WASHINGTON — Most malls are crowded with harried holiday shoppers now, but White Flint Mall in Rockville is nearly silent, and a bit creepy.
The lights are on, as are most escalators and elevators, but they’re not carrying many people inside the three-level mall that opened in 1977. There are no holiday decorations, and almost every storefront is covered by either metal gates, or plastic.
The mall’s owners want to knock the place down and turn it into a more modern, town center-style area where people can live, work and shop. As those efforts continue, businesses have largely fled the mall, and only two are still open.
Lord & Taylor is fighting the redevelopment in court, and has no plans to close. The department store’s lease doesn’t expire until 2055. But P.F Chang’s China Bistro at White Flint is scheduled to close on or before Jan. 15.
Assistant manager Flavio Cruz says the restaurant is expected to reopen within the new development in a few years.
In the meantime, employees are either trying to transfer to other locations (the closest is in Chevy Chase), or are looking for new jobs.
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