Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda late Sunday afternoon, February 11, 2024, after someone reported being the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. At least one individual was accused of shoplifting in the same incident. The assault was reported at 5:21 PM Sunday. Violent crime has been dropping at the mall over the last year. 12 assaults were reported at the popular retail center in 2022, 5 were reported in 2023, and Sunday's is the first reported in 2024.

7-Eleven cleared out at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

7-Eleven closed in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda at the end of last month, as I reported January 30. Inventory was mostly cleaned off of shelves by February 7, but a lot of equipment and displays remained inside the darkened space. Now it has been cleared out and sealed off, in addition to the retractable metal barrier that could still be seen through last week. It's unclear why this location closed, as many have noted it was well-patronized during its short run at the mall, but the convenience store chain did close 184 stores nationwide last year.

February 7, 2024

February 7

February 7

Now sealed off

Sheepskin Gifts closes, Relax Station kiosk opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too has cleared out of its space on Level 1 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Like See's Candies and other seasonal stores, this was to be expected after the holiday shopping season ended - - although you'd think the temperatures outdoors would keep them in business through the spring. Meanwhile, massage spa Relax Station from the Old Navy wing of the mall has set up an auxiliary kiosk to serve shoppers in the center of the mall. Look for it on Level 1 outside of J.Jill. 

Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too

Popeyes, The Children's Place officially closed at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

It's official: Popeyes has permanently closed in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. So has The Children's Place, an apparel store for kids. Both spaces have been cleared out, and signage removed. Chicken-loving mall walkers will have to turn to Chick-fil-A, McDonald's or (soon) Pollo Campero in the food court.

Popeyes

The Children's Place

7-Eleven reportedly to close at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A source tells me that the 7-Eleven at Westfield Montgomery Mall is closing. They report that the lottery machine had already been removed from the store Monday. An employee told them the convenience store would close tomorrow, Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Employees will reportedly be offered jobs at other local 7-Eleven stores. 7-Eleven opened at the mall in July 2020, after a 19-month construction process. 

Kelly's Cajun Grill to open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Kelly's Cajun Grill is "coming soon" to the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, according to signage there. We're kind of late to the party with this franchise, as several malls in our region already have, or have had, a Kelly's Cajun Grill. There's an Asian element woven into what otherwise sounds like a typical - if rather short - Louisiana menu. 

Bourbon Chicken is the specialty of the house at Kelly's Cajun Grill. It's "world famous," they say, and has been its signature dish since the first location opened in Florida in 1991. They also have Blackened Chicken, Shrimp Etouffee, and Blackened Fish. For every spring roll or noodle, there's still a side of rice and beans or Cajun fries. If Popeyes has indeed closed for good, Kelly's Cajun Grill can gar-on-tee that there will still be Louisiana flavors in the food court at Montgomery Mall.

Parte Haus opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Parte Haus has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The "ultimate party hub," as the company calls itself, carries a wide selection of party supplies and balloons. As you can see in these photos, those include cups, plates and party hats. If you've always wished your one-stop-shopping here could include party planning, look no further than Parte Haus. You will find it on Level 1 of the mall, next to Relax Station. 

Popeyes closed again at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda...is it the end this time?

Popeyes has been closed in recent days in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Yesterday, it was indeed closed during normal operating hours, as seen here. Popeyes has closed for short periods in the past, only to reopen for business. 

One reader reports that the owner has retired, and that this closure is for good; Google is also stating that this Popeyes is "permanently closed." What's certain is that Montgomery County is in desperate need of a Popeyes with a drive-thru.

Parte Haus opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Parte Haus will be opening any day now at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The "ultimate party hub," Parte Haus offers an extensive inventory of party and balloon supplies. A logo sign has already been installed above their storefront. Look for Parte Haus on Level 1 of the mall next to Relax Station.

Mango opening soon at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Mango is coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, according to signage posted across its future storefront. 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. When it opens, look for Mango's 11th American store on Level 1 of the mall, across from Shoe Charms.

