HEYTEA "coming soon" to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Eight months after I first reported that HEYTEA was looking into opening its second Montgomery County location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, the chain has posted coming-soon signage at its future space on Level 1. It will be in the former Luggage Plus space, between L'Occitane en Provence and Vydration. Where is Luggage Plus? It has moved upstairs in the same wing, to a space right outside of Macy's Home.

Now, you may be saying, do we need another tea shop in Montgomery County, or even at the mall? Yes, you do, because HEYTEA is one of the most innovative and popular tea chains in the world. When they opened their first Maryland location in Rockville, the line was out the door.

What is the secret of HEYTEA's success? In 2012, in a small alleyway called Jiangbianli in Jiangmen, China, its young founder invented cheese tea, the product that would become the company's signature beverage. The brand's other signature is its worldwide popularity on social media, stimulated by the company's effort in creating Instagram-ready store interiors and packaging, and drinks that have as much appeal to the camera eye as to the taste buds. 

Carnival returns to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda through May 10

A carnival with an anti-drug message for children has returned to 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 10, 2026. 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. Worth contemplating, is why your elected officials want you to be zonked out on mind-altering drugs. Just say no!

Shiki Fusion now open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Shiki Fusion is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Asian fusion restaurants are experiencing a revival in Bethesda, or maybe they just never went out of style. Bethesda just got a Chinese-Thai fusion gastropub in Six Ways to Sunday. Now here is a Japanese-Thai menu at Shiki Fusion. 

The restaurant is celebrating the opening by offering a complimentary appetizer or dessert to all dine-in customers through May 14, 2026. Look for Shiki Fusion on Level 3 of the mall, right across from the entrance to the AMC Montgomery 16 cineplex. Just take the escalator up from the Dining Terrace food court. You can't miss the Trumpian gold letters on the side, with an arrow pointing the way up. Even the Montgomery County Council would be able to find it!

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.

Montgomery County police arrest suspect in Montgomery Mall armed robbery

Montgomery County police have arrested a suspect in the April 25, 2026 armed robbery at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Kilbert Rosales, 34, of no fixed address, was identified by one of the two victims. Officers located Rosales near the Transit Center on the mall property. He initially was cooperative, but after being handcuffed, he allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted police. Before being placed in the rear of a police cruiser, police say Rosales began to slam his head into the rear window of the vehicle, lacerating his face. 

Rosales has been charged with armed robbery, theft ($100 to under $1,500), disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, malicious destruction of property, assault, making a false statement to a police officer, and related charges. He is being held without bond at the County jail. Police recovered the box cutter he allegedly used to threaten the two victims in the parking garage outside of Nordstrom on his person.

Armed robbery at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda early Saturday evening, April 25, 2026. The robbery was reported in a mall parking garage at 6:08 PM Saturday. According to police, a suspect wielding a knife robbed two victims of property in the garage.

Police have not released a description of the suspect. They did not indicate how the suspect managed to evade appearing on surveillance cameras in the garage.

This is the fourth armed robbery at the mall this year. All have taken place in parking areas on the property. Three were reported in garages, and one in a surface lot. This is also another of the rapidly piling up examples of a disturbing new crime trend in Montgomery County: violent crimes being perpetrated during daylight hours.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lifestyle Essentials opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Lifestyle Essentials has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The streetwear and athletic shoe retailer is a locally-owned small business, with an existing location at Dulles Town Center. Brands carried include Nike, Adidas, Asics, and the always-non-controversial Yeezy. Look for Lifestyle Essentials on Level 1 in the Nordstrom wing of the mall, next to Everything But Water.

Esvin's Bagels and Cafe opening soon at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

And here we thought Bethesda was reaching peak bagel with the impending arrival of Call Your Mother Deli and PopUp Bagels in downtown Bethesda. But wait - there's more! Westfield Montgomery Mall is getting in on the act with Esvin's Bagels and Cafe. Founded by a father-son duo, Esvin's will serve artisanal bagels and Guatemalan coffee. Specialty sandwiches, healthy bowls, and a variety of baked goods will round out the menu, which also includes milkshakes. When it opens, look for Esvin's right inside Entrance 4 on Level 1 of the mall, in the Cheesecake Factory wing.

Update on Shiki Fusion at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

New signage for Shiki Fusion has been installed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. An updated construction wall displays items from the menu of the Japanese-Thai fusion restaurant, and a spring 2026 opening date. Behind the wall, construction on the dining area appears nearly complete. See below for a sneak peek. Finally, there will be no misunderstanding that Shiki Fusion is located on Level 3 of the mall with the AMC Montgomery 16 cineplex. Massive Trumpian gold letters and a directional arrow have been attached to a panel high above the Dining Terrace food court below to hammer this home.

Francesca's closing at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Francesca's is closing at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. A closing sale is now underway at the boutique. It's one of the rare business closures we can't blame the Montgomery County Council for, as the chain is closing all of its stores nationwide. It's been something of a slow-motion car wreck for Francesca's, which filed for bankruptcy over five years ago. Westfield has a number of tenants coming in that would be considered a clear step up from Francesca's, so the pain is going to be borne by the employees and loyal customers as opposed to the mall itself.

Kako Claw opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

 Kako Claw is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The claw machine arcade offers token packages starting at $10. Win blind box toys and collectibles Win keychains. Win plushies. Win plushie keychains! Already tired of what you won? Trade up at the Trade Station.

Kako Claw claims every machine gives you a fair chance to win. Look for Kako Claw on Level 1 of the mall, in the Cheesecake Factory wing. Kako Claw opened a Wheaton Plaza location just last month, so they are growing quickly in our area.

Foot Locker reopens at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Better late than never. Foot Locker has reopened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in a new, larger space. The new store includes a Kids Foot Locker. A fall 2025 opening date blew past, but one of the top sporting goods destinations at the mall is finally open for business again.