Lakeforest Mall

Lakeforest Mall first opened on September 12, 1978,{{cite web|url=http://www.simon.com/Mall/LeasingSheet/5252_LakeforestMall_PropFactSheet.pdf|title=Lakeforest Mall Fact Sheet|publisher=Simon Property Group|access-date=November 1, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101034404/http://www.simon.com/Mall/LeasingSheet/5252_LakeforestMall_PropFactSheet.pdf|archive-date=November 1, 2011 }} as Lakeforest Regional Mall.{{Cite web |date=28 January 2019 |title=Early days of Lakeforest Mall (late 70s). |url=https://x.com/TheMoCoShow/status/1089994624624705537 |access-date=18 March 2025 |website=www.x.com}}{{Cite web |date=May 2013 |title=Draft Environmental Effects Report |url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/corridor/resources/files/pdf/May2013_DraftEER/may2013EER_Section4.pdf |access-date=18 March 2025 |website=www.montgomerycountymd.gov}} At that time, the mall's anchor stores were JCPenney, Sears, Woodward & Lothrop, and Hecht's. The mall was named in honor of Lake Walker, a man-made lake and park on the property prior. The mall opened with approximately 30-50 stores,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1978/06/18/opening-first-far-out-mall/e380c87e-3e6b-47d5-b1f5-7951cac4f73f|title=Opening First Far-Out Mall - The Washington Post|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=1978-06-18|access-date=2023-01-09}} with some of the first stores being relocated from the then nearby indoor Village Mall (now an outdoor strip mall called Montgomery Village Center since circa 1991) and absorbed onto the property.{{cite web|url=https://mocoshow.com/blog/did-you-know-there-was-an-indoor-mall-in-montgomery-village|title=Did You Know There Was an Indoor Mall in Montgomery Village? - The MoCo Show|work=The MoCo Show|date=2021-11-11|access-date=2023-01-09}} The mall was one of the first in the United States to feature an indoor ice skating rink on the lower level, in the "H section", along with being the biggest indoor shopping mall in the county at the time of grand opening. The rink was replaced, first by a multi theater movie complex, then by a food court, which remained until closing.{{cite web|url=http://www.gaithersburghistory.com/photos11.html|title=Gaithersburg: Then & Now|first=Shaun|last=Curtis|website=www.gaithersburghistory.com}}

In 1984, the ice rink was replaced by a NTI Theaters movie theater, later renamed Cineplex Odeon Lakeforest 5.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/08/17/food-court-to-spice-up-mall/ff7b184e-6b73-4afb-a4b3-270412d1f85f|title=Food Court to Spice Up Mall - The Washington Post|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=2000-08-17|access-date=2023-01-09}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bigscreen.com/Marquee.php?theater=1294&view=info|title=CO Lakeforest 5 Information - The BigScreen Cinema Guide|work=The BigScreen Cinema Guide|access-date=2023-01-09}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/deadmalls/comments/w1fjd3/comment/iglhdoz/?context=8&depth=71|title=Lakeforest Mall Pt. 2 (Gaithersburg, Md) : deadmalls|work=Reddit|date=2022-07-17|access-date=2023-01-09}}{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/iImHCZA.jpg|title=iImHCZA.jpg (2000×1442)|work=Imgur|date=1994-05-01|access-date=2023-01-09}}

Circa 1994, the general manager was Barbara Kreuser.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1994/11/12/a-mall-and-the-night-visitors/59192fc3-39cb-4a0e-9135-64d38ddb7165|title=A MALL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS - The Washington Post|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=1994-11-12|access-date=2023-01-09}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/09/18/area-malls-watching-curfew-and-wondering-whats-in-store-for-them/3ca87bf1-a92f-4c04-a417-8859026939fa|title=AREA MALLS WATCHING CURFEW AND WONDERING WHAT'S IN STORE FOR THEM - The Washington Post|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=1996-09-18|access-date=2023-01-09}}

