L.L.Bean opens next month — right across from REI

Construction is nearly complete on the new L.L.Bean store at Pike & Rose, where the company tells us it expects to open Nov. 10 with 23,000 square feet of clothing, shoes and outdoor adventure gear. L.L.Bean sits just across the street from the new and even larger REI store, which opened last April with a similar mix of merchandise. With the recent additions of Pinstripes, Sephora, H&M and Sur La Table, Pike & Rose is finally taking shape as a retail, dining and entertainment destination — and poised to be a significant draw for shoppers this holiday season.

New boutique for Pike & Rose

In other Pike & Rose news, another clothing store is joining the lineup with plans for a 2018 debut. Scout & Molly’s specializes in trendy women’s lines like AG Jeans, Project Social Tee, Sanctuary, Trina Turk, Tracy Reese and Spiritual Gangster. This will be the first Montgomery County location for the North Carolina-based chain, which also has stores in Annapolis, Reston and Fairfax. Click here to check it out.

Milkshakes & smoothies in Potomac Village

Just in time for the cooler weather, this week marked the debut of milkshakes at Five Guys in Potomac Village. The $4.49 price includes unlimited mix-ins of malted milk, peanut butter, Double Stuf Oreos and a bunch of other goodies that will make you glad it’s finally sweatpants season (click here for the full list). And for those who prefer a healthier way to drink in some extra calories: Just across Falls Road, the Sprinkles ice cream shop is about to debut a new juice bar.

Name change for Coach

This week Coach announced plans to change its name to Tapestry Inc. — a move that caused some fans to panic that their favorite brand might disappear. But the company says the new name is meant to reflect its recent acquisitions of Stuart Weitzman and Kate Spade, which will continue along with Coach as separate fashion lines. Victor Luis, CEO of the newly renamed company, dismissed the idea that shoppers might associate “Tapestry” with the ’70s-era Carole King album: “We discovered that most millennials had not heard of it.” More on this story in The New York Times.

Photo: CGF Events

Ready for the parties?

What’s popular on the local party scene this fall? Lounge furniture, logos and stuff that lights up. What’s out? Balloons, buffet lines and boring corporate parties. For more on what to expect at this year’s mitzvahs, weddings and holiday gatherings, scroll down or click here to read our fall party-planning edition.