Ssong's Hotdog closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Ssong's Hotdog has permanently closed in the Dining Terrace food court in Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Korean hot dog vendor was closed last evening, and the menu screens had been removed. A calendar behind the counter is still set on March. A Ssong's Hotdog spokesperson confirmed this afternoon that the Bethesda location has closed. Their other Maryland locations remain open, he said, including Columbia, The Hub Asian Food Hall in Catonsville, and Towson. Disappointing news, as these were great hot dogs, and the design of the branded packaging was well done.

Brio's Chicken now open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Brio's Chicken has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Peruvian charcoal chicken restaurant is located in the former Tara Thai space, on the upper level of the parking deck outside the Nordstrom wing. Tara Thai closed there just over a year ago. 

It seemed like an ideal spot for a new chain restaurant like Olive Garden or Texas Roadhouse, or any of the other brands ubiquitous nationwide, but bizarrely missing from Montgomery County. Much like Walmart (with the exception of the Germantown store that was built before the chain was banned by the County Council) and Cracker Barrel, you can drive in any direction out of Montgomery County and find these chains in the surrounding counties, and every few miles as far as you keep driving across the nation - - but not here. Truly nutty, and utterly embarrassing for our elected officials, even if the local press won't call them on the carpet for it. Surely there's a Maura Judkis article to be written, albeit filled with snarky, elitist swipes at those who derive enjoyment from unlimited bread sticks.

Westfield has chosen to go local again in this space with Brio's, an admirable trend we've seen at the mall in recent years, although many of those tenants have been short-lived. In contrast, The Cheesecake Factory has been a huge success. A pretty solid market for Latin American chicken has been established in Montgomery County, however, with the growth of chains like Don Pollo and Pollo Campero, so there is promise here as Brio's opens.

There's no functioning website for Brio's as of this writing, and their Facebook page is spartan in information. Their Google listing states, "At Brio's Chicken, we pride ourselves on being an authentic Peruvian eatery, renowned for our specialty: succulent charcoal-grilled chicken. [C]ulinary passion brings the vibrant flavors of Peru to your plate, inviting you on a tantalizing journey through traditional Peruvian cuisine." Initial operating hours for Brio's at the mall are 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Saturdays, and 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Sundays, according to the schedule on the door.

Chocolate Moonshine relocating at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

There have been rumors among employees in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall recently that a chocolate shop would be filling the vacant 7-Eleven space. But signage just installed over the storefront indicates it's existing tenant Chocolate Moonshine that will be replacing the short-lived convenience store. Chocolate Moonshine abruptly closed in its current spot earlier this month, but now it turns out it won't be leaving the mall after all. 

Chocolate Moonshine's existing location, as
seen closed during business hours on April 7

This isn't the first time Chocolate Moonshine has closed for a spell at the mall without explanation. But it's managed to survive longer than many other tenants; in fact, it is nearing a decade in business here, a major accomplishment in business-hostile Montgomery County. The gluten-free, organic chocolatier first opened at Montgomery Mall in October 2016.

Mango opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Mango has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. 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. Look for Mango's 11th American store on Level 1 of the mall, across from Shoe Charms.

"Go, go Gadget coat!"

Talbots closing at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Talbots is closing at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Large signs announcing the pending closure were posted in the now-empty display windows of the store Thursday evening. Talbots opened here in June 2014, a refugee from White Flint Mall. The women's apparel chain's Village of Cross Keys location near Baltimore closed January 6, 2024. That store was much older than the Bethesda Talbots, opening there in 1996, and had existed even before then at a previous location.

Yet another assault reported at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The hits just keep on coming at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Another assault was reported at the mall property on Sunday night, April 14, 2024 at 8:14 PM. This is the second assault reported at the retail center this month, and the sixth of 2024. There were only five assaults reported at the mall in all of 2023.

Montgomery Mall 2024 assault numbers have already equaled total for all of 2023

The latest assault reported at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda brings the total number of assaults this year to five. That's the same number of assaults that were reported over the entire year of 2023 at the busy retail center. Montgomery County police responded to the latest incident at 3:10 PM on April 6, 2024, when an individual was allegedly the victim of a 2nd-degree assault. Should assaults continue to be reported at this pace, the 2024 number could be at least 15 assaults, which would exceed the record of 12 assaults set by the mall in 2022.

Another assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to the third assault reported in a month at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this past Friday night, March 29, 2024. A 2nd-degree assault was reported at the popular retail center at 8:30 PM Friday. Two other March assaults were reported at the mall, on March 1, and March 21.

The violent crime pace at the mall continues to increase in 2024, with four assaults in the first three months of the year. Only five assaults were reported in all of 2023 at the mall, which was a great improvement over the twelve that took place on the mall property in 2022. An armed robbery was also reported at the mall on March 25.

Paul Wharton, Ashley Darby to host spring fashion show at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

TV stars Paul Wharton and Ashley Boalch Darby will co-host a cherry blossom-inspired spring fashion show at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda next week. "Spring Fever" will be held on Level 1 in the Nordstrom wing of the mall next Friday, April 5, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The fashion show will feature spring ensembles from Macy's, J.Crew, Nordstrom, Under Armour, White House | Black Market, Madewell, Free People, Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, and bespoke artist Maggie O'Neill.

