Arc'teryx opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Arc'teryx has signed a lease to open a store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The outdoor apparel store will open this fall, according to signage posted across its future storefront. Arc'teryx was founded in North Vancouver, British Columbia in 1989 by Dave Lane and Jeremy Guard. Their techwear and streetwear lines have become popular with outdoor adventures and urbanites alike, with the latter viewing Arc'teryx clothing as a status symbol, the Financial Times and New York Times have noted. When it opens, look for Arc'teryx on Level 1 of the mall, next to Sleep Number.

Harris Teeter closing in Rockville

Harris Teeter is closing its store at 11845 Old Georgetown Road in Rockville. The store will close "on or before July 20, 2025," according to a sign that also promotes a closing sale with prices up to 50% off. This store has been rumored to be one of the lowest-performing in the Harris Teeter chain. It also has fallen victim to Montgomery County's puzzling decision to place a homeless shelter nearby, frequent thefts of merchandise and shopping carts, the general moribundity of the stagnant Montgomery County economy, the County's highest-in-the-region tax and fee burden, and the failed 2010 White Flint sector plan. The recent arrival of a Wegmans just up Rockville Pike was likely the final nail in the HT coffin.

Metro Pike Center to get facelift in Rockville

Saul Centers is preparing to give a facelift to the Metro Pike Center at 11520 Rockville Pike in White Flint. The shopping center will receive a facade update in the coming months. Let's hope it is more retro than the replacement signage that was installed at the front of the property in the late 2010s. Lost were the totally 80s "Metro Pike Center" logo and background grid (see photo below), replaced by the most abominably-generic font and signage Max Headroom or Buckaroo Banzai could imagine in their nightmares (see photo at top). According to LoopNet, Metro Pike Center was constructed in 1990. White Flint is synonymous with the 80s, and that character should be retained to maintain the "sense of place" that Montgomery County planners give so much lip service to.

Rockville hotel restaurant space available for lease

The ground floor restaurant space at the venerable Best Western hotel at 1251 W. Montgomery Avenue in Rockville is now available for lease. At 5,500-square-feet in size, the space is suitable for restaurant or retail use. The monthly rent amount is available upon request, according to the online listing. As part of the hotel building, the restaurant space delivers a "captive audience" on-site, hotel guests in search of convenient breakfast, lunch, and dinner options you can provide. Not to mention room service!

Hollister to return to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

John Hollister, Jr. lives! Nearly a decade after Hollister closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. the California surfer-inspired apparel retailer is planning a triumphant return this fall. Word is that Hollister will move into one of the spaces just vacated by Foot Locker or Merlo Point. Part of the Abercrombie & Fitch empire, Hollister is one of those tenants every self-respecting American mall simply must have, like Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, Sephora, Urban Outfitters, and - come to think of it - Abercrombie & Fitch. If not, is it really a mall?

Photo courtesy Hollister

Armed robbery at Montgomery County Liquor & Wine in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in the Rockville Town Center area on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. It was reported at Montgomery County Liquor & Wine at 300 N. Washington Street at 7:53 PM. The store is owned and operated by the Montgomery County government liquor monopoly. No suspect descriptions have been released as of this writing.

Hallmark store at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda changes hands

The Hallmark Gold Crown store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda is under new ownership. Previously known as "Banner's Hallmark," the greeting card, ornament, stationary and gift shop has been acquired by Norman's Hallmark. Norman's is the nation's largest independent owner of Hallmark Gold Crown stores. It will be interesting to see if the merchandise selection changes in the coming months.

Banner's is a local company, headquartered in Gaithersburg, while Norman's is based in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Banner's region has been Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas. Norman's has been focused in the Keystone State and New Jersey, but seems to be slowly expanding southward into Maryland. Norman's takes the prize for longevity; Banner's has been around since the 1970s, while Norman's was founded in 1939.

Foot Locker temporarily relocates at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Foot Locker has temporarily moved to a smaller space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Its previous spot on Level 1 has been cleared out. The new location is right outside of Macy's Home, next to AT&T on Level 2. However, the game of musical chairs is only beginning, as Foot Locker is expected to move into a larger space at the mall, along with a new Kids Foot Locker, later this year. They do need to light up that sign over the entrance, though! Super low energy.

Tumi to relocate inside Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Tumi is gearing up for a move inside Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Its current location on Level 2 between GAP and Coach is still open now. Preparations for its new spot are underway, including the installation of signage for the world-famous luggage and travel accessory retailer. When it opens, look for Tumi on the same level, but over in the Macy's Home wing next to Perfume World.

Garage boutique opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Garage has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The women's apparel boutique held a grand opening event yesterday, luring customers in through giveaways of free treats and beverages, gift cards, and bonus gifts with purchases. Founded by parent company GDI in Montreal in 1975, Garage describes itself as "a casual clothing brand for young women who are fun and effortlessly sexy." Look for Garage on Level 1 of the mall, in the former Aeropostale space between JD Sports and Lovisa.

