Kmart Closing Could Have Upside

The announcement of closing in the Carrolltown Center met with a variety of responses from local residents and organizations, some hoping that the vacancy would lead to changes in the former mall. 

"It has been a long wait, but we have I hope to look forward to a new shopping area that will reflect Eldersburg," said Ellen Dix, president of the Freedom Area Citizens Council, a local organization that works to define and resolve issues in the area. "With the price of gas maybe our trips out of South Carroll can be taken care of locally."

This is the third closing in the center this year, following department store Peebles and Blockbuster Video. 

It’s classified as a “dead mall,” according to Deadmalls.com, a non-profit site that promotes the history of the malls across the United States, and the future of the center remains unknown.

The mall-turned-shopping center still contains a few active businesses, including Big Lots, Freedom Fitness and Andies Candies. 

But vacant locations are also common, with parts of the architecture including remnants of left-behind buildings, like the awning above a former fitness complex.

The property is managed by Black Oak Associates, based in Owings Mills,whose website states the developer "purchased the project for redevelopment because of its strong potential, prime location and excellent demographics." 

"I didn't understand why it wasn't on the first list so it's not a shock to see it now," said Eldersburg resident Jenny Lai. "That shopping center is now officially dead." 

"Now it will be up to us, the community, to hold Black Oak Associates to their promise. They said they would restructure/remodel the shopping center when Kmart closed," said Eldersburg resident Sharon Honeycutt. "Here's hoping they weren't just blowing smoke. I am sorry to see people lose their jobs, but that store hasn't been well maintained in several years." 

Black Oak Associates CFO Steve Jennings declined to comment on the closing of Kmart and president Dixon Harvey could not be reached for comment Friday.