Big Lots closing in Montgomery Village

Big Lots will be closing its last store in Montgomery County. A closing sale is underway at the store at 19142 Montgomery Village Avenue at the Montgomery Village Center. Big Lots is closing all stores after filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. The company has not announced an official closing date for the Montgomery Village store, as it says each store's closure will depend on how quickly it eliminates its inventory.

Shoe thieves plague Rockville apartment complex

One or more package pirates targeted an apartment complex in Rockville earlier this month, Rockville City police report. While porch pirates were predictably busy citywide during the holiday season, the apartments on Upper Rock Circle suffered "a particularly acute spree" of package thefts. Police say the primary target of those thefts was packages containing shoes. 

In one case on December 8, 2024, a Honda CRV believed to be driven by a package thief gained access to a restricted parking garage at the complex, by tailgating another vehicle around 7:00 PM. Once inside, the alleged thief grabbed a large number of packages from a parcel drop-off area, and fled. 

Police have not yet released descriptions of any suspects in these cases. If you can identify a suspect in these incidents on Upper Rock Circle, or have any information that might assist detectives, call police at 240-314-8900.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe targets January opening in Rockville

The sign is up at Tatte Bakery & Cafe at 12232 Rockville Pike at Towne Plaza in Rockville. Inside, the interior fit-out appears nearly complete. Furniture, and kitchen and counter equipment, are in place. Tatte is now working toward a target opening date of January 29, 2025 for the Rockville store. The chain recently opened a second Bethesda location at Westbard Square.

Merlo Point opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Merlo Point has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The home furnishings retailer stocks a collection of European-inspired furniture, art, and home decor. That includes a special Italian Collection, and a line of Turkish furniture. Merlo Point has another store in the region, at Fair Oaks Mall. At Montgomery Mall, look for Merlo Point between Calzedonia and Kickz on Level 1.

The Lady Vintner "coming soon" in Rockville

The Lady Vintner is "coming soon" to Rockville Town Center, according to a banner posted at its future storefront at 42 Maryland Avenue, in the ground floor of the BLVD 44 apartment building. A woman-owned beer-and-wine shop and bar, The Lady Vinter will offer a diverse selection of high-quality wine and beer, an in-house sommelier, and a specially-curated food menu including paninis, flatbreads, charcuterie, fine cheeses, and more.

"We are thrilled to announce the launch of our innovative wine and beer shop, The Lady Vintner," owner Ciara Cedeno said in a statement. "We invite patrons to savor, discover, and unwind in our inclusive space. Join us as we uncork a new chapter in Rockville’s culinary scene."

The 1300-square-foot wine bar will fill the space vacated by Pour Vino N' Hops. A permanent sign has been installed over the storefront, and is already lit up.

Capsule Galaxy opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Capsule Galaxy has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The store isn't exactly just a store, but an arcade of Japanese gachapon vending machines. First popularized in Japan during the 1960s, these aren't exactly a new idea in America. Vending machines filled with candy and bubbles containing cheap plastic toys were once ubiquitous near checkouts in supermarkets and drugstores across the United States. Here, they're called capsules, and random surprises, slightly-higher product quality, significantly-higher prices, and licensed characters are all part of the gachapon experience. 

To play the game, purchase tokens at the register. Insert the required number of tokens into the machine of your choice, crank the the handle clockwise, and receive your surprise. Look for Capsule Galaxy on Level 1 of the mall, across from Forever 21.

A Beautiful Closet returns to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A Beautiful Closet has returned to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The fashion boutique closed last fall on Level 2. Its new location is on Level 1, across from the Tesla store. A Beautiful Closet features sustainable apparel and accessories sourced from around the world, including Italy and Turkey. There is currently a holiday sale for those seeking last-minute gifts.