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.

UNIQLO construction advances at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

UNIQLO is going to be a large store when it opens at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda later this year. The latest stage of construction also suggests it may have a new exterior entrance punched through the mall's wall. Several new tenants at the mall over the last decade have obtained permission for this outward-facing feature. It's ironic that stores like Target at Westfield's Wheaton mall have reduced their number of access points recently, likely as a shoplifting deterrent, while it looks like UNIQLO may be increasing the number of entrances to guard.

Tesla confirms closure at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Tesla Motors has confirmed it has permanently closed its showroom at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. However, the company is terming the exit from the mall as a "move," and is directing potential customers to its Rockville dealership at 1300 Rockville Pike, and to its showroom in Georgetown at 3307 M Street NW. A peek inside the shuttered Montgomery Mall store finds a lone Tesla Cybertruck remaining of the cars that were on display until the operation abruptly closed, without explanation, early last week. 

The company is not yet publicly declaring the reason for the Bethesda closure. Tesla facilities and individual Tesla vehicles have been the target of vandalism and violent attack across the country in recent weeks, by opponents of Elon Musk's executive branch DOGE initiative within the administration of President Donald Trump. Outside the mall, a large Tesla billboard remains in place on a parking garage.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were once again called to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this past weekend, after a report of an assault. The assault was reported at a department store inside the mall at 5:33 PM on Saturday, March 22, 2025. This was the third assault reported at the mall so far this year. There were 11 assaults reported at the popular retail center in 2024, 5 in 2023, and 12 in 2022.

Merlo Point, De Clichy closing at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The super-short run for Merlo Point at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda is approaching an end, according to signage at the store, which opened shortly before Christmas. A closing sale is now underway at the local retailer, which carries European-inspired furniture, art, and home decor. Look for Merlo Point on Level 1 of the mall, between Calzedonia and Kickz.

Also exiting soon is De Clichy. The menswear boutique has been around significantly longer than Merlo Point, having opened here in 2022. It, too, is holding a closing sale. Find De Clichy and savings on Level 2, next to LensCrafters.

Rockville police catch Smoke Island burglars in the act

Early yesterday morning, Rockville City police caught a group of alleged burglars in the act at Saah Plaza. Around 1:15 AM Saturday, March 22, 2025, officers responded to a burglar alarm at Smoke Island at 811 Hungerford Drive. Four juveniles broke into the smoke shop, and stole merchandise. A timely response by Rockville's finest allowed the officers to catch all four suspects as they attempted to make their getaway from the scene.

All four suspects face charges in juvenile court. Officers were able to recover all of the stolen property from the business. Police said the suspects ranged in age from 13 to 16 years old.

Trader Joe's construction advances at Rockville Town Square (Photos)

Trader Joe's is inching closer to opening at Rockville Town Square. Any Trader Joe's regular will quickly recognize the wood checkout counters and wall trim now visible inside the former Dawson's Market at 225 N. Washington Street. Some refrigerated displays and shelving are in place. There is another Trader Joe's down the Pike at Federal Plaza, but this one will be much closer to many Rockville neighborhoods, and walking distance for residents in the Town Center area. Don't expect the other to close, as Trader Joe's has recently adopted a CVS Pharmacy/Starbucks geographic strategy, as demonstrated by its opening of two more locations near its longtime Bethesda store.

No opening date has been announced by the grocery chain. It has confirmed that, under Montgomery County's antiquated liquor laws, no beer or wine will be sold here. There are several beer and wine retailers in the Town Center vicinity, but your elected officials want to ensure that you will not just be able to grab a bottle of wine conveniently when you purchase your dinner at Trader Joe's!

"At Trader Joe's in Rockville Town Square, we see ourselves as your neighborhood grocery store," the company says. "Step inside and you'll find unconventional and interesting products in the Trader Joe's label like Mandarin Orange Chicken and Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate, as well as everyday basics like milk, eggs and fresh produce. Most importantly, we offer all of our delicious, quality products at the very best prices. We’re happy to be part of your community, and proud to offer you unique products and an exceptional shopping experience, every day."

First look: The Lady Vintner wine bar in Rockville (Photos)

The window coverings have been removed at The Lady Vintner wine bar at 42 Maryland Avenue in Rockville Town Center. Located in the ground floor of the BLVD 44 apartment building, the craft-beer-and-wine bar and retail store has been in the works for about a year, following the closure of previous tenant Pour Vino N' Hops. The 1300-square-foot space will offer a diverse selection of high-quality wine and beer, an in-house sommelier, and a specially-curated food menu including paninis, flatbreads, charcuterie, fine cheeses, and more. It is scheduled to open in "early spring," which means very soon - stay tuned for an opening date.