More than a year after Howard County officials pledged to increase police presence at The Mall in Columbia, law enforcement is preparing to move in — along with more than a half dozen new businesses.

The sprawling shopping complex, which has anchored Columbia’s downtown since 1971, faced challenges in 2025 following two fatal shootings and a prominent restaurateur’s abrupt exit. Now, a new police satellite office is expected to open in May or June.

Other new tenants expected to open in the coming weeks include:

  • Sisarykey, a retailer specializing in clothing, ponchos, gifts and accessories made in the Ecuadorian province of Imbabura
  • Kako Claw, an arcade with a variety of claw machines
  • Exotic Snack Guys, a retailer of viral snacks, rare drinks and treats from more than 40 countries
  • Glamour Lounge, a salon and color bar

The tenants join other new businesses that opened in the mall last year, including Bouncetastic, an indoor bounce house and play area, and Uniqlo, a Japanese clothing retailer.

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Mall officials say more businesses are expected to open this fall and next year:

  • Garage, a national teen apparel retailer, is expected to open in November
  • Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings, a Chinese restaurant chain originating in Flushing, New York, is expected to open later this year or in early 2027
  • Pokiddo Indoor Playground, a family-friendly entertainment space, is expected to open in 2027

As shopping increasingly moves online, some malls have turned to experiential and entertainment-based attractions, such as Bouncetastic, Kako Claw and Pokiddo.

Columbia will be Pokiddo’s first location in Maryland, with other parks located in Duluth, Georgia, and Staten Island, New York.

The China-based company bills itself as a manufacturer and franchise brand of trampoline parks, indoor adventure parks, family entertainment centers and indoor playgrounds for children, according to the company’s website. Customers pay for passes or memberships to access some or all of the parks, with prices varying by location.

The Mall in Columbia is located at 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia.