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.

Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings "coming soon" to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings is "coming soon" to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, according to signage posted in the windows of its future space. It will be hard to miss, as it has exterior frontage at the main entrance to the Dining Terrace food court on Level 2. Nan Xiang is expected to open this fall.

Soup dumplings originated in Nan Xiang, China centuries ago, but Nan Xiang the restaurant was founded in Flushing, New York in 2006. Growing into a significant chain, and picking up Michelin-recommended status along the way, Nan Xiang is currently engaging in a rapid expansion into malls and other retail properties in the northeastern United States.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana celebrates 100 years at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

This year marks the 100th year of business for Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana. The chain's pizza parlor at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda has only been open for a small fraction of that time, but it will be celebrating the milestone as much as the original New Haven, Connecticut restaurant. Through the end of this month, June 2025, dine-in guests can get a large, 18-inch pizza (16 slices) for $19.25. The offer is available exclusively for dine-in guests from Monday through Friday until June 30. It is limited to one redemption per table, and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Look for Frank Pepe on Level 1, in the Old Navy/Cheesecake Factory wing of the mall.

Photo by Foodies of 617

Merlo Point, Chocolate Moonshine officially close at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Merlo Point and Chocolate Moonshine have officially closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Merlo Point's closure was expected and announced in advance, while Chocolate Moonshine made a quiet exit. Chocolate Moonshine had begun clearing its shelves and filling packing boxes as the month of May began. It was also removed from the mall's online directory. As of last evening, signage had been stripped from its space in the Dining Terrace food court. Chocolate Moonshine can still be found online.

Compared to Chocolate Moonshine, which had been a tenant at the mall for nearly a decade, it was a super short run for Merlo Point. The furniture store opened right before Christmas 2024. Although attorneys for regional furniture giant Marlo were no doubt thrilled by the name Merlo, the latter was operating in a niche of Italian and Turkish furnishings and home decor. Last evening, Merlo Point was sealed shut, the windows were covered over, and its signage was also gone.

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning movie tie-ins at AMC Montgomery 16 in Bethesda

Mission: Impossible briefcase popcorn
holder as seen at AMC Montgomery 16 in Bethesda

AMC Theatres continues to outdo itself in the movie tie-ins department, with the release of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning this holiday weekend. The MacGuffins Bar in the lobby is serving The Reckoning, a limited-edition cocktail featuring "a covert blend of spicy tequila BURSTING with juicy flavor." For agents who don't mind blowing their covers, there is a briefcase popcorn holder with a light-up Mission: Impossible logo. It sells for $50, as a combo with popcorn and drink included. Face your final reckoning at AMC Montgomery 16 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, AMC Dine-In Rio Cinemas 18 in Gaithersburg, and AMC Wheaton Mall 9 at Wheaton Plaza in Wheaton.

Wetzel's Pretzels "baking soon" at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

I can almost smell the pretzels on the larger than life signage posted by Wetzel's Pretzels, opening this fall at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Sometimes, Auntie Anne's just isn't enough. Now, Westfield will give you the chance to compare both, and declare a winner, without leaving the premises. Look for Wetzel's Pretzels this fall on Level 2 of the mall, next to The FIX, in the corridor between Macy's and the Dining Terrace food court.

Sneak peek: UNIQLO grand opening today at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

UNIQLO will hold its grand opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this morning, May 23, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM, and continuing through Sunday. Here's what the Japanese apparel retailer has in store for you each day, and enjoy a sneak peek in the photos below:

• Friday, May 23 - Taiko Drum Performances at 10AM, 1PM and 3PM
• Free breakfast for first 200 customers in line each day - May 23, 24 & 25
• Free knot bag with branded tissue box & pocky snack for first 200 customers in line each day - May 23, 24 & 25

Look for UNIQLO on Level 2, in the former Sears wing of the mall. It is in the spaces vacated by Express and Express Men.

Police respond to assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this past weekend. The assault was reported at the mall on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 12:41 PM. This the fifth assault to take place at the mall this year. There were 11 assaults reported at the popular retail center in 2024, 5 in 2023, and 12 in 2022.

Signage installed at UNIQLO at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Permanent signage for UNIQLO has been installed on its outdoor-facing storefront at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Japanese apparel store is scheduled to open this Friday, May 23, 2025. Operating hours for UNIQLO will be 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday (including Memorial Day on May 26), and 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays. When it opens, look for UNIQLO on Level 2 of the mall, in the space where Express and Express Men used to be.

Peeping Tom at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda after someone reported a Peeping Tom incident there on Tuesday afternoon, May 13, 2025. The voyeur was reported at the mall at 4:10 PM Tuesday. No further information is available at this time.

UNIQLO sets opening date at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

UNIQLO has stayed on-schedule with the interior fit-out of its newest store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and as a result, will meet the promised "Spring 2025" opening timeframe. The Japanese casual apparel boutique will open on Friday, May 23, 2025, the chain announced on Instagram yesterday. UNIQLO has two existing locations in Montgomery County, at Pike & Rose in Rockville, and in downtown Silver Spring. The company's origin in Japan was initially inspired by The GAP's business model, but UNIQLO evolved into its own original concept, best known for its partnerships with high-profile brands and designers while keeping prices reasonable.

Subway nears opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Here's a sneak peek behind the curtain of the new Subway in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. As you can see, it looks like it's not far from opening at this point. They've even plugged in the illuminated "S" logo. Still needed is the installation of the menu screens. Along with Subway's return on Rockville Pike, this area of Montgomery County is witnessing a true Renaissance of Sandwich Artists.

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 May 5, 2025. The assault was reported at the mall at 2:55 PM Monday. This the fourth assault to take place at the mall this year. There were 11 assaults reported at the popular retail center in 2024, 5 in 2023, and 12 in 2022.

Janie and Jack opens in new location at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Janie and Jack has completed its move at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It was a short move across the Nordstrom wing on Level 2 for the children's apparel boutique. Janie and Jack is now open next to California Pizza Kitchen. Founded in 2002 in San Francisco, Janie and Jack carries clothing for children in sizes from "newborn to 18."

The demise of Forever 21 at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Forever 21 has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Their two-level space has been cleared out. The surveillance camera and monitor are still running, though. Forever 21 is closing all stores after filing for bankruptcy; most were due to close by May 1, likely depending on how quickly a store was able to liquidate inventory.

Anti-drug carnival at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda May 2-11, 2025

A carnival with an anti-drug message for children has set up in the parking lot at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. L.E.A.D Fest, an initiative produced by the organization Law Enforcement Against Drugs, will be at the mall tonight through Sunday May 11, 2025. A parent or guardian must accompany children under 18, some rides require a parent to also ride along, only clear bags will be allowed into the carnival area, and no face coverings are allowed, unless required for a medical reason. 

Tickets can be purchased online. It's intriguing to have an anti-drug event in a county and state whose leadership are strongly pro-drug, both legal and illegal. Worth contemplating, is why your elected officials want you to be zonked out on mind-altering drugs. Just say no!

Shelves cleared at Chocolate Moonshine Co. at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The shelves are empty at Chocolate Moonshine Co. in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Packing boxes are visible inside the space. There was no sign indicating what is going on; the candy business has relocated inside the mall once before. However, I notice that Chocolate Moonshine Co. no longer appears on the mall's official website.

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.