Update on Bartaco in Rockville (Photos)

There's still no opening date for Bartaco at 950 Rose Avenue at Pike & Rose. But construction progress continues inside and outside of the former NADA space at the development along Rockville Pike. Permanent signage has been installed over the storefront. The location is also hiring staff, as you can see on the banner below. 

Urban Outfitters debuting new store concept at Montgomery Mall this month

 

Urban Outfitters has closed its existing store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The apparel brand is preparing to open its new concept store, targeted at Gen Z shoppers, later this month in a different space at the mall. UO has so far rolled out the new store design in Houston, Texas, and Glendale, California. Maryland is third on the list, and the first on the East Coast. 

Old store

When UO examined retail trends, it found that Gen Z is driving a mall resurgence across the country. 72% of Gen Z shoppers surveyed stated that they do the majority of their apparel shopping at malls, and that this is their preferred shopping method. In designing a new store concept, UO also revamped its approaches to its men's and women's product mix.

New concept storefront 

The new store concept features more floor space dedicated to the best-selling UO brands, including BDG denim, OFU (Out from Under) and Standard Cloth. New modular and responsive fixtures and displays  will allow the store to more quickly and easily respond to trends and seasons. The new store's fitting rooms will feature a brighter, more spacious design. And warmer, more richly-textured decor will create a more immersive shopping experience.

New concept women's department 

“Our goal is to be the go-to brand and destination for the categories and brands that define our customer’s style, and a source of inspiration through our creativity,” Urban Outfitters President Shea Jensen said in a statement. “This new format gives us the freedom to shape our stores around our customers, their lifestyle, and the moments that matter most to them.”

New concept men's department 

UO plans to open an additional six locations of the new concept store this year. At Montgomery Mall, the new store will be found on Level 1, between Calzedonia and Kickz.

2025 assault total officially tops 2024 tally at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

 

A 2nd-degree assault reported at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda yesterday bumped the year's tally of assaults at the property past last year's total. Montgomery County police were summoned to the mall Tuesday afternoon at 2:33 PM, after someone was physically assaulted during a shoplifting incident. Yesterday's assault was the twelfth reported at the mall in 2025, officially surpassing 2024's total of eleven. Police have been more visibly patrolling the mall in recent months, working closely with mall security officers. But the permissive attitude of County elected officials regarding crime - including retail theft - has made it challenging, with a relentless parade of shoplifters ransacking stores countywide.

Samsung Biologics acquires GSK manufacturing facility in Rockville

Some rare good news out of Annapolis about the rare bright spot in the moribund Montgomery County economy: biotech. Samsung Biologics has just acquired the GlaxoSmithKline manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced yesterday. GSK had announced earlier this year that it would be moving its vaccine research and development operations from that Rockville facility to Massachusetts. Samsung's acquisition will keep more than 500 existing jobs at the site, and add an unspecified number of additional jobs as Samsung adds potential production lines for other local biotech firms in the future.

Moore was hands-on in recruiting the South Korean firm. He personally met with Samsung Biologics executives earlier this year during an international trade and investment mission to Japan and South Korea to promote economic growth and workforce development. 

“We are thrilled that Samsung Biologics has selected Maryland for their first U.S. manufacturing facility, a testament to our state’s leadership in life sciences, our highly-skilled workforce and the commitment of our private and public sector to advance patient health around the globe,” Moore said in a statement Monday. “During our Asia trade mission, we were excited to share with Samsung Biologics executives the many reasons why Maryland is an ideal foothold from which the company can execute its long-term strategy to expand in the U.S. market.”

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, who has targeted life sciences in his efforts to attract high-wage jobs to the County, joined Moore in celebrating the win yesterday. “The acquisition of GSK’s Rockville manufacturing campus by Samsung Biologics represents a significant achievement for Montgomery County,” Elrich said in the statement released by Moore's office. “This $280 million investment brings the world's largest contract drug manufacturer to Montgomery County, ensuring U.S.-based manufacturing continues, safeguarding over 500 current jobs, and setting the stage for further growth as Samsung boosts production capacity. It serves as a robust endorsement of the ecosystem we have cultivated, which is founded on talent, diversity, and enduring partnerships. We proudly welcome Samsung Biologics to Montgomery County, Maryland, and anticipate their contribution in enhancing our economy, workforce, and status as a global life sciences hub.”

School of Rock opening new Rockville location

School of Rock, which offers music lessons and live performance opportunities for adults and children, is opening a new Rockville location early next year. It will be located at 1081 Rockville Pike at the Talbott Center, on Level 2. They are currently enrolling an inaugural class of students. But if you think you see Jack Black near the facility, it's more likely going to be an actual homeless guy.

Hobby Lobby begins hiring for Gaithersburg store

Hobby Lobby's first Montgomery County store is currently under construction at 15750 Shady Grove Road at the 270 Center. Now the big box crafts retailer has begun hiring employees for this location. An ad posted on X seeks a Retail Co-Manager for the store, which sits on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville. "Join our team and let your creativity flourish in Gaithersburg, MD," the Christmas-sweater-themed post says. "Are you ready for the opportunity to thrive as a manager?"

Mango Mango House of Desserts opening in Rockville

Mango Mango House of Desserts is coming soon to Rockville. It will be located at 1617 Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza. Founded in New York's Chinatown in 2013, the Asian dessert chain has expanded into twelve states. As you might surmise, mango is their signature flavor. But you'll also find a wide variety of cakes, sundaes, snowclouds, and milk and fruit teas.