Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles told myMCM in January that it is “the end of an era. The Lakeforest Mall was a real staple for the community and over the last decade or so, it’s been dwindling in how it serves the community.” Sayles was part of the Gaithersburg City Council in 2021 when they came up with a master plan for the future of the site which is now owned by WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments. The new mixed-use development will provide “incredible amenities” like green space, mixed-use housing, retail and commercial according to Sayles.
In 2019, three of the mall’s anchor stores, JC Penney, Lord & Taylor and Sears, closed. Macy’s remained open until March. Over the years, the mall featured an indoor ice rink, movie theaters and a food court.
Lakeforest Mall opened in 1978.
