JOOLA opening today in Rockville, Ben Johns to appear at pickleball flagship Saturday

The world of pickleball is about to get a lot bigger in Montgomery County. JOOLA, the world's leading pickleball paddle manufacturer, is celebrating a major milestone with the grand opening of its signature retail store at 917 Meeting Street at Pike & Rose in Rockville. The doors officially open today, Black Friday, November 28, 2025, solidifying the connection of the global brand with its local roots and the burgeoning pickleball community.

JOOLA's presence in Montgomery County runs deep. The flagship opening follows the brand's relocation of its U.S. headquarters from Gaithersburg to Pike & Rose in March 2025, bringing its innovation, design, and community engagement under one roof. Now it will have a retail storefront at the same property along the busy Rockville Pike commercial corridor.

"Montgomery County has always been part of the JOOLA story, and opening our signature store here is a reflection of our deep roots and our future ambitions," JOOLA CEO and owner Richard Lee said in a statement. "This space is a celebration of how far pickleball has come, and a commitment to supporting the players and communities driving its growth worldwide."

The excitement of opening weekend is getting an extra surge of star power. World No. 1 pickleball player Ben Johns will be in attendance for a special autograph signing and meet-and-greet on Saturday, November 29, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. As a local, Johns says he understands the impact of this new hub on the pickleball community. "As a kid growing up in Montgomery County, I began with table tennis and eventually found my passion for pickleball. Back then, having a JOOLA store locally would have made a huge difference. Now, with JOOLA opening this first location, it’s exciting to know the next generation will have that exact opportunity right here at home."

Shoppers throughout the opening weekend will receive a complimentary gift with eligible in-store purchases, while supplies last.

Designed to be an immersive experience, the new retail space is a destination for players of all levels. Shoppers can get hands-on with the latest JOOLA paddles, apparel, and accessories, supported by a knowledgeable team of JOOLA experts. The JOOLA store is set to be an integral part of the local pickleball movement, which the company has championed, including helping Montgomery County become the first school district in the United States to introduce pickleball as a varsity sport in the fall of 2024.

The immersive pickleball hub features:

✨ Exclusive in-store-only product drops and limited-edition collections.

👕 Local Maryland, D.C., and Virginia-themed gear celebrating regional pride.

✍️ Pro-player appearances and autograph events.

🏓 A paddle demo program allowing players to “try before they buy.”

🤝 Interactive community events connecting pickleball fans of all levels.

Nordstrom unveils 2025 holiday windows at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Nordstrom had promised to keep its external holiday windows covered until Black Friday, but had dropped the curtains as closing time approached last night. Perhaps this was done to save time for employees today and tomorrow. Here, then, is a sneak preview of what you'll see tomorrow on Black Friday. It's definitely a solid Christmas theme, with the Christmas tree and wreath.

Dinner-and-a-movie deal at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

 

Here's something you used to see in downtown Bethesda, before the Montgomery County Council stupidly but intentionally allowed the demolition of the Regal Bethesda 10 cineplex at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, without mandating a replacement movie theater be part of the redevelopment of the property. Dinner and a movie! Today it's happening where there is a 16-screen cineplex in walking distance to restaurants in Bethesda, and that is at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Order any entree at California Pizza Kitchen on Level 2 in the Nordstrom wing of the mall, and your movie ticket at the AMC Montgomery Mall 16 cineplex on Level 3 will be only $11. This is a great deal to take advantage of while doing your holiday shopping, for a date night, or when going to see any of the big holiday movie releases.

Nordstrom upholds Christmas display tradition at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Nordstrom's exterior display windows are covered at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. A sign notes that the displays won't be revealed until Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. This is not inspired by the backlash of recent years against Thanksgiving Day sales, but continues a 124-year tradition by the department store chain. Nordstrom does not put up Christmas decor or play Christmas music in its stores until the day after Thanksgiving. "One holiday at a time" is the chain's motto for its policy.

QToys opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Toys are one of the biggest shopping categories during the holiday season, and there's a new toy store this year at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. QToys is a leading collectible toy brand from China. What that means is lots of blind bags, trendy Chinese stuffed toys, and other collectibles. Operating hours for the store are 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays. Look for QToys on Level 2 of the mall in the Macy's Home wing, between Perfume World and Laderach.

Verizon relocates at The Square at Rockville

Verizon has relocated its store at The Square at Rockville development in Rockville Town Center. The new address is 33-D Maryland Avenue. That's between Buffalo Wild Wings and Fusion Cafe. The old storefront at 20 Maryland Avenue has been cleared out.