In 1995, the Woodward & Lothrop at the mall closed and was replaced by Lord & Taylor in 1996.{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/joearchitect/4820242684/|title=Lord & Taylor; former Woodward & Lothrop (Lakeforest)|date=July 3, 2010|via=Flickr}} Lakeforest was host to a Friendly's and a Long John Silver's during the 1990s;{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990128015751/http://www.longjohnsilvers.com/shoploc/md.htm|url=http://www.longjohnsilvers.com/shoploc/md.htm|work=Long John's Stores|title=Maryland|date=1998|access-date=|archive-date=January 28, 1999|publisher=Long John Silver's, Inc.|location=Lexington, Kentucky|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990224062026/http://www.friendlys.com/USMDDIR.HTM#GAITHERSBURG|url=http://www.friendlys.com/USMDDIR.HTM#GAITHERSBURG|publisher=Friendly Ice Cream Corporation|title=Restaurant Directory For Maryland Cities|access-date=|archive-date=February 24, 1999|website=Friendly's|url-status=live}} they have since closed down.

On August 20, 1998, Taubman Centers sold the property to GM Pension Trust.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/20/business/taubman-sets-mall-deal-with-gm-fund.html|title=Taubman Sets Mall Deal With G.M. Fund |work=The New York Times|date=1998-08-20|access-date=2023-01-09}} Circa September 1998, some parking lot space was devoted to become the Lakeforest Transit Center with a Park and Ride.{{cite web|url=https://montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte/Resources/Files/Lakeforest/FeasibilityStudyReport.pdf|title=Lakeforest_Covers+Tabs|work=MontgomeryCountyMD.gov|access-date=2023-01-09}}

In January 2000, the Cineplex Odeon Lakeforest 5 movie theater closed.

In November 2000, a food court called Cafes in the Forest was introduced where the Cineplex Odeon Lakeforest 5 movie theater once was and started out with nine food businesses, with roughly half a dozen food eateries already in the mall prior to the food court.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1999/11/12/its-a-mall-world/ac124167-739f-4477-b9af-812d87574226|title=IT'S A MALL WORLD - The Washington Post|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=1999-11-12|access-date=2023-01-09}}

Several full service restaurants operated in the mall over the years, including Chi-Chi's, Ruby Tuesday, Red Robin, and Silver Diner.

In 2003, Simon Property Group purchased the mall.

On May 28, 2006, Macy's replaced Hecht's, which had been acquired by Macy's parent company nationwide.{{cite web|url=https://macysnet.com/mdocweb/documents.aspx?document=MAY%20HS%20TO%20MACY%20HS|title=Letter..MCE H-S Store list- cut off & start up dates 3-7-0…|work=Macy's|date=2006-03-10|access-date=2023-01-18}}

Originally developed, owned and operated by Taubman Centers, the mall had been owned and managed by the Simon Property Group since 2007, when it purchased former owner and manager Mills Corporation. The company defaulted on its mortgage in 2011 and the mall was put up for sale after.{{cite web|url=http://northpotomac.patch.com/articles/report-lakeforest-mall-sold-for-nearly-100m|title=Report: Lakeforest Mall sold for nearly 100M|work=North Potomac Patch|publisher=Patch|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=September 4, 2012|last=Cohen|first=Greg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227084631/http://northpotomac.patch.com/articles/report-lakeforest-mall-sold-for-nearly-100m|archive-date=December 27, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/02/lakeforest-mall-may-be-sold-73149.html|title=Lakeforest Mall may be sold|first=Horace|last=Holmes|newspaper=Wjla }}

File:LakeFOREST MALL (4363581649).jpg

In 2011, the mall was home to a miniature train ride that drove around the mall's upper floor.{{cite web | url=https://patch.com/maryland/gaithersburg/mini-train-helps-get-one-couples-life-back-on-track | title=Mini Train Helps Get One Couple's Life Back on Track | date=February 15, 2011 }}

