A new "nightlife hotspot" is about to open in Wilkes-Barre just in time for Saint Patrick's Day celebrations -- and say "goodbye" to a long standing department store. Consumer reporter Jeff Chirico has these stories and more in our monthly local business report.

Losing Value

Value City department store at the Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville is slated to close this month. The store's having blowout sales until merchandise is sold off. Also the store at the Lycoming Mall in Williamsport will shut its doors by the end of march. Nearly three dozen Value City's are going out of business.

Music Store Closing

The day the music dies in Williamsport is getting closer. Rock Station on Fourth and Pine Streets, announced it's pulling the plug on its downtown shop. The owners blame declining sales for forcing them out of business after 13 years --7 at this location. They expect to close doors for good in mid-march after selling off merchandise.

Nightlife Returns

Better news for downtown Wilkes-Barre --a developer is turning the old Mardis Gras club on South Main Street into the Hardware Bar. Ron Kanionka owns and operates 14 nightclubs in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The Hardware Bar should start serving in mid-March --and will feature entertainment on three levels.

Party Place

Just across the street, fun for the younger set. In the old Tara Men's Clothing shop, a Mountain Top mom is opening Peyton's Place. It's a birthday party center offering 1-and-a-half hour theme parties. Payton's Place is named after owner Melissa Basso's daughter.

Fire Survivors

In Lackwanna County --Deborah Spedding's Allstate Insurance Agency opened in a new office on North Main Street in Carbondale. Last September, seven businesses including Speddings's were destroyed in Mermelstein's Marketplace fire. Since then Curves Fitness Center for women reopened on Dundaff Street and Bellissima Salon moved to Salem Avenue in Carbondale.

New Credit Union

And finally in Olyphant, the NET Federal Credit Union cut the ribbon on its new full-service facility at the Rock Creek Corporate Center on East Lackawanna Avenue.- it includes seven teller stations, two remote teller stations, and an ultra-modern lobby. The NET Federal Credit Union is the largest in the Scranton area with more than 22,000 members.