Sub Shop Closing At Mall, Plans To Reopen Elsewhere: Reports

ANNAPOLIS, MD — L'Antico Gusto Italiano will close its eatery in the Annapolis Mall food court on Thursday and reopen soon in downtown Annapolis, multiple reports said.

Naptown Scoop and the Capital Gazette both reported the news on Wednesday.

It's unclear when and where the Italian sub and salad shop will reopen downtown.

“We sincerely thank you for your support and trust,” a sign posted at the family-owned business said, according to the Capital Gazette. “We are truly grateful for your continued support and look forward to welcoming you again soon in Downtown Annapolis.”

The Italian sub and salad shop opened in March 2023 at the food court entrance. It was located to the left of Flaming Cajun Grill and across from Kako Claw.

When it opened, L'Antico offered salami, pastrami and meatball subs all for $14.99. Other classic sandwiches included the roast beef for $15.99 and the corned beef for $16.99.

The chef and avocado salads were both highlights. The bella salad was the best seller with its grilled chicken and baked eggplant over fresh spinach. All three salads cost $12.99.

JCPenney Closure, Openings At Mall

The Annapolis Mall has undergone some turnover recently.

The mall's JCPenney closed in mid-August, resurfacing uncertainty about a proposal to convert the space into a gym, a craft store and multiple other smaller storefronts.

The store's signage has been removed from the outside of the building. Inside the mall, the former JCPenney entrance between Claire's and Helzberg Diamonds is now covered over with drywall. The open space between the stores has since been repurposed into a seating area.

Sixty-five employees were affected by the store closure, said a notice filed with the Maryland Department of Labor.

Two new businesses opened recently at the mall, and another 13 are listed as coming soon on the mall's "What's New" page.

Related:

• Annapolis Mall Sees Luxury Brands, Entertainment As Keys To Growth
• JCPenney Redevelopment, New Village Academy Stall At Annapolis Mall
• Housing At Annapolis Mall Could Create 'Live, Work, Play' Community
• JCPenney Closes Annapolis Mall Store, Redevelopment Questions Remain

New Mall Owners Have Big Plans

An ownership group headlined by Centennial bought the mall for $160 million in July 2024 from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. Paris-based URW said it's undergoing a "radical reduction of financial exposure in the U.S."

Centennial, a real estate firm headquartered in Dallas, saw potential in Annapolis. The company firmly believes the key to another golden era is expanding entertainment options, diversifying the tenant mix and building residential housing. That formula aspires to deliver a mixed-use town center where residents can live, work and play.

"People have been talking about the mall dying for over a decade," newly minted Annapolis Mall General Manager Mariah Michaud told Patch earlier this spring. "What's happening to the dying mall? How do we repurpose the dying mall? This is not a dying mall, but there are plenty of them in the rest of the country."

Patch published a three-part series on the future of the Annapolis Mall this May. Part one focused on business goals for the new mall owners. Section two covered shifting plans for JCPenney and the New Village Academy. The final article centered on the potential for housing at the mall.

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