New Rockville menswear shop has a Porsche inside the store

Collars & Co. is now open at 1643-A Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza in Rockville. The Shark Tank-backed retailer specializes in modern business casual menswear. Its current featured product is the patent-pending Dress Collar Polo. The 2900-square-foot store includes a vintage Porsche (shown below) and private jet replica for selfies, and a bespoke custom closet by Bethesda Custom Closets and Blinds. Operating hours for Collars & Co. are 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays.

Coach reopening Friday at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The Coach store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda is expected to reopen tomorrow, October 10, 2025. That's very appropriate, as Friday is also National Handbag Day, for those who celebrate. Many handbags from Coach's fall collection will be in stock, as will large Kisslock bags. The store had to close briefly this week to complete renovations on the space. 

Mavi opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Jeans have been a hot fashion topic in recent months, and another retailer plans to get in on the denim trend at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Mavi, a Turkish denim label founded in 1991, will open a new boutique on Level 1 of the mall, across from Lily Pulitzer in the Nordstrom wing. Celebrities who wear Mavi include Lady Gaga, Liam Hemsworth, Colin Farrell, Katherine Heigl, Jessica Alba, and Kate Hudson.

Kate Hudson

"I like comfortable clothes such as my Mavi Jeans, Belstaff jacket and Armani button-down shirt," billionaire Sir Richard Branson told Mavi.  "They are comfortable enough for flights and nice enough for meetings." Apparently they also work for spaceflight, as Branson sported a pair of Mavi jeans when he flew aboard his VSS Unity spacecraft in July 2021.

Sir Richard Branson

Considered a premium denim brand, the company's "Perfect Fit philosophy" leads to jean styles that fit a variety of lifestyles and body types. You can rightfully feign amazement and surprise that the firm is also committed to sustainability, blah, blah, blah. Mavi offers some lines of jeans that are made from hemp or plastic water bottles. And its overall "green" efforts have been praised, endorsed, highly-ranked, and/or certified by a variety of environmental organizations.

Lululemon soft-opening today at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Lululemon has set the opening date for its new space inside Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Its current space has now closed to facilitate the move to their new storefront, which is in the mall center court on Level 1, between Psycho Bunny and Sleep Number. The new store - which was still walled off as of last evening - will hold a soft opening today, September 4, 2025. A grand opening will be held this Saturday, September 6.

Lululemon move postponed at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Lululemon is staying put in its current spot at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda for a little bit longer. The activewear company did not specify why its planned move is being delayed, but said it hopes to have a firm grand opening date by the end of August. In the meantime, their existing store remains  fully open for business. The new space, still walled off, is much larger than the current Lululemon store.

Fashion Q closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Fashion Q has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Their space has been totally cleared out inside. The Los Angeles-based fashion wholesaler lasted less than a year at the mall after its November 2024 opening, despite its trademark super low prices. Fashion Q is the latest victim of the moribund Montgomery County economy.

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.

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. 

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

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.

Sneak peek: UNIQLO grand opening today at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

UNIQLO will hold its grand opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this morning, May 23, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM, and continuing through Sunday. Here's what the Japanese apparel retailer has in store for you each day, and enjoy a sneak peek in the photos below:

• Friday, May 23 - Taiko Drum Performances at 10AM, 1PM and 3PM
• Free breakfast for first 200 customers in line each day - May 23, 24 & 25
• Free knot bag with branded tissue box & pocky snack for first 200 customers in line each day - May 23, 24 & 25

Look for UNIQLO on Level 2, in the former Sears wing of the mall. It is in the spaces vacated by Express and Express Men.

Signage installed at UNIQLO at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Permanent signage for UNIQLO has been installed on its outdoor-facing storefront at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Japanese apparel store is scheduled to open this Friday, May 23, 2025. Operating hours for UNIQLO will be 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday (including Memorial Day on May 26), and 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays. When it opens, look for UNIQLO on Level 2 of the mall, in the space where Express and Express Men used to be.

UNIQLO sets opening date at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

UNIQLO has stayed on-schedule with the interior fit-out of its newest store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and as a result, will meet the promised "Spring 2025" opening timeframe. The Japanese casual apparel boutique will open on Friday, May 23, 2025, the chain announced on Instagram yesterday. UNIQLO has two existing locations in Montgomery County, at Pike & Rose in Rockville, and in downtown Silver Spring. The company's origin in Japan was initially inspired by The GAP's business model, but UNIQLO evolved into its own original concept, best known for its partnerships with high-profile brands and designers while keeping prices reasonable.

Final 3 days for Forever 21 at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

If you want to go on one last shopping spree at Forever 21 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, you'd better hurry. There are only three days left to shop. As you can see from the photos here, inventory is being snapped up at 60-80% off. Shelves near the front door that held store fixtures for sale are bare. Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy, and all of its stores nationwide are expected to close by May 1, 2025.

Brandy Melville opens in Rockville

Brandy Melville has opened at Pike & Rose on Rockville Pike. The women's fast fashion boutique is located at 11804 Grand Park Avenue. Brandy Melville was founded in Italy, but gained success after taking inspiration from California designs rather than Italian fashions. The label's target audience is comprised of teens and young adults.

Another reason for Brandy Melville's popularity is that their pricing is very reasonable. They're still looking for full-time and weekend employees, if you are seeking a retail fashion position. Scan the QR code pictured in the bottom photo below.

UNIQLO construction advances at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

UNIQLO is going to be a large store when it opens at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda later this year. The latest stage of construction also suggests it may have a new exterior entrance punched through the mall's wall. Several new tenants at the mall over the last decade have obtained permission for this outward-facing feature. It's ironic that stores like Target at Westfield's Wheaton mall have reduced their number of access points recently, likely as a shoplifting deterrent, while it looks like UNIQLO may be increasing the number of entrances to guard.