Security Square Mall
A regional shopping mall in Woodlawn, Maryland, near Baltimore.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Security Square Mall is a regional shopping center in Woodlawn, an unincorporated community in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. It is located near Security Boulevard and the Baltimore Beltway, making it accessible from the western Baltimore metropolitan area. The property has historically served as a retail, dining, and community destination, with more than 100 stores and restaurants and a food court. The mall opened on September 29, 1972, with Sears and Hochschild Kohn's as its original anchor tenants. Hochschild Kohn's later sold its location to Hutzler's, which closed in 1989. The space subsequently became home to Montgomery Ward and later other retail uses. Hecht's opened another anchor building in 1979. The mall was developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation and was sold to JMB Urban Realty in 1983. Like many older American enclosed malls, Security Square experienced substantial anchor turnover and changing customer patterns. Woolworth closed in 1997 and was replaced by Burlington Coat Factory. Montgomery Ward left in 2001, and its former space later became Modell's Sporting Goods. JCPenney also closed in 2001 after declining sales. In 2003, the former two-story JCPenney premises were repurposed as Seoul Plaza, a mall-within-a-mall featuring Korean businesses, restaurants, and a Grand Mart supermarket. Grand Mart closed in 2008, and the complex was renamed Grand Village Plaza in 2018. Most of the Korean-oriented businesses had reportedly closed by 2010. The former Hecht's location became a Macy's store in 2006. Sears remained an important anchor for many years but announced in 2019 that it would close as part of a nationwide store-reduction program; the location closed in October of that year. Macy's later announced in January 2025 that its Security Square store would close, and the store shut on March 23, 2025. These closures left the mall with fewer conventional department-store anchors. Bayit Furniture is identified as the mall's remaining traditional anchor, while former Sears, Burlington, and Macy's spaces are vacant or used for other purposes. The former Seoul Plaza area is occupied in part by Set the Captives Free Outreach Center. Security Square has also undergone periodic repositioning and physical improvements. Capital Investment Associates acquired the property and engaged Hicks & Rotner Retail, Inc. to manage leasing during a revitalization effort that sought to attract new retailers and give parts of the mall a more upscale presentation. Improvements included changes to the food court, restrooms, landscaping, and other common areas. In 1999, security arrangements were expanded, including moving security offices to center court. In 2022, Baltimore County and Maryland officials announced approximately $20 million in public funding connected with revitalization of the area surrounding the mall. The mall remains part of the local transportation network. Its parking lot functions as a hub for several Maryland Transit Administration bus routes, although the mall bus stop is closed during certain overnight hours. Security Square Mall's current commercial role is therefore broader than that of a conventional department-store mall: it combines retail, food, services, community uses, transit access, and redevelopment potential in a mature suburban commercial district.
History
Security Square Mall opened on September 29, 1972, in Woodlawn, Maryland, near Baltimore. The original anchor lineup included Sears and Hochschild Kohn's. The Hochschild Kohn's store was later sold to Hutzler's, which closed in 1989; the building subsequently became associated with Montgomery Ward. Hecht's added a separate anchor location in August 1979. The mall was developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation and sold to JMB Urban Realty in 1983. The center's later history reflects the broader transformation of enclosed suburban malls. Woolworth closed in 1997 and was replaced by Burlington Coat Factory. Montgomery Ward closed in 2001, and its former premises later became a Modell's Sporting Goods store. JCPenney also closed in 2001 after declining sales. In 2003, its former two-story space was converted into Seoul Plaza, a mall-within-a-mall containing Korean retailers, restaurants, and a Grand Mart supermarket. Grand Mart closed in May 2008, and Modell's closed during the same year. Seoul Plaza was renamed Grand Village Plaza in 2018, although many of the Korean-oriented businesses had already left. Anna's Linens opened its first Maryland store at Security Square in 2005. Hecht's was converted to Macy's in 2006. The mall later lost additional department-store presence when Sears closed in October 2019. Macy's announced in January 2025 that its store would close under a national restructuring plan; the location closed on March 23, 2025. Bayit Furniture is identified as the mall's remaining traditional anchor, while former Burlington, Sears, and Macy's premises are vacant or have been adapted for other purposes. The former Seoul Plaza area also includes Set the Captives Free Outreach Center. Capital Investment Associates acquired the property and hired Hicks & Rotner Retail, Inc. to manage leasing during a revitalization initiative. The program sought new tenants and a more upscale image, while also upgrading the food court, restrooms, landscaping, and other common areas. Security infrastructure was expanded in 1999, including the relocation of security offices to center court. In April 2022, local and state officials announced approximately $20 million in funding for revitalization of the surrounding area. The mall is positioned close to Interstate 695's Exit 17 and is served by multiple Maryland Transit Administration bus routes. Its parking lot functions as a local bus hub, although the mall stop is not open during certain overnight periods. Security Square remains an active commercial property, but its current identity is shaped by anchor departures, adaptive reuse, neighborhood services, and efforts to reinvest in the surrounding district.
