UNIQLO sets opening date at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

UNIQLO has stayed on-schedule with the interior fit-out of its newest store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and as a result, will meet the promised "Spring 2025" opening timeframe. The Japanese casual apparel boutique will open on Friday, May 23, 2025, the chain announced on Instagram yesterday. UNIQLO has two existing locations in Montgomery County, at Pike & Rose in Rockville, and in downtown Silver Spring. The company's origin in Japan was initially inspired by The GAP's business model, but UNIQLO evolved into its own original concept, best known for its partnerships with high-profile brands and designers while keeping prices reasonable.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on May 5, 2025. The assault was reported at the mall at 2:55 PM Monday. This the fourth assault to take place at the mall this year. There were 11 assaults reported at the popular retail center in 2024, 5 in 2023, and 12 in 2022.

Police called after assault at 7-Eleven in Rockville

Damage to 7-Eleven front door
allegedly caused by assailant

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault at the 7-Eleven store at 11530-G Rockville Pike on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The alleged assailant entered the store shortly before 2:00 PM that afternoon, and was confronted by employees, who accused him of shoplifting. In response, he threw unspecified items at the employees, kicked and cracked a glass panel in the store's front door, and fled. An officer responding to the assault call forwarded a photo of the suspect to other officers in the White Flint area.

The suspect was seen walking near the 7-Eleven by police around 3:01 PM. Officers followed the suspect to the nearby White Flint Metro station. When they informed the suspect he was under arrest, he attempted to run away. Following a brief foot chase, the suspect was arrested. Asked to identify himself, he allegedly provided a false name. A search of his person led officers to conclude he was in possession of clothing stolen from H&M and GAP at the nearby Pike & Rose development. Security at both stores confirmed that Shall had been in their stores earlier that day.

Ceolus Shall, 32, of no fixed address, was charged with theft of less than $100, malicious destruction of property, obstructing and hindering an investigation, and failure to truthfully identify. However, he was quickly released on a $100 unsecured personal bond. A woman was assaulted at the same 7-Eleven store 16 days earlier.

Photo courtesy Montgomery County Police Department

Janie and Jack opens in new location at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Janie and Jack has completed its move at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It was a short move across the Nordstrom wing on Level 2 for the children's apparel boutique. Janie and Jack is now open next to California Pizza Kitchen. Founded in 2002 in San Francisco, Janie and Jack carries clothing for children in sizes from "newborn to 18."

The demise of Forever 21 at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Forever 21 has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Their two-level space has been cleared out. The surveillance camera and monitor are still running, though. Forever 21 is closing all stores after filing for bankruptcy; most were due to close by May 1, likely depending on how quickly a store was able to liquidate inventory.

Pickleball firm JOOLA begins construction of retail store in Rockville

JOOLA has begun construction on its first retail store at 917 Meeting Street at Pike & Rose. The pickleball and table tennis equipment manufacturer recently relocated its Rockville headquarters to Pike & Rose, the latest of many corporate HQs poached from the City of Rockville by the newer Federal Realty development in unincorporated Rockville, with Choice Hotels being the most prominent. With completion of the new store, JOOLA will have the opportunity to sell its products directly to the rapidly-growing number of pickleball players in the area. 

Anti-drug carnival at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda May 2-11, 2025

A carnival with an anti-drug message for children has set up in the parking lot at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. L.E.A.D Fest, an initiative produced by the organization Law Enforcement Against Drugs, will be at the mall tonight through Sunday May 11, 2025. A parent or guardian must accompany children under 18, some rides require a parent to also ride along, only clear bags will be allowed into the carnival area, and no face coverings are allowed, unless required for a medical reason. 

Tickets can be purchased online. It's intriguing to have an anti-drug event in a county and state whose leadership are strongly pro-drug, both legal and illegal. Worth contemplating, is why your elected officials want you to be zonked out on mind-altering drugs. Just say no!

Shelves cleared at Chocolate Moonshine Co. at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The shelves are empty at Chocolate Moonshine Co. in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Packing boxes are visible inside the space. There was no sign indicating what is going on; the candy business has relocated inside the mall once before. However, I notice that Chocolate Moonshine Co. no longer appears on the mall's official website.

Janie and Jack's new storefront ready at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Janie and Jack could be making the switch any day now at Westfield Montgomery Mall. In fact, the children's clothing boutique's new location - next to California Pizza Kitchen on Level 2 - has already been updated on the mall website. If the usual location is closed when you arrive, just look across the corridor for the new spot. Signage has been installed above the new storefront. Inside, inventory is visible on the shelves.

Final 3 days for Forever 21 at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

If you want to go on one last shopping spree at Forever 21 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, you'd better hurry. There are only three days left to shop. As you can see from the photos here, inventory is being snapped up at 60-80% off. Shelves near the front door that held store fixtures for sale are bare. Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy, and all of its stores nationwide are expected to close by May 1, 2025.

