It was the end of an era that many saw coming, yet it still stung. When the doors finally locked at the Security Square Mall Macy's back in 2020, it wasn't just another retail casualty. It was a signal. For decades, that massive anchor store served as a gravitational pull for Woodlawn and the broader Baltimore County area. You went there for prom dresses. You went there for last-minute holiday gifts. Honestly, you probably went there just to walk the climate-controlled aisles when the Maryland humidity got too heavy to breathe.
But the retail landscape changed. Fast.
The closure of this specific location wasn't an isolated incident, though it felt personal to the community. Macy's Inc. had been eyeing a massive "Polaris" strategy to cull underperforming stores long before the global pandemic accelerated everything. Security Square Mall was caught in the crosshairs of a shifting demographic and a massive pivot toward digital sales. If you look at the numbers, the mall itself has been struggling with vacancy rates that would make any developer sweat.
The Rise and Fall of a Retail Giant in Woodlawn
Security Square Mall opened its doors in 1972. At the time, it was the place to be. It was shiny. It was new. It represented the suburban dream of the era. Macy's didn't actually start there; the space was originally a Hecht’s, a name that still carries a lot of weight for old-school Marylanders. When Macy's acquired the Hecht’s brand in 2006, they inherited a prime piece of real estate in a mall that was already starting to feel the pressure from newer, outdoor "lifestyle centers."
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The transition from Hecht’s to Macy’s was a big deal. It brought a certain level of prestige. People expected the "Miracle on 34th Street" vibe, even in a Baltimore suburb. For a while, it worked. The store was a massive, multi-level labyrinth of cosmetics, shoes, and home goods. But the upkeep on a building that size is astronomical. Think about the HVAC costs alone for a space that covers over 150,000 square feet. It's wild.
By the mid-2010s, the cracks were showing. Not just in the literal sense—though the parking lot definitely saw better days—but in the foot traffic. You’d walk in on a Tuesday afternoon and hear your own footsteps echoing. That’s never a good sign for a business that relies on impulse buys at the perfume counter.
Why Security Square Mall Macy's Actually Shut Down
A lot of people like to blame the 2020 lockdowns for the closure. That’s only half the story. The truth is much more corporate and, frankly, a bit colder. Macy’s announced the closure of the Security Square location in early January 2020, before the world turned upside down. It was part of a planned wave of 125 store closures over three years.
The math didn't favor Woodlawn.
Macy's was looking for "A-tier" malls. Security Square was increasingly being categorized as a "C" or "D" mall by retail analysts. The surrounding area had changed. More importantly, the way people shopped had shifted. Why drive to Security Square when you can order the same Levi’s on your phone while sitting in your pajamas? Or, if you did want the "Macy's experience," you’d probably drive the extra twenty minutes to the Mall in Columbia or Towson Town Center, where the stores were renovated and the food courts didn't feel like a time capsule.
Investment stayed away. While other malls were getting multimillion-dollar face-lifts, Security Square was stagnating. The Macy’s exit was the first domino in a series of events that left the mall's future hanging by a thread. When a major anchor leaves, it triggers "co-tenancy" clauses in the leases of smaller shops. Basically, if the big guy leaves, the little guys get a discount on rent or the right to break their lease. It's a death spiral.
The Impact on the Community
You can't talk about this Macy's without talking about the people. This wasn't just a store; it was a job hub. Hundreds of people—neighbors, students from CCBC, retirees—lost their livelihoods when those gates stayed down.
There’s also the psychological impact. A vacant Macy’s is an eyesore. It’s a giant, windowless concrete box that reminds everyone who drives past on I-695 that the local economy is in transition. It feels like abandonment. For the local residents in Woodlawn, it felt like another example of investment being funneled elsewhere while their backyard was left to wither.
What's Happening With the Space Now?
The story doesn't end with a "Closed" sign. There has been a ton of back-and-forth between Baltimore County officials and the various owners of the mall property. It’s complicated. Unlike some malls owned by a single entity, Security Square has been fractured. Different companies own different parts of the building and the parking lots. It’s a legal and logistical nightmare.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski has been pretty vocal about redevelopment. The county actually stepped in to buy a portion of the mall—specifically the former Sears site and other parcels—to jumpstart a "Security Square Mall Master Plan." The goal isn't just to bring in another department store. That ship has sailed. Nobody is opening 150,000-square-foot clothing stores in 2026.
Instead, the talk is about "mixed-use."
Imagine:
- Community centers.
- Green spaces where the cracked asphalt currently sits.
- Modernized food halls.
- Maybe some medical offices or government services.
The old Macy's footprint is a massive opportunity, but it requires a total reimagining of what a "mall" is supposed to be. It’s not about shopping anymore. It’s about "experience" and "utility." If they can turn that dead zone into a place where people actually want to hang out—not just buy socks—then there’s a chance.
The Realities of Retail Real Estate in 2026
We have to be honest: the era of the giant suburban department store is over. The Security Square Mall Macy's was a relic of a business model that required massive inventory and massive foot traffic. Today, retail is leaner.
Experts like those at CoStar or the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) have pointed out that "de-malling" is the trend. This means breaking down these giant fortresses and making them more accessible to the street. The Macy's building is literally a bunker. Turning that into something inviting is expensive. It’s often cheaper to tear it down than to retro-fit it.
Actionable Insights for the Neighborhood
If you live near the old Security Square Mall or you’re a former Macy’s shopper, you shouldn't hold your breath for a "New Macy's" or a Nordstrom to move in. It’s not happening. However, there are things you can do to stay informed and help shape what comes next:
- Follow the Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development. They hold public meetings about the Security Square redevelopment. Your voice actually matters in these sessions because they need to know what the community will actually support.
- Support the remaining tenants. There are still businesses inside Security Square. Small entrepreneurs, local shops, and food vendors are trying to make it work while the "big" anchors are gone. If you want the mall to survive, you have to shop there.
- Look for the "Security Square Mall Master Plan" updates. The county has allocated millions for this. Keep an eye on how that money is spent. Is it going toward aesthetics, or is it going toward real infrastructure that brings jobs back?
- Understand the shift to "Med-tail." Don't be surprised if the former Macy's or surrounding areas become healthcare hubs. Clinics, urgent care centers, and labs are the new "anchors" for struggling malls. It’s stable, and it brings consistent foot traffic.
The loss of Macy's was a blow, sure. But it’s also a blank slate. The suburban mall as we knew it in the 90s is dead, but what replaces it could actually be more useful for the people living in Woodlawn today than a department store ever was. Change is slow, and it's often ugly, but the "Security Square" name isn't done yet. It's just in its second act.