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.

UNIQLO aiming for May 2025 opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

UNIQLO is aiming for a May 2025 opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The target date appears on a sign at a recruiting table set up inside the mall to hire employees for the popular apparel store. The Japanese casual wear retailer will be located on Level 2, in the space just vacated by Express and Express Men. If you can't wait until May, UNIQLO has an existing store nearby at Pike & Rose.

Forever 21 says "Everything must go!" at Montgomery Mall as closing rumors swirl

Is Forever 21 closing any stores, some stores, or all stores? The apparel chain isn't making any announcements. But its Bethesda store at Westfield Montgomery Mall just put up signs stating "Everything must go!" Another sign says prices are 10% to 40% off. I've never seen an "Everything must go!" sign at a store that wasn't closing. No sign says the store is closing, but the moves align with the report from a Forever 21 location in Woodbridge, New Jersey. 

The Daily Dot reports that a similar sale is now underway at that New Jersey store, where no returns are being accepted on the sale items. When asked why they could not be returned, a Woodbridge store employee reportedly told the customer it was because all Forever 21 stores are closing, and that the discounts will ramp up as the weeks go by toward the eventual closure. The Daily Dot notes that The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the chain is mulling a bankruptcy filing.

Garage opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Garage will open its first store in Montgomery County this summer at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The women's apparel boutique is one of two brands founded by parent company GDI in Montreal in 1975. "We're a casual clothing brand for young women who are fun and effortlessly sexy," the company marketing spiel declares. When it opens, look for Garage in the former Aeropostale space on Level 1 of the mall, next to JD Sports.

Aéropostale closing at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Aéropostale is closing at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. A closing sale is underway, and as of last evening, everything in the store is 70% off, "while supplies last." Aéropostale is the latest victim of the moribund Montgomery County economy. "Everything must go!" and "Closing sale" signs are ubiquitous these days in store windows across the county.

Aéropostale filed for bankruptcy way back in 2016, and closed over 100 stores as part of its reorganization at that time. However, I do not see any news reports online of Aéropostale stores closing elsewhere in the country in recent times. Thus, this appears to be a Montgomery County-specific problem. In Montgomery County, profit margins continue to shrink as taxes, fees, and high energy costs expand. The heavy anchor of a Montgomery County Council that knows nothing about business has dragged another enterprise down to Davy Jones' locker.

Trendy Man closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Was Trendy Man too far ahead of the curve? If Trendy Man is wearing it, is it already too late? Who is more stylish, Trendy Man or Florida Man? We may never know the answer to these and other questions, as Trendy Man has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Trendy Man opened here last March, and began a closing sale this past fall. We do know Trendy Man is smart, because Trendy Man stayed open through the biggest shopping months of the year, hopefully landing some trendy gifts under the tree or on the coat hangers of trendy men in Bethesda, Rockville, and Potomac.

A Beautiful Closet returns to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A Beautiful Closet has returned to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The fashion boutique closed last fall on Level 2. Its new location is on Level 1, across from the Tesla store. A Beautiful Closet features sustainable apparel and accessories sourced from around the world, including Italy and Turkey. There is currently a holiday sale for those seeking last-minute gifts.

UNIQLO construction begins at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Construction has begun on the interior fit-out of UNIQLO at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. As you can see in these photos, construction walls have been erected across the future storefront on Level 2 of the mall. It's going to be a large store, as is now made obvious by the sheer length of the walled-off space. Their Pike & Rose location is 8000-square-feet.

Japan-based UNIQLO opened its first store in Hiroshima in 1984. As of today, it has more than 1900 stores in 19 markets around the world, including Japan, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, the U.K. and the U.S.

Abercrombie & Fitch opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Abercrombie & Fitch has been as much of the typical mall experience since the 1990s as Auntie Anne's or Cinnabon. How appropriate, then, that the once-controversial apparel retailer has returned to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Just in time for Black Friday, and with Abercrombie Kids for the younger people on your shopping list. Look for - and, perhaps, smell? - Abercrombie & Fitch on Level 2 of the mall, next to the Apple Store.

Fashion Q opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Fashion Q has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Los Angeles-based company traces its roots back to the 1980s. It chose its "Q" logo because a one-letter sign was cheaper than using the whole brand name. The cost savings extend to its merchandise, which is purchased wholesale here and abroad. "We refuse to give our customers B.S. markups," Q declares. Look for Fashion Q on Level 1 of the mall, right outside of Macy's.

Akira opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Akira has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Founded in 2002 by Eric Hsueh, Erikka Wang, and Jon Cotay in Chicago, the women's apparel boutique now boasts over 30 locations nationwide. Rather than derive inspiration from fashion trends in southern California or New York City, Akira's founders say their apparel is unapologetically representative of Windy City style. Look for Akira on Level 1 in the Old Navy/The Cheesecake Factory wing of the mall, in the space recently vacated by Alex Baby & Toys.

Tonieh Boutique closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Tonieh Boutique has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. All of the merchandise has been cleared out of the space, which is on Level 2 of the mall by Beauty Frizz, but the sign is still lit over the storefront. The store opened in February 2024. Tonieh Boutique still has locations across the river in Tysons and Dulles Town Center.

Embrace Ur Greatness opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Embrace Ur Greatness is opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It is a sportswear/streetwear boutique that is "looking to spark self-belief through the form of merchandise." An online storefront is also open for business. Look for Embrace Ur Greatness on Level 1 in the Old Navy wing of the mall, between T-Mobile and Windsor.

Tory Burch opens at Montgomery Mall

Tory Burch is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The boutique's operating hours are 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays. The preppy-bohemian women's fashion brand sells apparel, shoes, handbags, home decor, watches, and accessories. Look for Tory Burch on Level 2 of the mall, next to Lovesac.

Trendy Man Italia closing, Peter Mason opens at Montgomery Mall

Two menswear tenants at Westfield Montgomery Mall are headed in opposite directions. Trendy Man Italia is on the way out, and is holding a closing sale. Those signs seen across moribund Montgomery County so often in recent years - "Store Closing," "Everything Must Go!" - are on display at the entrance to the shop. But if you need to suit up for the holidays, don't panic: Peter Mason by Montgomery Custom Tailors is now open on Level 1 in the Old Navy wing of the mall, across from The Cheesecake Factory.