CORE closes at Montgomery Mall, Victoria's Secret moving

CORE is no more

Upscale urban apparel retailer CORE continues its on-again, off-again relationship with Westfield Montgomery Mall. After a two-year run from 2015-2017, the store closed, only to return last March on Level 1 in the Nordstrom wing. But Sunday, CORE had closed again after exactly one year. There had been signs over the last week that they were shutting down, but now it's official.

Victoria's Secret is on the move

Victoria's Secret and former CEO Les Wexner indeed have their share of secrets. We might be on to their destination in their move at Montgomery Mall, however. There are "signs" that a sign is being installed over a Level 1 space recently vacated by a furniture store.

If only the Les Wexner-Jeffrey Epstein
story was this easy to figure out

Evoluxxy opens at Pike & Rose

Here's something that almost never happens in retail - a business that opens before the predicted opening season. Evoluxxy has opened at Pike & Rose. The women's designer-label fashion boutique was expected to open in the spring. Evoluxxy is located between Olive & Loom and Lucky Brand at 11811 Grand Park Avenue.

Bella Sena boutique opens at Rockville Town Square

Bella Sena boutique has opened at Rockville Town Square. Owned by Bethesda resident Bella Sayag, Bella Sena carries casual and activewear apparel, hats, handbags and jewelry among its inventory. Bella Sena is located at 156 Gibbs Street, which was most recently home to Sunday Kitchen & Bath.

Francesca's closing Rockville store

Women's apparel boutique Francesca's is closing at Pike & Rose. The Texas-based fashion chain announced earlier this year that it would be closing twenty to thirty of its more than 700 stores nationwide. They are now hosting a closing sale at this store, which is located at 11811 Grand Park Avenue.

The good news for loyal Francesca's customers is that their Bethesda Row and Montgomery Mall locations are not currently scheduled to close. The even better news is that you can save 50% on your entire purchase at the Pike & Rose closing sale.

Evoluxxy to open Rockville store

Evoluxxy, a women's fashion boutique featuring designer labels, will open a location at 11811 Grand Park Avenue at Pike & Rose next year. They have signed a lease for the space between Olive & Loom and Lucky Brand, property owner Federal Realty announced Tuesday. Curated brands carried by Evoluxxy include Max Mara Weekend, Vince, AGOLDE, MOTHER DENIM,  Maison Kitsune, Yuul Yie and Etc.

“Pike and Rose offers some of the finest restaurants and retailers in the DMV and it is growing bigger and better,” Evoluxxy owner Amanda Dolin said. “We look forward to bringing our variety of nationally and internationally acclaimed labels to the neighborhood. Whether you are looking for a trendy piece, simple cocktail dress or a formal outfit, we’ve got it all.”

“With on-trend styles and must-have brands, Evoluxxy compliments the shopping experience that customers are seeking at Pike & Rose,” Federal Realty Leasing Director Emily Gagliardi said. Evoluxxy will open in Spring 2020.

Women's fashion pop-up at Congressional Plaza in Rockville

A pop-up fashion boutique is moving into the space next to Chico's at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. They haven't even put up a sign yet, and there's nothing on the property's social media accounts about it. It may be tied to the upcoming Fall Sidewalk Sale at Congressional Plaza, October 11-14, 2019.

Yvonne Fx opens at Montgomery Mall, Dream Aero under construction (Photos)

Women's fashion boutique Yvonne Fx has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It is located on Level 2 by LensCrafters.

In other mall news, the Dream Aero Flight Simulator ride remains under construction above the Dining Terrace. A wall panel has been punched out near the ceiling above Gusto and Chipotle, and wiring can be seen along the edge of the opening. Dream Aero plans to begin providing the experience of flying a Boeing 737 this fall.

Icon Bridal & Formal expanding to Rockville

Award-winning local bridal shop Icon Bridal & Formal is expanding down the pike to the Pike District. They've leased space for a new store at 11771 Rockville Pike, across from Pike & Rose.

Icon currently has a Darnestown location, which has won three awards from wedding planning website Wedding Wire. This space was last home to David Blair's almost-successful campaign for Montgomery County executive last year.

UNIQLO to open September 1 in Rockville

Famed Japanese apparel retailer UNIQLO has posted huge "Coming Soon" signage at their future Pike & Rose location at 11853 Grand Park Avenue. And now we know their opening date, as well - Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 10:00 AM.

The new store's manager will be Elissa Jackson, and they are still hiring employees. For the guys, yes, they also have a large line of men's apparel, as well as women's and children's.

UNIQLO to open store at Pike & Rose this fall

Global apparel brand UNIQLO will open a store at Federal Realty's Pike & Rose development this fall. This will be the retailer's first Maryland location, and its third in the D.C. Metro region. The 8000 SF store will be one of many new additions to the property this year, including the soon-to-open Canopy by Hilton hotel. It will be located at 11853 Grand Park Avenue.

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.

The Pike & Rose location will offer jeans made from authentic Japanese Kaihara denim, extra fine merino sweaters, and some of UNIQLO's fabric innovation lines like LifeWear, Ultra Light Down and the quick-dry/anti-odor AIRism. Apparel will be offered for men, women and children.

“Pike & Rose has quickly become the retail destination for the Montgomery County community,” Federal Realty’s Vice President of Leasing Stuart Biel said in a statement this morning. “We look forward to offering the internationally popular UNIQLO brand to the Pike & Rose neighborhood, its first location in Maryland.”

MACY'S HOSTING LOCAL DESIGNER SHOWCASE THIS SATURDAY AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL

Click photo to enlarge: