close in January.

JCPenney will join the mall’s other department stores: Burlington Coat Factory, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Marshalls HomeGoods and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th.

The old Chi-Chis restaurant in Franklin Mills caught fire early last night. Firefighters were called to Franklin Mills Circle around 6 p.m. after the vacant building caught fire. continue reading »

Whenever I talk to anybody who is, at best, slightly familiar with the area, or Philadelphia in general, there are two specific places I like to reference to give them an understanding of where I grew up.

And, without a doubt, people usually are familiar with both and tend to have a story – sometimes negative – about at least one of them. continue reading »

Photo courtesy of Action News

Police are still seeking the identity of a man they found wander the Franklin Mills Walmart Friday afternoon.

The man, who is believed to have Down Syndrome, is in his late teens or early 20s, and was unable to communicate with police. He has a dark complexion, is approximately five feet tall and weighs 150 pounds. continue reading »

Police have arrested a 39-year-old man for bringing two hand grenades into Franklin Mills movie theater.

Kevin Michael took a bus to the mall wearing two World War II-era MK2 hand grenades strapped to his belt, and walked into the 5 p.m. movie. Patrons began running in every direction when the saw Michael, and police arrived to arrest him.

The 6’4″, 230-pound man struggled with officers, police said, and was then taken outside to a a staging area where the Bomb Squad was present. The grenades proved to be inert, and could not have blown up,  but patrons at Franklin Mills could never have known that.

Michael has been charged with recklessly endangering other people, terroristic threats and possession of an instrument of crime. He has 20 prior arrests.

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

Police are looking for the man who robbed a TD Bank on Grant Avenue yesterday morning. The bank, at 2520 Grant Ave., was the first among two. The second occurred just 45 minutes later at a TD branch in Abington. Police are looking for a man with a beard with gray hair. He was wearing a black jacket and a black hat with a blue symbol. He may also have red dye on his clothing from when he dropped the money when a dye pack exploded.

Keep reading to find out how much the latest El repairs are expected to cost. continue reading »

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Shoppers at Franklin Mills Mall discovered a body yesterday in the bushes near Liberty Plaza parking lot.

The lot, along Franklin Mills Boulevard and Woodhaven Road,  is across from Raymour and Flanigan.

Police have identified the body as that of a 29-year-old Philadelphia man, and have determined he has been dead for at least two days.  Foul play is not suspected, but the autopsy is still underway. The man’s identity will be released pending notification of his family.

By Shannon McDonald

In a recent Northeast Times article, Franklin Mills Mall manager (and Washington High School alum) Joseph Binder, said he has been listening carefully to Northeast residents – particularly, those who like to read.

Binder mentioned that the outlet mall has been working on negotiations with a major book retailer. Though he can’t many more details, Binder also said he is in talks with a popular value store looking to take over the old Kay-Bee toy store location. These additions would join the 13 new stores that have come to the mall in the last two years.

By Shannon McDonald

You obviously love Northeast Philadelphia already, or you wouldn’t be on this site. But what do you love best about living in The NEast?

A recent post on PhillyBlog posed the same question to its NE users, and the answers were varied, but unsurprising.

Responses ranged from specific things like Pennypack Park to more general things like our many restaurants and central locations. Here are a few great replies: continue reading »

By Donna Ward

Breast Cancer is a devastating disease that is the sixth cause of death for women in the country. Everyone has battled breast cancer in someway, either with their family members or friends, colleagues at work, neighbors or themselves. Yet there are many women in the NEast who are still unclear about the causes and preventative measures they can take to help ensure their health, as well as the health of their loved ones.

continue reading »