Brandy Melville opens in Rockville

Brandy Melville has opened at Pike & Rose on Rockville Pike. The women's fast fashion boutique is located at 11804 Grand Park Avenue. Brandy Melville was founded in Italy, but gained success after taking inspiration from California designs rather than Italian fashions. The label's target audience is comprised of teens and young adults.

Another reason for Brandy Melville's popularity is that their pricing is very reasonable. They're still looking for full-time and weekend employees, if you are seeking a retail fashion position. Scan the QR code pictured in the bottom photo below.

Rockville Trader Joe's construction update (Photos)

Most of the Rockville grocery store excitement at the moment is focused on the June 25 opening of Wegmans on Rockville Pike. But those living closer to "The Square," a.k.a. Rockville Town Square, are eagerly awaiting the opening of Trader Joe's at 225 N. Washington Street. This is one of 21 new Trader Joe's stores opening nationwide this year. Three will be in the Washington, D.C. area, including this one, which will take the place of former grocery tenant Dawson's Market.

Ace Hardware opening new store in Rockville

Ace Hardware is opening a new location in Rockville. It will be at 835 Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza. That was most recently home to Gold's Gym, so it is a sizeable space. When it opens, this will be the only Ace Hardware store in Rockville.

Signage installed at Wegmans in Rockville (Photos)

Here's another "sign" that the opening of Wegmans at 1590 Rockville Pike in Rockville is fast approaching. A sign installation team affixed the large permanent Wegmans logo signage to the outside of the store Friday. The store is scheduled to open a little over two months from now, on June 25, 2025. Wegmans will be the anchor of the new Twinbrook Quarter development.

Woman assaulted at 7-Eleven in Rockville

A woman was assaulted at the 7-Eleven at 11530-G Rockville Pike Tuesday night, April 15, 2025. Police were called to the convenience store, which is located in the Metro Pike Center, at 8:09 PM Tuesday. @MoCoMag on X reported that the woman was knocked to the ground by the suspect. Police radio communications indicated that the victim declined to be transported to a hospital.

ECCO closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

ECCO has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The comfort shoe retailer's space has been sealed off, and signage has been removed. A number of stores are swapping locations inside the mall, but I noticed that ECCO has been removed from the mall website, and this location has been removed from the store locator on the ECCO website. ECCO still has a Tysons store at 1961 Chain Bridge Road at Tysons Corner Center.

Rockville Best Buy to participate in midnight Nintendo Switch release on June 5

Some Best Buy stores across America will hold special late-night hours for the June 5, 2025 release of the Nintendo Switch 2. Customers who pre-order their system will be able to pick it up at participating stores at 12:01 AM. In Montgomery County, the Best Buy stores at 1200 Rockville Pike in Rockville, at 20914 Frederick Road at the Milestone Shopping Center in Germantown, and at 10901 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton will be participating in the Switch 2 event. Despite the exorbitant $449.99 price, Best Buy is warning that "This item is expected to sell out quickly."

Credit card skimmer found on ATM in Rockville

A credit card skimmer was turned over to Rockville City police after it was discovered on an ATM machine on April 6, 2025. The skimmer had been attached to an ATM at the CVS Pharmacy at 20 Upper Rock Circle. Police have not said how long the skimmer device, which captures the information from credit cards, was in place on the ATM. 

Detectives do not currently have a suspect description of the scammer. Be sure to monitor your account and statements for fraudulent activity, if you used this ATM in the days before April 6.

Grocery stores take aim at antiquated Maryland liquor laws again

Several grocery chains in Montgomery County are once again enlisting customers in the struggle to overturn the antiquated liquor laws that prevent them from selling beer and wine in Maryland. Signage paid for by the Consumer Freedom Coalition prompts customers to contact their legislators in Annapolis to support bills that would allow grocery stores to sell beer and wine, but not liquor. However, once again, the machine is prevailing in the state capital, and those bills appear unlikely to pass during this session.

The effort had the support of Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who was eager to back a popular cause to distract from the new taxes and fees in the FY-2026 state budget, but was opposed by powerful Democrats on committees that first had to approve the bills to move them to the floor for a wider vote. Harris Teeter was the loudest advocate for the change during the administration of previous Governor Larry Hogan, but the campaign stalled when the pandemic hit, and liquor law changes became focused on assisting bars and restaurants by allowing take-out cocktails, for example. Safeway has joined Harris Teeter in the 2025 push for the bills. Yet neither major corporation has been able to influence enough Maryland Democrats to sign on to supermarket sales, and those same Democrats have yet to pay a price at the ballot box for their continued defiance of the popular will on the matter.