MARYLAND STATE - Maryland's retail landscape is experiencing significant turnover this spring. From the high-end corridors of Montgomery County to the regional hubs of Glen Burnie and Towson, several fashion brands are winding down their physical operations. Whether due to national restructuring or total brand liquidations, these departures are set to leave large gaps in some of the State most prominent shopping centers.
Here are four iconic clothing retailers shuttering Maryland locations this spring.
1. Rue21 (All Locations)
In one of the most significant hits to teen fashion this year, the Pennsylvania-based Rue21 is liquidating its entire store fleet after filing for its third and final bankruptcy. Unlike previous restructuring attempts, the brand failed to find a buyer to keep its physical doors open, leading to a complete wind-down of its North American footprint.
With several locations across Maryland, the impact is being felt in regional shopping hubs. Final liquidation sales are expected to wrap up by late spring 2026 at locations including:
- Arundel Mills (Hanover)
- St. Charles Towne Center (Waldorf)
- Francis Scott Key Mall (Frederick)
- Hagerstown Premium Outlets
2. Express (Annapolis & Montgomery)
Following its high-profile Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the fashion staple Express is rapidly narrowing its physical footprint to focus on its "Express Edit" boutique model and high-performing sites. The company identified over 100 stores for closure as part of its effort to stabilize finances for a new ownership group.
In Maryland, the restructuring is targeting underperforming mall units. Shoppers at Westfield Montgomery and Westfield Annapolis have seen inventory clear-outs throughout the season, with these locations expected to vacate their spaces by early May 2026.
3. Eddie Bauer (All Locations)
The outdoor apparel pioneer Eddie Bauer is officially exiting the brick-and-mortar market this spring. After a bankruptcy filing in early 2026, the entity operating the brand's physical stores failed to secure a bidder at auction. While the brand itself will continue to exist as an online-only entity, all 175 of its physical shops are closing.
Maryland is losing its remaining presence in major retail centers, including shops in Annapolis, Bethesda, and Towson. Final inventory sales and equipment removal are slated to conclude by mid-spring 2026, marking the end of the brand's physical era in the state.
4. Francesca's (All Remaining Locations)
The boutique staple Francesca's is reaching the end of the road for its physical storefronts. Following a second bankruptcy filing and the sudden loss of investor funding earlier this year, the chain is liquidating all 457 of its boutiques nationwide.
Maryland shoppers are saying goodbye to these neighborhood boutiques in several major centers, including:
- The Mall in Columbia
- Towson Town Center
- Westfield Annapolis
- Westfield Montgomery
The brand's total liquidation highlights the immense pressure small-format boutique retailers face. Most Maryland locations are expected to be completely vacated by May 2026, with all sales final as of early spring.
A Changing Tide for Maryland Retail
The departure of these four clothing giants leaves significant vacancies in Maryland's commercial corridors. While these closures mark a loss for traditional mall shoppers, developers are already looking ahead. Many of these spaces are being scouted for "live-work-play" redevelopments, ranging from luxury apartments to experiential entertainment centers, as Maryland's retail hubs adapt to a digital-first economy.
