The iconic entrance signs from Lakeforest Mall have officially been sold, giving local residents a chance to own one of the final physical remnants of the once-bustling Gaithersburg landmark. The auction, hosted last month by Capital Online Auctions, drew strong interest, particularly for the mall’s blue entrance signs, which received the highest bids.
Lakeforest Mall closed on March 31, 2023 after nearly 45 years, and the sale of its exterior signage marks another step in the slow but symbolic winding-down of the property. Originally opened on September 12, 1978, the mall debuted with anchors JCPenney, Sears, Woodward & Lothrop, and Hecht’s, and was briefly home to one of the nation’s earliest indoor ice-skating rinks. For decades, it stood as Montgomery County’s largest indoor shopping center and a central gathering place for the region.
The auction offered pairs of signs from each of Lakeforest’s four color-coded entrances, and every lot sold. Final winning bids were as follows:
Red Entrance Signs
• Left: $260 (8 bids)
• Right: $260 (9 bids)
Blue Entrance Signs
• Left: $450 (89 bids)
• Right: $450 (31 bids)
Green Entrance Signs
• Left: $25 (3 bids)
• Right: $25 (3 bids)
Yellow Entrance Signs
• Left: $260 (9 bids)
• Right: $260 (10 bids)
Interest varied significantly by color and condition, with the blue signs, often considered the most recognizable due to their placement along heavily trafficked sections of Lost Knife Road, commanding the highest prices and drawing the most competitive bidding. The green signs, which appeared in more weathered condition, sold for just $25 each.
All signs were listed with the note “Buyer to uninstall,” meaning purchasers are responsible for safely removing the large metal and acrylic pieces from the former mall’s façade. For many longtime residents, the sale represented more than memorabilia. It was an opportunity to preserve a physical piece of a place tied to childhood memories, first jobs, weekend hangouts, and nearly half a century of Montgomery County history.
With redevelopment plans moving forward for the 102-acre site, these signs are among the last original elements still attached to the structure, now officially heading to private homes, businesses, and collectors who want to keep a piece of Lakeforest alive.
