The Birth of St. Charles Towne Center: A Shopping Hub for Southern Maryland
By the late 1980s, Waldorf, Maryland, was expanding rapidly, and developers saw an opportunity to bring a regional shopping mall to the area.
Simon Property Group—then known as Melvin Simon & Associates—led the project, planning a retail center that would serve Waldorf, the surrounding communities in southern Maryland, and the southern suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Construction began in the late 1980s. The goal was to create a two-level enclosed shopping center with a mix of department stores, specialty retailers, and dining options.
The mall officially opened its doors on March 30, 1990, with anchor stores Sears, JCPenney, Montgomery Ward, and Hecht’s.
These were well-established names in American retail, drawing in shoppers from Charles County and beyond.
The mall’s design covered 980,400 square feet, making it the largest shopping destination in the region.
St. Charles Towne Center was built in St. Charles, a planned community that was already drawing new residents and businesses.
The mall’s opening reflected broader trends in suburban retail during the late 20th century.
Across the country, malls were thriving as social and commercial centers, offering more than shopping.
They housed restaurants, movie theaters, and department stores that catered to a growing middle-class population.
In Waldorf, St. Charles Towne Center was the answer to that demand. Today, it remains one of the top things to do in Waldorf, Maryland, drawing shoppers, families, and visitors from across the region.
Expansion and Anchor Store Changes: Adapting to Retail Shifts
The early years of St. Charles Towne Center saw steady growth, but the retail landscape was changing. To keep up with consumer demand and market trends, the mall underwent several updates and replacements of anchor stores.
In 1997, Kohl’s joined the lineup, adding another department store to attract shoppers.
The biggest change came in 2002 when Montgomery Ward—a longtime anchor—shut down after the company filed for bankruptcy.
The space didn’t stay empty for long. Instead of bringing in a single new retailer, developers split the large footprint between two stores: a second Hecht’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
This decision added variety, allowing the mall to house both a department store and a major sporting goods retailer under one roof.
By 2006, the Hecht’s brand was disappearing from malls across the country. Parent company May Department Stores had merged with Federated Department Stores, leading to a nationwide shift.
At St. Charles Towne Center, both Hecht’s locations rebranded as Macy’s in September 2006, keeping a familiar department store presence but under a different name.
The 2007 Renovation: A New Look for a Changing Market
By the mid-2000s, shopping habits were evolving. Malls across the country were working to stay relevant by improving customer experience.
At St. Charles Towne Center, management responded with a major renovation project in 2007, focusing on making the space more welcoming for families.
One of the biggest upgrades involved the mall’s entrances. Developers redesigned the exterior to give it a more modern look, while inside, common areas received new flooring, updated lighting, and fresh decor.
The changes made the space brighter and easier to navigate.
Another addition was a dedicated kids’ play area. Located in one section of the mall, the play zone gave families a reason to stay longer.
For parents, having a safe place for kids to burn off energy between shopping trips makes a difference.
The food court also got an update. While fast food chains remained a core part of the lineup, the renovation added seating improvements and an updated layout to handle peak crowds.
This made it easier for shoppers to grab a meal and find a place to sit, especially during weekends and holiday shopping seasons.
The renovation wrapped up in 2008, giving St. Charles Towne Center a fresh start in a rapidly changing retail environment.
While traditional department stores were still major draws, the mall was already shifting toward a mix of shopping, dining, and family-friendly spaces to keep customers coming back.
Store Closures and Retail Challenges: Navigating a Shifting Market
By the 2010s, brick-and-mortar retail was feeling the pressure of online shopping.
Large department stores that once anchored shopping malls were closing across the country.
St. Charles Towne Center wasn’t immune to these changes.
One of the biggest losses came in April 2020, when Sears closed its store in the mall after three decades.
The closure was part of a nationwide plan affecting multiple locations, leaving behind a large vacant space.
Foot traffic patterns also changed. While JCPenney, Macy’s, and Kohl’s remained, shoppers spent more time in specialty stores and dining areas rather than department stores.
National brands were still present, but smaller retailers struggled to keep up.
The empty Sears space sat vacant for over four years, raising concerns about how the mall would adapt.
Big-box retailers were no longer rushing to fill these massive spaces, and malls had to find new ways to use them.
Crime and Safety Concerns: Addressing Public Perception
Despite its role as a shopping and social hub, St. Charles Towne Center has faced crime-related incidents over the years, drawing attention from both shoppers and local officials.
In September 2008, an off-duty police officer shot a suspect in the mall’s parking lot.
Authorities said the suspect was attempting to steal a GPS from a vehicle when he was confronted.
He survived and later faced criminal charges.
On May 8, 2023, a dispute between two teenagers and two adults turned violent inside the lower level.
A teenager pulled out a gun, and when one of the adults tried to intervene, the teen fired a shot.
The bullet missed and instead shattered a storefront window. No injuries were reported, but the situation caused panic. Police later found the teenagers hiding behind a dumpster outside.
Just months later, on January 25, 2024, another shooting took place. This time, a woman was attacked in the parking lot near the food court. Two suspects attempted to steal her car, and when she refused to get out, they shot her in the arm.
She survived, but the suspects fled the scene in another vehicle.
Then, on April 27, 2024, a large fight broke out in the mall’s lower-level parking lot during an outdoor carnival.
A 15-year-old boy approached officers working the event and said he had been shot.
Later, hospital staff confirmed he had actually been stabbed. The incident involved multiple teenagers, and investigators tied it to an earlier altercation.
Following these events, Charles County law enforcement increased patrols around the mall and reviewed security measures.
While these incidents didn’t shut down daily operations, they raised concerns for shoppers and businesses alike.
Despite recent challenges, St. Charles Towne Center continues to host various events and introduce new store openings to attract visitors.
The mall’s management regularly updates patrons through their official channels, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance the shopping experience.
Recent Developments at St. Charles Towne Center
In a move to repurpose vacant retail space, the Charles County Government announced on July 24, 2024, plans to transform the former Sears building into a Sports and Wellness Complex.
The county purchased the property for $7.5 million, aiming to provide recreational facilities for the community.
As of early 2025, the project is underway, with further details anticipated in the coming months.
The Charles County Government, demonstrating a commitment to community involvement, held a public meeting at the former Sears building on January 29, 2025.
The session aimed to discuss the upcoming Sports and Wellness Complex and offer residents an opportunity to engage with its development.