The Owings Mills mall isn?t that bad, honestly.
As local business leaders heralded the new Boscov?s department store as a savior for the revolving door reputation ? hosting and losing everything from Saks Fifth Avenue to Sears to Hecht?s since it opened in the 1980s ? store and mall management insist the center is still thriving.
The reputation is “unfortunate,” Boscov?s store manager Bob Tedore said at a sneak peak event Friday.
“It?s a great area,” Tedore said. “The niche is fine. The quality of individuals we have here is excellent. A lot of professionalism.”
Indeed, Baltimore County police officials confirmed crime at the mall, and others around the county, is down. They recorded 74 crimes during the first half of this year, compared to 148 during the same span last year, said police spokesman Cpl. Michael Hill. The mall?s greatest threat ? shoplifting ? is down from 124 reports last year to 54.
Hill credited the improvement to mall management?s efforts to crack down on crime by stepping uptheir own security, installing cameras in parking lots and using video surveillance.
“Police strength has remained the same,” Hill said. “But all that stuff has really helped to help us to make these places safer.”
The mall?s leasing agent, General Growth Properties Inc., won?t release the number of vacancies in the mall, but general manager Kevin Budny said they?ve stabilized the past year. With the additional of Boscov?s, which officially opens Saturday, only one vacant anchor store remains.
That could soon be occupied or razed for additional parking, Budny said, depending on a merchandising plan expected next year that will outline additional improvements.
The company is also leasing new townhomes and condominiums adjacent to the mall, known as Greenwich Place.
“I think Boscov?s overall will be a great think for our area,” Budny said. “Our goal is to meet the needs of the residents in the area.”
They like what they see
Boscov?s Department Store?s Gala Preview on Friday in White Marsh, Marley Station and Owings Mills drew hundreds of eager shoppers who paid $5 each to charity for the chance to do some early shopping.
» “It?s the first time in my life my husband told me to wake up and go get a credit card.” ? Cynthia DeBrouse, Essex
» “We?ve come for the fudge. It?s to die for.” ? Deborah McKenzie, Perry Hall
» “I?ve never been in a Boscov?s. Everyone is talking about it. That?s why I?m here.”? Anita Saffran, Rosedale
» “I think it?s just beautiful.”? Ruth O?Brien, Baltimore County
» “I?d like to go back to a family run store. It?s got a good reputation and they?ve got good sales.”? Marcia Schuett, Catonsville
