On May 3, 2018, Sears announced that it would also be closing in August 2018 as part of a plan to close 42 stores nationwide. Within days of the news of the closure, it was subsequently announced that the mall's owners had acquired the Sears property for $7.55 million. They stated that the acquisition of the Sears parcel was the final piece of a three-step process to transform the mall "into something more grand and consistent with the West Ashley revitalization plan." As a part of the planned upgrades and renovations Citadel Mall will also be renamed EPIC Center.