Some Maryland and Virginia Shopping Malls Closed Early Because of Winter Storm
Some shopping malls in Maryland and Virgina had to close today at 2:00 p.m. because of the blizzard that has slammed the East Coast on the last shopping weekend before Christmas. Simon Property Group and Westfield Group made the decision due to the terrible weather conditions.
Simon shut its 242-store Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, Maryland, at 2 p.m. local time today as a storm bore down on the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region, dumping 10 to 20 inches of snow and making roads all but impassable. The mall, whose anchors include Neiman Marcus Last Call and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, will open at its normal time of 11 a.m. tomorrow, according to a statement on its Web site.
All but six specialty stores at Westfield's Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Maryland, are closed and the rest will shut down at 4 p.m. today. Anchor stores Macy's, Sears and Nordstrom plan to remain open, according to the mall's security office.
*****
Simon closed its Potomac Mills mall in Woodbridge, Virginia, at 1 p.m. today. The company is allowing stores to close early at its Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall in Arlington, Virginia, though the mall remains open. The shopping center is served by Washington's Metro public transportation system, which stopped all bus service and shuttered 39 of its 86 rail stations today because of the weather.
Not all malls in the area closed. Tysons Corner Center in Washington is staying open until 11:00 p.m., although not all stores will be open. Be sure to call or check online before you head to the mall if you're in the storm area. And be safe: there have been many accidents and cases of stranded motorists.
