Hunt Valley Towne Centre

Hunt Valley Towne Centre, formerly Hunt Valley Mall, is an outdoor shopping mall in northern Baltimore County, Maryland. The development was constructed following the closure of Hunt Valley Mall (other than its anchor stores) in 2000. The anchor stores in existence today include Burlington Coat Factory, Wegmans, and Sears. Walmart was located at Hunt Valley mall until Late October 2007, but has since moved two miles south to Cockeysville, Maryland.

Hunt Valley Mall originally opened in 1981. Its success over the following two decades was limited, and as a result, many of the merchants failed by the end of the 1990s. This resulted in plans being made to convert the mall into an outdoor town center with big-box stores. The mall was controversial as it was originally opposed by Baltimore County Executive Donald Hutchinson early on. [http://external.bcpl.lib.md.us/hcdo/cfdocs/photopage.cfm?id=22803] . Four anchor tenants were planned for the mall although Sears and Bamberger's, which became Macy's, were the only ones to open. The mall included many features such as the "Paddock" food court, two small fountains at either end of the mall, and two large fountains in both center courts, along with a glass enclosed elevator facing the largest fountain below the food court, which was also the site of the seasonal christmas display. The mall sits on the grounds of the Bonnie Blink Estate, which now houses a Masonic Resting Home on the site directly above the parking lot behind the mall [http://www.dupontcastle.com/castles/bonniebl.htm] .

Restaurants

Among the restaurant offerings are casual dining establishments such as Chipotle Mexican Grill, Panera Bread, Carmine's Pizza, Vaccaro's, Carvel Ice Cream and Cinnabon.

Full service dining is available at Greystone Grill, Damon's Grille, California Pizza Kitchen, Jesse Wong's and Sakura.

Retail Stores

Although Walmart left the complex in 2007, the Hunt Valley Towne Centre is home to independent stores such as the Greetings & Readings as well as larger chains such as GameStop, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Dick's Sporting Goods, Burlington Coat Factory, Wegmans, Sears and more.

Transit connections

In 1997, the Baltimore Light Rail was extended north from its Timonium terminus to the parking lot of Hunt Valley Mall. There were hopes that this would increase business to the struggling mall. At the same time, this led to rumors of increased crime at the mall.

Prior to the light rail's extension, the mall was served by Maryland Transit Administration Bus Route 9. Today, this route operates to the nearby International Circle.