In 2012, the mall took in $14,680,000 in net income.{{cite web|url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/business/whats-next-for-lakeforest-mall/|title=What's Next for Lakeforest Mall?|date=23 August 2017}}

In 2013, Five Mile Capital Partners hired real estate developer Hines to "map out a long-term plan for Lakeforest".{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/top-shelf/2013/10/lakeforest-mall-hines-plan.html|date=October 7, 2013|title=Hines joins effort to redevelop Lakeforest Mall|series=Top Shelf|work=Washington Business Journal|last=Cooper|first=Rebecca|access-date=March 18, 2014}} A brand new children's play area opened on the ground floor in front of the then JCPenney on July 30, 2013, with the original children's play area called Professor Frog's Courtyard and nearby fountain in the center court were removed and tiled over in August 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.gaithersburghistory.com/postcomment/lakeforest2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908175028/http://www.gaithersburghistory.com/postcomment/lakeforest2.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 September 2017|title=Gaithersburg: Then & Now|date=8 September 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lakeforest-mall-announces-12-million-in-capital-improvements-in-2013-219265761.html|title=Lakeforest Mall Announces $1.2 Million In Capital Improvements In 2013|work=PR Newswire|date=2013-08-12|access-date=2023-01-09}}

In 2016, the mall took in $6,180,000 in net income.

On August 22, 2017, Lakeforest Mall was sold at auction for $19.1 million, a fraction of the $100 million price tag from 2012, spurring rumors of possible closure in the future.{{cite web | url=https://ggwash.org/view/64533/lakeforest-mall | title=This dying mall could be a big opportunity for Gaithersburg }} The auction came after the mall's owner, Five Mile Capital, went into foreclosure.{{cite web| url = https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2017/08/22/gaithersburgs-lakeforest-mall-sells-at-auction-for.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170823165351/https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2017/08/22/gaithersburgs-lakeforest-mall-sells-at-auction-for.html| archive-date = 2017-08-23| title = Lakeforest Mall sells at foreclosure auction to U.S. Bank representative - Washington Business Journal}}

As of August 2017, the mall's general manager is Paul DeMarco.{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-demarco-4834a611|title=Paul DeMarco|website=LinkedIn}} The Annapolis-based Petrie Richardson Ventures has Lakeforest under contract, which would not include the anchor stores in a potential purchase, but as of February 2018 the deal has not been closed.{{cite web|url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2018/Sale-Possible-Again-for-Lakeforest-Mall/|date=February 9, 2018|title=Sale Possible Again for Lakeforest Mall|work=Bethesda Beat|last=Metcalf|first=Andrew|access-date= September 16, 2018}}

On February 28, 2019, it was announced that JCPenney would be closing as part of a plan to close 27 stores in the U.S.; the store closed on July 5, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://patch.com/maryland/gaithersburg/jc-penney-closing-maryland-store-29-other-locations|title=JC Penney Closing Maryland Store, 29 Other Locations|date=1 March 2019|website=Gaithersburg, MD Patch}}

On June 5, 2019, Gaithersburg City Councilmember Ryan Spiegel tweeted that Lord & Taylor was planning to close. The store closed on September 15, 2019, as scheduled.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mocoshow.com/blog/lord-taylor-notifies-the-city-of-gaithersburg-that-they-will-be-closing-lakeforest-location-html/|title=Lord & Taylor Notifies the City of Gaithersburg That They Will Be Closing Lakeforest Location|date=June 5, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2019/06/05/lord-taylor-to-close-at-lakeforest-mall-lay-off.html|title = Lord & Taylor to close Lakeforest Mall store}}{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/maryland/gaithersburg/lord-taylor-close-lakeforest-mall-report|title=Lord & Taylor To Close At Lakeforest Mall: Report|date=June 5, 2019|website=Gaithersburg, MD Patch}}

This would leave Macy's and Sears as the only anchor stores remaining in the way of redevelopment considered by the Gaithersburg municipal government.

