It is uniquely situated within four miles of the Pennsylvania State University, allowing the mall to attract both area residents as well as college students.

The expansion and renovation of the Nittany Mall in 1989-1990 included the addition of a fourth anchor, JCPenney.

Federated proceeded to convert various May properties to Macy's, including the Nittany Mall store, in 2006.

In April 2018, it was announced that the entire Bon-Ton stores chain would be closing as the company failed to find a suitable buyer.

[7] The Sears and Bon-Ton closures left the mall with just two anchors (Dunham's Sports and Macy's) for the first time since 1970.

[10] Construction of a Bally's mini-casino, which had been expected to open at the former Macy's site in 2022,[11] has been delayed due to ongoing petition hearings.