Sheepskin Gifts closes, Relax Station kiosk opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too has cleared out of its space on Level 1 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Like See's Candies and other seasonal stores, this was to be expected after the holiday shopping season ended - - although you'd think the temperatures outdoors would keep them in business through the spring. Meanwhile, massage spa Relax Station from the Old Navy wing of the mall has set up an auxiliary kiosk to serve shoppers in the center of the mall. Look for it on Level 1 outside of J.Jill. 

Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too

Popeyes, The Children's Place officially closed at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

It's official: Popeyes has permanently closed in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. So has The Children's Place, an apparel store for kids. Both spaces have been cleared out, and signage removed. Chicken-loving mall walkers will have to turn to Chick-fil-A, McDonald's or (soon) Pollo Campero in the food court.

Popeyes

The Children's Place

7-Eleven reportedly to close at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A source tells me that the 7-Eleven at Westfield Montgomery Mall is closing. They report that the lottery machine had already been removed from the store Monday. An employee told them the convenience store would close tomorrow, Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Employees will reportedly be offered jobs at other local 7-Eleven stores. 7-Eleven opened at the mall in July 2020, after a 19-month construction process. 

Rockville jewelry store broken into

Rockville City police responded to a burglar alarm at a jewelry store early yesterday morning, January 28, 2024. The call came from a store in the 1500 block of Rockville Pike at 3:14 AM Sunday. Aras Jewelers is located on that block. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry to the store.

Man denied entry by Rockville store smashes window

A man who was denied entry to a store on Rockville Pike allegedly smashed a front window at the business, Rockville City police say. The suspect punched the window of a store in the 1700 block of Rockville Pike at 1:35 AM on January 21, 2024. Police did not say why the man was denied entry. 

The suspect is described by police as a Black male, 32 to 33 years of age, with a medium build, and 5 feet, 10 inches in height. If you have any information about this suspect or this incident, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Best Buy shelves growing bare as promised 2024 phaseout of physical media begins (Photos)

The DVD and Blu-Ray shelves are growing spare, if not quite bare, at Best Buy stores nationwide. The big box electronics chain announced last fall that it would phase out such physical media in 2024, and it's one New Year's resolution that's being kept. While 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD movies are still being manufactured, Best Buy won't be stocking them as they're released anymore. You can see the policy change beginning to take effect at this Best Buy store at 10901 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton. 

It's been a long time since I've bought a physical copy of a movie. For me, it wasn't so much the convenience of digital or streaming films, but the fact that fewer and fewer releases came with deluxe packaging and collectible items inside. When all you get is an expensive steelbook case and the disc(s) inside, there's little incentive to buy the physical product anymore. And behind-the-scenes features on many discs seem to get illegally uploaded to YouTube eventually, where they can be viewed for free.

Twinbrook Quarter developer seeks ROW agreement with Rockville for Wegmans, wayfaring signage

B.F. Saul, the developer of the future Wegmans-anchored Twinbrook Quarter development, is seeking an agreement and air-rights easement for wayfinding signage at the mixed-use property from the City of Rockville. The signage, which would present the name of the development and its retail tenants, would be placed within the public right-of-way along Rockville Pike, Halpine Road and Chapman Avenue. Other signs would be attached to the buildings above ground level, hence requiring an air rights easement to protrude into the public space above the sidewalk. 

Proposed Rockville Pike signage locations

The space in question belongs to the City of Rockville, but could later be ceded to the Maryland State Highway Administration if a FLASH bus rapid transit station is constructed at Twinbrook Quarter. Route 355 itself is currently a MDSHA right-of-way. The land directly adjacent to it on the east side of the Pike presumably was turned over to the City of Rockville when a city-controlled parallel service road was proposed. Only a portion of the service road has been constructed so far.

Halpine Road sign locations

The 99-year agreement proposed would be revocable at any time on 30-days' notice by the City. Twinbrook Quarter would assume all maintenance, insurance and liability requirements for the portions of the right-of-way and air rights in question. The Mayor and Council will review and discuss the proposed agreement and easement at their meeting tonight, January 22, 2024 at 7:00 PM. City staff recommends that the Mayor and Council approve and authorize the Acting City Manager to execute a Revocable License and Maintenance Agreement and an Air Rights Easement for Private Amenities in the public right-of-way with Twinbrook Quarter, LLC.

Chapman Avenue sign locations

Parte Haus opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Parte Haus has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The "ultimate party hub," as the company calls itself, carries a wide selection of party supplies and balloons. As you can see in these photos, those include cups, plates and party hats. If you've always wished your one-stop-shopping here could include party planning, look no further than Parte Haus. You will find it on Level 1 of the mall, next to Relax Station. 

Mountain Dew Baja Blast returns to stores in Montgomery County

Mountain Dew Baja Blast, one of the greatest soft drinks of all time, is back on store shelves in Montgomery County. Seen here at Harris Teeter, the popular soda will be available year-round nationwide for the first time. Available at all times as a fountain drink at Taco Bell, Baja Blast has sporadically been sold in bottled form over the last decade. But PepsiCo is going big to celebrate the drink's 20th anniversary in 2024.