In 2019, WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments purchased the mall from U.S. Bank, which had bought it in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mocoshow.com/blog/breaking-lakeforest-mall-has-been-purchased/|title=BREAKING: Lakeforest Mall HAS BEEN PURCHASED|date=July 27, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/maryland/gaithersburg/struggling-lakeforest-mall-gaithersburg-has-new-buyer|title=Struggling Lakeforest Mall In Gaithersburg Has New Buyer|date=July 31, 2019|website=Gaithersburg, MD Patch}}{{Cite web|url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/business/south-carolina-real-estate-group-buys-lakeforest-mall/|title=South Carolina Real Estate Group Buys Lakeforest Mall|date=July 31, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2017/Whats-Next-for-Lakeforest-Mall/|title=What's Next for Lakeforest Mall?|date=23 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Report-Gaithersburg-Mall-Sold-Again-after-Crime-Financial-Problems-441528073.html|title=Lakeforest Mall Sold Again after Crime, Financial Problems|date=August 23, 2017 }} WRS Inc. is planning to redevelop the entire {{convert|100|acres}}.

On August 31, 2019, it was announced that Sears would be closing its location at Lakeforest Mall as part of a plan to close 92 stores across the U.S.; the store closed on December 1, 2019, leaving Macy's as the last and only anchor.{{cite news|title=Kmart, Sears store closings: More locations to shutter by end of 2019|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/08/31/kmart-sears-store-closings-more-locations-shutter-end-2019/2168435001/|work=USA Today|access-date=2019-09-02|date=2019-08-31}}

{{Multiple image

|image1=2023-03-31 Lakeforest Mall directory Gaithersburg MD 15-19-29 1.jpg

|caption1=An outdated directory sign on the second floor of the mall in March 2023, on its last day of operation.

|image2=Lakeforest Mall play area Gaithersburg MD 2023-03-31 15-17-31 1.jpg

|caption2=The playground on the first floor of the mall in March 2023, on its last day of operation. It fronts the former JCPenney.}}

On October 20, 2022, WRS Inc. announced that Lakeforest Mall would be demolished by 2024, with a more specific date being announced later in 2023. Unfinalized redevelopment proposal plans include relocating the Lakeforest Transit Center and Park and Ride from alongside Lost Knife Rd. to Russell Ave., townhouses, office buildings, a parking garage near the center of brand new stores, a movie theater, cleaning up the three ponds to have a boardwalk built on top, and among others.{{cite web|url=https://mocoshow.com/blog/upcoming-lakeforest-mall-meetings|title=Upcoming Lakeforest Mall Meetings - The MoCo Show|work=The MoCo Show|date=2022-12-12|access-date=2023-01-09}}

On January 4, 2023, it was announced that Macy's would be closed as part of a plan to close 4 stores nationwide, all inside underperforming indoor shopping malls. This left the mall with no anchors, which basically turned it into a dead mall. The store closed on March 18, 2023, via liquidation sales that started on January 9, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://mocoshow.com/blog/macys-to-close-lakeforest-store-target-date-of-2024-for-mall-demolition-and-new-construction|title=Macy's to Close Lakeforest Store; Target Date of 2024 for Mall Demolition and New Construction - The MoCo Show|work=The MoCo Show|date=2023-01-05|access-date=2023-01-09}}{{cite web|url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/2023/01/05/with-macys-closure-beleaguered-lakeforest-mall-sees-its-last-anchor-store-go-dark|title=With Macy's closure, beleaguered Lakeforest Mall sees its last anchor store go dark - Bethesda Magazine & Bethesda Beat|work=Bethesda Magazine|date=2023-01-05|access-date=2023-01-09}}{{cite web|url=https://patch.com/maryland/gaithersburg/macys-close-maryland-store-early-2023|title=Macy's To Close This Maryland Store In Early 2023 - Gaithersburg, MD Patch|work=Patch|date=2023-01-09|access-date=2023-01-09}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2023/01/05/macys-closure-lakeforest-mall.html|title=Macy's to close at Lakeforest Mall - Washington Business Journal|work=American City Business Journals|date=2023-01-05|access-date=2023-01-09}}

