Apple Store Westfield Montgomery Mall

Holiday parties, great gifts & our biggest raffle ever — plus Apple and Orangetheory

December 1, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Kicking off the holidays with our biggest raffle ever

This week we’re kicking off gift-giving season with a bounty of fabulous raffle items from vendors at the Washington Hebrew Congregation Sisterhood Holiday Boutique & Silent Auction, opening Sunday Dec. 4 and continuing through Tuesday Dec. 6 at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center in Potomac. Here are some of the gifts you can win:

White fuzzy PJ Salvage sweater from Barbie B (shopbarbieb.com)
Turquoise Siberian tiger leggings from LavaLoka (lavaloka.com)
Silver and zirconia necklace from Artfully Designed (click for more on Facebook).
Choker necklace with crystal beads from Gemini Jewelry (click for more on Instagram).
“Hibiscus in Orange” large photo canvas from Photos by Freddi (photosbyfreddi.com).
Bottle of vintage Robbins Family Farm organic balsamic vinegar from All Things Olive (allthingsolive.com).
Glittery girls’ headband from Bows Etc. (bowsetc.com)
Girls’ leggings from Shop Marti (shop-marti.com).
$50 gift certificate for kids’ clothing from Blue Elephant (shoptheblueelephant.com).

There are three ways to put your name in our hat: 1) Click here to enter online. 2) Click here to enter via the Store Reporter Facebook page. 3) Visit the boutique show, stop by the Store Reporter table and fill out an entry form. We’ll announce the winners next week.

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Cocktail party at Nordstrom

Tonight (Dec. 1) is the night for Westfield Montgomery‘s holiday kickoff party at Nordstrom Court. What’s on the menu? Cocktail bites from various Westfield Montgomery restaurants, whimsical entertainment… and from what we hear, some surprises that will be worth your while. The party is happening from 6 to 8 p.m.; there’s a $10 suggested donation to benefit Care for Kids at Children’s National Medical Center. Complimentary valet provided (please park by Tara Thai). Purchase tickets at the door or click here to RSVP.

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Apple’s back… and we’re a little disappointed

The newly renovated Apple store reopened just before Thanksgiving at Westfield Montgomery Mall. If you haven’t seen it yet, there’s no need to rush: Frankly, we think the new design is a bit of a snooze. It’s bigger, of course, and just as white and minimalist as you’d imagine. But it seems we missed out on the some of the cooler features that Apple has been adding to its stores in other other cities. There’s no Genius Grove with live trees. No boardroom for private meetings. No designated area for the creative sessions and live concerts that Apple has been planning at other locations. Of course we’re happy to have Apple back. But this new store just doesn’t have the “wow” we were hoping for.

Orangetheory opens next week

Orangetheory Fitness makes its debut at Park Potomac next week, just across the street from MoCo’s Founding Farmers. This is the second Montgomery County location for the Florida-based fitness chain, which offers heart rate-monitored group workouts with intervals of cardio and strength training. Grand opening party is Dec. 8th from 6 to 8 p.m — with orange crushes to drink, of course. Click here for more.

Free Alex & Ani bracelet at Congressional’s Silver Moon

Alex and Ani is a name you’ll see on plenty of teens’ wish lists this year. The stackable bangle charm bracelets, priced from just $28, are made in the U.S. from recycled materials with a portion of the proceeds going to charity. This weekend (Friday Dec. 2 through Sunday Dec. 4), Silver Moon Jewelry & Accessories is giving away a Peace & Love bangle with every $75 Alex and Ani purchase. Stop in to see the collection at Silver Moon, 1659 Rockville Pike in Congressional Plaza. For details, call 301-468-1122 or click here.

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For your foodie friends: O’Donnell’s Market gift cards

If you’re already a fan of O’Donnell’s Market — or if you haven’t checked it out yet — December is a great time to treat yourself and your friends. Through the end of this month, purchase $100 worth of O’Donnell’s gift cards and get a $20 card of your own. What to try? For first-timers, owner Bill Edelblut recommends the cocktail shrimp, organic salmon, sushi-grade tuna, grass-fed beef tenderloin and signature crab cakes. The holiday tarts and rum buns also make great hostess gifts. Click here, call 301-251-6355 or visit O’Donnell’s Market, 1073 Seven Locks Road next Walgreens at Potomac Woods Plaza.

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Apple store opening, goodbye Offenbachers, new outlet shops, chocolate truffles and a bad week for ShopHouse

October 27, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Apple store’s back next month

The Apple store at Westfield Montgomery Mall is set to reopen on Black Friday, revealing the results of a months-long renovation that has both annoyed and intrigued local Apple fans. What we know for sure: The new store will be about twice its previous size, encompassing the neighboring spaces that formerly belonged to BCBG, Teavana and Sephora. What we’re expecting, based on Apple’s new direction: A “town square” vibe with generous seating, free Wi-Fi and occasional concerts; a “Genius Grove” lined with live indoor trees; a giant video wall showcasing the latest and greatest; and a business boardroom for private meetings with Apple experts. To see what the new Apple stores look like in other markets, click here.

Goodbye Offenbachers

Offenbachers, the outdoor furniture and fireplace chain, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week after 44 years in the D.C. area. Going-out-of-business sales began today (Oct. 27th) at the company’s eight locations in Virginia and Maryland, including the one on Randolph Road in Rockville. Some $9 million worth of inventory will be priced to move, including Hanamint and OW Lee patio furniture, Coyote and Legacy billiards tables, Kozy Heat fireplaces, and grills from Traeger and Big Green Egg. To see what else is up for grabs at Offenbachers, click here.

The end of ShopHouse?

This week Chipotle said it will discontinue expansion of its ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen chain, which opened at Pike & Rose just last year. The D.C. area was one of three test markets for ShopHouse, but Chipotle says sales weren’t impressive enough to continue the experiment. Now the company is turning its attention to two newer concepts: Pizzeria Locale, which currently has a handful of locations in four states, and Tasty Made, a Shake Shack-style burger chain that launches this week in Ohio. As for ShopHouse, the existing locations will remain open for now while Chipotle tries to sell them off.

New sweet treats at the mall

In case you don’t have enough Halloween candy around the house this week, Westfield Montgomery Mall has a new place to satisfy your sweet tooth. Chocolate Moonshine, now open in the former Chloe’s Deli space next to Chick-fil-A, offers handmade fudge and giftable decorative truffle bars that are gluten-free and relatively low in sugar. “We get everything fresh from our factory in Pennsylvania,” says local distributor Edward Heller, a former executive with Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. “It’s all natural and organic, but it’s the attention to detail and beautiful craftsmanship that really makes our product special.” To check it out for yourself, click here.

New outlet mall opens this weekend

This weekend marks the grand opening of Clarksburg Premium Outlets, less than 30 minutes from the Rockville/Potomac area off I-270 at Exit 18. The 90-store tenant list has something for everyone, from Adidas, Ann Taylor and Armani Exchange to Theory, Tommy Hilfiger, Ugg and Under Armour. Grand opening festivities will be happening all weekend with live music, DJs, kids’ activities, giveaways and Halloween events. To view the full list of new places to shop, click here.

As Kindred Spirits departs from Reagan Airport

As Kindred Spirits, which exited Westfield Montgomery Mall last summer, is also closing its D.C. store at Reagan National Airport. The Congressional Plaza location in Rockville will remain open, says owner Wendy “Rukmini” Walker, who’s still working on plans to return to Montgomery Mall. As Kindred Spirits is one of seven gift shops that made our list of Store Reporter Favorites for 2016. To see who else got our vote, click here for our Oct. 13th edition.

Sur La Table, H&M, Red Door Spa, hot pots and bagel balls

September 8, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

New tenants for Pike & Rose

Pike & Rose is building an impressive list of tenants for its second phase, now under construction at Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road. In addition to REI and a Pinstripes bocce and bowling center, here’s who else is heading to Pike & Rose:

Sur La Table: This high-end kitchen store will fill the void left by Williams-Sonoma’s departure from the doomed White Flint Mall.
H&M: The fast-fashion retailer, which also lost its home when White Flint was demolished last year, is making a welcome comeback to North Bethesda.
Red Door Salon & Spa: This is the second Bethesda location for Red Door, which also can be found at Wildwood Shopping Center.
Sephora: It’s also the second Bethesda location for the beauty retailer, which just expanded its presence at Westfield Montgomery Mall.
Taylor Gourmet: The D.C.-area hoagie chain is known for its made-from-scratch ingredients, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

A “town square” vibe for the Apple Store?

While everyone is busy obsessing over the iPhone 7, we’d also like to mention that the new Apple Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall is going to be even bigger than we thought. In addition to taking over the spaces that previously belonged to BCBG and Teavana, the expansion is now expected to include a portion of the former Sephora store as well. Apple hasn’t revealed what it’s going to do with all that square footage, but Fortune reports that the company’s new stores are going for a “town square” vibe with visually inviting Genius bars, expanded seating areas, free Wi-Fi and even live music. To read more in Fortune’s interview with Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts, click here.

Chinese hot pot heading to Rockville

Taking over the Noodles & Company space at Rockville Town Square: Little Dipper Hot Pot, a locally owned restaurant that’s scheduled to open early next year. Little Dipper serves Chinese-style soup with noodles and vegetables, accompanied by a plate of raw beef, pork, lamb or seafood that’s cooked right at your table via a flame beneath your bowl. This will be the second restaurant for owner Kevin Lui, who opened the first Little Dipper last winter in Falls Church. “Rockville has the right demographics and a market that needs this type of cuisine,” Lui says. For more on Little Dipper, click here.

Teen beat: PacSun, Aéropostale and Allure

Teen retailer PacSun emerged from bankruptcy this week after closing only 20 of its 590 stores and reducing its rents at others. The PacSun store at Westfield Montgomery Mall has remained open throughout the process — as has the mall’s Aéropostale store, which has been in bankruptcy since May. But the mall did lose one teen retailer over the summer: Allure, which carried special-occasion dresses, closed its doors in August.

Starbucks rolls out Bantam Bagels

This week Starbucks added a new grab-and-go food option: bite-sized bagel balls in three cream cheese-stuffed flavors, priced at $2.95 for two. Bantam Bagels are made in New York by husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Elyse and Nick Oleksak, who came to national attention after a 2015 appearance on Shark Tank and a $275,000 investment from shark Lori Grenier. Click here for more on the Bantam story.

What went down while you were out of town

With Labor Day behind us and the kids back in school, Store Reporter will be landing in your inbox every Thursday once again. If you missed our summer issues, and you’d like to catch up on what opened and closed while you were away, you can find it all at our website: www.storereporter.com.

Sephora, Trader Joe’s, Nike, Payless and the end of Great Beginnings

August 25, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Sephora’s makeover is nearly complete

Sept. 1 marks the debut of the new Sephora store at Westfield Montgomery Mall — the first of three longtime tenants in the Macy’s wing that are racing to open bigger and better stores before the holidays. Teavana, which closed last spring to make room for a major expansion of the Apple Store, will return this fall in a new location just across the hall. Apple was originally expected to reopen around November, but the project started late and construction delays could make it difficult to meet that timeline. Meanwhile, Swiss coffee maker Nespresso will soon announce plans for a retail store and tasting cafe right next to Teavana. Click here for more on that in our Aug. 18 edition.

Sad ending for Great Beginnings

Great Beginnings, the baby and children’s furniture chain that served Montgomery County for nearly three decades, has come to a not-so-great ending. After the original Gaithersburg location closed its doors last summer, owner Jim Streight told Store Reporter that he planned to reopen in North Bethesda. But this summer brought the abrupt closing of a second Great Beginnings store in Chantilly, which was said to have sustained damage from a burst water pipe. Customers were notified via email that the business could not “financially recover” from the incident and wouldn’t be reopening. Those with outstanding orders were advised to seek refunds from their credit card companies.

Payless in, Hardwood Artisans out in Rockville

Payless Shoe Source opens a new Rockville store this Friday (Aug. 26th) at Federal Plaza on the Pike. The space became available this summer with the departure of Hardwood Artisans, which had been a fixture at that shopping center for nearly 20 years. The furniture company is shifting its attention to downtown Bethesda, where it opened a new store last winter. Click here for more in our May 26th edition.

New Trader Joe’s for Travilah

Stay tuned this fall for the latest on plans for a proposed Trader Joe’s store at Travilah Square Shopping Center. The grocer is hoping to open on Darnestown Road early next year, replacing a Burger King restaurant and small office building at that property. We’ll keep you posted as this proposal moves forward.

Nike store opens, beer garden for Pike & Rose

The Nike Factory Store opened its doors last week at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, where it’s well-positioned to pick up customers from the recently departed Sports Authority. Nike replaces the City Sports store that closed last fall when its parent company went out of business. Next up for the Pike & Rose: Owen’s Ordinary, a beer garden and restaurant from the developers of Vermilion, Iron Gate and Birch & Barley. More on that in an upcoming issue.

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Nespresso cafe, Shark Tank handbags, Macy’s closings & more

August 18, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Hello Nespresso

This week we have good news for coffee lovers: Nespresso, which sells high-end coffee machines and accessories, is about to announce plans for a retail store at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Nespresso will take over the second-level space that was vacated this week by Kay Jewelers, which has relocated next to Swarovski. This is all part of a long-term plan to upgrade the mall’s Macy’s wing, where Nespresso will be joining neighbors Apple, Teavana and Sephora in the race to open their new stores before the holidays.

Macy’s store closings: Can it happen here?

If you saw last week’s news that Macy’s plans to close 100 of its 675 stores, you may have wondered whether there’s reason to worry about the retailer’s future at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The answer: Probably not, given this area’s demographics — but a final decision won’t be made until early 2017. “We’re going to be looking at the year-end numbers before we decide which specific ones will close,” says Macy’s spokesman Elina Kazan. Last year 36 Macy’s stores closed their doors after the holidays, including one in Hagerstown. For more on what Macy’s is doing to bring back lapsed customers, click here for our July 28th report.

R. Riveter marches in

R. Riveter, a patriotic purse company backed by Shark Tank‘s Mark Cuban, opened its first D.C.-area store this month at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The North Carolina-based retailer offers high-end handbags made from canvas, leather and recycled military materials — all hand-sewn by military spouses who work remotely wherever their families are stationed. The store also carries other military-related products that have been featured on Shark Tank, including bottle openers made from hollow bullets. You can find R. Riveter in the mall’s Nordstrom wing, in the former Eileen Fisher space across from Coach.

Bye bye bargains on Coach and Michael Kors

Speaking of luxury handbags: If you enjoy trolling the mall for discounts on your favorite high-end brands, this may not be the best year to find them. Coach recently announced plans to reduce its presence at department stores, while Michael Kors says it will start opting out of coupon and discount offers at stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom. Both companies have complained that frequent price cuts are “confusing” for customers, who ultimately become less willing to pay full price for luxury goods. Stay tuned to see how this no-discount strategy plays out over the holidays.

Apple Store, Macy’s, Jennifer Convertibles and Jersey Mike’s

July 28, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Apple Store is closed for the summer

The Apple Store expansion is finally under way at Westfield Montgomery Mall — several months later than originally planned, but still in time to reopen before the holidays. The new store will be nearly twice its former size, encompassing the neighboring spaces that previously belonged to BCBG and Teavana. If you need to visit the Genius Bar between now and November, the next-closest Apple locations are in downtown Bethesda and Tysons Corner.

A Summer of changes at Macy’s

Macy’s shoppers may be noticing some changes this summer as the retailer strives to update its image. Workout wear is getting a lot more floor space as the “athleisure” clothing trend continues to drive sales. In the cosmetics department, old-fashioned glass cases are increasingly giving way to self-service kiosks à la Sephora. And clearance items from all over the store are now being shoved into one big “Last Act” section aimed at bargain hunters. “We are testing this approach to see how our customers react to it,” says Macy’s spokesman Elina Kazan. “We think it’s easier to find the discounts this way.” Also new is Macy’s On Call, a chatbot from IBM’s Watson system that can help you navigate the store or find what you’re looking for via your phone instead of a sales rep. Westfield Montgomery Mall is one of 10 locations where Macy’s On Call is being tested. To try it out for yourself, click here.

Flowers, fun and music at Cabin John

Have you noticed the flowering plants, free yoga classes, cornhole tournaments and sidewalk concerts at Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall this summer? It’s all part of a long-term effort to “surprise people, provide some entertainment, and encourage shoppers to walk around more when they’re here,” says marketing manager Hilary Shure. “You never know what you’re going to find just around the corner.” September will bring a series of parking lot concerts from local rock and oldies bands, including Lloyd Dobbler Effect, Sandra Dean Band and the Retro-Rockets. Show dates haven’t been posted yet, but you can click here to see what’s coming up for August.

Goodbye Jennifer Convertibles

Jennifer Convertibles and Jennifer Leather closed their doors on Rockville Pike this week as the New York-based retailers exits the D.C. area. “We still have locations in New York and New Jersey, but the ones in Maryland and Virginia just weren’t profitable,” a sales rep tells us.

Hello Jersey Mike’s Subs

Jersey Mike’s Subs made its Rockville debut at Wintergreen Plaza this week, just two doors down from the new Habit Burger Grill. The two restaurants have replaced Tedd’s 355 Diner, which was torn down last fall. To check out the Jersey Mike’s menu, click here.

Beefsteak opens, Apple Store update, Flora’s flies the coop

June 23, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Beefsteak ready to open at the mall

Beefsteak, the new veggie-centric restaurant from celeb chef José Andrés, is set to open next week in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall. A fast-casual concept from the man who brought us Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel and Minibar, Beefsteak has rolled out five locations in its first 15 months as Andrés sets his sights on a national expansion. (Investors include actress/health guru Gwyneth Paltrow.) The menu isn’t entirely vegetarian — you can choose to top your meal with a poached egg or salt-cured salmon — but the focus here is on pairing veggies with grains, nuts, seeds and sauces. Click here to check out the menu for yourself.

Apple Store closing pushed back again

It’s been almost three months since we broke the news that the Apple Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall would be closing for a major expansion. But while the other predictions in our April 4th report have all come to pass (see story below), the start date for the Apple renovation has been pushed back from late April to early May to a new projection of “sometime this summer.” Apple will be taking over the adjoining storefronts once occupied by BCBG and Teavana, rolling the whole space into a massive new store that was supposed to be ready before the holidays. The longer it takes for construction to begin, the more challenging that timetable will become. Either way, Apple fans will likely find it worth the wait: Click here for a Bloomberg report on the company’s striking new store in San Francisco.

On the move: Sephora, Teavana & Kay Jewelers

While the Apple Store expansion is on hold until later this summer, construction is moving forward on three other stores in the Macy’s wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Sephora is moving into a larger space across the hall from its current location, which will remain open during construction. Teavana, which closed in April to make room for the Apple expansion, is building a new store of its own just down the aisle. And Kay Jewelers, as we predicted in our April 4th report, will be moving out of its corner spot to a new home next to Swarovski. All three stores should be open by early fall.

Flora’s flies the coop

Closing this summer after 12 years: Flora’s Feathered Nest, the artsy Potomac gift shop in a quaint two-story house at 12211 River Road. Flora’s fans appreciated the store for its creative displays and one-of-a-kind gifts, from herb gardens in the summer and holiday decor in the winter to giant clocks, nautical accessories and farm-themed artwork. “I loved my customers and made some great friends along this journey, but the square footage here is just too big to maintain,” says owner Marcia Copenhaver, who is contemplating whether to retire or reopen in a smaller space. “I simply need to take a break and reevaluate how much time and energy I want to devote to my passion.” In the meantime, three-year-old JT Interiors will have the Potomac Village gift-shopping market to itself.

Why Blaze closed, World of Beer, Hardwood Artisans and Sport Authority

May 26, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Why Blaze closed — and what happens now

This week Blaze Pizza fans were shocked by our May 23rd report that the restaurant had closed its doors at Westfield Montgomery Mall. But take heart: A Blaze rep tells us the California-based chain is looking to open elsewhere in this area. The decision to close at the mall was made “after lease negotiations proved unsuccessful, and with respect to a combination of other factors including alterations to mall entrance signage,” says Blaze spokesman Joshua Levitt. In the end, he says, “We felt moving this location was the best strategy to the long-term health of the brand.” Stay tuned to Store Reporter for the latest on what’s cooking at Blaze. In the meantime, superfans can visit the next-closest locations in Laurel, College Park and Baltimore.

Other mall departures

Cleo’s Oil Bar, which opened just a year ago at Westfield Montgomery Mall, made a quiet exit last month after sales didn’t pour in as expected. Cleo’s had featured a winery-inspired layout where visitors could belly up to the bar for samples, then sip them from a seating area near the Godiva store. “Just didn’t fly,” sighs co-owner Linda Cameron, who continues to operate her original store in Annapolis. Cleo’s isn’t the only business to depart the mall in the last few weeks. Others include BCBG and Teavana, whose spaces will be taken by the expanding Apple Store (click here for more), and the restaurants Jamaican Mi Crazy and Lobster ME, which both closed on Monday along with Blaze Pizza (click here for more).

World of Beer opens in Rockville

Opening on Memorial Day in downtown Rockville: World of Beer, with 4,200 square feet of indoor/outdoor seating on the ground floor of the new Upton apartment building on Maryland Avenue. This will be the third Maryland location for the Florida-based company, with a fourth to follow in downtown Bethesda later this year. General manager Patrick Costello says customers can expect “a lively, fun and casual atmosphere, with 50 rotating taps, a great selection of locally made beers, an old-fashioned cask engine, and an infusion tower for making beer flavored with fruits and herbs.” The tavern-style menu is focused on burgers, wings, flatbreads and giant Bavarian pretzels. To check it out for yourself, click here.

Hardwood Artisans exits Rockville

The changes keep coming at Federal Plaza on Rockville Pike, where Ruby Tuesday closed last week and Hardwood Artisans is on the way out after nearly two decades at the same location. Demand for custom furniture has diminished in the current economy, a spokesman tells us, and business at the Rockville store had been slow for several years. Maryland customers can visit Hardwood Artisans at its recently opened location on St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda, which showcases a new line of space-saving condo furniture (click here to check it out). The Rockville store will close at the end of June. Who’s moving in? Payless.

Sports Authority’s final exit

This week Sports Authority kicked off its nationwide going-out-of-business sale, which will continue through the end of August. Returns and exchanges can be made through June 25th, store gift cards will be honored through the 28th, and extended warranties on Sports Authority products will remain in effect via a third-party company. But if you were planning to redeem the points accrued from your Sports Authority Loyalty Program, you’re out of luck: They just expired.

Addie’s comeback, Apple update, new Irish restaurants and another retail bankruptcy

April 21, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Addie’s heading to Park Potomac

Addie’s, the beloved Rockville restaurant that closed its doors three years ago, is making plans for a comeback. Owners Jeff and Barbara Black have signed a lease for 4,000 square feet at Park Potomac, where they’ll try to recreate the old Addie’s magic with indoor/outdoor seating and some of their original menu items. The Blacks, who own a half-dozen restaurants including BlackSalt, Black’s Bar & Kitchen and Black Market Bistro, have said they closed Addie’s primarily because the little yellow building was in such disrepair. That issue also caused delays for their successor, D.C. caterer Helen Wasserman, who spent two years on renovations before opening Helen’s Bar & Grill just last week. For more on Helen’s, click here for our April 7th edition.

New closing date for the Apple Store: May 7th

The Apple Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall has pushed back its closing by a week, setting May 7th as the new date for the start of its expansion in the Macy’s wing. Apple is taking over the space formerly occupied by BCBG and Teavana, with a reopening planned for this fall. The neighboring Sephora store also is expanding this summer, but in Sephora’s case the current store will remain open while the new one’s under construction across the hall. For more on these and other changes to the Macy’s wing, click here for our April 4th special edition.

Two Irish openings

It’s a month too late for St. Patrick’s Day, but two new Irish restaurants have opened their doors in the Rockville/Potomac area. Lahinch, from the owners of the Irish Inn at Glen Echo, offers a menu of Irish and American dishes in the former Benny’s space at Cabin John Shopping Center. And over at Rockville Town Square, Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub has opened for business at the Gibbs Street space formerly occupied by Carbon Peruvian Chicken.

Another sports store files Chapter 11

In the wake of last month’s Chapter 11 filing for Sports Authority, this week we noted the bankruptcy of Delaware-based Vestis Retail Group, parent to Eastern Mountain Sports, Sport Chalet and Bob’s Stores. None of those chains had a presence in Montgomery County (although Eastern Mountain does have a store in Virginia), but this latest bankruptcy suggests that the shakeout of big-box sporting goods stores isn’t over yet. In our area we’ve also seen the demise of City Sports (which lasted just a year at Pike & Rose before the whole chain filed Chapter 11) and local retailer Hudson Trail Outfitters, which closed all of its stores last fall.

Addie’s successor, Fish Taco, River Falls Tavern and our toy basket winner

April 7, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Addie’s successor ready to open

After two looong years of construction on the building that once housed Addie’s — and more bumps in the road than the owner cares to count — doors are finally set to open next week at Helen’s Bar & Grill on Rockville Pike. Owner Helen Wasserman, a veteran D.C. caterer, says her new place will feature an ever-changing menu of favorite recipes perfected during years of feeding partygoers. For first-time visitors, Wasserman recommends the grilled lamb chops, lobster dumplings and cheese wontons with guacamole. Hours aren’t quite set yet and the restaurant is small, so call ahead if you’re planning to try it out: (240) 403-7035.

Hola Fish Taco

Here’s a peek at the new Fish Taco, which opened over spring break at Wildwood Shopping Center off Democracy Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road. “Things have been busier than we originally anticipated,” reports head chef Brant Cotter, “but that’s a great problem to have.” This is the second location for the popular Mexican chain, which made its debut on MacArthur Boulevard in 2013; a third will open this summer on Wisconsin Avenue. To see what’s on the menu at Fish Taco, click here.

Name change for the Tavern

A year after the sale of The Tavern at River Falls in Potomac Village, owner RW Restaurant Group is seeking a fresh start with a new name inspired by our local canals: Lock 72 Kitchen & Bar. Chef/owner Robert Wiedmaier followed a similar strategy in The Kentlands, where his Brasserie Beck turned into Boulevard Tavern after its first year, and in downtown Bethesda where Urban Heights recently transformed into Tommy Joe’s. But partner Frank Shull says the changes will be more subtle in this case: The original chef is still on board, and the menu will expand a bit with RW signature dishes like Lobster Risotto and Colorado Rack of Lamb. Click here to check it out.

