Signage installed at Flagship Express car wash in Rockville

Signage has been installed at the future Flagship Express car wash at 785 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. The existing car wash there has been closed while Flagship Carwash constructs its new business concept. Their new Express locations offer exterior automatic washes on flat-belt conveyors, 3 unlimited levels of membership packages, and free vacuums, towels and compressed air. The old self-service bays at this Rockville location have been demolished to make way for the Express facilities.

American Eagle temporarily relocates at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

American Eagle has temporarily relocated at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The apparel retailer is now open in a temporary space on Level 2 outside of Macy's Home. Their permanent location is undergoing renovations, and will be closed during that time. 

Coincidentally, American Eagle has just sued Westfield to get out of its lease at San Francisco Centre Mall in California. The chain blames Westfield for letting safety conditions at that mall to "deteriorate into disarray" in its legal filing. "American Eagle, which has a shop in the mall, said that Westfield breached its lease agreement and its neglect of common areas in the mall led American Eagle employees to 'suffer and respond to gun violence, physical assaults, burglaries, and robberies,'" CNN reports. Of course, that's not exactly accurate, as San Francisco is experiencing these problems on a larger scale beyond just that mall over the last few years.

American Eagle is also trying to get out of its lease at Spinoso's Northlake Mall in North Carolina, according to WSOC-TV. It has countersued that mall operator as one of five tenants who have announced their intention to leave the property. "Spinoso allowed the shopping center - Northlake Mall - to deteriorate into an atmosphere reminiscent of a warzone, replete with violent criminals, multiple shootings, terrorized tenants and customers, and diminished business. The lawsuit claims the Apple store moved out of the mall after three shootings," WSOC reports. 

Strong-arm rape reported at Shady Grove Road nightclub

Montgomery County police responded to a reported incident of strong-arm rape at a nightclub on Shady Grove Road Monday night, September 11, 2023. The sexual assault was reported at a club in the 15900 block of Shady Grove Road, on the border of Rockville and Gaithersburg, at 9:48 PM Monday. 

Westfield hits pause on sale of Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

It's been more than two years since Westfield principal owner Unibail made public its intention to sell off its American mall properties, including Montgomery Mall and Wheaton Plaza here in Montgomery County, to focus on its investments in Europe. Over that time, Unibail has sold nine of its lowest-performing malls in the United States. But there's been no word or even rumor of a pending sale of Montgomery Mall. According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, Montgomery Mall is one of several Westfield properties that are performing well enough that sale plans have been put on hold.

The Journal reports that sales and occupancy have bounced back to pre-COVID-19 levels or better at a number of Westfield malls. Among them are Montgomery Mall, Westfield Topanga Mall, Westfield Valley Fair Mall, Westfield Century City Mall, and Westfield Garden State Plaza. Interestingly, those are all in California except for Montgomery and Garden State. Wheaton Plaza is not on the Journal list, it should be noted.

According to the Journal, Unibail now intends to move forward with its plan to construct a new, outdoor-oriented addition to Montgomery Mall that includes residential units. Unibail Chief Executive Jean-Marie Tritant told investors on a recent conference call that the company has been pleasantly surprised by the recent upturn in its fortunes, and now has flexibility to sell off its U.S. portfolio at a pace of its choosing. This will likely mean obtaining higher cash value in return, as the company was unlikely to get the best price while buyers had the impression that a fire sale liquidation was underway.

Montgomery Mall's high financial performance is not necessarily surprising. After Westfield invested $100 million in additions and renovations to the property a decade ago, Montgomery Mall recorded the highest sales in its 55-year history.

Peeping Tom reported at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall to investigate a peeping Tom incident on Thursday, September 7, 2023. The peeper was reported at the mall at 1:20 PM. 

Crack cocaine bust in Rockville

Rockville City police arrested a 32-year-old man for alleged possession of crack cocaine in the Twinbrook area on September 3, 2023. The arrest was made in the 5700 block of Fishers Lane. In the course of their investigation, officers discovered the man also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

La Speranza restaurant opening in Rockville

La Speranza, a Tex-Mex and Italian restaurant, will be opening at 806 Baltimore Road in the Burgundy Park Shopping Center in Rockville. That is the space currently home to Tia Ochi. Sounds like an interesting menu concept. Operating hours will be 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM Fridays and Saturdays.