Boscov's may be in trouble
2008 July 29
I read in the FNP Biz Blog today that Boscov’s Department Store in Fredericktowne Mall may be in some trouble and is considering closing some more stores after closing one in New York.
Hopefully this isn’t the case, as the fate of the restructured mall rests on the anchor stores of Boscov’s, Bon Ton and Home Depot and I personally think that area will have trouble attracting any new stores in the revitalization effort, especially in the tough economic times we are in now.
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It seems that Boscov’s strength is also its weakness. In its attempt to restore the classic department store, it sacrifices depth of selection. I’ve found it to be pricey also. Furthermore, the Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Boscov stores that have taken over from Hecht’s in the Baltimore area aren’t doing that well either.
That being said, I hope Boscov’s succeeds. I’ve met Albert Boscov, the chain’s former chairman, and he’s quite a feisty individual. To do so, I agree with Lizfrog that more will have to be done with that ghost town that is now Frederick Towne Mall.
I just had the opportunity (or misfortune) of walking through Fredericktowne Mall looking for the Ritz Camera store. Seems like half or even more than half of the stores are now closed inside that Mall, including Ritz. And “ghost town” is a very apt description, with very few people there. So I drove over to FSK Mall — and my, what a huge difference between the two malls! FSK Mall was bustling, bright, and had very few closures (and even so, they seemed to be in process of being plugged anyway).
Really hope Frederick can do something very soon about Fredericktowne Mall.
It doesn’t surprise me that Boscov’s is having issues, I am surprised that more big chains aren’t have the same problems. Boscov’s has been too pricey and their choice of location… well, it was just poor timing on their part. I doubt Fredericktowne mall will ever see the activity it once did.
I thought the reason Fredericktowne Mall is like a ghost town is because they are getting ready to do a major overhaul on the place, so most of the stores are moving or, for those still open, just waiting until the last minute.
I’m sorry to hear Boscov’s may be in trouble. I’ve bought everything from jewelry to shoes to furniture in Boscov’s Frederick store.
Call me old-fashioned but I miss the classic department stores…guess that’s why Boscov’s appeals to me. After saying goodbye to Hecht Co. and trying to adjust to Macy’s and Bloomingdales, I don’t find Boscov’s “pricey” but apparently I’m in the minority here. I’ve been quite satisfied with both selection and prices in the Frederick store.
proudgeek: Ritz Camera is on the 2nd floor of Boscov’s.
I like Boscov’s too. I find the prices good, but I only shop sales.
According to the FNP this morning our boscov’s will be fine.
Darrell, I didn’t get that impression from that article at all. Words like “not likely” and “layoffs and cutbacks” don’t sound like the store is doing well. Hopefully the Frederick store won’t close.
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=78213
I’m still hoping for something a little more high end in Frederick. Boscov’s seems perfect for the location though. I guess it may suffer a bit during the “facelift” the Fredericktowne Mall is getting. Kind of makes you wonder what the anchor stores will do during this transition phase? It’s a tough sell to get someone to drive somewhere just for Boscov’s or Bon Ton when you can go to FSK and combine your trips. I guess…I don’t know. Even that mall needs some help. I just hope Boscov’s can survive, it’s not a bad little store!!
Maybe i misread the article but it look like our boscov’s was n good shape. I think they over expanded into the Baltimore region and then BAM! The economy went to the toilet. Once the mall is revitalized I think Boscov’s will do VERY WELL!
Lizfrog, I, too, came away with a less-than-positive impression of the local Boscov’s status. I felt a bit misled by the positive tone of the headline, which didn’t seem borne out by the statements in the article itself.
I do think that if the store can hang on until the mall is revitalized (assuming that happens!), its sales figures will increase.
Boscov’s has been in bad shape for a while. The problem with suppliers didn’t just happen overnight. It’s been going on for months.
No maybe about it: Boscov’s is in trouble.
It’s filed for Chapter 11 and closing 10 of its stores, including all three in the Baltimore area. The Frederick and Westminster locations will remain open.
Yeah, the Frederick Boscov’s remains open. It’s the ones in Owings Mills, White Marsh, and Marley Station Shopping Center in Glen Burnie that are closing. The going-out-of-business sales at these locations are happening right now.
