Urban Outfitters relocating at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

This may be the biggest tenant game of musical chairs yet at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Amid all of the reshuffling of spots at the popular retail center, Urban Outfitters is now preparing for a move. The "lifestyle retailer" is currently located on Level 1 in the Nordstrom wing. Signage posted at their future location indicates Urban Outfitters will stay on Level 1, but move around the corner to the vacant space between Calzedonia and KICKZ.

Warby Parker coming soon to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Warby Parker is opening a new location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The eyewear boutique will open this fall. It will be located next to L'Occitane en Provence on Level 1 in the Nordstrom wing of the mall. Warby Parker has an existing Bethesda location at 4821 Bethesda Avenue at Bethesda Row.

Miniso closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Miniso has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It turns out that even popular concepts from rapidly-growing companies are not immune to the moribund Montgomery County economy. Miniso's revenue grew 9.1% in mainland China, and 30.3% overseas during the first quarter of this year, the Chinese company announced in May. Employees are boxing up the contents of the store. The anti-business Montgomery County Council never met a slim profit margin it couldn't shrink even further. Heckuva job, Brownie!

GAP closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

GAP has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Strange things have been afoot at the store in recent weeks, namely the store frequently - if not nightly - closing early, and posting a sign stating that it was due to the air-conditioning being out. The floor inventory had also been dwindling. Now the reason for all this is clear, as the clothing chain announced in an email to customers yesterday that "Gap Montgomery Mall has closed." Customers are being directed to the GAP at 11820 Grand Park Avenue at Pike & Rose in Rockville. The Montgomery Mall GAP is the latest victim of the moribund Montgomery County economy, as its parent company's downsizing plan of closing 350 GAP and Banana Republic stores shuttered those locations between 2023 and early 2024, and the Montgomery Mall store was spared the axe in that culling.

Hollister claims its space at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

We knew Hollister was returning to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and now we know where. It is moving into the space just vacated by Foot Locker on Level 1, next to American Eagle, in the Old Navy/Cheesecake Factory wing of the mall. "Coming soon" signage has been installed across the storefront, and it confirms the fall opening date of my original breaking news report. Hollister is a tremendous addition, as it is one of those tenants every self-respecting mall needs, much like Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, Panda Express, Sephora, Urban Outfitters, and Hollister's sister brand, Abercrombie & Fitch - to name a few.

A Beautiful Closet relocates at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A Beautiful Closet has joined the game of musical chairs at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Last December, the fashion boutique moved to the Nordstrom wing on Level 1. Today, it has relocated up to Level 2, in between Laderach and LensCrafters. This is their largest space yet, and has a sharper-looking sign over the storefront. A Beautiful Closet features sustainable apparel and accessories sourced from around the world, including Italy and Turkey. 

Luggage Plus moves at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

All the luggage stores at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda seem to be moving this summer. Last month, I reported on Tumi's plans for relocation. Now, with far less of a preamble, Luggage Plus has up and moved from Level 2 down to Level 1, next to Häagen-Dazs. Or, based on the sign over their new storefront, "Lu gag Plus."

Arc'teryx opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Arc'teryx has signed a lease to open a store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The outdoor apparel store will open this fall, according to signage posted across its future storefront. Arc'teryx was founded in North Vancouver, British Columbia in 1989 by Dave Lane and Jeremy Guard. Their techwear and streetwear lines have become popular with outdoor adventures and urbanites alike, with the latter viewing Arc'teryx clothing as a status symbol, the Financial Times and New York Times have noted. When it opens, look for Arc'teryx on Level 1 of the mall, next to Sleep Number.

Hollister to return to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

John Hollister, Jr. lives! Nearly a decade after Hollister closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. the California surfer-inspired apparel retailer is planning a triumphant return this fall. Word is that Hollister will move into one of the spaces just vacated by Foot Locker or Merlo Point. Part of the Abercrombie & Fitch empire, Hollister is one of those tenants every self-respecting American mall simply must have, like Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, Sephora, Urban Outfitters, and - come to think of it - Abercrombie & Fitch. If not, is it really a mall?

