Free People closing at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Free People is closing at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The store's final day of operation will be Friday, July 26, 2024. A bohemian brand of Urban Outfitters, Free People opened this location in May of 2013. Despite that solid track record of success, the store has ultimately succumbed to the moribund Montgomery County economy, along with MoCo's high taxes and ever-shrinking business profit margins. Not only do I find no reports of Free People stores closing elsewhere in recent times, but Urban Outfitters is actually expanding the brand by opening additional Free People locations this year.

Wild Custom Apparel closing at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

It looks like Wild Custom Apparel was a little too wild for shoppers at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The custom printing shop is closing after 15 months in business at the mall. A closing sale is now underway. Look for Wild Custom Apparel on Level 1 of the mall, next to Mind Games.

Sheepskin Gifts and Alpaca Too returns to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

It's Christmas in July at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Sheepskin Gifts and Alpaca Too has been a seasonal tenant at the mall in recent years, popping up during the holiday shopping season from mid-fall to mid-winter. But the apparel store is making an early return to the mall. Few people are thinking about warm clothing as thermometers reach 100 degrees and higher today, but alpaca wool is known for its ability to wick moisture away from the skin during the summer season. Look for Sheepskin Gifts and Alpaca Too on Level 1, at the center of the mall.

Ann Taylor closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Ann Taylor has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. This store managed to survive the 2017 purge of Ann Taylor store closures, as well as the pandemic, so it's surprising to see it go now. Yet Ann Taylor stores in more-business-friendly and economically-vibrant Tysons, Pentagon City, Fair Oaks Mall, and Dulles Town Center remain open. 

It's tough to remain a going concern when the local economy is stagnant, and ever-increasing taxes and fees eat away at already-slim profit margins. Ann Taylor appears to be the latest victim. All the store workers now find themselves unemployed. Let's say it together: "Moribund Montgomery County."

Soma closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Soma has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The women's lingerie boutique brand was recently acquired by a private equity firm, which makes the closure less surprising. Having said that, I do not see news stories about specific Soma locations closing in other areas of the country at this time, so perhaps Montgomery County's infamously-moribund economy is to blame in this case. Soma was launched by Chico's FAS twenty years ago, and claims to have over 250 stores today.

Bonobos closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Bonobos has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Its parent company, Express, Inc., filed for bankruptcy in April. However, the filing hadn't affected Bonobos until now. Columbus Business First reports that Express rejected 17 leases across the country last week, and that some of those stores were Bonobos locations. Bonobos has another Bethesda location at Bethesda Row, which remains open.

Tomato opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Tomato has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The mall has seen some interesting and unique international fashion brands come and go in recent years, and Tomato now joins their ranks. Founded in Alexandria, Egypt exactly thirty years ago, Tomato aspires to bring the ancient quality and craftsmanship that civilization was known for into the 21st century. In the years since 1994, it has grown into one of the leading manufacturers and retailers of men's and children's apparel in Egypt and the Middle East. 

The brand has opened three stores in our region before this one, at Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, at Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, and at St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf. Here at Montgomery Mall, Tomato is so new, it hasn't been added to the online store directory yet. Look for Tomato on Level 1 of the mall, next to American Eagle.

Mango opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Mango has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. 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. Look for Mango's 11th American store on Level 1 of the mall, across from Shoe Charms.

"Go, go Gadget coat!"

Talbots closing at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Talbots is closing at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Large signs announcing the pending closure were posted in the now-empty display windows of the store Thursday evening. Talbots opened here in June 2014, a refugee from White Flint Mall. The women's apparel chain's Village of Cross Keys location near Baltimore closed January 6, 2024. That store was much older than the Bethesda Talbots, opening there in 1996, and had existed even before then at a previous location.

Paul Wharton, Ashley Darby to host spring fashion show at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

TV stars Paul Wharton and Ashley Boalch Darby will co-host a cherry blossom-inspired spring fashion show at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda next week. "Spring Fever" will be held on Level 1 in the Nordstrom wing of the mall next Friday, April 5, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The fashion show will feature spring ensembles from Macy's, J.Crew, Nordstrom, Under Armour, White House | Black Market, Madewell, Free People, Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, and bespoke artist Maggie O'Neill.

