Dick's Sporting Goods, PetSmart Opening In Ellicott City

While reports of retailers shutting their doors have dominated national headlines, a strip mall in Ellicott City will celebrate at least two new store openings this year.

Dick's Sporting Goods will open in the fall while PetSmart will open later this spring at Chatham Station Shopping Center on Route 40. The 43K SF Dick's Sporting Goods will occupy the former Giant spot at the center, said Resource Enterprises spokesperson Natalie Swirdovich. The Laurel company leases and manages the shopping center.

Giant moved into the vacated Sears space last May, which gave it a larger store to sell more produce, organic foods and baked goods. PetSmart will sublease 20K SF from Giant.

PetSmart and Dick's representatives confirmed the new stores, but said they could not offer additional details until they are closer to opening. A Hallmark store closed earlier this month after its lease expired, Swirdovich said. Resource Enterprises and broker KLNB are working to fill that vacancy and two others that housed Radio Shack and Asian Court, which moved last year to Turf Valley Towne Square in Ellicott City.

The center also houses Home Depot, Einstein Bros. Bagels, a Wells Fargo bank branch, Music & Arts Center and Supercuts.

The center's redevelopment joins other new and revamped centers that have replaced aging ones along Route 40 in Ellicott City. They include Forest Green Shopping Center, which houses Soft Stuff ice cream, Massage Envy and Glory Days Grill, and David S. Brown Enterprises' Arcadia Square, which includes Pie Five Pizza Co. and Smashburger.