Annapolis Mall

The site was at one time the location of the Annapolis terminus of the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway, and was known as the "Best Gate" station, which had three single-ended and four double-ended sidings, where rail cars could be shunted on or off of the single-track WB&A east–west railway which ran to the north–south Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Pennsylvania Railroad lines.{{cite book|author=American Electric Railway Association|title=Proceedings of the American Electric Railway Association|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DmRbAAAAMAAJ&q=best-gate&pg=PA124|date=1906}} This "Best Gate" station gave the name to the nearby Bestgate Road, which today runs along the northern perimeter of the mall.

A free-standing, single-level Montgomery Ward store occupied the site during the 1970s. Following the construction and opening of a single-level mall on the site in 1980, Montgomery Ward became an anchor. Additional anchor stores included Washington, D.C.–based Garfinckel's and Hecht's, both with two levels. The mall was expanded in 1983 with the addition of a single-level JCPenney. Garfinckel's closed in 1990 after the company went bankrupt. After the mall was acquired by Westfield Group, it was expanded again in 1994 with the addition of a two-level Nordstrom store as well as an expanded food court.{{cite news |last=Dresser |first=Michael |date=July 1, 1992 |title=Annapolis Nordstrom in '93 unlikely |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1992-07-01-1992183197-story.html |access-date=May 7, 2020 |newspaper=Baltimore Sun}} In 1998 a two-level Lord & Taylor store opened which was followed by the opening of an 11-screen movie theater. The Montgomery Ward store closed in 2001 and in 2002 was replaced with a Sears store. Hecht's became Macy's in September 2006.

In 2007, the mall completed a $150 million expansion. The expansion added an additional {{convert|240,000|sqft}} of retail space featuring 60 new stores such as Pottery Barn and H&M.{{Cite web |last=Cahall |first=Aaron |date=2007-11-02 |title=Westfield Annapolis mall takes title after opening $150 million expansion - Washington Examiner |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/501862/westfield-annapolis-mall-takes-title-after-opening-150-million-expansion/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |language=en-US}}

The former Garfinckel's space once housed a two-level Borders Books and Music store which operated during the mid-2000s until its closure in 2011. A Forever 21 location opened in the space in 2013. On February 22, 2025, Forever 21 announced that they would be closing their location at the mall as part of their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.{{Cite web |last=Rothstein |first=Benjamin |date=2025-02-22 |title=Not quite forever: Forever 21 in Annapolis Mall to close, Arundel Mills location liquidating |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/2025/02/22/not-quite-forever-annapolis-mall-forever-21-one-of-many-to-close/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Capital Gazette |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Ronalds-Hannon |first1=Eliza |last2=Basu |first2=Reshmi |date=2025-02-19 |title=Forever 21 Plans Hundreds of Store Closures in Second Bankruptcy |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-19/forever-21-plans-hundreds-of-store-closures-in-second-bankruptcy?embedded-checkout=true |access-date=2025-02-25}} The store closed on April 29.{{Cite web |last=Baumgart |first=Jacob |date=2025-04-24 |title=Iconic Clothing Store Closure Date Announced Amid Bankruptcy |url=https://patch.com/maryland/annapolis/forever-21-closure-date-annapolis-mall-announced-amid-bankruptcy |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Annapolis, MD Patch |language=en}}

In August 2017, Lord & Taylor announced that they would close their store at Westfield Annapolis. In December of that same year, the mall's owner Westfield Group was acquired by French firm Unibail-Rodamco, becoming Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW). In January 2020, URW announced that the former Lord & Taylor space would be reconstructed into a “retail district” featuring stores such as The Container Store.{{cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2017/11/16/lord-taylor-closing-annapolis-store.html |date=November 16, 2017 |access-date=November 23, 2017 |newspaper=Baltimore Business Journal |title=Lord & Taylor closing Annapolis store |first=Ryan |last=Sharrow }}{{Cite web|date=2020-01-15|title=Westfield Annapolis To Transform Former Lord & Taylor Building Into New Retail District|url=https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2020/01/15/westfield-annapolis-new-retail-district-plan/|access-date=2020-10-27|language=en-US}}{{cite news |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/business/ac-cn-macys-closed-westfield-annapolis-20200629-7vreqgvohffpzjmyvhkl6yhufu-story.html |title=Macy's plans to lay off 234 employees at Annapolis, Columbia malls |date=June 20, 2020 |work=Capital Gazette |first=Lilly |last=Price |access-date=December 7, 2020 }}{{cite news |url=https://patch.com/maryland/annapolis/container-store-coming-annapolis-mall-report |title=Container Store Coming To Annapolis Mall: Report |date=March 8, 2021 |work=Patch |first=Jacob |last=Baumgart |access-date=March 20, 2021 }}

File:Inside of Westfield Annapolis.jpg

In April 2018, Anne Arundel County Public Library opened a temporary branch called "Discoveries: the Library at the Mall", in Westfield Annapolis.{{cite news |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/politics/ac-cn-discoveries-library-20190516-story.html |title=Inside Discoveries, Anne Arundel's mall library experiment could go permanent |date=May 16, 2019 |newspaper=Capital Gazette |first=Chase |last=Cook |access-date=June 17, 2022 }} It moved to a permanent location in the former American Eagle and Charlotte Russe stores in February 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/anne-arundel-county-public-library-new-opens-in-annapolis-mall/31101972# |title=New Anne Arundel County Public Library opens in Annapolis Mall |date=February 25, 2020 |work=WBAL |access-date=June 17, 2022 }} Since July 2021, the library includes a Community Pantry where staff distribute diapers, baby supplies, hygiene items and menstrual supplies twice a month.{{cite news |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/news/ac-cn-community-pantry-discovery-library-annapolis-20210717-ea74bt5w5ffkvbamzwzdghvhk4-story.html |title=Community Pantry opens at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall in Annapolis |date=July 17, 2021 |newspaper=Capital Gazette |first=Donovan |last=Conaway |access-date=June 17, 2022 }}

In May 2020, Nordstrom announced it would shutter their Annapolis location during a wave of secondary store closures.{{cite news |url=https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/nordstrom-store-closings-1203630113/ |title=Exclusive Where Nordstrom Has Closed Stores for Good |newspaper=Women's Wear Daily |first=David |last=Moin |date=May 7, 2020 |access-date=May 7, 2020}}{{Cite web |url=https://keyt.com/news/santa-barbara-s-county/2020/05/07/nordstrom-santa-barbara-to-close-by-august/ |title=Nordstrom Santa Barbara Paseo Nuevo to close by August |first=Beth |last=Farnsworth |date=May 7, 2020 |access-date=May 7, 2020 |work=keyt.com |publisher=NPG of California}} The store closed on July 15 of that same year.{{Cite web |date=2020-05-08 |title=Retail bloodbath continues, Annapolis Nordstrom to close July 15, 2020 |url=https://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2020/05/retail-bloodbath-continues-annapolis-nordstrom-to-close-july-15-2020/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Eye On Annapolis |language=en-US}}

The SPCA of Anne Arundel County opened an animal shelter called "Paws at the Mall" at the mall in September 2020. It was the first animal shelter of its kind to operate inside of an indoor shopping mall.{{Cite news |last=Rosenbaum |first=Claudia |date=2023-05-09 |title=Can Actual Rats Save the Mall? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/09/style/mall-rats-animal-shelters.html |access-date=2024-08-06 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

In April 2022, AMC Theatres announced the acquisition of seven Bow Tie Cinemas locations, including their location at Westfield Annapolis.{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/amc-bow-tie-cinemas-acquisition-1235001000/ |title=AMC Increases Footprint In Connecticut, NY & Maryland With Acquisition Of Seven Bow Tie Cinemas |newspaper=Deadline |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |date=April 12, 2022 |access-date=April 28, 2022}} The theater reopened as AMC Annapolis Mall 11 on the weekend of April 21, 2022.

