Home Depot Design Center, Barnes & Noble, Pike & Rose boutique and a 7-Eleven update

Construction has begun on Rockville’s new Home Depot Design Center, which is taking over the long-empty Golf Galaxy space at Montrose Crossing. This will be the second store of its kind in the country, featuring kitchen and bath showrooms, high-end appliances and an army of designers to plan and execute your project. Meanwhile, what’s going on with the Barnes & Noble store next door? Scroll down.

Lots of construction at Congressional Plaza this week as the upcoming Barnes & Noble store gets a grand new facade. So…. does this mean we’re getting two whole floors of books? Sadly, no. Despite what it looks like, Federal Realty tells us the new store will not have a second level. Doors are supposed to open this summer, but a peek inside reveals that not much progress has been made. Check it out for yourself on Facebook and Instagram.

Newly open at Pike & Rose: Evoluxxy, a locally owned boutique carrying brands like Vince, Theory, Stuart Weitzman, Citizens of Humanity and Mother — plus a selection of pieces by the store’s own designers. You’ll find it in the former Francesca’s space, between Olive & Loom and the Lucky store.

These are the final days for Papyrus at Westfield Montgomery mall, and last weekend the store was packed with bargain-hunting shoppers. Also departing is the Sheepskin Gifts store, which trots into the mall every fall and goes out to pasture every spring. Meanwhile, the new 7-Eleven is set to open on Friday, March 13th.