Jolly Yolly Kids under construction at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Jolly Yolly Kids is now under construction at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. An indoor gym, playground and learning center for children, Jolly Yolly can also host birthday parties. It is one of the few tenants that gets to design an exterior storefront at the mall. Look for Jolly Yolly on Level 1 next to The Cheesecake Factory, in the Old Navy wing.

Papaya opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Papaya has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The women's boutique chain specializes in fashions for the teenage or petite customer. Prices are kept low by eliminating the middleman; all apparel and accessories are shipped straight to Papaya from the manufacturers themselves. The company has 79 locations nationwide. Look for Papaya on Level 2, next to AT&T.

Adonni's Desserts opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Adonni's Desserts has opened in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It serves treats usually found at fairs or carnivals, such as fried Oreos and funnel cake fries. Other desserts include warm cookies, sweet potato pie, warm brownies, cake, bread pudding, banana pudding, warm muffins and cookie cups. Come in from the cold for a hot apple cider or hot chocolate at Adonni's Desserts, which is across from 7-Eleven at the food court.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda leaves female victim with minor injuries

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on Thursday, December 22, 2022, after a 2nd-degree assault was reported there. The assault was reported at 6:00 PM. @MoCoPGNews reported on Twitter that there was a fight outside of CAVA, which was broken up by Montgomery County police officers who were already at the mall. 

One female victim suffered minor injuries. Officers then searched the mall for the suspect(s) involved. This was the 12th 2nd-degree assault reported at the mall since May 18, and the first since October 18.

Nationwide romaine lettuce shortage temporarily nixes Caesar salad at Montgomery Mall's Frank Pepe Pizzeria

A nationwide romaine lettuce shortage discussed in the media since November is now hitting home at Frank Pepe Pizzeria at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The pizza parlor is unable to offer its Caesar salad at this time, due to the shortage, a sign at the business says. Romaine lettuce prices have doubled due to the shortage, which has been blamed on a insect-spread virus that killed off 70-80% of some farmers' lettuce crops this year. 

A massive fire destroyed a major produce packing plant in Salinas, California earlier this year, knocking out a facility that "provides a majority of west coast food service customers with fresh lettuce and vegetables" until 2023. Months later, no cause for the fire has been positively identified. Investigators noted that maintenance workers were performing welding work at the facility the day the fire started. It was one of several major food processing plants destroyed by fire earlier this year across the country, which has contributed to pandemic-related supply chain issues.

Popeyes reopens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Stuart Weitzman closes early (Photos)

Popeyes has reopened in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Louisiana-themed restaurant had temporarily closed without explanation. A reader mentioned that a shortage of staff was the reason, an issue certainly affecting many hospitality busineses these days. But last night they were open again, and drawing many customers. I would say this is the perfect weather for hot fried chicken, but then again, when is it not the right time for a stop at Popeyes or KFC?

While Popeyes was open, Stuart Weitzman was oddly closed before its normal closing time Saturday night. There was no note posted about why.

Squishable opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Squishable has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, just in time for late holiday toy shoppers. The store is expected to be here for the holiday season. Squishable sells a wide variety of stuffed toys, including disguised and mystery variations. Look for Squishable on Level 1, next to Bath & Body Works.

Popeyes "temporarily closed" at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Readers have been asking what is going on with the Popeyes in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Their stall has been closed during normal operating hours for at least a week. According to the restaurant locator page on the Popeyes website, this location is "temporarily closed," with no reason given for the closure. Last evening, during Popeyes' operating hours, they were closed again. However, nothing had been removed inside their space, and the menu boards were still operating.

Toys R Us at Macy's experience improves over early launch at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

No one will mistake the Toys R Us at Macy's pop-up for the full-blown Toys R Us experience of childhoods past. But the special section at the Macy's at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda has greatly improved over its initial launch earlier this fall. There's a much wider selection of toys, and the shelves are filled and more-neatly organized than the "Clearance section at ROSS!!!" vibe the space initially had.

Montgomery Mall replacing push-button electric doors with touchless system

Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda has begun replacing its electric entry door systems for the disabled with a new, touchless system. There is no longer a need to push a physical button. However, there is a motion sensor that takes the button's place. 

Touchless doors are not only easier to operate, but also a nod to germ-spreading concerns in the pandemic age. It seems to me that every major national chain business should have electric doors at this point, as CVS Pharmacy and most chain grocery stores do, but they are obviously more expensive to maintain than a manual door.

Squishable opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Squishable is opening a seasonal store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda for the holidays. The squishable stuffed toy brand was founded a decade before Squishmallows arrived on the scene. They have specialty lines including squishables that resemble food, disguised "undercover" squishables, and mystery squishables. 

Shelves were being stocked last evening. When they open, pick up a Plague Doctor squishable for the Dr. Fauci fan in your life. Look for Squishable on Level 1, next to Bath & Body Works.

"The World's Finest Cutlery" arrives at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The world's finest cutlery has arrived in Bethesda, according to a sign inside Montgomery Mall. Cutco has opened a kiosk at the mall for the holidays. Their cutlery is made in the USA, and has a "Forever Guarantee." If your Ginsu blade has dulled, visit Cutco on Level 2.