Discounts and free-gifts-with-purchases will be offered from stores and boutiques at the mall. Entertainment will include a mobile photo booth and music by DJ OZ. Cherry blossom decor from woman-owned design atelier Brightly Ever After will bloom throughout the mall. Westfield Montgomery Mall is also launching a month-long clothing drive benefitting Montgomery County non-profit Interfaith Works. A donation of your gently used clothing will give you the chance to win exclusive discounts, gifts, and treats from participating retailers.

You can RSVP for the fashion show now online. The event is free.

J.Crew preps for move at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

J.Crew is making a short move at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The popular fashion brand will move across the hall to a new space between Intimissimi and Arhaus on Level 1. It appears to be smaller than the existing location. That's still a better deal than J.Crew's employees got at their Westfield San Francisco Centre location, which has permanently closed in recent weeks. At Montgomery Mall, J.Crew will open in the new space this summer, according to the signage posted across it.

Trendy Man Italia opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Can we keep track of all of the new Italian boutiques opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda? It's becoming a challenge. Trendy Man Italia is the latest entry. Dress with spezzatura with the latest men's fashions and accessories from Italy. Trendy Man appears to have existing locations at numerous Maryland malls, including Mondawmin Mall and White Marsh Mall in Baltimore, Towson Town Center, St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf, and The Mall in Columbia, as well as stores in Brooklyn, New York and Newark, Delaware. Look for its newest location in Bethesda right outside of Macy's Home Store on Level 2 of the mall.

Calzedonia opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Calzedonia has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Italian brand specializes in legwear, swimwear and socks. Calzedonia also owns Intimissimi, a lingerie brand that also has a boutique at the mall, so that established relationship and success may have played a role in the decision to double down on its investment here. Look for Calzedonia on Level 1, between Talbots and Sunglass Hut.

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.

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!

The Grove, Apricot Lane open at Cabin John Village in Potomac, Indigo Physiotherapy coming soon

The Grove and Apricot Lane have opened at Cabin John Village in Potomac. Cuisine at The Grove has shifted from the earlier plans for a Belgian concept to Mediterranean dishes of Spain, Italy and Greece. Chef Jose Lopez-Picazo is at the helm for the latest dining addition to the shopping center, which is located at 11325 Seven Locks Road.

Apricot Lane offers a curated selection of women's apparel. Brands include AG Denim, Boys Lie and Free People. Apricot Lane is located at 7951 Tuckerman Lane. Also coming soon to the center is Indigo Physiotherapy, offering physical therapy and massage services. When it opens, look for it at 7735 Tuckerman Lane.

Calzedonia opening soon at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Calzedonia is opening soon at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Italian brand specializes in legwear, swimwear and socks. Calzedonia also owns Intimissimi, a lingerie brand that also has a boutique at the mall. When Calzedonia opens, look for it on Level 1, between Talbots and Sunglass Hut.

New location, new name for Melashops at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

After a two-week delay, Melashops has opened in its new location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It also has a new name - - just Mela, dropping the "shops." It's been a busy year for Mela, moving downcounty from its original Lakeforest Mall location in April, and now this relocation. Look for Mela on Level 1, across from Forever 21.

Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too returning for the holidays at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

If you believe the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year, the annual arrival of Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too is a welcome sign that the holidays are just around the corner. What is alpaca? According to an explanation from the company, "alpaca fiber is warmer, weighs less and is more durable than wool. It is soft like cashmere, but stronger and a highly-natural product. Because alpaca fiber is hypoallergenic, most people [allergic to] wool items can wear alpaca. Alpaca garments...are stain resistant. Precipitation does not readily penetrate an alpaca garment, and they are naturally windproof." The seasonal pop-up is fully-stocked and ready to open any minute. Unleash the alpacas! Look for Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too on Level 1 of the mall.

Melashops to relocate next month at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Melashops just can't settle down. The store made a big move downcounty from Lakeforest Mall in April to this space across from Urban Outfitters on Level 1 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Now Melashops will make another move October 1, but one measured in yards rather than miles this time. It will fill the space vacated by Mulier across from Forever 21, also on Level 1. Melashops fills a unique niche in Montgomery County fashion retail, carrying apparel, jewelry, and accessories from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Afghanistan, and more.