Janie and Jack opens in new location at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Janie and Jack has completed its move at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It was a short move across the Nordstrom wing on Level 2 for the children's apparel boutique. Janie and Jack is now open next to California Pizza Kitchen. Founded in 2002 in San Francisco, Janie and Jack carries clothing for children in sizes from "newborn to 18."

The demise of Forever 21 at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Forever 21 has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Their two-level space has been cleared out. The surveillance camera and monitor are still running, though. Forever 21 is closing all stores after filing for bankruptcy; most were due to close by May 1, likely depending on how quickly a store was able to liquidate inventory.

New Rockville Pike McDonald's now hiring (Photos)

The new McDonald's restaurant at 11710 Rockville Pike in White Flint is now hiring for all positions. Interested prospective employees can interview every Wednesday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, according to banners posted at the construction site (seen in the photos above and below). As you can see, the building is nearing completion, but there is still work to be done on the parking lot and landscaping around the exterior. Now added since my last update: the weather canopies above the two drive-thru windows.

Pickleball firm JOOLA begins construction of retail store in Rockville

JOOLA has begun construction on its first retail store at 917 Meeting Street at Pike & Rose. The pickleball and table tennis equipment manufacturer recently relocated its Rockville headquarters to Pike & Rose, the latest of many corporate HQs poached from the City of Rockville by the newer Federal Realty development in unincorporated Rockville, with Choice Hotels being the most prominent. With completion of the new store, JOOLA will have the opportunity to sell its products directly to the rapidly-growing number of pickleball players in the area. 

Subway to return on Rockville Pike (Photos)

Subway will make a comeback at 1402 Rockville Pike in Rockville. The sandwich shop vacated the premises there last December, and left no message whatsoever about the closure for customers. Subway's website stated this location was "closed," and all signage was removed from the building. However, the interior is now being renovated, and new Subway graphics are visible on the wall inside, as well as a Subway-branded "Open" sign in the window. They really owe us a $5 Footlong for this!

Anti-drug carnival at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda May 2-11, 2025

A carnival with an anti-drug message for children has set up in the parking lot at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. L.E.A.D Fest, an initiative produced by the organization Law Enforcement Against Drugs, will be at the mall tonight through Sunday May 11, 2025. A parent or guardian must accompany children under 18, some rides require a parent to also ride along, only clear bags will be allowed into the carnival area, and no face coverings are allowed, unless required for a medical reason. 

Tickets can be purchased online. It's intriguing to have an anti-drug event in a county and state whose leadership are strongly pro-drug, both legal and illegal. Worth contemplating, is why your elected officials want you to be zonked out on mind-altering drugs. Just say no!

Assault at Rockville High School

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Rockville High School on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The assault was reported at 9:16 AM. No further information is available at this time.