The retail landscape in the Free State is facing a turbulent start to the year. Following a national trend of “fleet optimization” and bankruptcy restructuring, 2026 brings confirmed departures of major department store anchors and a final wave of closures for discount giants. From the demolition of a Gaithersburg landmark to the loss of a key anchor in Glen Burnie, Maryland’s shopping districts are in transition.
Here is the definitive guide to the major store closures confirmed for Maryland in 2026.
1. The Major Anchor Loss: Macy’s
The Headline: Another blow to Marley Station. Location Closing: Marley Station Mall (Glen Burnie).
The most significant specific closure announcement of early 2026 involves Macy’s. As part of its corporate strategy to close 150 “underproductive” stores by the end of 2026, the retailer confirmed it will shutter its location at Marley Station Mall.
- The Details: Clearance sales began in mid-January, with the store expected to go dark permanently before the end of the first quarter.
- The Impact: This departure leaves JCPenney as the sole traditional department store anchor at Marley Station, a mall that has struggled with high vacancy rates for years. While the mall has found some success with non-traditional tenants (like a gym and cinema), losing Macy’s is a substantial hit to its retail draw.
2. The Discount Exodus: Big Lots
The Headline: The final wave wipes out the footprint. Locations Closing: Prince Frederick, Waldorf, and remaining Baltimore Metro sites.
After a tumultuous couple of years involving bankruptcy filings and failed buyout attempts, Big Lots is conducting its final “clean sweep” in 2026.
- The Scoop: While many Maryland locations closed in late 2025, the remaining stores—specifically in Prince Frederick and Waldorf—are part of the final wind-down.
- What to expect: Aggressive liquidation sales are currently underway. This exit leaves large box-store vacancies in several key power centers across Southern Maryland and the Baltimore suburbs.
3. The Pharmacy Correction: Walgreens
The Headline: Thinning the herd in the suburbs. Locations Closing: Essex, DC Suburbs (Specific list pending).
Walgreens is in the midst of a massive nationwide reduction, planning to close 1,200 stores over the next three years. Maryland is feeling the immediate effects in 2026.
- The Trend: The company is targeting locations that are “unprofitable” or too close to other Walgreens stores. Closures have been flagged for Essex and parts of the D.C. suburbs.
- Why it matters: Unlike mall stores, these closures affect neighborhood convenience, forcing residents to transfer prescriptions to further locations or switch providers entirely.
4. The End of an Era: Lakeforest Mall
The Headline: From “Closing” to “Demolished.” Location: Gaithersburg.
While the mall officially closed its doors to the public previously, 2026 marks the physical erasure of Lakeforest Mall.
- The Status: Interior demolition is currently underway, with heavy machinery scheduled to take down the exterior structures this year.
- The Future: This isn’t just a closure; it is a total redevelopment. The site is slated to become a mixed-use community, but for 2026, it represents the largest removal of retail square footage in Montgomery County history.
5. The Sneaker Shift: Foot Locker
The Headline: Leaving the “B-Malls.” Locations: Older regional malls statewide.
Similar to its strategy in Pennsylvania, Foot Locker is aggressively closing smaller, older format stores in Maryland to focus on its “Power Store” concept.
- The Strategy: Expect to see the “gate down” permanently at smaller Foot Locker locations in aging regional malls as the brand consolidates its inventory into high-traffic hubs like Arundel Mills and Towson Town Center. The company aims to reduce its exposure to declining B and C-tier malls by the end of 2026.
Summary of 2026 Closures
| Retailer | Location(s) | Impact | Status |
| Macy’s | Marley Station Mall (Glen Burnie) | Major Anchor Lost | Closing Q1 2026 |
| Big Lots | Prince Frederick, Waldorf | Total Exit | Liquidation Ongoing |
| Lakeforest Mall | Gaithersburg | Mall Demolition | Active 2026 |
| Walgreens | Essex, DC Suburbs | Neighborhood Closures | Ongoing |
| Foot Locker | Statewide (Older Malls) | Consolidating | Ongoing |
What This Means for MD Shoppers
Marley Station’s Future: The loss of Macy’s puts Marley Station in a precarious position. Shoppers in Glen Burnie may need to travel to Arundel Mills or Annapolis for traditional department store needs. Redevelopment is King: The demolition of Lakeforest Mall is the blueprint for the future. As Big Lots and Macy’s leave big boxes empty, expect developers to pitch more apartments and mixed-use “town centers” rather than new retail tenants to fill the void.
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