Towson Town Center

As shoppers made last-minute stops before Christmas at the Towson Town Center Monday night, a body lay under a sheet outside Nordstrom. A man was fatally shot about 6:22 p.m. on a parking lot sidewalk outside a service entrance to the department store, Baltimore County police said. Police said Monday night they had no suspects, and did not release the identity of the victim, described only as a black man. With six days until Christmas, shoppers appeared unaware of the incident.

As shoppers find the best Black Friday deals and swipe their credit cards, The Baltimore Sun shares their stories. Deals 'better than what we thought' Shortly after 9 a.m., drivers circled the multi-level parking lots at Towson Town Center looking for spots, shoppers lugged around bags past stores promoting discounts of up to half off and food court tables filled up with an early lunch crowd. Macy's had opened at midnight, and about two dozen mall stores opened with the department store or as early as 3 a.m. Annie Wildasin, the mall's senior marketing manager, said one of those retailers, who she could not identify, ushered 1,200 people in the doors between midnight and 2 a.m., while another said it did three days worth of business in two hours.

The year 2012 is the Chinese Year of the Dragon, symbolizing power, strength and luck. You'd be surprised how many dragon-themed gifts can be found this holiday season. Stuff one in a holiday stocking, present as a lovely piece of bling, or let someone vicariously enjoy the life of a dragon by delving into the newest dragon-themed books. 1. The Phoenix and Dragon Yixing teapot is the epitome of Chinese yin and yang. Each side of the emerald green pot features an intricate dragon and phoenix in a raised clay pattern.

We are extremely excited to announce our first-ever b Model Search . Think you have what it takes to be a print model? Complete the contest entry form (a PDF of the form and rules is located to the left) and bring it to Towson Town Center, Luxury Wing, on Aug. 27 between 10 a.m.-2 p.m . One entry per person. Men and women are encouraged to apply. •••• Must be 15 or older to participate. •••• Minimum height: 5'8" •••• Do not wear make-up •••• Come dressed in jeans, a T-shirt or tank-top and heels for the ladies Five grand prize winners will be asked to participate in an all-day b photo shoot on Aug. 31 for inclusion in our fall fashion section in print and/or on bthesite.com . Sponored by: CoverGirl and Towson Town Center

Baltimore County police are searching for a woman they say stole wallets and credit cards last month from a medical center in Towson and then went on a shopping spree. Police spokeswoman Louise Rogers-Feher said the unidentified woman committed the thefts around noon on July 21. Investigators have released surveillance pictures and video of the suspect. According to Rogers-Feher, the police department is not naming the medical facility at the facility's request. Rogers-Feher said she also could not provide an exact number of credit cards or wallets that were stolen or the number of victims.

It was a night of eating, drinking, shopping and fundraising at Towson Town Center's Sip Savor Shop event Thursday night, benefiting the United Way of Central Maryland. Wineries, restaurants and big name retailers teamed up to provide guests with an enjoyable approach to raising money for charity. Some guests turned the event into a girl's night. Paula Phillips of Baltimore heard about the benefit through her friend. "I like the variety. There's food, wine and coupons," Phillips said.

Metropark is one of those trendy stores with loud music and the latest fashions that is appealing to the young crowd. There were even live DJ performances. But it looks like it couldn't compete with all the other similiar type retailers out there. The chain is closing all 69 of its stores. There is only one location in the Baltimore area, at Towson Town Center. The chain began a major sale this week to clear out the store. Discounts are 20 to 60 percent on designer brands such as True Religion, Diesel, Rock & Republic, BCBG, G-Star, Obey, and 7-Diamonds.

Fashion-forward women will get some new shopping choices this summer at Towson Town Center. The mall announced today that Free People , a women's retailer with a bohemian chic style, will open a 1,906-square-foot store on Level 4 near Center Court. Madewell , a subsidiary of J. Crew, will open a 3,155-square-foot store on Level 4. Madewell  started out as a workwear company in 1937. They are known for their jeans vintage details. Both stores will open this summer.

If you like your facial cleansers and other beauty products free of chemicals and other impurities, you'll be happy to hear about a new store at The Mall in Columbia. LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics opened a 500-square-foot boutique at the Howard County mall today. LUSH products are made with organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, fruit, flowers and essential oils. They include items such as shampoo bars, ocean salt face and body scrubs and bath bombs that explode soothing goodness when placed in water.

Baltimore County police said a male juvenile was arrested for trespassing near Towson Town Center about 9 p.m. Saturday. The juvenile was taken to the Towson precinct and charged, according to police. In a separate incident, David Keating, a spokesman for General Growth Properties, the owner of the mall, said a group of 10 to 12 girls "apparently got into some kind of verbal confrontation. " "Our security approached them at that point and they left the mall," he said.