Yes, it is open, and there are still over forty retailers/shops open for business inside.

A few updates:

• LensCrafters is currently open but will be closing on April 28th. The store will be relocating to a brand new location at rio.
• Claire’s is currently open but will be closing by the end of the month. Claire’s will be relocating to the former site of Grog’s Beer and Wine, located between AT&T and Ashley Furniture Homestore in Gaithersburg Square.
• Metro by T-Mobile did not reopen after Jose Maldonado, an employee at the store, was stabbed to death inside of the mall on February 21.  A Rockville man has been arrested for the unprovoked murder.
• Hakky Shoe Repair closed at the beginning of this month after 33 years in business.
• Rita’s Italian Ice’s closed in March.

Latest redevelopment update: WRS Inc., the real estate investment firm based out of South Carolina that purchased the “core” of Lakeforest Mall back in 2019, purchased the mall’s four anchor sites at the beginning of March.  Redevelopment of the mall could not begin until all four owners of the anchor stores, and the owner of the mall’s core, came to an agreement, which has stalled potential redevelopment of the mall for years. The four anchor sites (Sears, JC Penney, Lord & Taylor and Macy’s) and their parking lots were not included in the 2019 purchase. Of the four anchor stores, only Macy’s remains open.  Additional details here. 

Below is a list of what was open, and a few photos, from when we stopped by on April 5th at 11AM:

        Food/Beverage:

• Charly’s Philly Steaks
• Kelly’s Cajun Grill
• Nori Japan
• Pollo Campero (the chain is opening a new location at the former site of KFC on 355 in Gaithersburg, it is unknown at this time if this location will remain open)

  Lower Level:
  

• 777 Foot Spa
• Aeropostale
• Allure Jewelers (store closing signs on windows)
• Bath & Bodyworks
• Beautiful U (eyebrows, waxing)
• Best Medicine Rx (theater group)
• Cell Fix (kiosk)
• Central Newsstand
• Champs Sports
• Finish Line (shoes)
• French Perfume
• Home Décor & More
• Jackson Hewitt (likely only open during tax season)
• The Jewel Box (kiosk)
• Photo Forever
• Phone Repair Lab (kiosk)
• Rainbow (clothing)
• Spencer Gifts
• Test America
• Time Out Zone I & II (mini arcades)
• Z Planet
• Walden Jewelers

  Upper Level:
  

• AmeriGo (car and RV rentals)
• Braiding Center
• Charile Fashions (clothing)
• Claire’s (closing soon)
• Class Act (prom dresses)
• Essie Allen (clothing)
• JW Event Center (party rentals)
• Lens Crafters (closing soon)
• Macy’s / Macy’s Backstagre
• Melashops
• New Passion Nail Spa
• So What Else (food and resource charity)
• Style One (closed when we stopped by but appears to still be in business)
• TMobile
• Trade My Cell
• USI: United Security Incorporated

A Rockville man has been arrested in the unprovoked murder of Jose Maldonado, an employee at T-Mobile in Lakeforest Mall.
Per Montgomery County Police:

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide Section, have arrested and charged a Rockville man in connection with a homicide at the Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg.

On Monday, February 21, Gaithersburg City and Montgomery County Police officers responded to Lakeforest Mall, located at 701 Russell Ave. for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located 23-year-old Jose Alexander Maldonado suffering from multiple stab wounds. Maldonado was transported to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The investigation by detectives revealed that the victim was working in the T-Mobile store inside of the mall, when the suspect, 25-year-old Trenton Flowers-Jackson, entered the store and immediately began to stab Maldonado.

Maldonado attempted to escape but collapsed near the food court in the mall. Through the course of the investigation, detectives were able to identify and connect Flowers-Jackson to the homicide. The investigation also revealed that Flowers-Jackson and Maldonado were known to one-another.

Flowers-Jackson was arrested in Rockville on Saturday, February 26, and on the strength of an arrest warrant, has been charged with first-degree murder. He is currently being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he awaits a bond hearing, scheduled for Monday afternoon, February 28.

Lakeforest Sport & Health has Closed Permanently

Lakeforest Sport & Health has been closed since August 2nd, 2020 due to structural damage to the building.

Since that time the Gaithersburg gum has provided occasional updates apologizing to members for not having any detailed information.

Late this morning the gym announced that it will be closing permanently due to structural damage and the impact of Covid.

All memberships are being upgraded to to memberships that can access all OneLife and Sport & Health locations at the current rate fee members are paying.

Below is the message shared on their social media:

“Dear Lakeforest Members,

We are deeply saddened to announce that after almost 20 years of serving the Gaithersburg community, Sport&Health Lakeforest is being forced to permanently close its doors due to the structural damaged sustained at the club and the impact of COVID-19.

Whether you have been a member for decades or months, we can’t thank you enough for your patronage and for making us your home and destination for pursuing a happier and healthier lifestyle.

While we’re saddened that the Lakeforest club is closing, we are upgrading your membership to access ALL Onelife Fitness and ALL Sport&Health locations at your current dues rate.

Please see more details in the personal email that was sent to all members and is posted on the club’s website page:

Https://www.sportandhealth.com/locations/lakeforest “