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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Nespresso, Teavana, Congressional Plaza and a pizza giveaway

November 10, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Nespresso, Teavana and Apple will be here for the holidays

The Macy’s wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall is nearing the end of its six-month-long renovation, with Teavana and Apple almost ready to open and the nearby Nespresso store not far behind. Teavana, which closed its original store last spring to make way for Apple’s expansion, is set to return Nov. 15th in its new space across the hall. Apple will be back ten days later, on Black Friday. And just around the corner, Nespresso is hoping to open Dec. 1.

Win $50 for pizza at Pieology

Have you checked out Pieology on Shady Grove Road? The make-your-own pizza chain, which opened this summer a few doors down from Nordstrom Rack, is planning a major expansion into Montgomery County. What’s on the menu? Forty choices of unlimited fresh toppings over three types of crusts (including gluten-free) plus customizable salads, all at a price point below $10. Click here for a quick video to see what Pieology’s all about. And click here to enter your name for a chance to win one of four $50 Pieology gift cards. That’s enough to treat your family — or your favorite coworkers — to some great personalized pies. Update: Congratulations to our four winners: Scott Goff, Mark Hamrick, Marilyn Grafman and Amy Wollins.

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Have a seat at Congressional Plaza

Congressional Plaza in Rockville is putting the final touches on its new outdoor seating area, offering comfy chairs and couches at the corner of Chopt and Starbucks. The project is part of a general spruce-up as the shopping center adds new stores and restaurants, including last month’s debut of Saks Off 5th. Next up: Modern Market, a Colorado-based restaurant chain that caters to both paleo and vegetarian diners. Click here for more in our June 9th edition.

Turkey with all the trimmings at O’Donnell’s Market

If you thought O’Donnell’s was all about seafood, think again: The gourmet market, which celebrates its first anniversary next month, is rolling out a complete Thanksgiving menu. Along with the traditional turkey and sides, you’ll find specialty items like lobster mashed potatoes, cornbread sausage stuffing, seafood bisque and mini versions of the market’s famous crab cakes — not to mention those classic O’Donnell’s rum buns. Click here to check out the menu, and be sure to place your order by Saturday, Nov. 19. For details, call 301-251-6355 or stop by O’Donnell’s, 1073 Seven Locks Road next to Walgreens at Potomac Woods Plaza.

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New coffee spot in Rockville

Now open at Rockville’s King Farm Village Center: Coffee Republic, a locally owned shop in the former Mayorga space at 801 Pleasant Drive. Besides the usual lattes, mochas and espressos, you’ll also find a selection of baked goods and specialty drinks like cortados and Nutella chais. Coffee Republic is the second venture for a group of friends who also operate the BeanGood coffee shop in Arlington. To see what’s pouring, click here.

Latest on Lucky Strike, Potomac Day Spa closes, trendy Thai ice cream

September 29, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

No bowling at the mall this fall

Remember the bowling alley that was supposed to open this summer at Westfield Montgomery Mall? As we move into fall with construction barely under way, we thought it was time for a check-in with California-based Lucky Strike. “We’re now looking at the first quarter of 2017,” says company spokesman Brandon Thomsen. “We’re excited to come to Bethesda, but some details of the project are still evolving.” This will be the second location for the company’s new Lucky Strike Social concept, which recently launched in Albany with 18 bowling lanes, a full kitchen and bar, a concert hall/party room, and a variety of games from billiards to old-school arcades. For a preview of what’s on the way, click here.

Potomac Day Spa closes

Potomac Day Spa, operating out of a cute little house in Potomac Village for more than two decades, has quietly closed its doors. “The rent here is just crazy expensive, and we had been struggling for a long time,” says owner Angela Hay, who bought the spa four years ago and shut it down last Saturday. The business had little walk-in traffic, Hay says, and it’s been increasingly difficult to compete with larger operations like Red Door and the new Woodhouse Day Spa on Rockville Pike. “The older people liked our quaintness, but the younger people like to go to places that are trendy,” Hay says. “I just couldn’t keep pouring money into something that wasn’t going to survive.”

Rolling out a new ice cream trend

Thai rolled ice cream, a Southeast Asian street food that’s trending across the country, has arrived in downtown Rockville. Class 520 (the name is a play on the Chinese phrase for “I love you”) opens Saturday on Dawson Avenue just off North Washington Street. Each dessert is made fresh when you order, starting with a liquid ice cream base that’s poured over a cold grill until it freezes over. “Then we add the mix-ins and run it over with a spatula to shape it into curls, so you wind up with a hard texture that slowly melts,” says manager Adam Shi. Virtually unknown in the U.S. until recently, Thai-style ice cream has popped up in foodie cities from Los Angeles to New York to Philadelphia in the past 12 months. “We believe that ours is the first one in Maryland,” Shi says. “It’s a trendy food that’s familiar to the Asian population, so we think it will do very well in this area.” Want to see how it works? Click here for a video demo.

Ready for Rosh Hashanah?

If you’re hosting a crowd for the Jewish holidays this year, there’s still time to order from Potomac Grocer. On the menu for Rosh Hashanah: onion-braised brisket, pomegranate molasses-glazed salmon, lemon honey roasted chicken, sweet potato-carrot tzimmes, noodle pudding and much more. Pre-ordering is recommended, but some dishes will be available à la carte while they last. Potomac Grocer, 10107 River Road, 301-299-4200. For the catering menu, click here.

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Here’s a product that takes balls

Look out Nike and Under Armour: Lululemon is going after the men. In an interview this week with Bloomberg.com, Lululemon CEO Laurent Potdevin says he hopes to double the company’s male customer base from 20 percent to 40 percent of its sales. Potdevin has a pretty good track record in this arena, having previously helped drive more male customers to Tom’s Shoes and more females to Burton Snowboards. This fall Lululemon is showcasing a new line of men’s pants called “ABC” — as in Anti-Ball Crushing. Wondering just how they’re going to promote this product? We did too. Click here.

Bad week for Cosi

The Cosi restaurant chain, which exited downtown Rockville two years ago, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Almost half of the company’s corporate-owned locations, including the one in downtown Bethesda, closed their doors this week. Thirty-one locations owned by franchisees, including one on Wisconsin Avenue, are expected to remain open. For more on Cosi’s bankruptcy, click here.

Breaking news: MET Bethesda out at Westfield Montgomery Mall

September 19, 2016 By Store Reporter 3 Comments

MET Bethesda closes its doors

MET Bethesda, the upscale restaurant on the third floor of Westfield Montgomery Mall, closed its doors over the weekend after less than two years in business. MET had earned a loyal following for its classic American menu, quiet atmosphere and sharp-looking martini bar. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the restaurant’s lack of an exterior entrance, which made it too dependent on traffic from the ArcLight Cinema across the hall. “We were on the third floor of a two-story mall,” one employee tells us. “Our food was great, but people only came on Friday and Saturday nights when they were going to the movies.” MET Bethesda’s parent company, which owns four other restaurants in Massachusetts, could not be reached at press time. This is the fifth restaurant to close at Westfield Montgomery Mall since May, following the departures of Blaze Pizza, Lobster ME, Jamaican Mi Crazy and Chloe’s Deli. See more in our May 23 and June 2 editions.

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.

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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.

Hello David’s Tea, Goodbye Costco Amex & Redskins Team Store

June 16, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

David’s Tea makes its debut

David’s Tea, a Canadian retailer that’s in the midst of a major U.S. expansion, has opened its first Maryland location at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Founded eight years ago by a Quebec student and his retail magnate cousin, David’s is known for its whimsical packaging, seasonal product changes and unusual flavor infusions. (This summer’s selections include Grape Freeze, Chocolate Covered Banana and Strawberry Colada.) David’s, which has more than 150 locations in Canada, went public in 2015 with plans for 80 U.S. stores by the end of this year. At Montgomery Mall, where Teavana is temporarily closed while its new location is under construction, you can find David’s in the Macy’s wing right next to Starbucks — or click here for a sneak peek online.

Costco to Amex: You’re dead to us

This weekend marks the official end of Costco‘s longtime partnership with American Express as the company begins a new relationship with Citibank Visa. The Costco Amex was known for its generous cash-back rewards program, but the Costco Visa raises the bar even higher: 4% cash back on gas purchases, 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% at Costco and 1% on everything else. American Express, which stands to lose nearly 10% of its customer base with the dissolution of the Costco deal, is now trying to lure back lapsed cardholders with a sweet $250 cash-back offer. For an informative Motley Fool report on the benefits of both cards, click here. And no matter what you decide, this Sunday (June 19th) is the last day that any kind of Amex card will be accepted at Costco.

Third Fish Taco to open next week

Just two months after the debut of Fish Taco at Wildwood Shopping Center, the burgeoning chain is set to open its third location next week at the former home of City Burger in Chevy Chase. The Fish Taco concept has been a winner for local restaurateur Francis Namin, who also created City Burger as well as the Don Pollo chicken chain and the much-missed Red Tomato Café in downtown Bethesda. Namin’s upscale Bethesda restaurant, Food Wine & Co., closed its doors a few weeks ago after its building was marked for redevelopment.

Goodbye Redskins Store, hello flag socks

If you were planning to stop by Westfield Montgomery Mall this weekend to pick up some Father’s Day gifts at the Washington Redskins Team Store, we have some bad news: The store has closed, and the next-closest location is at Tysons Corner. Perhaps Dad would be willing to settle for some flag-fashion footwear? Liberty Socks, a new kiosk in the Macy’s wing at Montgomery Mall, sells eye-catching patriotic patterns designed by a U.S. Army vet. Liberty Socks is a pop-up tenant that will close after July 4th. Click here to check out all the stars and stripes.

Bed Bath & Beyond buys One Kings Lane

This week Bed Bath & Beyond bought One Kings Lane, the online retailer whose ads you may have noticed as you browse around online. One Kings Lane, a once-hot company whose fortunes have cooled in the past two years, sells an eclectic mix of furniture and accessories via flash sales and photo vignettes that make mixing and matching look easy peasy. (Click here to see for yourself.) Bed Bath & Beyond hasn’t explained its game plan here: Will its stores start carrying furniture from One Kings Lane, or is this all part of a strategy to diversify the retailer’s online presence? Stay tuned to see how this deal plays out.

Hello to Pieology and Habit Burger — and goodbye to another mall restaurant

June 2, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Make-your-own pizza on Shady Grove Road

Pieology, a make-your-own pizza restaurant in the style of the recently departed Blaze, made its Maryland debut on Shady Grove Road this week in the former Chicken Out space near Nordstrom Rack. This is the beginning of a planned mid-Atlantic expansion for Pieology, a California-based chain that offers 40 choices of fresh toppings over three types of crusts (including gluten-free) at a price point below $10. Click here to see the menu, which also includes Chopt-style customizable salads. Pieology is actively looking for additional Maryland and D.C.-area locations, says local franchise exec Todd Stallings. He and his associates already know the market: They’re also the regional franchisees for Five Guys.

Habit Burger opens in Rockville

The Habit Burger Grill, named by Consumer Reports as one of the top fast food restaurants in the country, arrived ahead of schedule this week at Wintergreen Plaza on Rockville Pike. Like Pieology, this is a California-based chain opening its first store in Maryland. Click here to check out the Shake Shack-style menu of burgers, fries, onion rings and ice cream-based drinks. If burgers aren’t your thing, Jersey Mike’s Subs is set to open next door in early July. The two restaurants stand in the spot once occupied by Tedd’s 355 diner, which closed last fall.

Another restaurant exits the mall

Westfield Montgomery Mall lost its fourth restaurant in two weeks with the closing of Chloe’s NY Style Deli, which exited over Memorial Day weekend shortly after celebrating its first anniversary. Chloe’s had been the first independent venture for owner Caje Fernandes, a veteran of Celebrity Delly, Attman’s and Shalom Kosher whose menu had offered everything from knishes to latkes to matzoh ball soup. Fernandes says he simply couldn’t generate enough traffic with so many food choices at the mall, especially at his location away from the central Dining Terrace. Chloe’s closed just a week after the simultaneous departures of Blaze Pizza, Lobster ME and Jamaican Mi Crazy. (Click here for more in our May 23rd edition.) Mall officials say there are several new leases soon to be announced, in addition to next month’s opening of Beefsteak by celeb chef José Andrés. (Click here for more in our Feb. 18 edition.)

Vodka, blintzes and belly dancing in Rockville

Samovar, the Russian/Central Asian restaurant that’s been under construction for more than a year at Rockville Town Square, finally opened this week at 201 North Washington Street. Owner Solijon Nasimov, a longtime restaurateur in his native Tajikistan, will be working with daughter Ika Nasimova of Rockville’s European Delight market. Entrées include caviar dishes, blintzes, beef stroganoff, smoked fish and kebabs, with a drink menu that ranges from Turkish coffee to infused vodkas to Czech and Ukranian beers… and White Russians, of course. Click here to check out the menu, as well as the upcoming schedule for live music and belly dancing.

Breaking News: Blaze Pizza and two more restaurants out at the mall

May 23, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Three surprise closings at the mall

There were three surprise closings at Westfield Montgomery Mall this weekend as Blaze Pizza, Lobster ME and Jamaican Mi Crazy all disappeared between Friday night and Monday morning. Many had predicted the downfall of Lobster ME, where high prices and a limited menu had failed to draw crowds since the Las Vegas-based chain joined the Dining Terrace 18 months ago. Jamaican Mi Crazy, a food truck-turned-restaurant from a local entrepreneur, never even reached its first anniversary. But the big surprise here was the loss of Blaze Pizza, which earned high marks for its food — and had become something of a local favorite and hub for community fundraisers — since its 2014 opening on the mall’s lower level. We’ll have further details on these closings, and much more, in our regularly scheduled issue this Thursday (5/26).

Tara Thai, Apple update, Coach and a Sugo giveaway

May 5, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Tara Thai opens at the mall

Tara Thai finally made its debut at Westfield Montgomery Mall this week after nearly a year of construction at the former Legal Sea Foods space, which has been redesigned to resemble a beach resort in Thailand. This is the ninth location for Tara Thai and the third new Asian restaurant to open at the mall in the past few months, following Shanghai Bao Kitchen and B/Bop/Q near the Dining Terrace. Next up on the Montgomery Mall restaurant scene: Beefsteak from celeb chef Jose Andrés. Read more about that here.

A little more time to visit the Genius Bar

The closing date for the Apple Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall has been pushed back yet again, pending the resolution of construction issues for its upcoming renovation and expansion. The store was originally supposed to close on April 30th, then May 7th, but now it appears the doors may stay open for a couple more weeks. All parties are motivated to get going on the project quickly, as construction could take six months and Apple wants to reopen before the holidays. For more on the expansion of Apple and its neighbor Sephora, click here for our April 4th special edition.

Vote for your favorites — and win dinner at Sugo

For our next Store Reporter Favorites section, we want to know where our readers like to go for the best appetizers in town. From deviled eggs and roasted beets to fried calamari and tuna tartare, which restaurants do you think have the best light bites in greater Rockville and Potomac? Click here to comment on our Facebook page, or click here to email our editors directly (subject line: Best Appetizers.) Everyone who weighs in will be entered in our drawing for a $60 gift card to one of our favorites: Sugo at Park Potomac.

Is Coach cool again?

If you’ve noticed the lack of logos on Coach bags this year, it’s not your imagination: The 75-year-old company is moving away from its iconic “C” branding — which now represents just 5 percent of overall sales — to focus on quality and craftsmanship of its leather goods. Customers will “have a hard time finding a logo brand” at a Coach store these days, CEO Victor Luis said this week in an interview with thestreet.com. Coach has been renovating hundreds of its stores, including the one at Westfield Montgomery Mall, in an effort to modernize its image and make room for more footwear, outerwear and an increasingly popular collection of men’s products. Also on the horizon: More cross-marketing efforts like this year’s Coach x Peanuts collection, and an upcoming $150 strap for the Apple Watch.

Good news for riders and drivers

Last week marked the opening of a new Metrobus and Ride On Transit Center at Westfield Montgomery Mall, replacing the aging bus depot with safer and more comfortable accommodations for those who use public transportation. This is also good news for those who get to the mall by car: The new bus setup will allow room for 55 new parking spaces on the mall’s north side. That project is expected to get under way next week.

Farmers markets make their debut

May is the month when the farmers markets get started, and this year there are plenty to choose from around the Rockville area. On Saturday mornings at 6001 Executive Boulevard, the Pike Central Farm Market features regional vendors including All Things Olive, DC Dills, Lobster Maine-ia and Undone Chocolate. Also on Saturdays starting May 14th, the Rockville Farmers Market at Route 28 and Monroe Street has goodies from Brookeville Beer Farm, Ev & Maddy’s, Praline Bakery and Zeke’s Coffee among others. And on Wednesdays from 11 to 2, Dawson’s at Rockville Town Square hosts its own outdoor market showcasing local businesses like Canela Bakery and Holly Crepes.

Moby Dick to Potomac Village, Italian coffee to Park Potomac and a bounty of bankruptcies

April 28, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Moby Dick heads to the Village

Moby Dick House of Kabob, the D.C.-area chain known for its flame-grilled meats, fresh-baked pita bread and Persian seasonings, is heading to Potomac Village. Look for a September opening at the Potomac Promenade shopping center, where the restaurant will move into the long-empty Toys Unique spot facing Falls Road. Space will be tight, so this location will likely focus on takeout business with a bit of room for inside seating. Moby Dick, founded in 1989, is now approaching 20 locations in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. To check out the menu, click here.

Italian coffee’s brewing at Park Potomac

Filicori Zecchini, an Italian coffee chain known for its rich espressos and cappuccinos, is the latest tenant to join the lineup at bustling Park Potomac. The century-old coffee company is just now making inroads in the U.S., with several locations in New York and a recent opening in Towson, MD. Filicori also sells tea, cocoa and its own line of chocolates — which you’ll get to sample with your drink order. The coffee shop is now under construction across from Sugo and MoCo’s Founding Farmers, where its neighbors will include a revamped Addie’s (click here for details in last week’s issue) and Gringos & Mariachis (click here for more in our September report). Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more Park Potomac announcements in the coming weeks.

Serenity says namaste to the Village

Leaving Potomac Village at the end of May: Serenity Fitness Boutique, the workout wear retailer that opened just a year ago on Falls Road next to the Sprinkles ice cream parlor. The hidden-away location inside Village Yoga simply didn’t provide enough walk-in traffic to support the business, says Serenity owner Nicole Lipka, who will continue to sell at local trunk shows and is looking for a new storefront in Olney. For operating hours and details on Serenity’s moving sale, call (301) 792-7820.

Gift inspiration at JT Interiors

If you’re shopping for Mother’s Day and graduation gifts, you’ll find plenty of inspiration this month at JT Interiors in Potomac Village. The store has options in every price range, from natural beeswax candles and Swarovski-embellished note cards to Nest fragrances and soft “foutas” (sarongs that double as Turkish towels or baby blankets). JT Interiors, which relocated from The Kentlands in 2013, offers design and renovation services, furniture, home accessories and gifts for all occasions. Visit JT Interiors at 9906 River Road; click here for a virtual tour sneak-peek; or check out the store’s Facebook page here. For hours and other details, call (301) 299-0485.

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Is Sports Authority all played out?

It looks like we’ve reached the end of the line for Sports Authority, which filed Chapter 11 last month but now appears to be heading toward liquidation. At a hearing this week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the company’s attorneys said the initial plan to close just 140 locations was no longer feasible and creditors were pressing for a sale. This news comes on the heels of last week’s bankruptcy filing for Vestis Retail Group, parent to Eastern Mountain Sports, Sport Chalet and Bob’s Stores — not to mention last year’s bankruptcies of City Sports and the locally owned Hudson Trail Outfitters. An auction for Sports Authority’s assets is scheduled for May 16th; it’s unclear whether the existing stores will remain open between now and then. So who will benefit from all these bankruptcies? Looks like Dick’s Sporting Goods is poised to snap up some prime big-box real estate.

Another teen retailer close to bankruptcy

Next up on the ever-growing list of troubled teen retailers: Aéropostale, whose shares were delisted from the New York Stock Exchange last week with bankruptcy said to be imminent. Like PacSun, which filed Chapter 11 just a few weeks ago, and American Apparel, which filed last fall, Aeropostale has a store at Westfield Montgomery Mall that will likely remain open while its finances get sorted out. Also struggling these days is the once-mighty Abercrombie & Fitch chain, which recently closed its Abercrombie Kids store at Montgomery Mall along with sister store Hollister. Last year the mall also lost Wet Seal, another teen retailer that didn’t survive the 2014 holiday season. For a look at the some places where our local kids and teens like to shop, click here for our March 10th Kids & Teens Issue.

Sears closing more stores

Last week Sears Holding Corp. announced the closing of 78 more stores — including 68 Kmart locations and 10 Sears stores. In case you were wondering: Nope, the Sears store at Westfield Montgomery Mall store is not on that list.

Apple Store closing confirmed — plus burgers, delis and spring discounts

April 14, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

It’s official: Apple Store will close May 7th

Our report last week about the spring shakeup at Westfield Montgomery Mall is now official: The mall has confirmed that the Apple Store will close April 30th for a major expansion that affects multiple tenants in the Macy’s wing. As we predicted, Apple will take the space formerly occupied by the recently closed BCBG and newly closed Teavana. The cosmetics store Sephora also is expanding to a larger space across the hall, but in Sephora’s case the old store will stay open until the new one’s ready. We’ve been told that Teavana plans to reopen elsewhere in the Macy’s wing… but with the debut of competitor David’s Tea just around the corner, it’s unclear whether that’s actually going to happen. For more on these changes, including the possible move of Kay Jewelers from its prime corner spot, click here for our April 4th special edition.

New burgers beefing up the Pike

Smashburger is set to open its doors next Wednesday (April 20th) at the new Galvan at Twinbrook complex, which is nearing completion on Rockville Pike. This will be the first Rockville location for the Denver-based chain, which has been beefing up its presence in Montgomery County for the past few years. Smashburger, so named because its fresh burgers get smashed before they’re seared on the grill, also offers chicken sandwiches, salads, fries, and an array of great-looking shakes and malts. But competition is on the way: The Habit Burger Grill, a California-based chain with a similar menu, is scheduled to open this fall at nearby Wintergreen Plaza. Click here for more in our Feb. 11 issue.

Deli deal at the mall

This month marks the one-year anniversary of Chloe’s NY Style Deli, an old-school gem that you may have missed in the bounty of dining choices at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Owner Caje Fernandes, who spent 20 years behind the scenes at Celebrity Delly, Attman’s and Shalom Kosher, offers a surprisingly robust menu — plus breakfast all day and a full array of catering services — from his Dining Terrace space next to Chick-fil-A. Looking for matzoh ball soup, kippered salmon, half-sour pickles and homemade knishes, rugelach, macaroons and latkes? Chloe’s has them. And from now through May 15th, you can try them all — at 20% off. Just show our coupon on your phone… and share it with a friend who appreciates a great corned beef sandwich.

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Are you up on the latest?

Did you know that the former Addie’s restaurant reopened this week as Helen’s? Heard about the new Duck Donuts on Rockville Pike? Wondering why River Falls Tavern changed its name, or whether a bowling alley is really opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall? (Hint: Yes!) If you missed these stories — or just want to see what else we’ve written about — there’s no time like now to catch up on back issues of Store Reporter. You can find them all in our guide to previous issues; just click here.

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.

Duck Donuts, David’s Tea, Marmi Shoes & Chopt — plus a Sports Authority update

March 17, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Don’t duck these donuts

In another week or so, the Krispy Kreme at Fallsgrove won’t be the only place to get a hot donut fresh off the frying machine. Duck Donuts, a familiar name for those who work in Virginia or vacation at the Outer Banks, is set to make its Maryland debut on Rockville Pike. Duck, named after the North Carolina town where it was founded, has built a loyal following for its cakey donuts with unexpected toppings like bacon, chopped peanuts and maple icing — all of which can be mixed and matched to your tastes. Also on the menu: muffins, yogurt, breakfast sandwiches and coffee. For more on Duck Donuts, click here. Opening day could be as soon as next week at the Sunshine Square Shopping Center, 1327 Rockville Pike, in the former home of the Entenmann’s Bakery Outlet. From the buzz we hear, the lines are going to be long.

David’s Tea set to open in May

Canadian retailer David’s Tea has confirmed our March 3 report that it will soon open its first Maryland store at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The move is part of a major expansion for David’s, which recently went public and hopes to open 550 stores in the U.S. and Canada. The Montgomery Mall store will carry tea-making equipment and 150 types of tea, from traditional and international infusions to seasonal selections like the Jolly Jellybean blend shown here. “We can’t wait to join this community and for Marylanders to discover our loose leaf teas and innovative products,” says spokesperson Marjorie Roux. David’s will be the third tea store at Montgomery Mall, joining Starbucks-owned Teavana and the independent shop Rumi Tea & Spice. For a look at what David’s has to offer, click here.

Shoes in, hats out, toys back at the mall

Marmi, the women’s shoe store specializing in hard-to-find sizes, opens this weekend in the Nordstrom wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Sales and special deals will be happening all weekend long; see the ad below for details. This week also marks the return of the mall’s Smart Toys store, which had been closed for several weeks due to structural repairs. Meanwhile, two other mall tenants have exited in the past few weeks. Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too, a seasonal store that changes locations every year, will likely be back next winter. But the Lids hat store, whose products are now carried inside Macy’s, has closed its doors for good.

Win this basket of toys
This month we’re giving a way a fabulous basket of toys for kids from preschool through elementary school. Here are some of the goodies inside: A YOGA SPINNER game for ages 5 and up; two SPOT IT games for ages 3 and up; a DOODLE QUEST game for ages 6 and up; CRAZY AARON’S GLOW-IN-THE-DARK THINKING PUTTY from Toy Castle at Cabin John Mall; and a MY GYM GIFT CERTIFICATE for classes and membership to the Bethesda or Cabin John locations. There are three ways to enter this giveaway: 1) Click here to send us an email and put your name in our hat online; 2) Click here to enter via our Facebook page, or 3) Stop by My Gym at Cabin John Mall any weekday in March to fill out an entry form. We’ll compile all your entries and draw the winner’s name in April.

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Chopt opens at Congressional Plaza

Chopt had its long-awaited opening at Congressional Plaza last week, replacing the Plow & Hearth store near Starbucks. This makes four Chopt restaurants in Maryland and more than a dozen overall in the D.C. area.

Sports Authority update

Sports Authority, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this month, has changed its plans for Maryland since our last report. The Gaithersburg store near Lakeforest Mall is now slated for closure, along with three other Sports Authority stores across the state. The Rockville store at Montrose Crossing is safe for now. Nationally, Sports Authority is laying off some 3,400 people and closing about one third of its 464 stores.

Who won our ArcLight movie tickets?

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Emily Weiner, who won a pair of ArcLight Cinema tickets for our March giveaway. Thanks to everyone who entered by sending in suggestions for our Kids & Teens Reader Favorites issue, which came out last week. Want to see which stores and restaurants got the most votes from our readers? Click here.

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Irish update, Teavana competitor, Mosaic Café, Subway and Sports Authority

March 3, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

New Irish restaurants will likely miss St. Patrick’s Day

If you were hoping to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at one of our new local Irish restaurants, you may be out of luck. Lahinch, which was scheduled to open this month in the former Benny’s space at Cabin John Shopping Center, has run into the usual construction delays. “Unfortunately, it looks like we won’t be open for St. Patrick’s Day,” says owner Barry Nolan, who also operates the Irish Inn at Glen Echo. “We’ll know more in a week.” (For more on Nolan and his plans for Lahinch, click here for our Oct. 29 issue.) Also missing out on St. Patrick’s Day crowds is Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub, a new venture from local entrepreneurs that originally was supposed to open last fall at Rockville Town Square. No word yet on the timetable for that one.

Restaurant returning to French roots

Mosaic Cuisine & Café, the Rockville Pike restaurant that closed for renovations after the holidays, is scheduled to reopen by Easter with a new name, modernized decor, a bar showcasing French wines and a renewed focus on classic French cuisine. “What’s old is new again,” says owner Thierry Jugnet, who opened Mosaic in 2003 and also operates the Wicked Waffle chain. The newly named Mosaic Bistro will showcase dishes like beef bourguignon, rack of veal, chicken paprika and traditional French soups. “It’s difficult nowadays to find a truly French restaurant,” Jugnet says. “And I don’t just mean in Rockville — I defy you to find a great beef bourguignon in Washington, D.C. Nobody does these things anymore. I am French. And I am betting on going back to my roots.” For a look at Mosaic’s menu (which is still being tweaked before the reopening), click here.

David’s Tea heading to the mall?

David’s Tea, a Montreal-based company with a large fan following, appears poised to make its Maryland debut at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Details haven’t been announced yet and the mall couldn’t confirm, but David’s has posted job listings for employees at that location. David’s, which made its initial public offering last year, has announced long-term plans for 550 stores in the U.S. and Canada. At the mall, it would compete directly with the Starbucks-owned Teavana store and the independent shop Rumi Tea & Spice, both of which similarly sell fresh tea and tea-making equipment. We’ll let you know when David’s is a done deal. Meanwhile, click here for a preview of what the company has to offer.

Size matters

Things haven’t been going so well for Subway lately. First there was the whole Jared mess. Then came this week’s news that the fast-food chain has settled a class action lawsuit charging that its “footlong” sandwiches didn’t always measure up. As part of the settlement, Subway has promised that its franchisees will now use a tool to accurately measure their bread loaves. If you bought a Subway sandwich over the years and were hoping to benefit from this settlement, we’re sorry to report that your only reward will be a properly sized footlong with your next order. No money is being awarded to the class, and the Associated Press reports that the 10 plaintiffs received only $500 each. Their lawyers, on the other hand, got more than half a mil.

Win March movie tickets for the ArcLight

This month we have one more set of ArcLight Cinema tickets to give away — and you have one more chance to vote for your favorite kids’ businesses in the Rockville/Potomac area. To enter, just click here to send us a note about your favorite places for dining, shopping, birthday parties and just hanging with your kids. Or enter via our Facebook page by clicking here. Everyone who sends us suggestions will be entered into our latest ArcLight drawing.

Chapter 11 for Sports Authority

Sports Authority filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, a move that had been expected after the retailer fell behind on payments toward its debts of more than $1 billion. Sports Authority is expected to stay in business through this process, but the company says it will lay off some 3,400 people and close 140 of its 464 stores across the country. An updated closing list shows that the Rockville store on Rockville Pike and the Gaithersburg store at Rio/Washingtonian Center are expected to remain open. But several other Maryland stores, including a second Gaithersburg location near Lakeforest Mall, will be shutting down. If you’re holding a Sports Authority gift card or store credit, now would be a good time to use it: There’s no telling how long those credits will be honored.

Bowling at the mall, new restaurants in Rockville, Sports Authority and Once Upon a Chef

February 25, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

The mall gets Lucky

Here’s some news that might bowl you over: Lucky Strike, the California-based chain of upscale bowling alleys, is taking over the old movie theater space at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Plans call for a late summer/early fall opening for Lucky Strike, which will offer gourmet food, bar service, and party space for adults, kids and teens. Lucky Strike should be a fine companion to the popular ArcLight Cinema, as Westfield Montgomery Mall continues to find more reasons to draw people in on the weekends. This will be the second D.C.-area location for Lucky Strike, which also has a presence near the Verizon Center in Chinatown. To hear what else is coming to the mall — including a new vegetable-focused restaurant from celeb chef Jose Andrés — catch up on our recent issues at the Store Reporter website, www.storereporter.com.

Asian Cafe set to open next week

Miso Fusion Café will make its long-awaited debut at Rockville Town Square next week, offering a menu of traditional Korean and Japanese cuisine plus some creative mashups. “At our other restaurant in Annandale, it’s basically Koreatown — and they like things the traditional way,” says Miso co-owner A.J. Lee. “At this restaurant we’re going to have pork tenderloin, chicken jalapeño, a whole section of cheese roll katsus, and other dishes that would never fly in Annandale. We also have a lot of cool new ramen dishes, an all-you-can-eat section, and a full bar that will be open late.” You can find Miso Fusion Cafe in the former Pho & Rolls space at 33 Maryland Ave. To check out the menu, click here.

Carluccio’s debuts at Pike & Rose

Carluccio’s, the Italian restaurant and gourmet market, opened for breakfast, lunch and dinner service this week at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda. This is the second U.S. location for Carluccio’s, a U.K. company that also opened in Alexandria last summer. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the PerSei apartment building off Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road. Click here to see what’s on the menu.

Chopt is almost here

Chopt is expected to open in the next few weeks at Congressional Plaza in Rockville, where the salad chain recently posted an enormous sign that announces its presence to drivers far across the Pike. Expect another new tenant soon, as Congressional looks to replace the Robeks store that closed late last year.

New cookbook from Potomac chef

Coming to bookstore shelves in 2018: The Once Upon a Chef Cookbook by Potomac’s own Jenn Segal. The publishing deal with Chronicle Press marks a long-held career goal for Segal, a graduate of L’Academie de Cuisine who worked at L’Auberge Chez Francois before launching Once Upon a Chef from her home. Her easy-to-follow recipes, using everyday ingredients and accompanied by step-by-step photos, have earned Segal a huge loyal online audience (100,000-plus readers for her weekly newsletter) and regular print and TV appearances. The new book will feature 30 favorites from the Once Upon a Chef website, plus 70 new recipes that Segal will be working on this year. If you haven’t checked out Once Upon a Chef — a favorite at Store Reporter headquarters — click here to see what you’ve been missing.

Bankruptcy watch for Sports Authority

Sports Authority is facing a likely bankruptcy filing in March after missing payments to its creditors over the past few months. The Colorado-based chain, with 450 stores across the country, is a leader in its category along with Dick’s, Academy Sports and Bass Pro Shops. But sporting goods retailers have been losing market share to specialty apparel stores like Lululemon, discounters like Walmart, and of course the ubiquitous Amazon.com. The bankruptcy filing will likely be accompanied by the closing of nearly 150 Sports Authority stores; no word yet on the fate of those in our area.

José Andrés brings veggies to the mall, Potomac Village Deli on the comeback trail, new store for sleepaway campers

February 18, 2016 By Store Reporter 2 Comments

José Andrés brings veggies to the mall

Coming this summer to Westfield Montgomery Mall: a new vegetable-centered restaurant from local celeb chef José Andrés. Beefsteak, a year-old concept with two locations already open and two more on the way to D.C. and Philadelphia, is the newest venture from the man who brought us Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel and Minibar. The menu isn’t entirely vegetarian — you can 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. Pricing is moderate: Most dishes are less than $10, and the signature Beetsteak sandwich shown here sells for $5.99 with a side of chips. At the mall, Beefsteak will move into the Dining Terrace space that was recently vacated by Qdoba. (See our Feb. 11 issue for more on that.)

Potomac Village Deli on the comeback trail

Potomac Village Deli, which left the Village a decade ago to focus on its catering business, is making a comeback this spring — in The Kentlands. The new deli will take over the Gaithersburg location of its sister business, Potomac Pizza, where the owners say they’ll be serving pent-up demand for a kosher-style deli with matzoh ball soup, fresh-sliced meat sandwiches, lox and baked goods. Bagels will be provided by another sister company, Bagels ‘n Grinds, and the restaurant will continue to offer pizza and calzones in the evenings. Potomac Village Deli was an institution on Falls Road from the late ’70s until it closed in 2006, after which many customers continued to support the catering business. Owners say the pizzeria/deli switcheroo will not affect their other three Potomac Pizza restaurants in Potomac Village, Traville and Chevy Chase.