Hollister opening today at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Hollister will make its triumphant return to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda today, Friday, November 14, 2025, according to the staff at Abercrombie & Fitch. It's unknown if John Hollister, Jr. himself will make an appearance. But it is known that the new Hollister store will be found on Level 1 next to American Eagle, in the Cheesecake Factory/Old Navy wing of the mall. It warms the heart of mall lovers everywhere to see Hollister opening its doors in time for Black Friday.

Montgomery Mall decorates for the holidays in Bethesda (Photos)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Holiday decor has been set up for the 2025 holiday shopping season. A few additions have been made since last year. The menorah lighting has been scheduled for December 15 at 4:00 PM, in the Nordstrom wing near Zara.

Bobby Furniture closing in Gaithersburg

 

2025 has been a bad year for some furniture stores in Montgomery County. One of the biggest regional names, Marlo Furniture, closed its Rockville showroom. Now Bobby Furniture has announced it will be closing its store at 317 Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg. A closing sale is underway at all three of its Montgomery County locations, including the two that aren't closing, in Montgomery Village and Germantown. However, the company is not specifying the percentage you'll be saving over the regular price, so you may want to call ahead if you have a specific piece of furniture in mind, to inquire about the price and avoid making a long trip that ends in disappointment.

New 7-Eleven store opens in Rockville

Rockville has a brand new 7-Eleven store, complete with gas station. It is at 700 Gaither Road, in the King Farm community. Given the massive expansion of Dunkin' Donuts in Montgomery County in recent years, I never thought I would be typing the following words, but Dunkin' Donuts closed its location here at the Shell gas station. This is very close to the 7-Eleven store and gas station at MD 355 and Redland Road in Derwood, so it will be interesting to see how that plays out.

Go! Calendars & Games opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

 

2025 will be winding down next month, and that means it's time to replace your calendars in preparation for the new year. Go! Calendars & Games has returned to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda just in time to serve your needs in that department. The selection of mainstream calendars is pretty competitive with what you will find online, and they also carry puzzles and stuffed toys. Look for Go! on Level 1 of the mall in the Cheesecake Factory wing of the mall, outside of T-Mobile.

See's Candies opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The holiday shopping season is in full swing at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. There's no better indication of that than the annual arrival of See's Candies. Look for their shop on Level 1 in the Nordstrom wing of the mall, between Anya by Vivien and Everything But Water. There's a good reason See's Candies has been around for over 100 years.

Arc'teryx opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Arc'teryx has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The outdoor apparel store is located on Level 1 of the mall, between Sleep Number and Kiehl's. Their techwear and streetwear lines are as popular with couch potato city dwellers as they are with active outdoorspeople. Operating hours for Arc'teryx are 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Assault at convenience store in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a convenience store in Rockville Wednesday night, November 5, 2025. The assault was reported at a store in the 5400 block of Randolph Road at 7:10 PM. There is a 7-Eleven store on that block. 7:10 at 7/11!

Tipping Point opening in Rockville

Tipping Point is coming soon to Federal Plaza in Rockville, according to a liquor license application sign posted on its future storefront at 12274-C Rockville Pike. According to the store's liquor license application, Tipping Point will sell wine and beer. It expects to open before the end of the month. Operating hours will be 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to midnight on Sundays. Those are pretty late hours for Montgomery County these days!

Maryvale Market for sale in Rockville

A landmark business in East Rockville is now available for sale. The owner of the Maryvale Market, a beer-and-wine shop, convenience store, and deli, is retiring. Maryvale Market has been a fixture at 500 N. Horners Lane for 18 years. It can keep going for another 18 years or longer if a new owner can be found. The asking price for the business is $319,000, according to the online sale listing. 

Go Fresh 365 supermarket nears opening in Rockville

The sign is up at the future Go Fresh 365 supermarket at 1800 Rockville Pike at the Galvan at Twinbrook development. It was not yet lit when these photos were taken Monday night, but the interior fit-out appears to be on track for the anticipated November opening. Go Fresh 365 replaces Safeway at the development, and will likely be more competitive with the new Wegmans a few blocks away, as it will offer so many products Wegmans doesn't carry. The Long Island City, New York-based grocery chain boasts that it is the "No.1 Asian/Chinese Supermarket Chain" on the East Coast of the United States.

Zara relocating at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

 

Zara will soon be relocating inside Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The fashion boutique is currently located on Level 1 in the Nordstrom wing. It will be staying in the Nordstrom wing, but moving up to Level 2. Their new space was previously home to GAP and GAP Kids. The new location is scheduled to open before the end of fall.

See's Candies to return to Montgomery Mall for the holidays

 

If you needed another sign that the holidays are almost upon us, here it is. See's Candies is now confirmed to be returning to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda for the 2025 season. This year, it will be located on Level 1 in the Nordstrom wing of the mall, between Anya by Vivien and Everything But Water. See's Candies are super high quality, making them a gift you can give with confidence.