ultimate buzzkill.
Virginia’s declining shopping centers offer master classes in depressing transformations.
Where you once bought prom dresses, there’s now an auction notice.
Where teenagers loitered at the food court, there was construction fencing.
Where retirees walked morning laps, there’s a casino or a shuttered entrance.
These 17 malls prove you really can’t go home again.
1. Military Circle Mall
Military Circle Mall in Norfolk was once a busy enclosed mall with big department stores and a movie theater.
It opened in 1970, but years of store closings left many empty spaces and very light foot traffic.
The mall was permanently closed to the public in January 2023, and the site is now slated for demolition so the land can be reused.
Why It’s On This List: An abandoned, soon-to-be-demolished mall with no shopping left is not a smart stop for a relaxed day out.
2. Virginia Center Commons
Virginia Center Commons near Richmond opened in 1991 and served as a regional indoor mall for more than 30 years.
As national chains left, the mall lost many tenants and eventually terminated the remaining leases, closing permanently on October 31, 2022.
Most of the enclosed mall has since been demolished, and the area is being rebuilt as a mixed-use district anchored by a new county sports and events center.
Why It’s On This List: The original mall is gone, so today there is construction instead of climate-controlled, easy walking for older shoppers.
3. Regency Square (Regency)
Regency Square in Henrico County opened in the 1970s and was once the premier mall for the Richmond area.
Over time ,it lost major anchors, including both of its Macy’s stores, along with more than a dozen smaller tenants, leaving long stretches of vacant storefronts.
Developers bought the aging mall and have been converting former store space into apartments, offices, and new uses as part of a large mixed use plan.
Mall In Transition: With many original shops gone and construction still unfolding, visits today can feel confusing and unfinished for someone simply looking for an easy indoor stroll.
4. MacArthur Center
MacArthur Center in downtown Norfolk was built as a modern urban mall with three levels of shopping and dining.
In recent years, many national brands have left, and visitors report a “ghost town” feel with numerous dark storefronts even on weekends.
City leaders are discussing plans to remake the property into a mixed-use community with housing, a hotel, and other uses to replace the struggling retail space.
Why It’s On This List: A large indoor mall with many empty stores and an uncertain future can feel more lonely than lively, especially if you value easy window shopping and clear services nearby.
5. Chesapeake Square Mall
Chesapeake Square Mall opened in the early 1990s and was once promoted as a major shopping hub for the Western Branch area of Chesapeake.
The mall later fell into foreclosure, its value dropped sharply, and key anchors such as Macy’s and Sears closed, leaving big, vacant boxes.
Local reports describe fewer visitors, concern about the center’s future, and a feeling that “everybody thinks it closed already,” even though some stores still operate there.
Fading Community Hub: For many shoppers over 50, a half-empty mall with shuttered anchor stores and an uncertain future is more stressful than enjoyable.
6. Charlottesville Fashion Square
Charlottesville’s Fashion Square opened in 1980 as the region’s only indoor shopping mall and was renovated several times in the 1990s.
Its owner later filed for bankruptcy, and the property struggled with maintenance issues like water damage and aging systems that were costly to repair.
Tenants were told to leave by January 31, 2025, and the mall has now closed permanently while part of the site is redeveloped for other uses, including a large home improvement store.
Why It’s On This List: A recently closed, deteriorating mall with no remaining shops is a disappointing stop for anyone expecting an easy, climate-controlled walk.
7. Landmark Mall Site
Landmark Mall in Alexandria operated for decades after opening in the 1960s, but by the 2010s, it had lost most of its stores and sat largely vacant.
Macy’s announced its closure in 2017, and remaining tenants were asked to leave, and demolition of the abandoned complex began in 2022.
The site is being rebuilt as West End Alexandria, a four million square foot mixed use project anchored by a new Inova Alexandria Hospital and other development.
Dead Mall Turned Worksite: Because the original mall is gone and construction is underway, there is no longer a traditional shopping experience here for older visitors.
8. Fair Oaks Mall
Fair Oaks Mall near Fairfax opened in the 1980s and grew into a major regional center with several department store anchors.
Shoppers now report more empty storefronts and say the mall feels less vibrant than it did in its prime, even though it still draws crowds at times.
Some long-time visitors compare its slow slide to other Northern Virginia malls that have already been demolished or completely remade.
But Here’s The Catch: The mix of busy spots and quiet, half-used wings can make this mall feel uneven and a bit sad for those who remember its heyday.
9. Manassas Mall
Manassas Mall has served Prince William County for many years, but locals note that it now has a number of empty storefronts and a less polished mix of tenants.
County leaders recently approved a major rezoning plan to redevelop the wider mall area, signaling that the current layout and tenant mix are not working well.
