Potomac Mills Celebrates 40th Anniversary: See Then And Now Photos

WOODBRIDGE, VA — Potomac Mills is turning 40, so we're taking a look back at what it was like during its opening. The large outlet mall in Woodbridge will celebrate the anniversary in the fall.

Potomac Mills first opened in September 1985 as the first mall developed by the Mills Corporation. The mall offered a new experience by blending outlet stores with savings with other entertainment offerings. Some of the original stores were like Linens 'n Things, Books-A-Million, Sears Outlet, Hamrick's, Waccamaw Pottery, the Elvis Presley Museum and Waxie Maxie's Records.

The modern-day mall is split into five "neighborhoods," but it originally had Neighborhoods 1 and 2. Neighborhoods 3, 4 and 5 were later added due to the mall's growth. The mall's second phase with a movie theater opened in 1986 less than one year after the grand opening. That movie theater is now AMC Potomac Mills 18. The third phase of expansion started in 1993 and added 400,000 square feet with anchor stores like Marshalls, JCPenney Outlet and Burlington Coat Factory.

The current mall is owned by Simon Property Group and is the oldest mall in its portfolio. Simon Property Group joined with Farallon Capital Management to acquire The Mills Corporation, which included Potomac Mills in its portfolio, in 2007. The mall has since expanded from 650,000 square feet into more than 1.6 million square feet.

Today, the mall has more than 200 stores and 25 restaurants and is one of the largest enclosed outlet malls in the U.S. The latest update is a complete renovation of the mall's Dining Pavilion with modern seating, updated lighting and energy-efficient features. Some of its newest stores are Vineyard Vines, Primark and Slick City. Signature events include Lunar New Year festivities, Cherry Blossom celebrations, Military Appreciation Month programming, National Outlet Shopping Day and other holiday events.

"Potomac Mills has always been more than a place to shop. It’s a destination where people connect, express their style and rediscover something new with every visit," said Bethany Webb, director of marketing and business development at Potomac Mills. "This anniversary is a tribute to our legacy and a launchpad for what’s next. We’re proud to continue evolving alongside the community we serve."

To celebrate the 40th anniversary, Potomac Mills will have a ribbon cutting ceremony from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sept. 18. From Sept. 5 to 30, Potomac Mills will showcase a historical photo collage at the main entrance near the Dining Pavilion with images from its 1985 opening and other milestones. Shoppers can enter a sweepstakes for a $500 gift card, and purchases of $200 or more will come with a limited-edition 40th anniversary tote bag while supplies last.