The reason the Fredericktown mall is a ghostown right now, is because of the mall management. They are pretty much kicking stores out for their so called “revitalization”. If the stores were there in the first place, and the mall would bother to advertise, which they no longer do, it would still be a nice place to shop. So now that the mall is throwing everybody out, there is no selection there to speak of, and in the bad economy everybody sees all the empty storefronts and think that things are even worse than they actually are, and that the mall died because of the economy. The mall died because the current owner doesn’t even want it. I would much rather see stores in those slots, and the place fixed up. I would rather shop at the Fredericktowne mall as it is the only indoor mall on that side of town, and I hate shopping on the other side of town where the roads and traffic are a mess. Unfortunately the owner of the mall is a moron, and has killed that mall intentionally. For all I know they get a big fat write off for it, while we lose a decent place to shop. I wish they would sell it to someone responsible who could be bothered to give a whoop. They didn’t even bother to advertise for Christmas the last couple years, they used to buy air time for the holidays. This mess they have made will do thier anchor stores no favors either, Bonton is bare, and looking like they might be getting ready to close, so if the mall keeps on the way they are going they are going to have 3 big empty buildings sitting in a parking lot. I also go to malls where I can combine trips, I’m not going to bother to make a special trip just for Boscov’s when I can go to a mall and get a selection of specialty stores too. What a mess.
Show me another store in Frederick that offers a one day %15 shopping discount to active and retired military personnel. Just go to Customer Service, show your ID card,and get your shopping pass. Or tell me the name of the store in the FSK mall that shows this kind of appreciation for those who are/ or have served their country.
I never knew that. Is that for dependents with ID as well? I’m a dependent of a military retiree, with ID.
Just visited Frederick Towne Mall for the first time – what a dive! They are down to (2) stores in the mall and the remaining anchor – Boscov’s. This mall – as well as the area in general – cannot attract shoppers. They are flocking to FSK mall and Walmart with the other Box stores about 8 miles away. This mall is depressing and sad. It won’t be around too much longer and I don’t think the new plan will save anything. I think we can safely say RIP to FTM 1972 – 2011. It feels unsafe and has nothing to offer – a victim off Big Box Stores, and online shopping. This mall is outdated and ugly. The locals have changed and the entire area is suffering. So sad.
I don’t think on-line shopping or big box stores had much to do with FTM’s demise. If that’s that case other malls would be suffering like that and they aren’t. Been to Tyson’s on a weekend? Or Columbia? Plenty of big box stores around them and certainly 10′s of 1000′s of on-line shoppers but those malls are packed pretty much every time I’ve been in them. FSK Mall doesn’t appear to be hurting either when it comes to on-line shopping and big box stores. FTM was old, run down, mismanaged, and a victim of an area that suffered a demographic shift that was not for the better. The appearance of prosperity attracts, and FTM, and most of that area, ceased to look prosperous a long time ago. It would take an “urban renewal” project on a scale that no one will want to take on, or finance, to get that area looking attractive and prosperous again. I’d like to see Boscov’s shift to FSK and be done with it.
Hi Jerry,
Saw your post and thought I would take the chance to update you on the mall/Route 40 in general. The mall has gone through management changes over the last several years, I can remember pre recession stores starting to move out because it was going to be a mixed type of unit (senior housing/retail) then the floodplain issue came up, then the recession kicked in and held on. In the meantime the leases went month to month but the ultimate plan went by the wayside since the ownership changed and the $$$ situation in lending changed.
Our NAC 5 has stayed on top of the issue but ultimately it is private property. A year or so ago the City started the Golden Mile small area plan and there have been several workshops, surveys, etc. We most recently met with both the planning and economic dev reps at our last NAC meeting. Things are happening, just not as fast as anyone would like. There has been back and forth with the mall owner over plans/designs over the last few months, and are hopeful that something can be announced shortly. With the expansion of fort detrick, any smart developer/business owner should look to the Rt 40 corridor – easy access to 15, 70, alt 40, tax credits available, close to detrick/housing, etc. CVS is due to move to the corner of Old Camp/Rt 40 which has been empty. And similar to the Downtown Frederick partnership, a coalition of business owners is being formed along RT 40.
I love the store in Frederick, MD and I hope it will be around for a long time. I took my husband stopping there last week and he found everything he needed for our vacation.
Just an update from my previous post, the Golden Mile Alliance has had it’s first meeting,, the next is scheduled for 7/27 at 7pm at the Hillcrest Community Center. We had over 80 people attend last month and anticipate another large crowd as we go over next steps. Come out and hear what is being planned, how you can particpate, etc. Be part of the solution!
I would be disappointed if Boscovs would be closed in Frederick, Md because it is the
nearest store close to Hagerstown, Md an I love to shop an buy items at Boscov in Frederick Md