Woodbridge, Va. ––The tall emblematic sign of the one of the region’s largest shopping malls will make a comeback.
When high wind gusts of more than 50 mph prevailed across the region Saturday fanning brushfires and toppling the National Christmas Tree in Washington, they also tore part of the tall Potomac Mills sign from its 140 foot perch high above Interstate 95.
The south-facing portion of the sign, made of banner-like material, blew onto a guardrail on the highway.
Mall employees with help from Virginia State Police worked to recover the sign, said Potomac Mills mall spokeswoman Loren Horsley.
The sign is made of a material called Panaflex by 3M, and is considered to be industry standard, said Horsley.
Those looking at the sign Saturday night could see easily see the damage that had been done, as well as shards of the sign material that had once been connected to the sign post
“The process to fabricate a new sign has already been set in place, and we hope to have a replacement as soon as possible,” said Horsley.
Potomac Mills mall was built in 1985 and is now home to more than 200 factory stores and an 18-screen movie theater.
In recent years, the mall has strayed from its outlet feel and has attracted big-name stores like Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Polo Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers and Bloomingdales – The Outlet Store.