J. Chow's closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

J. Chow's as seen on December 27, 2023

It was certainly suspicious when J. Chow's Chicken, Ribs & Salads was closed during normal operating hours on December 27, 2023. The eatery in the Dining Terrace food court hasn't reopened since. Their equipment is still there, but someone has now unplugged the beverage cooler. Store Reporter and The MoCo Show both report that J. Chow's has closed. Sad news indeed for this family business that managed to survive both Lerner's plug-pulling on the much-missed White Flint Mall by relocating here, and the pandemic.

December 27

This weekend

See's Candies closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Nothing says Christmas is over like the departure of See's Candies at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. In recent years, they haven't lingered for long, clearing out right after Christmas. See's still hasn't subscribed to the idea that Christmas officially ends on January 6. That hasn't stopped them from prospering - their profits increased by $10 million over 2021 by the end of the 2022 holiday season.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda Wednesday night, December 20, 2023, after a 2nd-degree assault was reported there. The assault was reported at the mall at 9:40 PM Wednesday. This is the fifth assault reported at the mall this year, and the first since October 20. The mall is now virtually assured of ending the year with a major reduction in violent crime in 2023, as 12 assaults were reported there in 2022. This improvement may be attributed to Montgomery County police having opened a "resource room" at the popular retail center during last year's upward trend of assaults.

Artist Maggie O'Neill opens pop-up gallery at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Local artist Maggie O'Neill has opened a pop-up art gallery in the former Wentworth Gallery space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Featuring last minute gifts of prints, sculptures and Vote for Your Daughter-inspired art and merchandise, the temporary boutique will be open 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM today, Sunday, December 17, 2023, and next Friday and Saturday, December 22 and 23, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 

You can also score a free print signed by Maggie O'Neill if you spend $200 anywhere in the mall. Look for the pop-up on Level 2 of the mall, outside of Nordstrom.

Cellaxs, Cutco kiosk open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A new electronic device repair shop and a returning cutlery kiosk have opened for the holiday shopping season at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Cellaxs Phone Repair has debuted in the former The Fix space on Level 2 of the mall, near the Dining Terrace food court. Cellaxs repairs screens, buttons, speakers and water damage on your phone. Battery replacement, tablet repairs and free diagnosis of your phone's problems are among the other services offered by the device repair chain. 

Returning to the mall once again for the holidays this year is Cutco. Promising once again "the world's finest cutlery," Cutco has the fancy utensils and kitchen tools you need for that big Christmas dinner you're planning. Look for Cutco's kiosk outside of Snipes.

Kokosh opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Kokosh has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The cosmetics boutique carries products such as Rude's Obnoxious mascara and Disco Dance Floor FX pigmented skin palette. It also has some jewelry on display. Look for Kokosh on Level 2 of the Macy's wing, next to Purple.

American Eagle reopens in remodeled space at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

American Eagle is back in its original space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, after a remodeling project to update the apparel store. Just as holiday shopping starts to enter its most-frantic period, American Eagle offers a fresh design and easy-to-navigate space filled with "gotta have" gifts, as the sign in the display windows promises. They've even got Christmas trees inside the store!

JD Sports opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

JD Sports is coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, according to signage posted across its future storefront. It will fill the space vacated by PacSun. JD Sports is a British sporting goods retailer, but carries brands and styles from around the world. Among the labels sold by the chain are Adidas, Nike, New Balance, UnderArmour, Vans, Crocs and Champion.

Donutchew opens at Montgomery Mall (Photos)

Donutchew has opened in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The mochi donut chain's product is denser - and as the name suggests, chewier - than a traditional donut. They are made with glutinous rice flour, as opposed to the enriched wheat flour of a Krispy Kreme donut. Donutchew is in a kiosk that has seen heavy turnover in the last couple of years, but the company has had early success with its Rio Lakefront location in Gaithersburg.

AMC Montgomery 16 theater to add recliners at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

AMC's acquisition of the former ArcLight Cinemas at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda came with great hopes that the cineplex chain would upgrade some of the outdated elements of the theater, now known as AMC Montgomery 16. That's finally about to happen. AMC says it is moving forward with a plan to replace the fixed, cloth seats in the 16 auditoriums of the complex with its current recliner model. 

The company says it will spend nearly $3 million on the seats, and some other minor updates to the cineplex, which are expected to begin early next year. AMC notes that the addition of recliners will reduce the total number of seats in each auditorium. The renovation plan tells us that AMC is committed to keeping this theater open for a long time to come.