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.

No Regrets Pizza aiming for March 2024 opening in White Flint

No Regrets Pizza Co. is on-track for the "early 2024" opening promised by its coming-soon window signage at 5454 Nicholson Lane in White Flint. Located in the ground floor of the Harwood Flats apartment building, the pizzeria is currently anticipating a March 2024 grand opening. Operating hours for the 35-seat restaurant will be 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week. There will also be a full bar. Pizza lovers who leased apartments upstairs at Harwood Flats are clearly having no regrets!

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.

Raku AYCE Sushi & Japanese Buffet "coming soon" to Rockville

There's been a change in plans for the next chapter of the former Miller's Ale House building at 1471 Rockville Pike. Out is Umi Sushi & Seafood Buffet, which had announced its intention to open in the former sports bar space this past spring. In is Raku AYCE Sushi & Japanese Buffet, a small Northeastern U.S. chain with existing restaurants in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and Levittown, New York. From humble beginnings just last year, "Raku AYCE Sushi has gained the reputation as the most popular Japanese restaurant in New York," the company declares on its website. Raku, which may run into some confusion here with the local Raku sushi chain down the road, says its restaurants balance exotic ingredients delivered fresh each day with affordable prices.

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.

Cellaxs Phone Repair opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Cellaxs Phone Repair is coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Signage has been installed at its future space, which was once home to The Fix, on Level 2 near the 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 nationwide. 

Mimi's Handmade Ice Cream now open at Federal Plaza in Rockville

Mimi's Handmade Ice Cream has opened at 12274-E Rockville Pike at Federal Plaza. The shop offers handmade ice cream, sorbet and sherbet. Asian, German and Italian-inspired flavors are found on the menu, alongside standard favorites. Operating hours are 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday, and 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Good Feet Store opening at Federal Plaza in Rockville

The Good Feet Store is opening a new Rockville location at 12274-D Rockville Pike at Federal Plaza. "Coming soon" signage has been installed in the storefront windows. The Good Feet Store specializes in customized arch supports designed to relieve foot, hip, knee and back pain. It has an existing Rockville location at Wintergreen Plaza.

Tobacco Hut opens in Gaithersburg

Tobacco Hut & Vape is now open at 309 N. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. The shop offers all of the standard tobacco products you are looking for, plus vaping supplies, CBD and hemp products, pipes and hookah equipment. Tobacco Hut is open seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It's hard to miss in that former hair salon house location, on Gaithersburg's main drag, directly across from Forest Oak Cemetery. Convenient free parking is available behind the store.

Perfume World opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

If you're seeking a special fragrance for that special someone on your holiday shopping list this year, you are likely to find it at Perfume World. The scentsational boutique is opening a new location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Perfume World has two existing Maryland locations, one at The Centre at Salisbury, and another at Security Square Mall near Baltimore. The Salisbury location has a high 4.5 stars out of 5 rating on Google reviews, so expectations will be high for the new Bethesda shop. When it opens, follow your nose to Perfume World on Level 2 of the mall, next to Beauty Boss.

See's Candies returns to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The signs of holiday shopping season are many at Westfield Montgomery Mall ahead of the official Black Friday start, from decorations to Santa's photo area to holiday pop-up shops. Among the most-anticipated of the latter each year at the Bethesda mall is See's Candies. 102 years after its founding by the See family in Los Angeles, many of their candies still use Mary See's original recipes. Look for See's this year on Level 1, next to T-Mobile.

Hangry Joe's opening Germantown location

Hangry Joe's is expanding to Germantown. The Nashville Hot Chicken chain has been rapidly growing in Montgomery County, with two existing locations in Rockville, one in Wheaton, and one in Montgomery Village. It has also announced a future Gaithersburg restaurant. But Germantown is the latest addition to the roster; the future Germantown Hangry Joe's will be in the vacant storefront at 19730 Germantown Road, in the Shops at Town Center.

Lids opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Planning to shop for the sports fans in your life this holiday season? One more option is now here at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Lids has opened next to the Lego store on Level 1. The sports merchandise retailer carries hats, of course, along with a wide variety of licensed sporting apparel, shoes and accessories. Lids offers "hassle-free" returns on merchandise up to 90 days after purchase.

Shouldn't it be the Commanders?

Akira Ramen & Izakaya opening Tuesday in Gaithersburg

Akira Ramen & Izakaya will open its newest Montgomery County location tomorrow, Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 105 Paramount Park Drive at the Spectrum development in Gaithersburg. It will be located next to Ela Mesa Taste of Greece, and is convenient to the Watkins Mill interchange of I-270. Akira Ramen has an existing location in the county in Rockville.

Pines of Rome Express opens in Rockville

Montgomery County's best white pizza isn't just for Bethesda anymore. Pines of Rome Express, a takeout-focused offshoot of the legendary downtown Bethesda Italian restaurant, is now open at 121-B Congressional Lane at the Congressional North Plaza shopping center in Rockville. Check out the menu below, and call (240) 290-0048 to make a delivery order. The opening of Pines of Rome Express was first reported by The MoCo Show.

Buy Buy Baby to return in Rockville this fall (Photos)

The new owners of the Buy Buy Baby retail chain have posted signage regarding their plan to reopen the Rockville location at Congressional Plaza. It is scheduled to reopen this fall. Here's a sneak peek inside the store, where you can see that shelving is in place, and even a Buy Buy Baby shopping cart. Buy Buy Baby's return in Rockville is fitting, as the chain's very first store opened in 1996 in Rockville.

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.

Flagship Express car wash opens in Rockville

Flagship Express has opened at 785 Hungerford Drive (MD 355) in Rockville. The original Flagship Car Wash here temporarily closed so that the company could convert the site into its new Flagship Express concept. Express locations offer exterior automatic washes on flat-belt conveyors, 3 unlimited levels of membership packages, and free vacuums, towels and compressed air. The old self-service bays here have been demolished to make way for the Express facilities. Flagship has two other locations in operation in Montgomery County: North Bethesda, and Germantown.

Montgomery County's first Taco Bell Cantina is "coming soon"

Montgomery County is finally getting its own Taco Bell Cantina, and it's about time! The upscale Taco Bell concept will be opening at 8662 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring, according to a banner posted on the storefront. It looks like construction has already begun inside. Is Rockville next? With 50 Taco Bell Cantinas planned for New York City, surely there's room for more than one in MoCo.

What is the difference between Taco Bell Cantina and a regular Taco Bell? A fancier interior, an open kitchen like you find in hip restaurants, custom menu items, and adult versions of Taco Bell freezes alongside a selection of beer, wine and sangria. As you can see, Taco Bell fans are already lining up outside. Or is it for The Fillmore next door? The Fillmore doesn't have Baja Blast!