"MTN DEW BAJA BLAST has cemented its place as a fan-favorite flavor in pop culture and as a staple in countless Taco Bell orders, so we knew we had to celebrate its 20th anniversary in a big way," Mountain Dew Vice-President of Marketing JP Bittencourt said in a statement. "Nothing's better than giving fans what they've asked for, with a few additional surprises to keep the celebration going all year long. Thank you to all the BAJA BLAST lovers over the last 20 years. Because of you, everyone nationwide can now buy the beloved flavor in-stores and as always, at Taco Bell, all year long and earn rewards while doing so... that's a win-win."

Parte Haus opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Parte Haus will be opening any day now at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The "ultimate party hub," Parte Haus offers an extensive inventory of party and balloon supplies. A logo sign has already been installed above their storefront. Look for Parte Haus on Level 1 of the mall next to Relax Station.

Rockville police seeking e-bike thief

Rockville City police are seeking the public's assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection with the theft of an e-bike in the Twinbrook area of the city. On January 4, 2024, the suspect entered Trek Bicycle at 5750 Fishers Lane at 7:57 PM. He allegedly proceeded to remove an e-bike from the store's window display, and fled the scene. Police describe the suspect as a Black male—33 to 37 years of age, with “facial hair” and wearing all-black clothing. Anyone with information regarding the suspect or this incident is asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Mango opening soon at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Mango is coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, according to signage posted across its future storefront. The Barcelona-based fashion brand launched this latest Mediterranean-inspired store concept in 2021. But the company, which manufacturers apparel for men and women, was founded in 1984 by brothers Isak Andic and Nahman Andic. When it opens, look for Mango's 11th American store on Level 1 of the mall, across from Shoe Charms.

Furniture & Rug Depot closing in Rockville

Furniture & Rug Depot is closing at 5230 Randolph Road at Loehmann's Plaza in Rockville. A "wall-to-wall" closing sale is underway. "All must go. Nothing held back!" reads a sign in the window. But the showroom still appears to be loaded with merchandise as of last evening. Furniture & Rug Depot has been in business for 25 years.

See's Candies closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Nothing says Christmas is over like the departure of See's Candies at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. In recent years, they haven't lingered for long, clearing out right after Christmas. See's still hasn't subscribed to the idea that Christmas officially ends on January 6. That hasn't stopped them from prospering - their profits increased by $10 million over 2021 by the end of the 2022 holiday season.

Police respond to assault at Rockville department store

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a Rockville department store Wednesday evening, December 27, 2023. The assault was reported at a store in the 12000 block of Rockville Pike at 8:37 PM. A suspect was also accused of disorderly conduct and trespassing in the same incident.

The Good Feet store opens, Lane Bryant closes at Federal Plaza in Rockville

Out with the old and in with the new at one of the many busy shopping destinations in Montgomery County. The Good Feet Store is now open at 12274-D Rockville Pike. Exiting the shopping scene at Federal Plaza is Lane Bryant, which has closed permanently. The plus-size apparel chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020, inititally closing 157 stores. This one survived, but is now getting the axe.

Artist Maggie O'Neill opens pop-up gallery at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Local artist Maggie O'Neill has opened a pop-up art gallery in the former Wentworth Gallery space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Featuring last minute gifts of prints, sculptures and Vote for Your Daughter-inspired art and merchandise, the temporary boutique will be open 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM today, Sunday, December 17, 2023, and next Friday and Saturday, December 22 and 23, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 

You can also score a free print signed by Maggie O'Neill if you spend $200 anywhere in the mall. Look for the pop-up on Level 2 of the mall, outside of Nordstrom.

Cellaxs, Cutco kiosk open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A new electronic device repair shop and a returning cutlery kiosk have opened for the holiday shopping season at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Cellaxs Phone Repair has debuted in the former The Fix space on Level 2 of the mall, near the Dining Terrace food court. Cellaxs repairs screens, buttons, speakers and water damage on your phone. Battery replacement, tablet repairs and free diagnosis of your phone's problems are among the other services offered by the device repair chain. 

Returning to the mall once again for the holidays this year is Cutco. Promising once again "the world's finest cutlery," Cutco has the fancy utensils and kitchen tools you need for that big Christmas dinner you're planning. Look for Cutco's kiosk outside of Snipes.

Kokosh opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Kokosh has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The cosmetics boutique carries products such as Rude's Obnoxious mascara and Disco Dance Floor FX pigmented skin palette. It also has some jewelry on display. Look for Kokosh on Level 2 of the Macy's wing, next to Purple.

American Eagle reopens in remodeled space at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

American Eagle is back in its original space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, after a remodeling project to update the apparel store. Just as holiday shopping starts to enter its most-frantic period, American Eagle offers a fresh design and easy-to-navigate space filled with "gotta have" gifts, as the sign in the display windows promises. They've even got Christmas trees inside the store!