Wegmans opening today in Rockville (Photos)

A nearly decade-long odyssey comes to an end today at the new Twinbrook Quarter development at the northeast corner of Rockville Pike and Halpine Road. Wegmans will open its long-awaited grocery store at 1590 Rockville Pike at 9:00 AM this morning. The store includes a Market Cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Wegmans has so far donated over $21,000 to community causes, including So What Else and $1000 scholarships to 5 graduating seniors from Richard Montgomery and Rockville High Schools.

Tapers & Tequila coming soon to Derwood

Tapers & Tequila Barbershop-Bar-Lounge is coming soon to 16821 Crabbs Branch Way at The Grove shopping center in Derwood. It will be next to Subway, in a space formerly home to Elite Cuts Barbershop and Studio Hair Design. "At Tapers & Tequila by RCK, we redefine the grooming experience by blending the art of precision barbering with the refined ambiance of a luxury lounge," the company said in a statement. "Rooted in the values of style, sophistication, and integrity, our mission is to provide an elevated space where clients can unwind, connect, and look their best."

"We are so proud to expand Royal Cut Kings into Rockville. We’ve loved becoming part of the community in the Kentlands in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and with thousands of satisfied customer and reviews backing us, we are confident we will bring the same level of service, excellence, and great experience for our new customers and community." Signage has been installed above their future storefront, but window coverings are blocking the view of progress on the interior fit-out of the business.

Foot Locker to relocate inside Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Foot Locker will be relocating into a new space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this year. Four vacant storefronts will be consolidated into one larger space for the sporting goods store, which will have the brand's latest interior design scheme. Kids Foot Locker will also be moved into the new space along with Foot Locker. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer. 

Trader Joe's opens in Rockville (Photos)

Trader Joe's fans lined up as far as the eye could see Thursday at the grocery chain's newest Rockville location at 225 N. Washington Street at The Square. A temporary power outage delayed the grand opening ceremonies about two-and-half hours, but did not deter the folks who were lined up all the way down Gibbs Street, toward E. Middle Lane. Once electricity was restored by Pepco, Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton presented Morguard Associate Vice-President Joshua Nolan with a proclamation from the Mayor and Council. Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust is the new owner of the development, and recently rebranded it from Rockville Town Square. Morguard Corporation is the management firm for the property.

Morguard AVP Joshua Nolan and
Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton

Rockville Town Square had its struggles over the last two decades, but had never had a true grocery store in the anchor space until now. That has given Morguard confidence that the development can start fresh, with the popular grocer to draw the kind of foot traffic that this corner space had been intended to generate from the beginning. The property hadn't seen the kind of enthusiasm and excitement on display Thursday since the early days of its debut in the summer of 2007.

"This opening reflects Morguard's commitment to creating spaces that enrich local communities," Morguard President and Chief Operating Officer Angela Sahi said in a statement. "The Square is a prime example of how thoughtful reinvestment can spark neighborhood revitalization." Morguard's home run swing in landing Trader Joe's has impressed many local commercial real estate observers, as it immediately solves one of the fundamental flaws that had been a drag on the property, and a source of frustration for City officials.

"We're excited to welcome Trader Joe's and continue expanding the experiences offered at The Square," Nolan said Thursday. "Working with the city and Mayor Monique Ashton, we continue to focus on bringing people together and supporting our community."

Photos courtesy Morguard Corporation

Flip Circus comes to town tonight through June 24 in Bethesda

The circus is coming to town tonight. Flip Circus has set up its tent in the parking lot at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and promises to "keep the amazing American circus tradition alive." Family friendly shows are scheduled daily through June 24, 2025. The legendary Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus folded up like a card table in 2017, under pressure from radical blowhards like the Montgomery County Council, who banned circus animals from performing in the County that same year. Infamously, Discovery Communications was stolen away from Silver Spring by New York City and Knoxville through secret negotiations that took place the very week the Council spent debating circus animals. Heckuva job, Brownie! But the struggle sessions in MoCo and elsewhere that brought down Ringling Bros. created a vacuum that was filled by troupes like Flip Circus.

Flip Circus is more intimate in scale than Ringling Bros. The County Council will be delighted to know that there are no elephants, tigers, or other exotic beasts in the Flip Circus show. Acrobatics, magic tricks, aerialists, clowns, and other traditional hallmarks of a circus remain, however. Tickets are available online - or at the box office, if they haven't sold out - and the air-conditioned tent includes a concessions stand. Beware that if a clown car pulls up at the mall, and 11 jokers emerge, that's just the County Council and not part of the show.

Trader Joe's grand opening today in Rockville (Photos)

The new Trader Joe's grocery store at 225 N. Washington Street at The Square in Rockville opens today, June 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM. Trader Joe's is the new anchor retail tenant for the development, which gets another chance at a fresh start with the addition of a real grocery store, and that traffic that can generate for the other businesses. A grand opening ceremony will be held at the store at 10:30 AM, with Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton, and officials from property owner Morguard and the Rockville Chamber of Commerce. Here is a photo preview of what you will see today: