Mall expansion back on track, Pike & Rose spa makes a comeback, MoCo mask mandate ends

The grand plan to remake Westfield Montgomery mall, which has been sidelined these past few years, is about to get back on track. Montgomery County approved the project in 2018, but it was initially stalled for a year due to a building moratorium. After that… well, you know, we had a pandemic. And then, in early 2021, the whole project seemed moot after owner Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield announced that all its U.S. holdings were up for sale. But Stephen Fluhr, senior VP of development for URW, tells us the company has since decided to hold onto some premium properties in “flagship” markets. The result? “Things are about to start happening” at Westfield Montgomery, Fluhr says. The ambitious makeover will include apartments and condos, an open-air shopping/dining promenade, underground parking garages, likely a multi-story gym, and possibly medical and business offices. The mall’s existing structure will remain largely intact, though the Sears store won’t be standing for much longer. Also: As we reported earlier this month, we’re expecting good news about the ArcLight very soon. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for the latest.

The spa and salon at Pike & Rose, which began as a Red Door and was briefly re-branded as Mynd Spa, will be up and running once again before the holidays. The business’ new owner is Privai, an Asheville, N.C.-based skincare company that’s branching into the spa world. Privai is also taking over the leases of former Mynd Spas in Gaithersburg, D.C. and northern Virginia. The Pike & Rose location, next door to the Canopy hotel, is expected to reopen in November.

Moxie, a virtual fitness platform that launched at the beginning of the pandemic, has opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Bethesda. Spearheading the venture is local trainer Jennifer Blackburn, who’s taught everywhere from Life Time to Orangetheory to Equinox. What’s different about Moxie? The ability to take classes in person, on-demand or live online with a single membership. The Bethesda studio, an indoor/outdoor space at 7610 Old Georgetown Road, offers everything from strength, cardio and HIIT classes to barre, boxing and yoga. If you’re live-streaming a class, the instructor can see you and correct your form. “This is a new level of convenience designed for the post-pandemic lifestyle,” Blackburn says. “When people hear about what we’re doing, it’s almost like an ‘aha’ moment. How can I be more effective and efficient in my workouts? Well, maybe I’m going to work out from home today and then go to the club on Friday at 6 am. when it’s not so crowded.” Prices range from $10 for a single online class to $199 for an all-access monthly pass. Want to learn more? Click here.

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CELEBRATIONS

• CARD MY YARD POTOMAC is the premier yard greeting sign rental service, specializing in making your BIG day even BIGGER. Birthdays, anniversaries, babies or just because, Card My Yard will make it special! Locally owned and family-operated. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram. Email us: potomac@cardmyyard.com. Call us: (301) 908-3616. Book your greeting at cardmyyard.com.

• FLASHBACK FILMS, photo & video montages for your special occasion — whether in-person or virtual. Professional montages at affordable prices for all your important milestones: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, mitzvahs & more. We’re a locally based, student-run company and will work within your budget. Send us your photos and we’ll do the rest. Visit us on Instagram. For video samples & pricing, email flashbackfilms123@gmail.com.

• JAMIE KRAMER EVENTS is dedicated to crafting authentic, memorable & customized experiences for private & corporate events. Celebrations & milestones, conferences & board meetings, team building, corporate retreats, networking & more. Whether you’re ready for an in-person event or still prefer virtual, we promise to make it unforgettable. Check us out on Instagram & Facebook, and email jamie@jamiekramerevents.com to start planning. Website: jamiekramerevents.com.