[citation needed] The complex opened on November 9, 1975 and was developed by the Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Company, who continue to own and operate it.

Due to Pennsylvania's lack of sales tax on clothing, the Millcreek Mall attracts many visitors from Ohio, New York and Canada.

The combination of anchors has given it the shape of a gun pointed at downtown Erie when viewed from above, which has led to controversy in some cases.

[10] On September 18, 2022, a massive fight broke out between juveniles in the Macy's wing in the Food Court which resulted in a shot being fired into the ceiling and the mall having to go into lockdown.

The individuals involved in the shooting were charged and the Millcreek Mall is currently working on to find a way to prevent this sort of crime from happening again.

[11] In February 2023, it was announced that Dick's Sporting Goods will be moving from its prior location in the Millcreek Mall Pavilion into the space formerly occupied by The Bon-Ton.

[12] The Millcreek Mall Pavilion consists of stores including Ross Dress for Less, HomeGoods, Michaels Arts & Crafts, Five Below, Rally House, Carter's, Ulta Beauty, Vertical Jump Park, and DSW Shoe Warehouse.

A Men's Wearhouse, OfficeMax, David's Bridal, Ollie's Bargain Outlet, and many smaller stores also occupy land on the site of the Millcreek Mall.

On the land there are five restaurants; O'Charley's, Moe's Southwest Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, and McDonald's, a SpringHill Suites hotel, PNC Bank, and a Verizon Wireless store.