Lakeforest Mall, also known as Lakeforest, is an enclosed shopping center located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. It is owned by WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments who is planning to redevelop the site. Currently its two levels house approximately 15 stores, a food court, and until 2013, formerly a large children's play area at the center. Following the closure of three of its four anchor stores, JCPenney, Sears, and Lord & Taylor, in 2019, Macy's remained as the mall's final remaining one until plans were announced to close it in the spring of 2023, along with the rest of the mall. Following its closure, the mall is planned to be demolished the following year at the soonest. History 1970s Lakeforest Mall first opened on September 12, 1978. At that time, the mall's anchor stores were JCPenney, Sears, Woodward & Lothrop, and Hecht's. The mall was named in honor of Lake Walker, a man-made lake and park on the property prior. The mall opened with approximately 30-50 stores, with some of the first stores being relocated from the then nearby indoor Village Mall (now an outdoor strip mall called Montgomery Village Center since circa 1991) and absorbed onto the property. The mall was one of the first in the United States to feature an indoor ice skating rink on the lower level, in the "H section", along with being the biggest indoor shopping mall in the county at the time of grand opening. The rink has since been superseded first by a multi-theater movie complex, then by a food court, which now occupies the place. 1980s In 1984, the ice rink was replaced by a NTI Theaters movie theater, later renamed Cineplex Odeon Lakeforest 5. 1990s Circa 1994, the general manager was Barbara Kreuser. In 1995, the Woodward & Lothrop at the mall closed and was replaced by Lord & Taylor in 1996. Lakeforest was host to a Friendly's and a Long John Silver's during the 1990s; they have since closed down. On August 20, 1998, Taubman Centers sold the property to GM Pension Trust. Circa September 1998, some parking lot space was devoted to become the Lakeforest Transit Center with a Park and Ride. 2000s In January 2000, the Cineplex Odeon Lakeforest 5 movie theater was closed. In November 2000, a food court called Cafes in the Forest was introduced where the Cineplex Odeon Lakeforest 5 movie theater once was and started