In 1971, the Columbia Mall opens.

Officially called The Mall in Columbia, the mall opened on August 2, 1971, with two anchor stores – Hochschild, Kohn and Woodward & Lothrup – and 102 smaller stores. The mall was developed by The Rouse Company and was hailed as the core of Columbia’s new downtown.

In 1975 the Hochschild, Kohn store was replaced by a Hecht’s (which was converted to a Macy’s in 2006). J. C. Penney took over the Woodward & Lothrup location in 1996.

It was always planned that the mall would have five anchor stores. A 1981 expansion added a Sears store and 70 smaller stores. In 1998 a Lord & Taylor store was added, and in 1999 a new wing with a Nordstrom’s and 40 smaller stores opened. In 2000 the food court was moved to the Sears wing.