- 2025
Macy's closes
[1]Macy's closes the mall store on March 23 after announcing the location's inclusion in a nationwide closure plan.
- 2022
Area revitalization funding announced
[1]Maryland and Baltimore County officials announce approximately $20 million for revitalization around the mall.
- 2019
Sears closes
[1]Sears closes its Security Square location in October as part of a nationwide store-closure program.
- 2018
Seoul Plaza renamed
[1]The former Seoul Plaza area is renamed Grand Village Plaza.
- 2006
Hecht's becomes Macy's
[1]The Hecht's anchor location is converted to a Macy's store.
- 2003
Seoul Plaza opens
[1]The former JCPenney space is converted into a Korean-oriented mall-within-a-mall with shops, restaurants, and a Grand Mart supermarket.
- 2001
Montgomery Ward and JCPenney close
[1]Two major tenants leave, contributing to the mall's anchor turnover.
- 1999
Security improvements implemented
[1]The mall expands security measures and moves security offices to center court.
- 1997
Woolworth closes
[1]Woolworth leaves the mall and its space is replaced by Burlington Coat Factory.
- 1983
Property sold to JMB Urban Realty
[1]The mall's developer, the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation, sells the property to JMB Urban Realty.
Products and positioning
A mature suburban regional shopping mall serving communities in western Baltimore County and the Baltimore metropolitan area, with a tenant mix spanning retail, dining, services, and community uses.
Shopping center retail · 1972
Retail storefronts
Security Square Mall provides enclosed retail space for apparel, household goods, specialty merchandise, groceries, and services. Its tenant base has changed substantially over time as department stores and national chains have closed or been replaced by smaller retailers and community-oriented uses.
Dining · 1972
Food court and restaurants
Dining is a longstanding part of the mall's offer, including a food court and independent or specialty restaurants. The food court was among the common areas redesigned during a past revitalization effort.
Specialty retail area · 2003
Grand Village Plaza
Grand Village Plaza is the later name for the former Seoul Plaza space, which was created in the former JCPenney premises in 2003. It originally concentrated Korean shops, restaurants, and a Grand Mart supermarket, and later included other community and organizational uses.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2022
Support area revitalizationStrategyBackground
Local and state officials sought to revitalize the commercial area surrounding the mall.
Action taken
Officials announced approximately $20 million in funding for revitalization efforts around Security Square Mall.
Aftermath
The supplied material does not specify the complete project scope or final implementation results.
Announced revitalization funding. $20 million announced (2022)
2003
Convert former JCPenney space into Seoul PlazaStrategyBackground
JCPenney had closed in 2001, leaving a large two-story anchor space available for reuse.
Action taken
The space was redeveloped as a mall-within-a-mall containing Korean retailers, restaurants, and a Grand Mart supermarket.
Aftermath
Grand Mart closed in 2008, and the area was renamed Grand Village Plaza in 2018; many of the original Korean-oriented businesses had departed by 2010.
1999
Expand mall securityStrategyBackground
The mall undertook operational changes intended to improve security across the property.
Action taken
Security measures were increased and the security offices were relocated to center court.
Aftermath
The supplied reference does not quantify the results of the changes.
Sources2 sources
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