The Martinsburg community is reacting to news announced Wednesday that the shopping center formerly known as the Martinsburg Mall will be closing its doors this Fall. Company officials say the Foxcroft Towne Center was no longer economically viable.

Myersville Resident, Rebecca Glascock, said, “People don’t really go there like they used to.”

After 24 years, the Foxcroft Towne Center is closing its interior stores.

One customer we spoke to blamed the lack of interest in the mall on the lack of stores.

Martinsburg resident, Donnie Plotner, “Prior to when they had more stores open, probably once a week, here lately it’s probably to maybe once a month.”

Company officials say part of the reason for the vacancies inside the center is because the shopping center was unable to compete with larger surrounding malls.

“They’ve evolved over the years with the changes in retail,” said Plotner.

Which is something that Plotner says the Martinsburg Mall didn’t do and the news doesn’t just impact local shoppers.

“That’s probably the worst thing is the people that do work in the mall, having to find another job,” Glascock.

There is a new building under construction near the site and some existing stores have signed leases to move into those locations.

General Manager Robert Gardner maintains there are a lot of positive changes happening to the mall.

“I hope they can build it back to become a center of retail,” said Plotner.

Wal-mart, J.C. Penny and Bon-ton will not be closing.

The Foxcroft Towne Center hopes to open its new building next to the mall sometime this Fall.