Original anchors at Francis Scott Key Mall in 1978 included Sears, Hess's, and Gee Bee. The mall was then owned by Crown American.[2] It was the second mall serving Frederick, the first being Frederick Towne Mall, which opened six years prior.[3] Leggett, now Belk, opened at the mall in 1991. The store was sold in 1996 to JCPenney, who relocated from Frederick Towne Mall.[2][4]Woolworth, an original tenant, closed in the mid-1990s. Its space was divided among smaller stores. Also, Hess's sold its store to Hecht's in 1995.[5] Hecht's became Macy's in 2006.
Barnes & Noble opened a store in the mall in 2007.[6]Value City operated out of the former Gee Bee building from 1992 until 2008, when it was converted to Value City Furniture and DSW.[7] Dick's Sporting Goods opened in a new building outside close to Sears and Value City/DSW in 2014.
On December 12, 2022, it was announced that Sears would be closing on January 15, 2023. This was the last Sears store in Maryland to stay open.[8]