Mall

The American shopping experience changed in the second half of the 1900s from one where customers made their way to free-standing stores ranging from ma and pa operations to department stores to one where customers converged on a single destination, that being a mall with an enclosed and largely climate controlled common area surrounded by outlets selling just about anything. Harford Mall was among the early such facilities, given its relatively rural location when it opened 40 years ago in 1972 at the site of what had been a horse racetrack and county fairgrounds.

now playing "Argo" (R). In 1979, after Iranian revolutionaries storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, a CIA 'exfiltration' specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans trapped. With Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston and Alan Arkin. TownMall Cinemas (1:00, 4:00, 7:00 p.m.) "Frankenweenie" (PG). In this animated feature directed by Tim Burton, a boy "shockingly" brings his dead dog, Sparky, back to life. With Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau. TownMall Cinemas (11:45 a.m., 2:00*, 4:15, 6:40* p.m.)

Boscov's department store returned to its former spot in Baltimore on Friday as an anchor of White Marsh Mall. A newly remodeled store opened at 10 a.m. in the 200,000-square-foot space that Boscov's left nearly four years ago. The regional chain is kicking off its return with a special, ticket-only preview day to benefit local nonprofit groups. The opening also will feature performances by the Academy Award-winning singer and actress Shirley Jones. The family-owned retailer has distributed about 25,000 preview day tickets to local nonprofits, which are selling the $5 stubs and keeping the proceeds, a Boscov's spokeswoman said Thursday.

Hundreds of Baltimore-area shoppers packed into the newly reopened Boscov's on Friday morning, welcoming back the department store as if they were greeting an old friend. "We're so glad you're back," customer after customer told store employees and Boscov family members on hand for the retailer's reopening at White Marsh Mall. The nearly 200,000-square-foot store opened in the same anchor spot the chain vacated four years ago amid the recession. The newly remodeled and restocked Boscov's drew hordes of shoppers Friday, all of whom had bought $5 tickets for the preview day. Proceeds went to local causes.

Baltimore County Police have arrested a 17-year-old Woodlawn boy in the shooting of a man near Security Square Mall on Friday night. Rickey Jerome Freeman, of the 7500 block of Reserve Circle, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and with using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, police said. Freeman allegedly shot the man, who has not been identified, on Security Boulevard near the entrance to the mall after an argument broke out between two groups, police said.

A man was shot late Friday in the parking lot of Security Square Mall, police said. Police found the man shortly after 11 p.m. at the entrance to the parking lot suffering from at least one gunshot wound. A preliminary investigation shows that the man was shot after two groups began to argue. The victim was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police have one person in custody. No charges have been filed. ywenger@baltsun.com twitter.com/yvonnewenger

On Saturday, Oct. 6, TownMall of Westminster will host Paint TownMall Pink, an event aimed at raising awareness of breast cancer treatment and prevention. The event will take place at Center Court from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The organizations sponsoring and participating include Advanced Radiology, American Cancer Society, Beautiful Faces Permanent Makeup Salon, Carroll Homecare and Hospice, The Women's Place at Carroll Hospital Center, Carroll County Health Department and Carroll Regional Cancer Center.

If you haven't been to Harborplace lately, stop by. It's had some work done. And like many facelifts, the beauty of this one surely depends on the eye of the beholder. Suburban mall rats will feel right at home. The Light Street pavilion features chain retailers like Urban Outfitter, chain restaurants like Hooters, and even a chain tourist attraction in Ripley's Believe It or Not "Odditorium" (one of 32 nationwide). Pratt Street's offerings also skew generic (featuring, e.g., one of 170 extant Cheesecake Factories)