For nearly 45 years, Lakeforest Mall was more than a place to shop. It was where Montgomery County families spent weekends, teens found independence, kids had their first jobs, and entire generations built memories that still resonate years after the mall’s final doors closed. Redevelopment plans can be seen here.
Lakeforest Mall officially closed on March 31, 2023, ending a run that began on September 12, 1978. Originally anchored by JCPenney, Sears, Woodward & Lothrop, and Hecht’s, the mall was once the largest indoor shopping center in Montgomery County. It was also among the first malls in the country to feature an indoor ice-skating rink, located in the “H section,” a feature that helped define Lakeforest’s identity before the rink was replaced by a movie theater in 1984, which later became part of the food court. Built on the former Lake Walker Park and opening with roughly 30 to 50 stores, many relocated from the nearby Village Mall, Lakeforest quickly became a centerpiece of Montgomery Village life.
When The MoCo Show asked readers to share their all-time favorite Lakeforest stores, the response was overwhelming. What came back wasn’t just nostalgia for shopping, but stories tied to childhood, family traditions, first paychecks, and friendships…