What You're Saying About the Carrolltown Mall Closings

The announcement of recent closings at the Carrolltown Mall met with a variety of responses from readers. 

The closings of and in addition to the left many hopeful that the changes would bring revitalization to the shopping center. 

Here's a sampling of what people said on Facebook and in the comments section on Patch. You're welcome to add your own thoughts below.

Amy McGovern:

"That 'Mall' has been dying a slow death for the past 11 years. Since Peebles and Blockbuster are leaving, the rest of the stores should step up and let them level the mall and start over. For the good of our community. Teenangers have no outlets , no movies, nothing to do. Start over and bring in more Upscale stores and more jobs to the area. We do not need a Big Lots and KMart to lower the community anymore. The owner of the mall does not care about the look of the mall. Looks like a slum mall. I would be happy to see Knart go!"

Patti Meyer:

"I would like a movie theater and a nicer looking shopping center, but at least the people who work at Kmart get to keep their jobs for now."

Jenny Lai:

"I thought for sure this would go. Ive only been in there twice and there is never anyone there!"

Andrea White:

"I have a friend who works at Kmart and has for years. Why can't they rehab the mall and let Kmart stay? Why can't Kmart fix up the store?"

Kathy Sibbald:

"I moved to Sykesville a little over a year ago, and it's such a shame that the 'mall' is in the condition that it's in. It's such a good location and has so much potential. We definitely need a movie theater, bowling alley or some other source of entertainment around here!"

Ruthie Goodman White:

"You complain that all the teenagers do is hang around. Trust me, if you put in a nice mall, they'll just hang around there too and then you'll complain about that. They're teenagers. That's what they do."

Mort Shuman: 

"I don't think the future is uncertain at all - in fact, when you pay next to nothing in rent, you're probably one of the LAST stores to close. So while the rest of the mall dies or is slowly rotting away (see Peebles and Blockbuster as the latest example), and Sears/Kmarts are in trouble elsewhere, the shining pearl that is the Eldersburg Kmart (sarcasm alert) will continue to be there until their lease is up in about another 50 years (actually, I have no idea how long the lease is for, but it's in Kmart's best interest to stay as long as they can)."

watchingfive: 

"Close Peebles, close K Mart, then tear the whole thing down. The place is going from bad to worse."

barbara guzman:

"I have been going to this (mall) since I was in High School. and what was a mall has turned into a ghost town of a shopping strip. Put a Target or something useful at this spot. Miss the theater a lot!"

Eburger:

"Black Oak Associates seems content on letting K-Mart remain and the hollow shell of Carrolltown Mall to continue to decay around it. Let's hope the 'Super K' is included in the second round of cuts."

Amy R:

"This is a nice store! Why would anyone want it to close? I don't understand the previous comments. Customer service isn't the greatest, but the store is clean and well stocked. Yes, the mall itself is pitiful, but the Kmart is not the problem!"

Eldersburg neighbor:

"Rejoice and mark my words as Kmart will be gone in 1-3 years! The writing is on the wall as two other "old school" stores are closing up shop in the same center. It is just a matter of time before people realize that there is no point in going there."