Dose Of Nostalgia: 10 Places Marylanders Miss From The Early 2000s

CALIFORNIA, Md. — The early 2000s were a simpler time, before the days of DoorDash and Netflix streaming. There are plenty of locally owned and corporate businesses that have ceased operations over the last three decades, and many of them are dearly missed by the Maryland community. In this list, we’ll be going over 10 businesses that The BayNet misses from the early 2000s, and why we wish they’d reopen their doors. Did we miss one of your favorites? Share the places you still miss most from the early 2000s in the comments.

Posey’s Market

Posey’s Market was a popular deli and grocery store that was nestled in La Plata. In 2002, a tornado destroyed the building that held Posey’s Market, and it closed permanently as a result, but residents of Charles County will never forget it. The chicken salad was a particular specialty at Posey’s Market, according to a Facebook post.

White Flint Mall

White Flint Mall was a major shopping center in Montgomery County that closed its doors in 2015. Dave & Buster’s and Loews Theatre were just a few highlights inside the White Flint Mall, which hosted a wide assortment of stores for people of all ages. Maryland has lost quite a few popular malls throughout the last few decades, but White Flint Mall was a true highlight of North Bethesda.

Little Tavern

The final Little Tavern closed in 2008, defined by its burgers and cold drinks. It first opened to the public in 1927, so the Little Tavern chain lasted for more than 80 years, hosting dozens of locations across the DMV area. Burger restaurants are a dime a dozen in America, but Little Tavern will always hold a place in the hearts of Marylanders who grew up in the 1900s or early 2000s. The Laurel location was eventually transformed into Laurel Tavern Donuts, so there was a spiritual successor if you ever want to relive the nostalgia.

Punk’s Backyard Grill

Punk’s Backyard Grill was once a lively and popular restaurant at the Annapolis Mall that was well known far and wide for its backyard cookout theme. Alongside the casual dining experience, visitors could also order alcohol in the form of beer or cocktails. Though Punk’s Backyard Grill officially closed in 2013, there are plenty of hungry diners who wish it would open back up.

Scheible’s

Scheible’s was a restaurant that was prominent in Ridge, Maryland, throughout the late 1900s but eventually closed in the early 2000s. Serving seafood to the local community, Scheible’s was a local staple in St. Mary’s County, and it’s remembered fondly to this day. Scheible’s no longer remains in business, but Pier 450 has recently replaced it at the location in Ridge.

Hecht’s

Hecht’s was a department store chain that got its start in Baltimore during the mid-1800s. Despite its popularity throughout Maryland, Federated Department Stores, currently known as Macy’s Inc., bought Hecht’s in 2005 and swiftly closed down all of its stores. Initially a furniture store, Hecht’s began selling clothing and other products, and the business took off from there.

Landover Mall

A popular former shopping mall in Prince George’s County, Landover Mall closed around 2002. Alongside the many fountains throughout the complex, Landover Mall had a wealth of fun stores for customers to explore. Even Hecht’s had a location in Landover Mall, but the shopping center eventually shut its doors after a series of closures throughout the mall.

Blockbuster

Before the days of Hulu and Netflix, movie fans searched the shelves of their local Blockbuster for their next favorite film. Customers could rent a DVD, and even video games were often available for rental. Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy in 2010, and the last remaining corporate store closed its doors in 2014. The days of Blockbuster dominating the movie market in Maryland are over, but a single store remains in Bend, Oregon, for the sake of nostalgia.

Cici’s Pizza

Cici’s Pizza was a locally beloved restaurant in California, Maryland. Serving fresh pies with an assortment of toppings, Cici’s was well known for its buffet-style dining experience that offered a variety of fun foods. The space where Cici’s Pizza once was is now a Mission BBQ, but the pizza palace is still a fond memory for many in St. Mary’s County.

Hyperspace

Located in the town of Hollywood, Hyperspace was a one-stop shop for the children of Southern Maryland. Hyperspace offered arcade games and laser tag, among other family-friendly attractions, so it was the perfect spot for children’s events. Though the Hollywood location has been closed for a while, residents from the early 2000s will never forget the fun destination.

Jerry’s Subs and Pizza

Jerry’s Subs and Pizza hasn’t completely gone out of business in 2026, but there are only about three locations left in Maryland. This pizzeria was defined by its weekly Monday deals on large pies and its fun variety of delicious sandwiches. There used to be a wealth of Jerry’s locations all throughout Maryland, though the last Montgomery County storefront closed in 2025. The final three restaurants can be found in Dunkirk, Accokeek, and Solomons, so luckily, there’s still a presence in the Southern Maryland area.

Friendly’s

Like Jerry’s Subs and Pizza, there are still a handful of Friendly’s restaurants, but only a small percentage of what used to exist in Maryland. Friendly’s was the perfect spot for a child’s birthday party or Funday Sunday on a special occasion, offering classic American food and ice cream sundaes. There aren’t any Friendly’s left in Southern Maryland, though there is one in Glen Burnie.

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