Pandora opens temporary store at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Pandora has opened a temporary store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, while its current location is remodeled. The jeweler is now down on Level 1, between T-Mobile and Windsor, in the Old Navy wing of the mall. Renovations of its permanent spot on Level 2 next to Banana Republic are expected to be completed before the end of spring. Pandora is also currently hiring additional staff.

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.

Donutchew bites promotion at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Donutchew has managed to survive for three months in a kiosk where multiple tenants have failed in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. As a result, it is getting promoted to a larger, legitimate food court space. "Coming soon" signage has been posted at the new corner location. The mochi donut chain has found similar success with its Rio Lakefront location in Gaithersburg.

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.

Gaithersburg to rule on updated signage for Walnut Hill Shopping Center

The venerable Walnut Hill Shopping Center sign is a landmark in itself for drivers traveling through Gaithersburg on MD 355. But like other design features at the center, it is now considered past its prime as the property's owners are amidst a major renovation to update it. There is one other problem - as Walnut Hill was annexed into the City of Gaithersburg to facilitate the addition of a Sheetz convenience store, it is now subject to that city's zoning codes. And those codes say that Walnut Hill's existing signage is not compliant.

Proposed locations of new
monument signs (in red) and
freestanding tenant signage (green)

The Gaithersburg Planning Commission will attempt to resolve all of these issues by reviewing, and potentially voting to approve a comprehensive sign package submitted by Walnut Hill at its March 6, 2024 meeting. Walnut Hill's proposed signage is still not in compliance with city code, but Planning staff are still recommending approval of the package. They note that the new signs will be in the same locations, will assist in safer wayfinding for drivers and pedestrians, and will not be visually obstructive. 

One condition placed on the release of final sign permits from the City is the removal of two Montgomery County stormwater easements at the property. Some of the current and new signs are located within those easements. The City says it is currently working with Montgomery County to have those easements terminated.

Corner monument sign - note the
Sheetz gas station canopy visible in 
the background

Police respond after assault at Rockville grocery store

Montgomery County police were called to a grocery store in Rockville Saturday afternoon, March 2, 2024, after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a supermarket in the 12000 block of Rockville Pike at 4:34 PM Saturday. There is a Giant grocery store on that block of Rockville Pike.