Beyond Yoga opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

What is beyond yoga? Astral projection? Teleportation to Waffle House? The first customers are finding out at Beyond Yoga, which is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. We know one thing, which is that Beyond Yoga delivers on promises. Only announced a few months ago, and expected to open by summer, it has opened well ahead of schedule. Expected to compete with Lululemon and Fabletics, based on reader feedback, Beyond Yoga is considered by a good number to be superior to both.

The Los Angeles-based company's calling cards include a "body-positive" product line, a Thred-Up apparel exchange program, and its proprietary soft Spacedye fabric. It recently expanded into men's apparel. Look for Beyond Yoga on Level 1 of the mall, next to Vineyard Vines in the Nordstrom wing.

Nordstrom Rack "coming soon" to Rockville

Nordstrom Rack is "coming soon" to Rockville, according to signage posted across its future storefront. It will be located at 1683 Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza. This is the former Buy Buy Baby space.

What is the difference between Nordstrom at Westfield Montgomery Mall and Nordstrom Rack? Well, unlike a couple of competitors I recently wrote about, Nordstrom Rack actually does sell some overstock, clearance, and past-season items from the "real" Nordstrom. So this means that you actually are going to be able to find a significant number of Nordstrom-quality products by top labels at great savings at Nordstrom Rack.

However, like those other competitors, Nordstrom Rack also carries items specifically designed and manufactured for Nordstrom Rack. These are essentially going to be pieces that look like what you expect to see in the higher-end Nordstrom department store, but that might be made with a lower-cost material. You can quickly identify apparel made for Nordstrom Rack by checking the tag, which will say... Nordstrom Rack, not surprisingly.

You won't have the department store Nordstrom services like personal shoppers and alterations at Nordstrom Rack. And there won't be a cafe or somebody tinkling away on a grand piano. But bargain hunters won't mind, as they search for and score deals on items that might have been out of their price range at the department store a season ago.

Ten Ren Tea & Ginseng closes in Rockville

Ten Ren Tea & Ginseng has closed at 825-G Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza. The tea shop operated for over 20 years. In addition to bubble tea and milk tea beverages, the shop was a popular place to purchase loose-leaf teas and ginseng. They sold a high-grade ginseng, as well as imported teas from Asia that weren't always easy to find elsewhere.

Mavi opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Mavi has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Turkish denim boutique missed its fall 2025 opening date by several months, but the chain has been engaged in a major expansion of bricks-and-mortar locations across America over the last year, including Jacksonville, Minneapolis, and Long Island. That has included establishing a U.S.-specific subsidiary. Mavi's arrival in American malls comes as Gen Z has shown a preference for in-person shopping over online ordering, particularly in the fashion sector.

If a denim brand can't have Sydney Sweeney and her good genes, it helps to have something unique in the actual denim material to set the brand apart from the other department store jeans that abound in the mall. In Mavi's case, they have Turkish denim fabric in several styles. SuperSoft is a midweight denim that employs Tencel and Lyocell fibers for softness and stretchiness. Feather Denim is even softer and lighter. And Organic Move is the softest with maximum stretch.

What's new for the season at Mavi just as they welcome their first customers in Bethesda? Most obviously, they are promoting their "L-OW RISE" jeans. For summer, they have a line of white denim. Look for Mavi on Level 1 of the mall, in the Nordstrom wing, across from Lily Pulitzer. Operating hours are 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week, according to the mall website.

L'Occitane en Provence reopens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

L'Occitane en Provence has reopened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The skincare and beauty boutique has undergone a major renovation. L'Occitane is transforming its stores nationwide to celebrate its 50th anniversary this month. This includes a switch from a trad-retro aesthetic to a more contemporary design. They call this the Soleil, or "sunshine," store model. It features a bright yellow and white color scheme. 

Much like the chain's products and business practices, the construction materials emphasize sustainability. Changes at this location aren't limited to the boutique design. I notice the shop has also posted a job listing seeking a new store manager. Look for the revamped L'Occitane on Level 1 of the mall, next to Arc'teryx and across from Sunglass Hut.

Sheetz construction advancing at Walnut Hill Shopping Center (Photos)

The convenience store building at the future Sheetz at 733 S. Frederick Avenue at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg is looking a lot closer to a finished product since my last update - at least on the outside. Brick and stone facade treatments are in place where Tyvek was previously. Gaping squares and rectangles are now filled with window glass and doors, the latter already sporting Sheetz logos. And construction is now underway on the canopy that will protect the gas pumps and those pumping them from the elements.

Purse snatched at grocery store in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a purse-snatching at a grocery store Thursday afternoon, April 16, 2026. The theft was reported at a supermarket in the 600 block of Hungerford Drive at 4:55 PM Thursday. Giant is located on that block of Hungerford (MD 355), just north of the Rockville Town Center area. Remember to be alert when shopping in crowds, wear your purse diagonally rather than hanging off one side, and never leave it unattended in your shopping cart.

Gorjana "coming soon" to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

It was last fall that I first heard about Gorjana's plans to open a second Bethesda location at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Last December, I broke the news that the Southern California-inspired jewelry boutique was confirmed to have leased a space at the mall. And now there is official "coming soon" signage that also confirms where Gorjana will be located on Level 1. The signage promises a summer 2026 opening, which is very appropriate timing for a Laguna Beach retailer.

Lakeforest Mall redevelopment breaks ground in Gaithersburg

Demolition of Lakeforest Mall is well underway in Gaithersburg, but an official groundbreaking ceremony was held today at the property for what is to replace it. Developer WRS, Inc. was joined by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, former Gaithersburg mayor and current County Council member Sid Katz, and current Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman to officially fire the starting gun on construction of what WRS describes as a "mini-city." The $1.2 billion project will deliver 1600 residential units by three homebuilders, an upgraded Lakeforest Transit Center, and over 470,000-square-feet of retail and restaurant space. Initial tenants will include Sprouts Farmers Market, Home Depot, and a Landmark Theatres cineplex. 

It's shameful what Montgomery County officials and later owners of the property allowed to happen to Lakeforest Mall this century. It was an upscale mall when it opened, and - much like White Flint Mall - to see it being demolished even before the older and less-fancy malls in Bethesda and Wheaton is a sheer travesty. You have to be truly bad at governing to be this good at destroying communities and their crown jewels like this. 

Pour out an Orange Julius for Lakeforest Mall. It was too good for us. We didn't deserve it, after repeatedly electing people who allowed the mall and surrounding area to become overridden by crime. And in terms of what mall owners could control, it was clear that the most recent set of landlords were determined to tear down the mall to reap maximum real estate transaction profit, the community be damned.

Today begins a new chapter for the property. The developer has many challenges ahead, including the aforementioned neighborhood crime, and to deliver a water feature that is as well-integrated and successful as the one at well-ensconced competitor Rio Lakefront. "This is more than just a construction project; it is the rebirth of a community anchor," WRS Inc. Principal Kevin Rogers said in a statement this afternoon. "We aren't just building buildings; we are creating a destination where people can live, work, and thrive without being dependent on their cars. We are proud to deliver a project that honors the legacy of Lakeforest while looking firmly toward the future of Gaithersburg."

Photo courtesy WRS Inc.

Hobby Lobby opening June 1 in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County's first Hobby Lobby store is currently expected to open on June 1, 2026 at 15750 Shady Grove Road at the 270 Center in Gaithersburg, a spokesperson for the big box crafts and decor chain said yesterday. Barring any construction or permitting setbacks, the chain plans to host a grand opening event that day. Formerly home to Best Buy, the building is positioned on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville, and is right by off ramps from I-270. 

This is arguably the most-anticipated retail opening of 2026 in Montgomery County. There is pent-up demand among MoCo residents who have never had a local Hobby Lobby store to shop at. But there is also the vacuum left by the closure of local JOANN Fabrics and Crafts stores, including the Gaithersburg location. Construction continues on the Gaithersburg Hobby Lobby, but completion is now within sight.

