BALTIMORE (Map, News) - With Christmas still 210 days away, Towson Town Center and Mondawmin Mall are preparing for the shopping rush early.

Within the last year, both shopping complexes, which are owned and managed by Chicago-based General Growth Properties Inc., began extensive renovations. They hope these changes will help the facilities better meet the demands of area consumers while keeping shopping dollars in the local community.

The $70 million face-lift at Mondawmin Mall is targeted at bringing in several big-box retailers, the Baltimore Development Corporation stated in its summer 2006 report. With the construction under way, they hope area residents will see it as more than just an expansion to fit in a few new stores.

In the mall and surrounding parking lot, Mondawmin houses not only the Northwest Career Center, run by the city, but also a state Motor Vehicle Administration office. The Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council also uses General Growth office space free of charge. Last week, the mall held a job fair to hire local vendors, subcontractors and laborers for the redevelopment.

General Growth also pledged $50,000 for improvements at nearby Douglas High School in the fall.

In Towson, construction started last June at the Town Center. A renovated food court, completed in March, marked the end of that site’s phase one. After changes are complete, the Town Center will top 1 million square feet, adding 95,000 square feet of business space. These renovations at the mall are second only to those of 1990, when the Town Center, first opened in 1959, added third and fourth floors.

“Our goal is to exceed our customers’ expectations with the planned renovations by offering more sophisticated options for dining and retail while continuing to offer the best service available,” Towson Town Center Senior General Manager Charles Crerand told The Examiner.

dcarey@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

5:52 AM MST on Sat., Apr. 12, 2008 re: "District entrepreneur takes light-up sneakers to the national shoe stage"

Examiner Reader said:
why is nothing ever realesed in australia? i have been looking for light up shoes for years and i finally find a pair and they arent selling in australia!!

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9:24 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

D said:
Still cheap.

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7:20 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

Examiner Reader said:
Cheap: I said trying not being sucessfull.

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6:44 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

Cheap said:
Well, if you let him. Who's fault is that? Make a call.

46 agree | 34 disagree
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4:41 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

Examiner Reader said:
Now I know what o'malley's march really stands for. He will stand by raise taxes and watch all of the businesses march out of Maryland.

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3:10 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

Leaving MD said:
Value City is closing 37 of its 113 stores nationwide yet 7 of 8 of its MD stores are closing! How many jobs is that? How many other businesses will be affected by the MD closings. This is what a hostile business climate does! Thanks O'Malley! Thanks Franchot! Thanks Miller! Thanks Busch! Nice job boys.

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12:43 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

City Resident said:
pretty sure this is O' Malleys fault. that and the fact that liberals are now using craigslist to buy second hand furniture....man, way to go Baltimore!

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12:42 PM MST on Tue., May. 29, 2007 re: "Penzeys spices up D.C. area with Rockville store"

Examiner Reader said:
WHat is the street address for Penskys???? You give the one for the new one in Falls Church.

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