On May 10, 2024, a listing by local retail broker H&R Retail revealed that JCPenney was slated to close in 2025 and be replaced by five tenants, including Hobby Lobby, Grocery Outlet and Onelife Fitness.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-10 |title=Hobby Lobby, Grocery Outlet, Onelife Fitness to Replace JC Penney at Annapolis Mall |url=https://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2024/05/hobby-lobby-grocery-outlet-onelife-fitness-to-replace-jc-penney-at-annapolis-mall/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Eye On Annapolis |language=en-US}}{{cite news |last=Howland |first=Daphne |date=June 14, 2024 |title=J.C. Penney closing 4 stores in coming months |url=https://www.retaildive.com/news/jc-penney-closing-four-stores/718793/ |access-date=July 9, 2024 |work=Retail Dive}} In February 2025, JCPenney announced that they would be closing its store as part of a plan to close eight stores nationwide. The store was originally scheduled to close by May 25. However, on April 16, it was announced that JCPenney had extended their lease at Annapolis Mall through August 31. The store's liquidation sales were halted the same day.{{Cite web |last=Cross |first=Greta |title=JCPenney store closures: 7 locations shuttering in coming weeks, 1 store now staying open |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/04/16/jcpenney-stores-closing-2025/83106410007/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} Following the lease extension, a representative from the department store stated "We are optimistic that we can come to an agreement that will suit all parties involved, and that JCPenney can continue to serve our loyal customers in the Annapolis area for years to come",{{Cite web |last=Baumgart |first=Jacob |date=2025-04-30 |title=Department Store Slated For Closure Will Remain Open, At Least For Now |url=https://patch.com/maryland/annapolis/annapolis-jcpenney-wont-close-may-will-stay-open-through-august?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_term=business&utm_campaign=autopost&utm_content=annapolis&fbclid=IwY2xjawJ_t4tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFZY2V2M3htTWtsaXhWcXVkAR6I-dgjtvkSxjxXGAUw0EqUEm3mHxG4MWtPxPRZ-8euUJ0aswlJycakOb77jg_aem_jAJjpMeHLs11i6flOLEhyA |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Annapolis, MD Patch |language=en}} but it was announced in mid-June that the store will close on August 17.{{cite news |url=https://www.wmar2news.com/local/jcpenney-closing-doors-for-good-in-august-at-annapolis-location |title=JCPenney closing doors for good in August at Annapolis location |date=June 17, 2025 |website=WMAR-TV |first=Rushaad |last=Hayward |access-date=June 19, 2025}}

On May 16, 2024, it was confirmed that URW was in negotiations to sell the mall.{{cite news |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/romey-pittman-new-village-academy-MYKZ4QNUAZEK7GWNHIG4IB4I7Q/ |title=Annapolis charter school delays opening until 2025, citing halt in lease negotiations |date=May 20, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Banner |first=Norman |last=Gomlak |access-date=July 9, 2024}} This came after a prior announcement in 2022 that the company was seeking to sell their American malls, later amended to only selling non-flagship properties.{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/markfaithfull/2024/02/09/pre-pandemic-occupancy-encourages-westfield-to-keep-us-malls/ |title=Pre-Pandemic Occupancy Encourages Westfield To Keep U.S. Malls |date=February 9, 2024 |magazine=Forbes |first=Mark |last=Faithfull |access-date=July 9, 2024}} On August 5, 2024, it was reported that Centennial Real Estate Management acquired the property for an undisclosed sum. Following the sale, all Westfield branding was removed and the mall was renamed to Annapolis Mall.{{Cite web |last=Overs |first=Bria |date=2024-08-05 |title=Dick's and Dave & Buster's coming to Annapolis Mall under new owner |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/westfield-annapolis-mall-centennial-MS5XKZLYLZHR5K5BXXAQWXCJVI/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=The Baltimore Banner |language=en}}

On September 3, 2024, Centennial formally announced their acquisition of the mall as part of a consortium that also includes former WeWork and GGP CEO Sandeep Mathrani, Waterfall Asset Management and Lincoln Property Company. Through Mathrani's company Atlas Hill Real Estate, both Centennial and Mathrani will serve as owners of the property. The announcement also came with news that two new anchors would be joining the mall, both initially slated to open in the winter of 2025 before being delayed to early 2026: Dick's House of Sport and Dave & Buster's.{{Cite web |last=Carlisle |first=Candace |date=2024-09-04 |title=Centennial teams up with former WeWork CEO to revamp Maryland mall |url=https://www.costar.com/article/102865846/centennial-teams-up-with-former-wework-ceo-to-revamp-maryland-mall |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=CoStar}}{{Cite web |last=Urbanski |first=Al |date=2024-09-04 |title=Centennial and partners acquire Maryland's second-largest mall |url=https://chainstoreage.com/centennial-and-partners-acquire-marylands-second-largest-mall |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=Chain Store Age |language=en}}

