We weren't sure if it was the right move to go on this particular day due to the weather and the roads being a bit icy. We were given some tips of ways that we could get in. The mall is about a 45 minute drive from my house. We arrive later in the evening and immediately find our way in, though we have to do a bit of climbing to get to it. Once we're in we get our gear ready and start filming while waiting for Josh and Rachel to arrive. The mall is extremely trashed compared to the last time we were inside earlier this year. A lot of the once very bright and nostalgic neon signs are now damaged if not completely smashed. Making our way store to store seeing destruction and broken glass everywhere. Josh and Rachel show up and walk around for a bit after getting some areal shots of the mall. The entire trip goes pretty smooth up until we hear footsteps in the main corridor of the mall. We have to make quick about leaving to avoid getting caught. We make our way to the exits and emerge to see people doing donuts in the parking lot. Now on to the history.
The mall opened in 1972 and it really shows the years. It closed in April of 2013 leaving just two anchor stores (Boscovs and Home Depot) open. The first anchor stores included Jcpenny, Woolworths, Montgomery Ward, Eyerly's, and Hoyts Cinemas. Throughout the years Frederick Towne Mall struggled to find ground being nearby the much larger Francis Scott Key Mall. In 2008 Hoyts closes after a man is stabbed to death inside and later a woman is assulted while exiting Bon Ton. The mall begins to get its reputation for crime and people stray away. In 2009 a newspaper exposes that origional plans to redevelop the space were cut and the owners don't intend on doing anything until the mall falls down from disrepair. The last store to leave is a Hallmark that was forced to have a closing sale through the back door of the store as the main mall indoor space had been closed. In 2015 plans are to demolish the mall and turn it into a Walmart but plans fall through and the owner tries to put tenants in the mall but nobody shows interest. It is put up for sale in 2016 for 2.5 million.
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