Signage installed at Kapow Buddy at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Signage has been installed at Kapow Buddy Thai Street Bowl at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The signs have been placed on the mall exterior, as well as outside the fast casual restaurant's space indoors. In recent weeks, the restaurant has been serving its bowls at various events and venues to obtain feedback, which has been quite positive from the reactions shown on their social media accounts. When it opens, look for Kapow Buddy Thai Street Bowl on Level 1 of the mall, diagonally across from Yogi Castle in the Old Navy wing.

Foot Locker chooses Florida over Montgomery County, Maryland for new corporate HQ

Montgomery County and the State of Maryland turned out to be flyover country for Foot Locker. CEO Mary Dillon announced that the sporting goods giant, currently located in New York City, has chosen St. Petersburg, Florida as the new location for its global corporate headquarters. This officially gives St. Petersburg more Fortune 500 headquarters than Montgomery County, while its population is barely a third of MoCo's. Foot Locker plans to make the move late next year, bringing 175 high-wage jobs to St. Petersburg.

Foot Locker is only the latest company to sail over Montgomery County and Maryland like Michael Jordan on its way to the basket. Montgomery County hasn't attracted a major corporate headquarters in over a quarter-century. It's just one reason why the County, like Maryland, has a moribund economy and structural budget deficit. Once again, we've been dunked on by a more business-friendly jurisdiction, and the losses are adding up on residents' annually-rising tax bills.

"Foot Locker's move represents a significant corporate relocation, and importantly, it's another example of impactful and inclusive economic development in our city and the Tampa Bay region," St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch said in a statement. "On the heels of the generational Historic Gas Plant District project approval, St. Pete has now attracted a Fortune 500 company that will create 150+ more jobs and further diversify our workforce."

"We are delighted to welcome Foot Locker, Inc. to Pinellas County," Pinellas County Economic Development Director Dr. Cynthia Johnson said. "The Fortune 500 company’s decision to relocate here is a testament to Pinellas County’s attractiveness as a business destination. Pinellas County is committed to supporting the company’s growth and ensuring it thrives in the community.”

Photo courtesy Foot Locker

Public hearing on Lakeforest Mall redevelopment agreement tonight in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg's Mayor and City Council will hold a public hearing tonight, Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 7:30 PM, at 16 S. Summit Avenue, regarding the Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA) for Lakeforest Redevelopment, LLC. This is in relation to the redevelopment of the Lakeforest Mall site. A DRRA provides for "the creation of an agreement that can provide certainty and stability to developers, while allowing the City to negotiate enhanced public benefits in return," the City said in a statement. "A DRRA aims to enhance development flexibility, innovation, and quality, while ensuring the protection of public interests, health, safety, and welfare."

J.Crew reopens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

J.Crew has reopened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It has moved across the corridor to a new location. The return of J.Crew is slightly behind schedule, as the store was officially expected to reopen this past summer. Look for J.Crew's new spot on Level 1 of the mall, between Intimissimi and Arhaus.

Subway to open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Subway is coming to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The famous sandwich chain has leased the former J. Chow space in the Dining Terrace food court. After a number of independent or local tenants have flopped spectacularly in the food court in recent times, it appears Westfield is going to try a "sure thing" with a popular national brand, just as McDonald's and Chick-fil-A continue to enjoy tremendous success at the mall year after year. 

Construction of the new Subway is expected to begin in a few weeks. I think this will be a great addition to the food court. Especially with the recent improvements and additions to the Subway menu. We'll know inflation is officially over when the $5 Footlong returns to Subway.

Photos courtesy Subway

Okaeri Japanese Cafe & Anime now open in Rockville

Okaeri Japanese Cafe & Anime is now open at 1701 Rockville Pike at the Shops at Congressional Village. This is the second Okaeri location in the area, following the first in Centreville, Virginia. There is a strong emphasis on the dessert menu, but there is a wide selection of onigiri, Hamburg steak, and curries, as well. Anime gift items are available for sale. Operating hours are 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM Wednesday through Monday. Okaeri Rockville is closed on Tuesdays. 

Montgomery County fumbles biotech HQ, Philadelphia recovers for touchdown

Butterfingers! Biotech, along with residential housing construction, is really the only bright spot in Montgomery County's otherwise-moribund economy. Decisions - and hefty tax breaks, which coincidentally only apply to these two industries (wow, you mean tax breaks generate economic growth?) - made by County and Maryland leaders decades ago led to the development of a strong biotech sector. But even this couldn't prevent MoCo officials' latest fumble of a corporate headquarters, as the relocation search of Adare Pharma Solutions' global headquarters ended with the selection of...Philadelphia.

The New Jersey-based biotech firm made its decision last month, but the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development celebrated the victory at a ceremony on Friday. “Having a company like Adare relocate its global headquarters to Philadelphia is a fantastic win for our Commonwealth and proves Pennsylvania gets it done,” DCED Secretary Rick Siger said. “The company’s growth is helping to boost our already robust life sciences sector ― a key element of our economic development strategy — while creating more opportunities for Pennsylvanians.”

Steering the Keystone state's successful bid was the Governor's Action Team. “I’m competitive as hell and I believe Pennsylvania is the best state in the nation for companies who want to innovate, grow, and succeed so I’m thrilled that Adare has chosen Pennsylvania over other states for its headquarters and continued growth,” Governor Josh Shapiro said in a statement. “Pennsylvania is a leader in biotech and life sciences – with a talented workforce, access to key markets, and significant laboratory infrastructure – and Adare’s growth here will build on that legacy while creating more opportunity for Pennsylvanians. Pennsylvania is open for business, and I look forward to welcoming more companies to our Commonwealth in the near future.”

Adare's new global HQ will bring "at least 115 new, well-paying jobs" to Pennsylvania, the governor's statement indicated. Meanwhile, on the day that Philadelphia was celebrating the Adare HQ prize, the Montgomery County Council was tweeting about placing even more costly environmental regulations and paperwork responsibilities on building owners in the County. "Doh!" Now there's a great recruiting message to send to firms around the world. Montgomery County continues to be closed for business.