MARYLAND - Maryland's retail landscape is facing significant turnover this May. From the high-end corridors of Chevy Chase to the community hubs in Glen Burnie and Towson, several household names are winding down operations. Whether due to national restructuring or strategic pivots toward e-commerce, these departures are set to leave large gaps in some of the State most prominent shopping centers.
1. Macy's (Glen Burnie)
As part of its "Bold New Chapter" strategy—a plan to shutter 150 underperforming stores by the end of 2026—Macy's is officially exiting Marley Station Mall in Glen Burnie.
The closure is a major blow to the mall, which has already lost other key anchors in recent years. Clearance sales have been ongoing throughout the spring, and the store is expected to finalize its move-out by mid-May 2026. For local shoppers, this marks the end of a long-standing retail tradition at Marley Station, as the brand consolidates its Maryland presence into higher-performing locations like Annapolis and Columbia.
2. Saks Off 5th (Arundel Mills & Clarksburg)
The luxury discount sector is shrinking rapidly following Saks Global's bankruptcy. This May, Maryland will lose its primary Saks Off 5th outlets as the company shuts down most of its off-price division to protect the prestige of its flagship Saks Fifth Avenue brand.
The locations at Arundel Mills and Clarksburg Premium Outlets are both slated to complete their liquidation by early May 2026. These closures leave a significant void for bargain hunters who frequented these malls for designer labels at accessible prices.
3. Eddie Bauer (Multiple Locations)
The outdoor outfitter Eddie Bauer is nearing the end of its physical retail journey. Following a bankruptcy filing and a failed search for a buyer for its brick-and-mortar chain, the brand is liquidating all physical stores to focus on its digital business.
Maryland is losing four locations this spring, with shops in Annapolis, Bethesda, and Towson expected to go dark by the first week of May 2026. For many, the closure of the Eddie Bauer stores represents the loss of a go-to destination for high-quality outdoor gear that has been a staple of Maryland malls for decades.
4. Francesca's (All Locations)
After 25 years of operation and a second bankruptcy filing, the boutique retailer Francesca's is closing all of its remaining 400 boutiques nationwide. Maryland shoppers will see the final "Going Out of Business" signs at 10 mall locations this month, including the popular boutiques at:
- Towson Town Center
- The Mall in Columbia
- Westfield Annapolis
- Westfield Montgomery
Most of these locations are expected to be completely vacated by mid-May 2026. The brand's total liquidation highlights the immense pressure small-format boutique retailers face in an era dominated by online fast-fashion giants.
A Changing Tide in Maryland Retail
While these closures are a loss for local shoppers, they also offer a window into Maryland's future of commercial real estate. Many mall operators are already in talks to replace these large footprints with "live-work-play" developments, including luxury apartments and entertainment complexes like pickleball clubs and upscale dining.
