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.

Construction update on new Wegmans-anchored development in Rockville (Photos)

The opening of the new Wegmans grocery store at B.F. Saul's Twinbrook Quarter development on Rockville Pike at Halpine Road won't take place until sometime next year. But The Milton apartments upstairs in the development's Phase 1 building are now expected to welcome their first residents this fall. The leasing office is now open, and a website for The Milton is now active. Construction workers are finishing the upper level residential interiors, and completing punch lists of required items to meet the requirements for approval by code inspectors from the City of Rockville.

Halpine Road has been resurfaced to eliminate any construction-related scars or damage, with new medians and landscaping. Burial of fiber optic cables will now permit the sidewalks and tree planting to be completed. Speaking of sidewalks, a new multi-use path along Rockville Pike in front of the property is now visible in the photos below. In addition to the new traffic signals at Rockville Pike and newly-created Festival Street, traffic signals will also be installed at the intersection of Halpine and Chapman Avenue. B.F. Saul reports that, despite the recent drought, steady sun and the occasional rain shower have plantings in the central courtyard already growing.

The future Wegmans

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.

Police called after assault at Rockville grocery store

Rockville City police were called to a grocery store at the King Farm Village Center, after an individual was allegedly assaulted there Saturday night, July 13, 2024. The assault was reported at the Safeway store at 403 Redland Boulevard at 9:05 PM. An individual was also accused of shoplifting in the same incident.

Assault at Rockville apartment building

Rockville City police were called to investigate an assault at an apartment building on Saturday night, July 13, 2024. The assault was reported in the 500 block of Monroe Street at 8:20 PM. It took place in the parking lot of the apartments.

Mind Games signage installed at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The sign is up at Mind Games, the new toy store opening soon at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. A Toronto-based chain, Mind Games sells books, educational toys, and games alongside the conventional popular toys. It also has its own house-brand products. Familiar toy brands stocked include Lego, Funko, Mattel, and Maisto.

Operating hours of the store will be 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays. Look for Mind Games on Level 1 of the mall, next to Build-A-Bear Workshop. 

Armed robbery in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in Rockville this past Saturday, July 13, 2024. The robbery was reported in the 2600 block of Research Boulevard at 9:58 PM Saturday. It took place in a commercial parking lot near the intersection with Shady Grove Road.