Photo courtesy Hollister

Hallmark store at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda changes hands

The Hallmark Gold Crown store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda is under new ownership. Previously known as "Banner's Hallmark," the greeting card, ornament, stationary and gift shop has been acquired by Norman's Hallmark. Norman's is the nation's largest independent owner of Hallmark Gold Crown stores. It will be interesting to see if the merchandise selection changes in the coming months.

Banner's is a local company, headquartered in Gaithersburg, while Norman's is based in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Banner's region has been Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas. Norman's has been focused in the Keystone State and New Jersey, but seems to be slowly expanding southward into Maryland. Norman's takes the prize for longevity; Banner's has been around since the 1970s, while Norman's was founded in 1939.

Foot Locker temporarily relocates at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Foot Locker has temporarily moved to a smaller space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Its previous spot on Level 1 has been cleared out. The new location is right outside of Macy's Home, next to AT&T on Level 2. However, the game of musical chairs is only beginning, as Foot Locker is expected to move into a larger space at the mall, along with a new Kids Foot Locker, later this year. They do need to light up that sign over the entrance, though! Super low energy.

Jurassic World Rebirth specials at AMC Montgomery 16 cineplex in Bethesda

AMC Theatres continues to be the top cineplex chain to see blockbuster movies at. They've been on a roll since before the pandemic, when they offered cocktails and free collectibles for moviegoers screening Spider-Man: Far from Home in 2019. Starting today, July 2, 2025, the AMC Montgomery 16 theater at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda will enhance your Jurassic World Rebirth cinema experience with a free InGen ID badge and lanyard (while supplies last with ticket purchase), a dino-size Sriracha Bavarian Legend Pretzel, and a Menacing Mix cocktail made with tropical fruit, Kraken spiced rum and a "gold dusted dehydrated pineapple slice" garnish.

Tumi to relocate inside Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Tumi is gearing up for a move inside Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Its current location on Level 2 between GAP and Coach is still open now. Preparations for its new spot are underway, including the installation of signage for the world-famous luggage and travel accessory retailer. When it opens, look for Tumi on the same level, but over in the Macy's Home wing next to Perfume World.

Garage boutique opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Garage has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The women's apparel boutique held a grand opening event yesterday, luring customers in through giveaways of free treats and beverages, gift cards, and bonus gifts with purchases. Founded by parent company GDI in Montreal in 1975, Garage describes itself as "a casual clothing brand for young women who are fun and effortlessly sexy." Look for Garage on Level 1 of the mall, in the former Aeropostale space between JD Sports and Lovisa.

Fresh Tomato Pie returning for summer at Pepe's Pizza at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is bringing back its popular seasonal Fresh Tomato Pie again this summer at all of its locations, including the one at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. This is the 17th year that Pepe's has offered the Fresh Tomato Pie, which tops the pizzeria's signature coal-fired crust with fresh native tomatoes, mozzarella cheese sliced daily in-house, garlic, basil, grated Pecorino Romano cheese imported direct from Italy, and just a touch of Pepe’s olive oil blend. The Fresh Tomato Pie will be sold from June 30, 2025 until the end of summer. World-famous Pepe's turns 100 this year, and what better way to celebrate than with a Fresh Tomato Pie from the Montgomery Mall location?

Photo courtesy Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

Subway opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Subway has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Sandwich artists are now in residence in the former J. Chow space in the Dining Terrace food court, on Level 2 of the mall. $5 Footlongs are a thing of the past, as a Footlong can be two-to-three times that amount, depending on your choice of sandwich. Subway is currently experiencing a renaissance in Montgomery County, with an imminent return to 1402 Rockville Pike also in the works.

Foot Locker to relocate inside Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Foot Locker will be relocating into a new space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this year. Four vacant storefronts will be consolidated into one larger space for the sporting goods store, which will have the brand's latest interior design scheme. Kids Foot Locker will also be moved into the new space along with Foot Locker. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer. 

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