It was weird. Seeing those massive glass doors locked for good felt like a glitch in the Matrix for anyone who grew up in Northern Virginia. For over two decades, the LL Bean McLean VA location at Tysons Corner Center wasn’t just a store; it was a landmark. You’d meet "by the boots." You’d watch the trout. Then, suddenly, in January 2022, it was gone.
Honestly, the closure caught a lot of people off guard. We’re talking about a 75,000-square-foot behemoth that had been an anchor of the mall since 2000. It was actually the first L.L. Bean retail store ever built outside of Maine. That’s a huge deal for a brand that, until then, was basically synonymous with Freeport and mail-order catalogs.
The trout pond and the "First Outside Maine" legacy
If you lived in McLean or worked in Tysons, you remember the indoor trout pond. It was peak early-2000s mall vibes. Kids would press their faces against the glass to see the fish while parents tried on flannel shirts that would probably last thirty years.
L.L. Bean picked McLean for a reason. Back in 2000, Northern Virginia was one of their biggest markets for catalog sales. It made sense to put a physical footprint where the customers already were. For 21 years, it worked. The store occupied two levels and felt more like a lodge than a retail space.
But retail changed. Fast.
Why did the McLean store actually close?
There’s been a ton of speculation. People whispered about the "retail apocalypse" or the decline of malls. Kinda true, but the real story was more about a lease dispute that couldn't be settled. L.L. Bean spokesperson Amanda Hannah basically said at the time that they tried to work with the landlord (Macerich) to find a way to stay, but the terms just didn't make sense anymore.
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You've got to consider the size. Maintaining 75,000 square feet in one of the most expensive zip codes in the country is a nightmare for the bottom line.
- The "One Floor" Theory: Rumor has it L.L. Bean wanted to downsize to just one level to save on rent and focus on a tighter inventory.
- The Landlord's Vision: Tysons Corner Center was moving toward more "experiential" and high-end luxury, and a massive outdoor gear shop might not have fit the new math for the square footage they were occupying.
- The Outcome: No agreement. The store officially shut its doors on January 17, 2022.
Where do you go now?
If you're standing in the Tysons parking lot wondering where to get your Wicked Good Slippers, you're looking at a bit of a drive. The company is still "actively looking" for new spots in Northern Virginia, but as of early 2026, nothing has quite replaced that massive McLean presence.
The Pike & Rose location in North Bethesda is your closest bet. It’s a "newer" format—meaning it’s smaller (about 22,000 square feet) and much easier to navigate than the old Tysons maze.
Other nearby options include:
- Bethesda, MD: This is the current go-to for the DMV crowd.
- Short Pump (Richmond): A bit of a haul, but if you're heading south, it's there.
- Online: Let's be real, most of us just use the app now.
The future of L.L. Bean in Northern Virginia
Don't count them out of Virginia just yet. The brand is currently undergoing a massive "Flagship Re-Boot" at their headquarters in Maine, and that energy usually trickles down to their retail strategy elsewhere. They’ve been experimenting with smaller "pop-up" formats and mobile "Bootmobiles" that show up at local festivals.
There’s a clear trend toward smaller, more curated shops. The days of the 75,000-square-foot mega-store are probably over for brands like L.L. Bean. They want to be where the walkers are—places like Mosaic District or maybe even a smaller footprint back in Tysons eventually.
Actionable steps for local shoppers
If you're still mourning the loss of the McLean store, here's how to handle your gear needs:
- Check the Returns Policy: Since there isn't a Virginia store right now, remember that you can return items via mail or at the Bethesda location. If you have the L.L. Bean Mastercard, returns are usually free.
- Visit Pike & Rose: If you need to feel the fabric or try on boots, the Bethesda store is about 20-30 minutes from McLean depending on the 495 madness.
- Watch for Pop-ups: Follow their social media for the "Bootmobile" schedule. They often hit Northern Virginia colleges or outdoor events during the fall.
- Use the "Find in Store" Tool: Before driving to Maryland, use the website's inventory checker. Nothing is worse than hitting the Beltway only to find out they're out of your size in the Bean Boots.
The LL Bean McLean VA era might be over, but the brand’s obsession with the "Outsider" lifestyle isn't going anywhere. Keep an eye on those local redevelopment projects—you never know when those green-and-white signs might pop up in a new, sleeker format.
Update your bookmarks and loyalty account details to the North Bethesda location to ensure you get region-specific outdoor event invites.