Discounts and free-gifts-with-purchases will be offered from stores and boutiques at the mall. Entertainment will include a mobile photo booth and music by DJ OZ. Cherry blossom decor from woman-owned design atelier Brightly Ever After will bloom throughout the mall. Westfield Montgomery Mall is also launching a month-long clothing drive benefitting Montgomery County non-profit Interfaith Works. A donation of your gently used clothing will give you the chance to win exclusive discounts, gifts, and treats from participating retailers.

You can RSVP for the fashion show now online. The event is free.

Armed robbery reported at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda late Monday afternoon. The robbery was reported at the mall at 5:04 PM Monday. A knife was the weapon employed in the robbery.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda yesterday afternoon, March 21, 2024. The assault was reported at the mall at 3:06 PM Thursday. This is the third assault committed at the mall this year. Like the first two in 2024, yesterday's assault was related to a shoplifting incident at a store in the mall. 

The mall is currently on a pace to equal the number of assaults reported at the popular retail center in 2022, which was 12. That would be more than double the total assault reports at the mall last year, when only 5 such incidents were reported. Last year's drop in violent crime at the property came after Montgomery County police established a "resource room" inside the mall.

Frank Pepe's at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda to offer Paul Giamatti Pie on Oscars Sunday

Actor Paul Giamatti gave an enthusiastic endorsement of the White Clam with Bacon pizza from Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana recently on television. The pizza chain will return the favor tomorrow, Sunday, March 10, 2024 - the day of the Academy Awards - by renaming that pizza the Paul Giamatti Pie for 24 hours. A medium Paul Giamatti Pie will cost $25 on March 10 only, at the Frank Pepe's locations at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda and at the Alexandria Commons mall in Alexandria.

Pandora opens temporary store at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Pandora has opened a temporary store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, while its current location is remodeled. The jeweler is now down on Level 1, between T-Mobile and Windsor, in the Old Navy wing of the mall. Renovations of its permanent spot on Level 2 next to Banana Republic are expected to be completed before the end of spring. Pandora is also currently hiring additional staff.

J.Crew preps for move at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

J.Crew is making a short move at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The popular fashion brand will move across the hall to a new space between Intimissimi and Arhaus on Level 1. It appears to be smaller than the existing location. That's still a better deal than J.Crew's employees got at their Westfield San Francisco Centre location, which has permanently closed in recent weeks. At Montgomery Mall, J.Crew will open in the new space this summer, according to the signage posted across it.

Trendy Man Italia opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Can we keep track of all of the new Italian boutiques opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda? It's becoming a challenge. Trendy Man Italia is the latest entry. Dress with spezzatura with the latest men's fashions and accessories from Italy. Trendy Man appears to have existing locations at numerous Maryland malls, including Mondawmin Mall and White Marsh Mall in Baltimore, Towson Town Center, St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf, and The Mall in Columbia, as well as stores in Brooklyn, New York and Newark, Delaware. Look for its newest location in Bethesda right outside of Macy's Home Store on Level 2 of the mall.

Donutchew bites promotion at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Donutchew has managed to survive for three months in a kiosk where multiple tenants have failed in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. As a result, it is getting promoted to a larger, legitimate food court space. "Coming soon" signage has been posted at the new corner location. The mochi donut chain has found similar success with its Rio Lakefront location in Gaithersburg.

Calzedonia opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Calzedonia has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Italian brand specializes in legwear, swimwear and socks. Calzedonia also owns Intimissimi, a lingerie brand that also has a boutique at the mall, so that established relationship and success may have played a role in the decision to double down on its investment here. Look for Calzedonia on Level 1, between Talbots and Sunglass Hut.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda late Friday morning, March 1, 2024. The assault was reported at the mall at 11:20 AM. At least one person was also accused of shoplifting in the incident. This is the second assault reported at the mall in 2024; the first in February also involved shoplifting from a business inside the mall. Another accused mall shoplifter allegedly was in possession of a synthetic narcotic a week before Friday's assault.

Drug bust at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A shoplifting call turned more serious after Montgomery County police officers responded to an incident at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda Friday afternoon, February 23, 2024. At least one individual was accused of also possessing a synthetic narcotic, and drug paraphernalia. The shoplifting incident was reported at the mall at 4:27 PM Friday.

Suspects sought in assault and theft at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police are looking for three suspects in a February 5, 2024 assault and shoplifting incident at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The three entered Zara and grabbed merchandise, police say. On their way out of the fashion boutique at 12:22 PM, they allegedly assaulted a store employee. This is the second assault reported at the mall this year.

Police describe the suspects as a Black male around 40 years of age, a Black male aged 20-25, and a Black female aged 20-25. If you can identify any of the suspects, or have any information related to this incident, you are asked to call police at the anonymous Crime Solvers tipline at 1-866-411-8477, or the non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.