After a difficult 2025 that rattled downtown Columbia retail, The Mall in Columbia is gearing up for a reboot built on two pillars: a new Howard County Police outpost and a wave of small retailers and entertainment concepts set to arrive this spring.
Howard County Police have assigned a dedicated unit to downtown Columbia and plan to open a satellite office inside the mall to support round-the-clock patrols and give officers a nearby base for reports and follow-ups. County leaders cast the move as part of a broader crime-reduction strategy last year, according to Howard County. “Combatting crime and reinforcing the public’s sense of safety are the most critical parts of our mission,” Police Chief Gregory Der told WMAR2News.
Mall officials say several new tenants are expected to open in the coming weeks. Names on the way include Sisarykey, Kako Claw, Exotic Snack Guys, and Glamour Lounge, joining other experience-focused options that launched last year. The Banner reported the tenant list and notes that additional openings are planned through the rest of the year.
What’s Arriving - And What’s Already Here
Most of the newcomers lean hard into food and family entertainment. Kako Claw bills itself as a modern, skill-based claw-machine arcade, the kind of place where you can lose track of both time and quarters. Pokiddo describes a turn-key indoor play and trampoline franchise with parks in other states, aimed at kids who want to bounce off something other than their living-room furniture.
The Flushing soup-dumpling brand Nan Xiang already lists The Mall in Columbia (unit 3035) on its locations page, and the mall directory confirms family-friendly operators such as Bouncetastic. Clothing retailer Uniqlo arrived at the mall last year, according to local coverage, adding another national name to the mix.
Why It Matters For Shoppers And Businesses
The reset comes after a rocky stretch in 2025, when the center saw two fatal shootings and the abrupt exit of a prominent restaurateur. Those incidents fed public concern and triggered stepped-up security and policing efforts. The Banner reports that mall officials and county leaders view the new leases and a visible police presence as complementary strategies to rebuild shopper confidence.
As malls nationwide pivot toward experiences, The Mall in Columbia is betting that a mix of food, play, and service tenants, backed by an on-site law-enforcement footprint, can keep foot traffic steady. For Columbia shoppers, the coming months will test whether policing plus play is enough to reset the mall’s image and bring more consistent crowds. Mall managers did not provide exact opening dates for every tenant, but officials say a steady stream of announcements is expected through the year.