On December 30, 2024, Sandeep Mathrani announced that the former Sears site was to be replaced by “half retail and half rental apartments.” He also announced negotiations to fill {{Convert|200,000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} of vacant space throughout the mall. These negotiations include two tenants to fill about {{Convert|80000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} in the mall’s 2007 expansion corridor.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Mark R. Smith, Senior |date=2024-12-30 |title=Investment of 'tens of millions' coming at Annapolis Mall |url=https://bizmonthly.com/news/business/2024/12/investment-of-tens-of-millions-coming-at-annapolis-mall/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=The Business Monthly |language=en-US}} On February 9, 2025, Centennial CEO Paul Kurzawa announced that another new anchor for the mall was "in the works," although he declined to reveal the name of the anchor or where in the mall it would be located.{{Cite web |last=Rothstein |first=Benjamin |date=2025-02-09 |title=Annapolis Mall details growth plans under new ownership: ‘Not a dying mall’ |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/02/09/annapolis-mall-details-growth-plans-under-new-ownership-not-a-dying-mall/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=The Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}} In April 2025, the mall announced several major tenants through their "leasing pitchbook." These new tenants include Primark, which will replace a portion of the former Sears parcel, and Uniqlo which will open near JCPenney. https://centennialrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Annapolis-Mall-Pitchbook.pdf

On Saturday, November 18, 2006, an off-duty United States Secret Service agent was at the mall when he witnessed a fight in progress in the food court. During the attempt to break up the fight, one of the combatants pulled a gun and fired at the agent, wounding him. The agent returned fire, hitting the shooter twice. A third person was wounded in the altercation.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15012092 |agency=Associated Press |title=Secret Service agent wounded in mall shooting |access-date=8 January 2009 |date=November 19, 2006 |work=NBC News |publisher=Microsoft }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.wbaltv.com/news/14904114/detail.html |title=Teen Gets 65 Years In Annapolis Mall Shooting |access-date=8 January 2009 |publisher=WBAL-TV |agency=The Associated Press |date=December 21, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218132425/http://www.wbaltv.com/news/14904114/detail.html |archive-date=February 18, 2012 }} A midshipman from the U.S. Naval Academy ran toward the sound of gunshots and provided first aid for the Secret Service agent. That midshipman later received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.{{cite news |first=Derek |last=Valcourt |title=Midshipman Honored As Hero In Md. Mall Shooting |url=http://wjz.com/seenon/Annapolis.mall.shooting.2.425073.html |publisher=WJZ TV |date=January 18, 2007 |access-date=30 January 2009 }} The mall was closed shortly after the incident, with all patrons asked to leave over the public address system. The associated trial ended in December 2007 and the shooter was sentenced to 65 years in prison.{{cite news |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2007/12/22/teen-gets-65-years-for-mall-shooting/ |title=Teen gets 65 years for mall shooting |newspaper=Baltimore Sun |first=Nicole |last=Fuller |date=December 22, 2007 |access-date=January 1, 2015 }}

• JCPenney (since 1983) closing 2025
• Macy's (since 2006)
• Crate & Barrel (since 2009)
• The Container Store (since 2021)
• AMC Theatres (since 2022)
• Dick's House of Sport (opening 2026)
• Dave & Buster's (opening 2026)

• Garfinckel's (1980–1990)
• Montgomery Ward (1980–2001)
• Hecht's (1980–2006)
• Borders Books and Music (2001–2011)
• Lord & Taylor (1998–2018)
• Nordstrom (1994–2020)
• Sears (2002–2020)
• Bow Tie Cinemas (1998–2022)
• Forever 21 (2013–2025)

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.westfield.com/united-states/annapolis}}

{{Shopping malls in Maryland}}

{{WestfieldUnitedStates}}

Category:1980 establishments in Maryland

Category:Buildings and structures in Annapolis, Maryland

Category:Shopping malls established in 1980

Category:Shopping malls in Maryland

Category:Tourist attractions in Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis