Some tidbits on FSK Mall
Frederick Maryland Online reader, Mika offers some news about Frederick’s other mall, FSK:
Just thought I’d drop by with some info on FSK Mall.
Suncoast is now gone, Yankee Candle will soon be replacing them.
Where Waldenbooks and the furniture store used to be, Charlotte Russe (teen girl clothing store) is moving in.
Just Plain Good has been out for quite a while now but Maui Wowi (Hawaiian coffee and smoothies)is going in but they’ve been under construction for at least two months, so I have no idea when they’ll open. They’re certainly taking their sweet time.
I also hear tell that Value City is trying very hard to close. They’re the only store in FSK Mall that actually owns their building so even though the mall has been kicking lower class stores out, they weren’t able to do anything to Value City. Apparently though, Value City just isn’t making enough money to stay open. There’s a rumor that they’ll be replaced by Old Navy, we can only hope.
Thanks for the tips Mika!
~Guy~
Old Navy would be sweet!
Thanks Mika (and Guy!).
Add a second, smaller floor–and a food court! The mall owners need to stop pigeonholing Frederick as a 1980s backwater and start embracing the future. That means adding at least 4 sit-downs restaurants such as Red Robin, Chevy’s, Fuddrucker’s, and Chili’s.
And a theme park in the middle!
a theme park in the middle would be awesome! I can just picture a francis scott key themed roller coaster now.
The original plan for Barnes and Noble included two stories with a really nice circular loungelike area surrounding the cafe. They even offered to tear down that entire wing and rebuild but the mall turned them down.
The reason that a second floor can’t be added is because the mall is so old that it can’t support a second story. :/ It’d be too much work to tear everything down and rebuild from scratch so they have to work with that they have.
And Auntie Anne’s is getting a cart in front of Barnes and Noble as well as their kiosk, so if you don’t want to walk all the way across the mall for a pretzel, it’ll be right there for you.
A food court would be awesome!
To The Dude–you’re exactly right. A food court at a minimum, plus some great restaurants. And a facelift in the central common area would do wonders. Here’s the link to the owners if you want to send suggestions: http://www.preit.com/. I think they look at Frederick as sort of another Pennsylvania small town, and perhaps don’t see the future of our community.
As Frederick County grows by leaps and bounds–and it is, despite efforts by the FC Board of Commissioners–FSK will have to grow, go vertical, and get glitzier, or face the prospect of a shrewd syndicate building an alternative mall.
The story of FSK is the story of Frederick at large. The city’s zoning and planning officials have always suffered from myopia, and think small, not boldly.
Frederick needs ONE great mall, not a mediocre mall and a basketcase mall that is sliding into oblivion. The new mall should have a dazzling visual centerpiece that reflects the sensibilities of a new Frederick that’s on the go and embraces the future, just as our downtown embraces the past. Yes, we need a food court, sit-down restaurants, a little visual excitement, glass roof, and dazzle.
If Frederick County can support a Wegman’s, we can support a new mall.
Kudos, Matthew R–you just said what a lot of us are thinking!
Don’t know if anybody stopped by the mall these past two days but yesterday was Shaw’s last day. They packed up today and should be completely gone by the end of the week.
And I’m sure many have noticed just how long Italian Oven has been out. I heard today that the mall is trying to replace it with a sport’s bar. Right now the restaurant space is only being used for storage.
I would much rather have OLD NAVY instead of a junk store like Value City……That would so rock!!
I also am in love with Yankee Candles, so that is another awesome move!!!
I remember when I worked at the mall and Good and Plenty was going to open and it took forever. It was the same way with the Toll House place. The problem is the permits from the county and passing the health inspections.
But a new mall is needed with better stores.
Good news to hear of the changes coming, hopefully the start of many good things to come for FSK. My wife and daughter used to routinely make trips down towards DC to shop at White Flint or Montgomery Mall b/c the mall stores here were pretty limited. I’m sure we aren’t the only recent transplants to Frederick who feel the same way… but would rather shop closer to home!
And a I second the nomination for a Red Robin in Frederick. This is pretty much the only chain restaurant we like, so bring it on!
What changes are being made to the mall? Are they going to put a second level? Its long overdue but I’m glad to hear it.
Jennifer
Red Robin is coming,they are in the process of applying for their liquor permit.I believe it will be in the old Lone Star building
Unfortunately, FSK’s existing structural supports were designed for a one-story mall, and cannot accommodate the weight of a second floor, so say the area’s construction experts. A construction firm might be able to sink new, beefier supports–basically “marrying” them to existing supports–but it would be prohibitively expensive, take a couple of years to complete, and disrupt mall business a great deal. I think the prevailing attitude is: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
At present, there are no credible plans to build a second floor, or to build a showcase mall in the county. Nothing. It’s not even on the drawing boards, insiders say. Eventually, the county’s critical mass and demographics may bring the concept to the front burner, but my guess it would be decided that it’s easier to build new somewhere else–maybe north of the city a bit.
To The Dude–thanks for the insights. Do planners view north of the city as more desirable for development, or south of the city because of the proximity to MoCo?
Given Frederick County planners’ abysmal batting record to date, any notion that they can actually “plan” anything visionary, anything cutting edge, or functional, or noteworthy, or anticipatory of the future whatsoever, is highly dubious.
All things considered, I think it’s time to call for help from extraterrestrials.
Dude,
I, for one, am not ready for Scientology in Frederick.
You just ruined Tom Cruise’s dreams of being the next mayor of Frederick.
John Travolta’s too.
;<)
Matthew I am really pleased with what you said here. I have been preaching this for years now. however, the north end of Frederick is open and is very aflluent. however, FSK would be really cool if they did make it into a showcase center.
Auntie Anne’s should have their cart out in front of Barnes and Noble sometime next week.
The mall still hasn’t found someone to occupy the space that Shaw’s has vacated, but I’ll keep my ears open.
I hope they get something nice in where Shaw’s was.
@Darrel: No word yet on anyone even interested in the space Shaw’s vacated. It’s just a completely empty space for the time being.
And Yankee Candle has now opened, as well as Auntie Anne’s fully functioning cart in front of where Charlotte Russe will be.
Speaking of them, I believe they’ll be opening soon…or so I’m told, I don’t know how soon “soon” is though.
Mika:
Thanks fo rthe update. I wish they would get a descent mens store like J. Crew.
According to today’s FNP, Maui Wowi is opening on June 19th.
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/business/display.htm?StoryID=75440
Hey Lizfrog and crew, Maui Wowi has actually been open for about a month now. Its in the spot that Just Plain Good Food was in.
Thanks for the update Chris!
I think they are down by Dairy Queen. But since Value City has closed I am not sure what stores are down that way for mall visitors to find it easily.