American eagle question....age? if u live in maryland plz answer?

ok so like i went to the AEO store at pentagon city but before i left my house i called the place to see if they were hiring and the lady said yes and you have to be 16. so i said ok. i already had an application the previous time i went up there so i filled it out at home and then i went. so when i get there i realize that my application has some errors on it so i ask the guy at the counter for another one. then he said that they are only hiring 18 yr olds until the holidays are over? i don't get it, i JUST called there like 30 minutes before i got to the store so im not really understanding what the hell is going on here? i called the one in bowie and they said u have to be 18 to work there?!?! can someone plz tell me how old u have to be to work at AE in Maryland?? (I'd prefer if u live in Maryland or if u really know the answer).