Ever wondered about Virginia’s largest outlet mall? Potomac Mills stands before you a retail giant. It’s more than just shops. It’s a piece of history.
Potomac Mills wasn’t always the shopping mecca we know today. Originally envisioned as the Washington Outlet Mall it began as a bold experiment. Developer Herbert S Miller combined the best of regional malls with discount retail. He created a prototype for future shopping centers.
The 130-acre site was once farmland and woods. Several homes and businesses were there too. The Prince William Board of Supervisors approved its construction in 1984. A fight ensued about the mall’s massive illuminated sign. It was to be 140 feet tall.
The first phase opened in September 1985. It included what are now Neighborhoods 1 and 2. Parking accommodated over 5500 cars. A second phase followed adding more shops and an 18-screen AMC movie theater. By 1993 a third phase was complete. It included Marshalls and JCPenney Outlet Stores. A Burlington Coat Factory joined the lineup. Cohoes Fashions an early tenant later closed in 1987. It was replaced by a Woodward & Lothrop outlet store.
Potomac Mills became home to one of IKEA’s first American stores. It proved incredibly popular. IKEA eventually needed its own building next door. The mall’s enormous sign suffered damage from high winds in 2011 and again in 2018. The second incident caused it to tilt precariously over Interstate 95. The sign was dismantled and replaced in 2019.
More recently buybuy Baby and andThat closed their Potomac Mills locations. Potomac Mills has seen changes. Despite these shifts its impact remains.
Potomac Mills isn’t just a mall. It’s a testament to retail innovation. It’s also a reflection of the changing economic landscape. It’s a place where history and shopping collide. Now step inside and explore this remarkable place.