Shoppers gather at Fair Oaks Mall. It sits at the intersection of Interstate 66 and U.S. Route 50. Fair Oaks Mall opened on July 31, 1980.
Fair Oaks Mall has a gross leasable area of 1,557,000 square feet. That is roughly 144,700 square meters. Fair Oaks Mall offers 170 stores and services. It includes traditional retailers like Macy’s and JCPenney. You can also find Dick’s Sporting Goods and Dave & Buster’s here. Specialty retailers include Ardene, Pottery Barn, and Sephora. Williams Sonoma is here too.
Fair Oaks Mall was developed by the Taubman Company. It opened during a recession. Only four of six anchor stores were operating then. These were Hecht’s, JCPenney, Sears, and Woodward & Lothrop. Only 15 other storefronts were occupied. Three-fourths of the storefronts were empty. Garfinckel’s opened shortly after on August 21, 1980. Lord & Taylor opened in spring 1981. Developers hoped 60 stores would be occupied by Christmas. They wanted 100 by the next year. It was the largest mall in the D.C. area when it opened. The mall included the first suburban Washington location of Conran’s. It was a British homegoods store.
In 1982, Fair Oaks Mall allowed Sears to offer financial services. Customers could buy stocks, bonds, insurance, and real estate. These services came from Dean Witter, Allstate, and Coldwell Banker subsidiaries.
In 1987, the mall tried to evict Garfinckel’s. The owners claimed the store hadn’t received permission to assign the lease. This happened after Allied Stores divested some lines of business. Garfinckel’s went out of business in 1990. Woodward & Lothrop used the space for home furnishings. Later, Woodward & Lothrop closed. Their furniture store became Mastercraft. In 2008, Forever 21 replaced Mastercraft. In 1998, Lord & Taylor moved to the old Woodward & Lothrop store. The old Lord & Taylor became the mall’s first Macy’s.
Fairfax library system opened a branch at Fair Oaks Mall in 1988. It held 10,000 volumes. The mall also has a Virginia DMV customer service center.
Fair Oaks Mall underwent renovations from 2013 to 2014. The common areas were updated. The five entrances were completely renovated. A grand entrance was built on the north side along Route 50. New floor tile, seating areas, and technology tables were added. There is also new lighting and furniture. The Michael & Son Fun Zone was created for children.
Fair Oaks Mall offers several dining options. These include Dave & Buster’s, Cheesecake Factory, and Brio Tuscan Grille. You can also find Texas de Brazil, Breakers Korean BBQ & Grill, and Sushi On. Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is another option.
In March 2021, plans were announced for an open-air addition. This addition would include 2000 housing units, offices, and a hotel. There would be a central plaza and urban parks. These spaces would be for public events.
New additions in 2023 included Ardene, Lovisa, Showcase, and Miniso. Movement, an indoor climbing gymnasium, is also planned. It will feature fitness and a yoga studio.
Olshan Properties took ownership of Fair Oaks Mall on April 11, 2024. This secured a long-term extension.
Apple closed its location at Fair Oaks Mall on November 7, 2024. It relocated to Fairfax Corner on November 9.
Fair Oaks Mall is more than just a shopping destination. It’s a place with a rich history and a vibrant future. It continues to evolve. The mall adapts to meet the changing needs of the community.