Strawberry Square facts for kids

Strawberry Square is a cool place in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It's like a big building or group of buildings where you can find many different things. It has shops, places to eat, and offices where people work. A group called the Harristown Development Corporation (HDC), which is a non-profit organization, owns and manages it.

The Story of Strawberry Square

Strawberry Square is an important part of making downtown Harrisburg a better place to live and visit. It helped bring new life and businesses back to the city center.

Building the Square

The first part of Strawberry Square opened in 1978. It had a huge amount of space, about 1.4 million square feet, for offices and shops. This area looked out over the Pennsylvania State Capitol, which is where the state government works.

About eleven years later, the Harristown Development Corporation (HDC) made Strawberry Square even bigger. This expansion cost $21 million. It involved fixing up ten old buildings from the 1800s and 1900s. These buildings are very special and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. They are some of the oldest shops left in the city.

Where the Name Comes From

The name "Strawberry Square" comes from a small street called Strawberry Alley. This alley runs through the complex from one side to the other. Part of the alley was turned into a common area inside the building, near the escalators on the second floor. When it was first built in the 1970s, people also called this area the 'Key Block'.

What You Can Find Inside

Many different businesses and organizations have offices at Strawberry Square. These include large companies like Verizon and parts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government. Harrisburg University and Temple University also have campuses here. You can also find financial companies like Morgan Stanley.

Besides offices, Strawberry Square has lots of shops! There are more than 40 shops and art galleries. You can find fashion stores, jewelry shops, and other special stores. There are also 10 different places to eat in the food court. You can try many kinds of food from different countries.

A Community Hub

Because many people know Strawberry Square and it's easy to get to, its main open area (called an atrium) has become like a town square for Harrisburg. Many community groups, schools, and art groups use this space for events all year. High school and college classes are also held here.

Strawberry Square is also adding a new digital sign system. Visitors will be able to see local news, weather updates, and information about upcoming events in the mall. They will also see ads from local businesses.

Schools and Colleges at Strawberry Square

Strawberry Square is home to several educational institutions, making it a place for learning as well as shopping and working:

• Capital Area School for the Arts
• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
• Messiah College
• Olewine School of Culinary Arts (Harrisburg Area Community College)
• SciTech High
• Temple University