Water issue shutters several businesses at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A damaged water pump in the Old Navy wing of Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda forced several businesses to temporarily close last night. Kapow Buddy and Yogi Castle were among the restaurants impacted. The Cheesecake Factory in the same wing still had water service, and remained open for business, and the Dining Terrace food court was unaffected. Water could be seen in the parking lot outside the Old Navy wing, where the entrance by The Cheesecake Factory was cordoned off with tape. A plumbing crew was on-site last evening attempting to repair the damage so the affected restaurants could resume operation today.

 

Ding Cafe closed in Rockville, to reopen December 6 with new drinks, giveaways

Ding Cafe has temporarily closed at 785 Rockville Pike at the Ritchie Center in Rockville. It will reopen this Saturday, December 6, 2025, with new drinks on the menu. Stopping by this weekend could pay off - literally. On Saturday, they'll be giving away 100 free drinks. And on Sunday, December 7, they will offer 100 buy-one-get-one-free drinks, and customers will receive 20% off purchases all day.

Lands' End closing in Rockville

Lands' End is closing at 1667 Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza in Rockville, according to signage posted at the store. A closing sale is underway. The store has been open for about six years, and will be the loss of another big brand name on the Pike.

However, the Montgomery County Council probably isn't the culprit this time. A familiar villain is behind the Lands' End curtain: Fast Eddie Lampert. Yep, the same Fast Eddie Lampert who sucked all the money out of Sears and Kmart before running those American institutions into the ground. He bought another solid American brand in Lands' End, and now he wants to cash out once again. Lampert, the majority shareholder in the apparel company, has exhorted the corporate board to find a cash buyer as soon as possible.

Sixty Vines seeks permission to add retractable screens to pergola at Downtown Crown

 

Sixty Vines, the new restaurant at 212 Ellington Boulevard at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg, is seeking permission from the City of Gaithersburg to add retractable screens to its outdoor dining pergola structure. The retractable vinyl curtains will utilize the MagnaTrack Vinyl Screen System. Those screens will be black in color, and will not count as increasing the building footprint under City regulations. Sixty Vines' application will be reviewed by the Gaithersburg Planning Commission at its meeting tonight, December 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM. City planning staff are recommending approval of the application.

2 assaults in 2 days at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police on patrol at the mall Saturday 

Montgomery County police responded to two reports of assaults last week at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. A 2nd-degree assault was reported at the retail center on November 25, 2025,  at 5:26 PM. Just over 24 hours later, an aggravated assault was reported at the property. That assault was related to a shoplifting incident. These were the eighth and ninth assaults reported at the mall this year. At this pace, Montgomery Mall is likely to have fewer assaults this year than last, when eleven were reported. 

Montgomery County police had a more visible presence at the mall this past weekend. Officers were wearing the new back patches that identify they are with the County police. These were demanded by the Montgomery County Council to distinguish them from ICE officere working in the County.

Update on Terra Gaucha restaurant in Rockville (Photos)

Terra Gaucha is currently on pace to open before the end of the month at 1651 Chapman Avenue at the new Twinbrook Quarter development in Rockville. Signage has just been installed on the exterior of the building. "Terra Gaucha was born out of the desire to bring the best of Southern Brazil to the US. We made this dream a reality when we opened the first home of the Ultimate Churrasco Experience in Jacksonville, back in 2015," the growing chain recounts on its website. "You’ll not only enjoy our premium cuts, but will also indulge in a variety of Brazilian inspired dishes and an array of cheeses and cold cuts at your disposal at our Gourmet Hot and Cold Table."

Buffalo Wild Wings closing at The Square at Rockville

Buffalo Wild Wings will close next month at The Square at Rockville, formerly known as Rockville Town Square, according to employees at the restaurant. The sports bar-style chicken wing spot has been removed from the development's leasing map, and its space is now listed as "available." No reason for the closure has been announced yet, but I noticed that the dining room was closed one night last week, and patrons were being seated at the bar only. That could reflect a staffing issue - or employees may be dropping off after learning they won't have a job much longer. The dining room was open as usual the next night I checked.

BWW also seems to be focused on its new GO restaurant concept, with a streamlined menu and emphasis on takeout and delivery orders, that reduces overhead on inventory and staff size. One of those is now open "up the Pike" at the Rock Grove shopping center. The closure of Buffalo Wild Wings was first reported by The MoCo Show.