Pop Mart opening store at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Pop Mart will soon be opening a full-blown store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Chinese toymaker first entered the property with a vending machine in February of last year. Pop Mart is most famous for its Labubu dolls. That has become a double-edged sword for the company recently. Revenue remains strong, but the stock price has suffered drops as investors fret that Pop Mart doesn't have a second act if the Labubu fad wanes.

Vacant CVS space in Rockville Town Center offered for sublease

A large corner space that has sat vacant for almost four years at The Square at Rockville is now being marketed as available for sublease. CVS Pharmacy was the longtime tenant of this spot at 360 Hungerford Drive (MD 355), until the drugstore fell victim to the ubiquitous chain's uncharacteristic downsizing effort in 2022. The remainder of the CVS lease extends through September 30, 2032. Now the 13,800-square-foot storefront, which includes a drive-thru, can be sublet to you at an unspecified rent. That hush-hush rate is negotiable, according to the online listing.

Montgomery County's first Hobby Lobby construction update (Photos)

Here's a look at the construction progress on the first Hobby Lobby store in Montgomery County at 15750 Shady Grove Road in the 270 Center, on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville. The interior fit-out is still blocked from view, but we can see the exterior alterations being made to the former Best Buy facade. A look at the Hobby Lobby website shows the large inventory of Easter products, as an example of the chain's seasonal merchandise. Stay tuned for an opening date.

Matan Cos. breaks ground on new strip mall in Gaithersburg

Matan Companies broke ground on the latest addition to its commercial development on the former Leidos site at the corner of MD 355 and Montgomery Village Avenue in Gaithersburg today. Construction will now commence on a 10175-square-foot strip mall at 715 Progress Way. It will join two fully-leased 198,000-square-foot Class A buildings, also developed by Matan Companies, whose tenants include AstraZeneca, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), and Daikin Comfort Technologies Distribution, Inc., and two pad sites occupied by Chick-fil-A and Sheetz. The latter two have drawn tremendous traffic to the property, and corporate officials at Sheetz have publicly expressed their satisfaction with the success of their first Montgomery County location here.

Three pad sites remain available, along with the inline spaces available in the future strip mall. "We’re excited to continue expanding this dynamic destination in Gaithersburg," said James Matan, Director of Leasing for the Matan Companies, said in a statement this morning. "With strong existing traffic generated by Chick-fil-A and Sheetz, along with excellent accessibility, this site offers an ideal opportunity for retailers."

R.F. Fager Supply opens in Rockville

R.F. Fager Supply has opened a new location in Rockville. It is next to Taipei Cafe at 800 Hungerford Drive (MD 355). In addition to its consumer-facing designer plumbing fixture showroom, R.F. Fager also carries a massive inventory of plumbing supplies for the professional tradesperson. The company started in Central Pennsylvania, but has expanded into Maryland in recent years.

Cycle Gear opening March 25 in Rockville

Cycle Gear will open for the first time on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 1500 Rockville Pike, according to a sign posted in the window. As you can see, the shelves and displays inside are just about fully stocked. Cycle Gear is America's largest retailer of motorcycle gear, apparel, parts, and accessories. The opening date was first reported by The MoCo Show. Here's a sneak peek inside:

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 March 19, 2026. The assault was reported at the mall at 5:00 PM Thursday. This is the third assault reported at the mall this year, with the first having taken place on January 10, and the second on January 26. The mall is now on-pace for 12 assaults this year at this rate, the same number that took place at the property in 2025.

Update on Sheetz construction at Walnut Hill Shopping Center (Photos)

Construction on the second Sheetz convenience store and mega gas station in the MD 355 corridor is advancing quickly at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 733 S. Frederick Avenue. The familiar building design and roofline are now visible. There's an interesting Sheetz Site Safety sign I have included a picture of below. It looks like the store could be open by summer at this point.