St. Charles Towne Center

The mall opened March 30, 1990, with J. C. Penney, Hecht's, Montgomery Ward, and Sears as anchors. It was built by Melvin Simon & Associates, now known as Simon Property Group. Kohl's was added in 1997.{{cite news|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1996/09/01/in-charles-county-all-roads-lead-to-the-mall/77947899-7286-424f-9ae6-57177bdf7214/ | first=Jackie | last=Spinner | title=In Charles County, All Roads Lead to the Mall; Waldorf's Bustling Towne Center Has Become Area's Social, Entertainment 'Mecca' | date=1996-09-01}} The Montgomery Ward store was split between a second Hecht's location and Dick's Sporting Goods in 2002.{{cite news| url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/140027541.html?dids=140027541:140027541&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+21%2C+2002&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Hecht%27s+to+Open+Home+Store+in+Wards+Site&pqatl=google | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630042651/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/140027541.html?dids=140027541:140027541&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+21,+2002&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Hecht's+to+Open+Home+Store+in+Wards+Site&pqatl=google | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 30, 2013 | title=Hecht's to Open Home Store in Wards Site | date=2002-07-21}} Both Hecht's stores became Macy's in September 2006. Sears closed in April 2020.{{Cite news |title=Sears to close three more stores in Maryland |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2020/02/06/sears-to-close-three-more-stores-in-maryland.html |access-date=2024-07-26 |work=Baltimore Business Journal}} There is also a movie theatre located across the street from the mall, formerly known as Cineplex Odeon Cinemas (1988–1998), Loews Cineplex Entertainment (1998–2005), and is now AMC Theatres (2005–present).

St. Charles Towne Center underwent a major renovation in 2007 to shift its image to a more family-oriented mall. The entrances and inside of the mall were redesigned, and the bathrooms were made larger to allow easier access for families with young children. In addition, a kid's play area was added to one section of the mall. The food court was also renovated during the project. The renovation was completed by 2008.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/13/AR2007041302401.html |title=Kid-Friendly Face-Lift For St. Charles Center |first=Philip |last=Rucker |date=2007-04-13 |work=The Washington Post }}

On February 6, 2020, it was announced that the Sears location at St. Charles Town Center would be closing as part of a plan to close 31 stores nationwide. The store closed in April 2020, after having been at the mall for thirty years.

The store remained vacant until July 24, 2024, when it was announced by the Charles County Government that a Sports and Wellness complex would be introduced to the mall, with the local government wanting to bring more recreational facilities to the county. It is expected to cost $7.5 million to convert the site. As of 2025, the opening date is still to be determined.{{Cite web |title=Charles County Government Announces Purchase of Sears Building to Turn into Sports and Wellness Complex |url=https://www.charlescountymd.gov/Home/Components/News/News/5343/400 |access-date=July 24, 2024 |website=Charles County Maryland}}{{Cite web |last=Government |first=Charles County |date=2024-07-24 |title=Charles County To Transform Sears Building Into Sports And Wellness Complex |url=http://thebaynet.com/charles-county-to-transform-sears-building-into-sports-and-wellness-complex/ |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=The BayNet |language=en-US}}

In September 2008, an incident occurred in which a police officer's firearm was used in the mall's parking lot. According to local authorities, a suspect was seen trying to steal a GPS device from a vehicle when the officer noticed him. The suspect was treated and released from the hospital, and later charged.{{cite web |date=2008-09-23 |title=Police Involved Shooting at Waldorf Mall |url=http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/10140 |publisher=The Bay Net}}

On May 8, 2023, a shooting occurred at the lower level of the mall following an argument between two teenagers and two adults. This was the first serious incident to have occurred at the mall in nearly fifteen years. According to the Charles County Sheriff's Office, one of the teenagers had a firearm and when one of the adults tried to intervene, the teenager pointed the gun at him and shot the weapon. The bullet missed the man and ended up striking the window of a storefront. The two teenagers then left the store. No one was injured in the shooting. Law enforcement, including Maryland State Police and mall security, helped frightened customers and staff get to safety. Officers also began searching for the teens, who were then found hiding behind a dumpster.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-08 |title=2 teens charged in St. Charles Towne Center mall shooting |url=https://wtop.com/charles-county/2023/05/2-teens-charged-in-st-charles-town-center-mall-shooting/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=WTOP News |language=en}}

On January 25, 2024, a woman was shot following an attempted robbery at the food court parking lot. The Charles County Sheriff's Office stated that the two suspects went up to the woman who was parked near the food court, told her to get out of the car and then shot her in the arm. The suspects then left the scene in an unknown vehicle. The woman was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charlie |date=2024-01-28 |title=Woman shot during attempted robbery at St. Charles Towne Center Mall in Waldorf |url=https://wjla.com/news/local/waldorf-maryland-st-charles-towne-center-mall-robbery-shooting-woman-hospitalized-suspect-search-sheriffs-office-reward-tipline-crime-solvers-parking-lot-food-court |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=WJLA |language=en}}

On April 27, 2024, police officers were working at a carnival outside of the mall when a 15-year-old boy approached them and said he had been shot. Officers provided first aid until EMS responded and took the teen to an area hospital for treatment. At the hospital, it was determined that the boy had been stabbed and not shot. Investigators say a group of teens were fighting with another large group of teens in the lower level parking lot of the mall when the stabbing occurred.{{Cite news |date=2024-04-29 |title=UPDATE: Police Investigating and Seeking Information in Connection to 15-Year-Old Being Stabbed At St. Charles Towne Center |url=https://smnewsnet.com/archives/532888/update-police-investigating-and-seeking-information-in-connection-to-15-year-old-being-stabbed-at-st-charles-towne-center/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |work=Southern Maryland News Net |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-29 |title=REWARD: Police ask anyone with information on stabbing at St. Charles Towne Center to come forward |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/crime/police-offer-reward-for-information-stabbing-at-mall-in-maryland/65-7f91b00b-0442-4151-ac4f-05c35b5e3274 |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=wusa9.com |language=en-US}}

On March 7, 2025, a fire broke out inside of the Macy's restroom, leading to structural damage. One person was injured and was transferred to MedStar Burn Center for treatment. The fire occurred at about 12:25 PM ET, and led to a temporary closure of the mall while an investigation was conducted before being reopened shortly thereafter. The cause of the fire is unknown.{{Cite web |last= |date=March 10, 2025 |title=Fire at St. Charles Mall Under Investigation, One Victim Transported to Burn Center |url=https://smnewsnet.com/archives/544723/fire-at-st-charles-mall-under-investigation-one-victim-transported-to-burn-center/ |access-date=March 14, 2025 |website=Southern Maryland News Net |language=English}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.simon.com/mall/st-charles-towne-center St. Charles Towne Center] Official site

{{Simon Property Group|south}}

{{Shopping malls in Maryland}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Charles Towne Center}}

Category:Shopping malls established in 1988

Category:1988 establishments in Maryland

Category:Simon Property Group

Category:Shopping malls in Maryland

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