Lakeforest Mall In Gaithersburg Closing After Four Decades

GAITHERSBURG, MD — After losing stores for years, Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg is officially closing after 45 years in business, according to multiple reports.

The mall will close at the end of March, 45 years after it opened its doors, WTOP reported. The announcement was made at a meeting this week between the Gaithersburg City Council and Mayor Jud Ashman.

"It’s the end of an old era," Kevin Rogers, executive vice president of WRS Inc., the company that owns the mall, told WTOP. "I've read articles until I’m blue in the face about memories of the Lakeforest Mall — ice skating, first dates, outfits bought for prom, you name it over the years."

Rogers continued, "Unfortunately, that time has kind of passed us by, and it presents us with this awesome opportunity to create something new."

The departures of many anchor stores led to the decision to close the mall, according to Bethesda Magazine. Earlier this month, Macy's — the only remaining anchor store after the closure of Lord & Taylor, JCPenney and Sears — announced it would close its Lakeforest location.

The mall will likely be demolished by 2024, Bethesda Magazine reported.

The plan is to redevelop the area to include residential and commercial properties, green space, a new transit center and an outdoor entertainment district, according to reports.