Make a spring stop at JT Interiors

Have you ever driven through Potomac Village and wondered about the cute brown house with the JT Interiors sign? If you haven’t stopped to check out this charming store — which relocated from The Kentlands in 2013 — spring is a great time to visit. Inside you’ll find not only design and renovation services, but also furniture, home accessories, and gifts for all occasions and budgets. We spotted hand-embroidered guest towels and heart-shaped catch-alls for less than $20 each, and canvas totes and Inis fragrances for under $50. “Everything we have here is unique,” says store manager Lauren Gregory. “We buy merchandise that you won’t find in other shops.” JT Interiors, 9906 River Road, (301) 299-0485. Click here to see the latest on their Facebook page, or click here to take a nifty virtual tour.

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Who won our big basket of toys?

Congratulations to Amanda Klueger of Potomac, who won our latest drawing for this fabulous basket of toys: a Yoga Spinner game from ThinkFun; Spot It and Doodle Quest games from Blue Orange; Crazy Aaron’s Glow-in-the-Dark Thinking Putty, provided by Toy Castle; and a My Gym gift certificate for membership and classes. We have another toy giveaway coming up soon. Stay tuned to Store Reporter to make sure you don’t miss it.

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Mall changes: Apple, Sephora & the Macy’s wing

In case you missed our special issue last Monday, we’re predicting a big spring shakeup for the Macy’s wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Insiders tell us that the Apple store will be expanding (and may shut down during the process), while Sephora and Teavana will be relocating to larger new spaces across the hall. For more on this — along with the future of BCBG Max Azria and Kay Jewelers — click here for our April 4 edition.

Cloudy weather for PacSun

Teen retailer Pacific Sunwear, commonly known as PacSun, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week with plans to reorganize as a private company. PacSun, which has a store at Westfield Montgomery Mall, says it will operate as usual during the restructuring process and all locations will remain open. Gift cards and credits still will be honored for now, but it’s always a good idea to use them quickly in these situations. Teen retailers are having a hard time these days: American Apparel is also in Chapter 11, Abercrombie & Fitch is struggling, and Wet Seal, Delia’s and Deb Shops all have gone out of business.

Spring shakeup at the mall: Apple, Sephora & more

April 4, 2016 By Store Reporter 4 Comments

While many of us were spending spring break in the Big Apple, Westfield Montgomery Mall was busy planning a Big Apple of its own. Insiders tell us the mall’s Apple Store is about to undergo a huge expansion, setting off a major reshuffling of the Macy’s wing that involves Teavana, Sephora, BCBG and possibly Kay Jewelers. Neither Apple nor mall officials would confirm anything just yet, but we hear the spring shuffle is already a done deal — and we couldn’t wait until Thursday to tell you. Here’s a rundown of what’s ahead:

The Apple Store will take over the space currently occupied by its next-door neighbor, Teavana, as well as the storefront where BCBG just closed. If you have any Apple items that need attention, you’d better move quickly: We’re told that the store will be closed during the renovation, which could begin as soon as next week. The bigger and better Apple Store will make its debut this fall.
Teavana will close its doors as the Apple expansion begins, with plans to return in late summer with a new store just across the aisle. There’s plenty of available space in that section of the Macy’s wing, where Hollister recently closed and Abercrombie & Fitch moved downstairs. When Teavana does reopen, it will face a formidable new competitor: Canadian retailer David’s Tea is about to open just around the corner.
Sephora also is moving across the aisle to a larger space that’s expected to be ready by August. But Sephora fans can relax: Unlike its neighbors, we hear the glam makeup store will remain open at its current location until moving day arrives.
BCBG Max Azria has closed to make way for Apple’s expansion — and it appears the fashion retailer won’t be coming back.
Kay Jewelers, which occupies what will soon be a prime corner next to Sephora and Teavana, is tentatively scheduled to relocate this summer to the onetime Caché space next to Swarovski. No word yet on who might take over Kay’s corner… but we won’t be surprised if it’s a big name.

Pair these changes with last month’s news about the addition of a Lucky Strike Social bowling alley, and it looks like this will be quite a fall for our local mall.

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Cloudy weather for PacSun

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