Fun fact...Jim Rouses' grandson is Edward Norton, who attended Wilde Lake High School, about 5 minutes away from the Columbia Mall.

The Mall in Columbia may look to an outsider that is it thriving, but it is a shadow of itself. To a native Columbian, it feels almost empty when you visit.

All of the mom and pops or unique stores were pushed out long ago with the last extension and remodel. The remodel not only hiked the rent like crazy, so only chain stores (that later died in the online shopping age) could afford it, but it also stole the character. Most of the interesting textures and colors were replaced with white paint and marble tiles. It now sounds echo-y and hollow. Then came the downfall of all the half dozen or so water features.

So, yes, it looks to be faring way better than other malls, but longtime locals know that the Mall in Columbia is showing signs of struggling.   The quality of the retail stores is the tell. With each store that moves out, one of lesser quality merchandise moves in, but the rent stays astronomical.

The carousel was originally placed in the mall in 1989, then taken away. It was resurrected again in 1997. Although lore has it that the carousel is old. It is a replica from an amusement company. But it has been beloved by many children visiting the mall over the years.

They had to make a rule that anyone under 18 has to be accompanied by someone over 21. It used to get pretty chaotic on a Saturday night.

Not only did the Rouse Company own the mall, they built Columbia, Maryland.

I miss fountains in malls

I used to work in Columbia Mall at SAM GOODY, back in 1998-99

A great mall. I visit it quite frequently.

It’s wild to see both a books-a-million and a Barnes and Noble in the same mall but I would love it. lol

That busy food court plus all the camp kids = this mall is a functioning third space for folks.

Another great video. The amount of research you undertake for each release is fantastic. The historical tidbits you pepper your videos with is first rate. While I do enjoy your failing mall videos it’s nice that you’ve shown one that looks to be thriving.

I agree the mall is a shell of itself - but I’m glad it is still doing reasonably well and that it has done a good job pivoting to more of a food and entertainment space and less for clothes shopping.

For people going into this mall be careful at the food court.  Sometimes they have groups of people stealing cell phones.  Someone will ask you about where a certain store is located and if you phone is on the table those few seconds while you are distracted when you are talking to a stranger someone comes from behind to snatch your phone.

​I live close to that mall, and while it is not dying per se, there are a ton of absolutely useless stores. I mean, they are so bad you walk by and are dumbfounded by how they even pay their monthly bills so bad that you know the next time you visit, they won't be there. The Toys "R" Us inside is a name-only brand, and what’s actually in there is such a disgrace that I wouldn't let my kid see it. No kid should see such a once-glorious toy store reduced to nothing but plushies, educational toys. 🤮

The mall isn’t over-used.  They are managing to keep things going but truth is, rents are horrid, and as a result there are many spaces empty at any given time.  It’s too much devoted to clothing.  But the other problem with all malls is people realized they like stand-alone or small strips where it’s easy to drive up, pop in, then pop out and get going.  You have to have a reason to stay, such as needing multiple items of different kinds to go there, or just hang around.  The biggest traffic is IN the food court at every lunchtime for the local businesses.  There isn’t always a whole bunch of people even on weekends.  They’re lucky they put a theater in and people sometimes go there and then hang around.  But most of that stuff is a nod to being EXTERNAL as in stand-alone.  The turnover isn’t so great either….too many empty places every time I go.

I worked there during the shooting in 2014. RIP Tyler and Brianna. 💔

It’s slipped a few notches but still hanging tough.

Thank you for covering the Mall in Columbia! I’ve been a resident of Howard County for 25 years and have gone to this mall for over 40 years. I have pictures from every year of my childhood in front of the poinsettia tree!
I’ve got some thoughts about the mall, if you’ll indulge me. I agree with the folks who have mentioned that Howard County is very wealthy(ish), which I think makes an impact on the mall surviving. Columbia also has a good public transit system, which makes it accessible for many people.
It’s been interesting to see my own children grow up with the mall. They have worked there, and it has been a lifeline for local teens. I taught at the middle and high school levels in HoCo, and I firmly believe our kids have been fortunate to have a “third place” to gather. Many people get angry that teens loiter, but there are almost no places for kids to go to just socialize (for the many kids who can’t afford/compete in sports etc.)
Regarding crime, yes, there have been shootings and robberies there. My daughter was present for one and had to escort customers out through the back halls. It is awful, but I posit that no one is safe from guns these days. I hate saying that, but don’t see differently. I’ve talked with lots of teens over the past years, and they sadly all say that they move through life with their heads on a swivel, but it’s their reality. 😔 They certainly don’t feel safe at school.
Regarding wealth, HoCo has lots of money, as well as lots of poverty. I’ve taught these kids, and the same disparity you see in most urban locations exists here. However, many kids have educational opportunities that have helped lift them out, which is more rare.
Overall, our family & neighbors are grateful that the mall exists, and sincerely hope it will continue to change to accommodate changing financial times.
If you read all of this, thanks for listening to my TED talk! 😂

Super cool mall to walk around in during a thunder storm. Been in there quite a few times when it happens and it's a very unique experience with all of the sky lights and windows.
Had a job there at Holister around 2005, buddy and I got recruited from the food court by a couple of blondes who were looking for new hires walking around the mall 😅 good times.

Mall looks like it's thriving but I say it's doing just fine for now. 🙂

I live in HoCo.  Southern tip with Laurel mailing address.   Kids went to Atholton HS.   This mall is hanging on, but it's not what it once was.  Crime and gang activity are reported pretty regularly in the local news.   This mall is reinventing itself to survive and doing a reasonably good job, but.....we haven't been there in years.  We used to love going there just to walk the mall.  

That's is still in business is a good sign, but stores tend to fade in and out.  The large anchor stores are struggling...Macy's and such.  Sears is gone.   Some good restaurants.   But still....this mall is a shadow of its former self.