On January 17, 2023, at the hearing on the Lakeforest Mall redevelopment plan in City Hall in Gaithersburg, MD, Kevin Rogers of WRS Inc. announced that Lakeforest Mall in its entirety would close on March 31, 2023, at 7:00 PM after 45 years of serving the nearby community.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f7njtX1xFg&t=2366s|title=Gaithersburg Live - YouTube|work=YouTube|date=2023-01-17|access-date=2023-01-18}}{{cite web|url=https://mocoshow.com/blog/happening-today-lakeforest-redevelopment-plan-joint-public-hearing|title=Happening Today: Lakeforest Redevelopment Plan Joint Public Hearing - The MoCo Show|work=The MoCo Show|date=2023-01-17|access-date=2023-01-18}} The mayor of Gaithersburg approved the plan of demolition, which is scheduled to begin in June 2025. The land where Lakeforest currently stands will become a mixture of residential, retail, and commercial space.

On October 21, 2024, it was announced that Lakeforest Mall is scheduled for demolition in June 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.mymcmedia.org/gaithersburg-gets-1-million-for-improvements-as-part-of-lakeforest-mall-site-conversion|title=Gaithersburg Gets $1 Million for Improvements as Part of Lakeforest Mall Site Conversion Plan - Montgomery Community Media|work=MyMCMedia|date=2024-10-21|access-date=2024-10-21}}

• JCPenney (1978–2019)
• Sears (1978–2019)
• Lord & Taylor (1996–2019), replacing original tenant Woodward & Lothrop (1978–1995)
• Macy's (2006–2023), after acquiring original tenant Hecht's (1978–2006)

File:Lakeforest Mall red sculpture Gaithersburg MD 2021-08-21 13-23-20 1.jpg

Construction of Lakeforest Mall in 1978.jpg|Lakeforest Mall construction in 1978

Putting the finishing touches on Lakeforest Mall, 1978.jpg|Lakeforest Mall construction in 1978

Grand opening of Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg, Maryland (1978).jpg|Ceremonies at the grand opening of the mall in 1978; the depressed carpeted amphitheater area in the foreground was filled in and paved over in 2013.

Lakeforest Mall grand opening in Gaithersburg, Maryland (September 1978).jpg|Grand opening of the mall in 1978

Lakeforest Mall yellow entrance Gaithersburg MD 2021-08-21 14-02-52 1.jpg|The mall has 4 entrances for each of the four seasons. This is the Yellow Sun entrance for the summer.

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Lakeforest Mall}}

• {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000302065624/http://www.taubman.com/shopcen/htmfil/lakefo/lakefo.htm|date=March 2, 2000|title=Lakeforest Mall}}
• {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010331185336/http://www.shoplakeforest.com|date=March 31, 2001|title=Lakeforest Mall}}
• {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040405040437/http://www.shoplakeforest.com/index.html|date=April 5, 2004|title=Lakeforest Mall}}
• {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526140448/http://www.shoplakeforest.com/static/node1704.jsp;jsessionid=asYIOrmUUN-6-zuRil|date=May 26, 2007|title=Lakeforest Mall}}
• {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616104704/http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=1254|date=June 16, 2007|title=Lakeforest Mall}}
• {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231213826/http://www.shoplakeforest.com|date=December 31, 2013|title=Lakeforest Mall}}

{{Shopping malls in Maryland}}

{{DC Malls}}

Category:1978 establishments in Maryland

Category:2023 disestablishments in Maryland

Category:Buildings and structures in Gaithersburg, Maryland

Category:Shopping malls established in 1978

Category:Shopping malls in Maryland

Category:Defunct shopping malls in the United States

Category:Shopping malls in the Washington metropolitan area

Category:Tourist attractions in Montgomery County, Maryland

Category:Shopping malls disestablished in 2023