ARLINGTON, Va. — After nearly 50 years, the Crystal City Underground shopping mall will soon be closing its doors. The mall first opened in September 1976 as a “turn of the century shopping village” with an emphasis on locally owned and operated businesses and personalized style.
In a statement from the property owner, JBG Smith said “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult, yet necessary, decision to close the retail operation of the Crystal City Underground. As the retail landscape has shifted and as National Landing has continued to evolve, it has become apparent that the Underground retail concept is no longer financially sustainable. We are working with tenants as they relocate, offering flexibility during this period of transition.”
The neighborhood has seen new developments since Amazon’s decision to build its HQ2 in the area. But it's not enough to keep the doors open in the retail space.
The National Landing Business Improvement District says it is helping small businesses facing similar situations relocate through an initiative called the "The Relaunch National Landing Program."
“The Relaunch National Landing Program—a recently launched initiative in collaboration with Arlington Economic Development's BizLaunch division— provides crucial technical assistance to help legacy businesses that have been a part of the community's fabric for a decade or more. Our focus remains on developing a sustainable and thriving business environment that supports both new ventures and longstanding establishments," officials said.
At this time there is no official closing date for the retailers that remain in the area. Owners are still working to determine what the long-term plan for the space will be. For now, the corridor will remain open to the public.