Residents in online discussions sometimes rank it among the weakest Northern Virginia malls, even while others point out a few creative uses and local businesses hanging on.
You’re Better Off: If you prefer a calm, well-maintained setting with clear walking routes and familiar brands, you are better off choosing a different Northern Virginia center for now.
10. Dulles Town Center
Dulles Town Center in Loudoun County was built as an enclosed suburban mall serving fast-growing neighborhoods near the airport.
Shoppers in the region now often describe it as one of the area’s weakest malls, pointing to the loss of anchors like Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor and many closed inline stores.
Comments from recent visitors talk about half-empty corridors and a dated feel compared with newer town center style developments nearby.
Why It’s On This List: Reports of shuttered anchors, many dark storefronts, and an aging design make this mall easy to skip if you value comfortable, lively places to walk and browse.
11. Greenbrier Mall
Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake serves as a local shopping center for many families, but it has struggled with store closures and went up for auction in 2025, signaling major financial trouble.
Recent reports show that the mall is about 82 percent occupied, with many empty storefronts pushed toward the ends of wings to make the center feel less bare.
Shoppers now comment that the mall feels less appealing than in years past, and its future remains uncertain even as some stores hang on.
Why It’s On This List: A mall that had to be auctioned off and carries a visible sense of struggle is not the most comfortable spot to spend a relaxed afternoon.
12. Bristol Mall
Bristol Mall opened in 1976 and served the region for decades, but by the mid 2010s it entered foreclosure and began losing all of its anchors, including Belk, JCPenney, and Sears.
The final tenant closed on August 31, 2017, leaving the mall totally empty and its website went offline.
The vacant building was eventually sold and converted into a casino and future Hard Rock Resort, meaning traditional mall shopping is gone completely.
No Longer A Mall: Because the property is now a casino rather than a retail mall, older shoppers looking for stores, climate controlled walking, or routine shopping will find none of that here.
13. Pembroke Mall (Pembroke Square)
Pembroke Mall in Virginia Beach was a longtime fixture for regional shopping, but in late 2021 owners told the 48 remaining tenants to vacate by January 2022 as part of a major redevelopment plan.
The mall’s interior closed and demolition began in 2024, clearing the old enclosed space to make room for a hotel, senior living, apartments, and other mixed use buildings.
Only a few exterior stores like Target and Kohl’s remain open during construction, so the classic indoor mall experience is now gone.
That’s Why: If you were hoping for a traditional enclosed mall with many stores, this site now offers only construction zones and a limited selection of big box stores.
14. Williamsburg Premium Outlets
Williamsburg Premium Outlets is an open-air shopping center featuring brand-name outlet stores, and many shoppers still enjoy the deals they find there.
But here’s the catch: recent reviews note a rise in empty storefronts and a decrease in the appeal of some stores, suggesting the outlet center is not as strong as it once was.
The outdoor layout also means no climate control, so hot summer days or cold winter mornings can make long browsing sessions uncomfortable for older visitors.
Why It’s On This List: More vacancies, less shade, and an outdoor design make this a less comfortable stop for older adults who prefer indoor, air conditioned walking.
15. Patrick Henry Mall
Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News opened in 1987 and has long served as a regional anchor on Interstate 64.
The center lost several major tenants over the years, including Old Navy, which moved to a nearby shopping center in 2017, and Forever 21, which closed during the company’s bankruptcy in 2025.
While the mall still operates with anchors like Dillard’s, JCPenney, Macy’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, locals note a quieter feel and fewer inline tenants than in earlier decades.
Losing Its Energy: The departure of popular tenants and the shift toward entertainment uses rather than stores signals a center in transition, not a stable destination for relaxed browsing.
16. Lynnhaven Mall
Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach is one of the larger regional malls still operating in Hampton Roads and has welcomed new stores in recent years, including Coastal Edge and others.
Yet shoppers report that the mall closes early, at 7:00 p.m., even during the holiday season, which suggests weaker foot traffic and reduced demand.
While it remains more viable than several other centers in the region, the early closing hours and discussion of its relative health show it is not as strong as it once was.
You’re Better Off: If you want evening shopping or a truly thriving mall atmosphere, the shortened hours and cautious outlook suggest this center is not the best choice.
17. Tanglewood Mall
Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke has served the area for many years and competes with the larger Valley View Mall nearby.
While Tanglewood has managed to hold on to foot traffic better than some regional centers, it remains the smaller of the two Roanoke malls with fewer stores and a more limited selection.
The presence of only a handful of job listings and modest online discussion suggests this mall no longer generates the buzz or draws the crowds that older shoppers enjoyed in past decades.
Why It’s On This List: A smaller footprint, fewer national brands, and a quieter profile make this mall less appealing when compared with more robust, well-maintained shopping centers elsewhere in Virginia.