Harford Mall Update: Dave's Hot Chicken and Warby Parker Are Coming to Derby Place

Dave's Hot Chicken and Warby Parker are both coming to Derby Place, the new project on the old Macy's site at Harford Mall. Don't expect them soon, though. Openings are set for spring 2028. For the full Derby Place plan (Whole Foods, apartments, timeline), see Derby Place in Bel Air.

Watch the video: Harford Mall Update: Dave's Hot Chicken and Warby Parker

Watch on YouTube: Harford county mall update

Is Dave's Hot Chicken open in Bel Air?

Not yet. Dave's Hot Chicken is a signed tenant at Derby Place. The project is set to open in spring 2028.

In my video I called this stretch "Chicken Row." Dave's adds one more chicken spot to the area.

The quick facts as of Oct. 16, 2026.

Graphic: joshtalksharford.com. Photo: still from Josh Tessier's own video.

Is Warby Parker coming to Bel Air?

Yes. Warby Parker, the glasses store, is also signed at Derby Place. It's on the same spring 2028 timeline.

Where does the mall work stand now?

Demolition of the old Macy's started July 22, 2026. When I went back in August, a week after my last update, Macy's looked completely gone. By mid-September it was fully down, and crews are still working the site now. Vertical construction is set to start this winter.

Who else is coming to Derby Place?

So far, the signed names include:

• Whole Foods (about 35,000 square feet)
• Shake Shack
• Eggspectations
• Dave's Hot Chicken
• Warby Parker

The developer is still talking with more tenants. There's a lot of retail space left.

What do you think Harford County needs?

That's my question for you. What should go in the open space that we don't already have here? Send me a message and let me know.

Is the whole mall being torn down?

No. The work is on the old Macy's part of the site. The rest of the mall stays open. CBL still owns it and will redo it on its own schedule.

FAQ

When will Dave's Hot Chicken open in Bel Air?

It's a signed tenant at Derby Place, which is set to open in spring 2028.

Is Warby Parker coming to Bel Air?

Yes. Warby Parker is a signed tenant at Derby Place, set to open in spring 2028.

Is Harford Mall closed?

No. The work is on the former Macy's area. The rest of the mall stays open.

What is Derby Place?

Derby Place is a new shopping and dining project on the former Macy's site at Harford Mall, anchored by Whole Foods.

Thinking about a move in Harford County? Reach Josh at joshua@leetessier.com.

Watch more on my YouTube channel, Josh Talks Harford, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Josh Tessier, Lee Tessier Team at eXp Realty

Sources

Checked Oct. 16, 2026.

1. WMAR-2 News, Warby Parker and Dave's Hot Chicken confirmed as tenants at Derby Place (via Yahoo News), Aug. 30, 2026
2. Bel Air Brief, Derby Place Lands Warby Parker and Dave's Hot Chicken, Sept. 3, 2026
3. Whatnow, Whole Foods Headed to Bel Air, Aug. 16, 2026
4. Derby Place Bel Air (developer site)
5. Shopping Center Business, SJC Ventures to Begin Construction on Former Macy's, July 17, 2026
6. WMAR-2 News, Business buzz surrounds Harford Mall, Oct. 13, 2026
7. Harford Mall Redevelopment Tracker