The Opening and Early Years of TownMall of Westminster
The TownMall of Westminster—originally known as Cranberry Mall—opened its doors on March 4, 1987. Developed by the Shopco Advisory Group, the mall was built to serve the growing community of Westminster, Maryland, just 30 miles northwest of Baltimore. It was a major addition to Carroll County, offering residents a much-needed central shopping destination.
At the time of its grand opening, the mall featured four major anchor stores: Leggett (which eventually rebranded as Belk), Caldor, Montgomery Ward, and Sears. These large retailers helped attract a wide variety of customers, cementing the mall’s place as a local retail hub.
The location where Sears stood had originally been slated for Hutzler’s, but after the department store chain went bankrupt, Sears took over the space. This swap happened before the mall opened, so local shoppers never saw Hutzler’s in action.
The final piece of the anchor puzzle came in 1990 when Montgomery Ward opened its store three years after the rest of the mall. For those searching for things to do in Westminster, MD, a trip to Cranberry Mall quickly became a regular outing.
Over its first few years, the mall operated smoothly and offered a range of shopping and dining options.
Many local families began to rely on the mall for their weekend activities, enjoying the convenience of having a variety of stores in one location. It quickly became an important part of the community’s retail landscape.
Retail Evolution and Changing Anchors
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the TownMall of Westminster began to see changes in its anchor stores. One of the first changes came when Caldor—a major anchor since the mall’s opening—closed its doors in 1999.
The retail space didn’t stay vacant for long, though. By the early 2000s, the mall welcomed Steve & Barry’s, making it the first of the popular discount retailer’s stores to open in Maryland. However, Steve & Barry’s didn’t last long, and the store closed, reflecting a growing trend of retail chain struggles.
In 2010, the former Steve & Barry’s location was divided into three new spaces. This split brought in a fresh set of tenants that helped keep the mall’s foot traffic steady. Dick’s Sporting Goods became one of the new anchors, offering sporting goods and apparel to the community.
Alongside Dick’s, Gold’s Gym opened, bringing fitness-focused customers into the mall. Finally, a family entertainment center, Paradise of Fun (later renamed Fun and Fit Factory), occupied the remaining space, transforming the former anchor store into a blend of shopping and activities.
Throughout this period of change, Montgomery Ward also faced challenges. The once-popular department store chain closed its TownMall location in 2001, but the space didn’t stay empty for long.
Boscov’s took over the vacant anchor spot. The addition of Boscov’s was notable for being the only store in Carroll County with escalators—something of a novelty for the area.
Store Closures and Challenges of the 2010s
Many regional malls experienced tough times in the early to mid-2010s, and the TownMall of Westminster wasn’t immune to these challenges. Several stores closed their doors by December 2015, leaving empty spaces throughout the mall.
Among the notable closures were Radio Shack, The Dress Barn, Super Buffet, and a few smaller businesses like Bon Worth and Shenk & Title. Also, Things Remembered—a long-standing gift shop—shut down.
In the food court, options dwindled as well. The local KFC closed, and a nearby coffee shop saw several rebrands over just a few years, changing names from Mugshots to Black and White to Coffee Shop before finally shutting down.
Many of these vacant spaces remained unused or were temporarily filled by seasonal retailers, which contributed to the mall’s quiet atmosphere in certain areas.
One of the biggest blows came in June 2017, when Gold’s Gym—which had taken over part of the former Steve & Barry’s space—announced its closure.
The decision was due to a leasing dispute that couldn’t be resolved. However, the space didn’t stay vacant for long. Later that same year, a new gym, simply named THE GYM, opened in the spot, keeping fitness enthusiasts coming to the mall.
In December 2017, TownMall changed ownership, being sold to Westminster Mall LLC. This change brought new hope that fresh management might get new ideas and tenants to the struggling center. Still, the retail environment was shifting rapidly, and the mall had to keep evolving to stay relevant.
The Decline of Anchor Stores and the Impact of Sears’ Closure
In the late 2010s, TownMall of Westminster faced one of its biggest challenges yet: the closure of Sears, one of its original anchor stores.
The announcement came in October 2018, when Sears revealed it would close its Westminster location as part of a broader plan to shut down 142 stores across the country.
By January 6, 2019, the once-bustling Sears store had shut its doors for good, leaving a major vacancy at the mall.
The loss of Sears was a blow, but TownMall still had three anchor stores—Belk, Boscov’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods—keeping traffic steady.
While these stores remained open, Sears’ departure left a noticeable gap in both retail offerings and foot traffic. By 2021, longtime tenants Books-a-Million, FYE, and Yankee Candle also closed their doors.
Modernization Efforts and Adapting to New Retail Trends
Despite the difficulties in the late 2010s, the TownMall of Westminster has made efforts to modernize and keep up with changing retail trends. In 2021, the mall took a step toward modernization by being wired for fiber internet.
This upgrade aimed to meet the digital needs of both retailers and customers, particularly as more businesses rely on technology to enhance in-store experiences and online shopping options.
The TownMall of Westminster is more than just a shopping destination; it’s a community hub. Halloween events like Hackney Haunts at the Westminster location have become a cherished tradition for many families. These events add a festive touch and create lasting memories for visitors.
Community engagement goes beyond events. The unofficial TownMall group on social media platforms is a forum for businesses to advertise and share updates. Rules like “No Bashing the Mall” and “Be Kind and Courteous” foster a positive and respectful environment.
Hickory Farms is set to open soon at the TownMall of Westminster. The store will offer a variety of high-quality gift baskets, which have long been a staple of Hickory Farms’ product line, including their famous gourmet meats, cheeses, sweets, and specialty foods.
It’s part of the mall’s strategy to attract shoppers during key retail periods like Black Friday and the lead-up to Christmas. This is consistent with TownMall’s effort to keep a variety of offerings for customers, particularly during the holidays.