Camp store on the way to King Farm

The winter weather is far from over, but sleepaway camp is already on the radar for many local parents. Enter Bee Bee Designs, a New Jersey-based camp outfitter that will open a pop-up shop at King Farm Village Center early next month. Bee Bee sells all the camp essentials and plenty of just-for-fun stuff, from packing trunks and personalized pillows to monogrammed stationery and custom camp lip gloss. Most of the business happens online (click here for the website), but the company operated a similar pop-up store in Bethesda last year to serve its sizable customer base in Montgomery County. Many people appreciate the chance to shop in person, says co-owner Brian Bailey — especially the parents of first-time campers. “A lot of our staff is made up of camp moms who just went through this themselves,” Bailey says. “For parents who aren’t quite sure what their kids will need, we offer one-on-one shopping appointments where they can get all of their questions answered.”

Congrats to our ArcLight winners — and keep sending us your family favorites!

Congratulations to Store Reporter readers Marilyn Feldman and Jennifer Primerano, who each won ArcLight Cinema movie tickets in our February drawing. And thanks to all who entered by contributing suggestions to our upcoming Store Reporter Kids Issue. We are still taking nominations, and we’d love to hear your thoughts about the best kid-friendly businesses in the greater Rockville/Potomac area: restaurants, toy stores, children’s clothing stores, after-school classes… all the local places that you and your kids enjoy. To post your comments on our Facebook page, click here. To email your suggestions to us directly, click here.

Sorry, Jersey Mike’s

More than a few sharp-eyed readers caught our mistake in last week’s article about The Habit Burger Grill and Jersey Mike’s Subs. The two fast-casual chains are still scheduled to open at Wintergreen Plaza this fall, but we were wrong when we said that both were new to Maryland. It turns out that Jersey Mike’s already has several restaurants here, including one in The Kentlands. If you’d like to read the updated version of that story — plus some other news for burger fans from our Feb. 11 issue — you’ll find it by clicking here.

Goodbye to Eileen Fisher, Hollister and Abercrombie’s kids store

January 28, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Three big stores close at the mall

While we shoppers were all stuck at home in the blizzard this week, several longtime tenants made a quiet exit from Westfield Montgomery Mall. Read on to learn who’s out — and stay tuned to Store Reporter to find out who’s coming in.

Eileen Fisher exits

If you spent the past few days shoveling snow instead of pulling out your credit card, you missed your last chance to shop at the mall’s Eileen Fisher store. Doors closed Wednesday night (Jan. 27) after the retailer failed to reach new leasing terms with landlord Westfield Corp., staffers said. You can still shop Eileen Fisher at the mall’s Nordstrom store, or visit the company’s next-closest locations in Chevy Chase or Tysons Corner. For a look at Eileen Fisher’s current line, click here.

Adios to abercrombie kids

Abercrombie & Fitch closed its Abercrombie Kids store at the mall this week, leaving only the regular Abercrombie store — which doesn’t carry kids’ merchandise. If you’re a fan of Abercrombie’s kids line, you’ll have to head over to Tysons Corner. Abercrombie & Fitch, once a high-flyer in the retail world, has been on a long, slow slide these past few years. For a interesting take on went wrong, click here.

Hollister heads out

Also out at the mall this week is Hollister, another division of Abercrombie & Fitch that has struggled along with its parent company. Hollister, which sat right next to the Abercrombie store, was a magnet for teen shoppers just a couple of years ago. But their younger siblings, who prefer trendy, inexpensive fashions over pricey shirts with store logos, have moved on to stores like Zara, American Eagle and Forever 21.

Still time for our FREE Sculpt Studio offer

You still have a few days to take advantage of our special offer from Sculpt Studio, celebrating its second anniversary in downtown Bethesda. Your first class, on the gym’s Pilates-based Megaformer machines, is free through Sunday (Jan. 31). And just for Store Reporter readers: Sign up for a package of classes and get a free 30-minute private session with Sculpt owner Mary Farber (Use promo code STOREJAN). 4500 Auburn Avenue in the Woodmont Triangle, with easy parking nearby. Call (240) 600-0730 or click here.

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Also closing at the mall

Two other businesses also have departed in the post-holiday shuffle at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The Fire & Ice gift shop, closing this weekend, will be replaced by a Marmi shoe store. Also out is the short-lived hair salon that replaced Bubbles on the mall’s lower level. Bubbles relocated last year to the Home Depot-anchored shopping center across the street.

Potomac Village drugstore shake-up, Wootton Parkway grocery update, Marmi to the mall

January 14, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Potomac Village drugstore shake-up

The acquisition of Rite Aid by larger rival Walgreens will soon have a direct impact on Potomac Village, where the two stores stand across from each other on either side of River Road. One of those stores will almost certainly be gone by this time next year — but the question is, which one? Across the country, Walgreens is expected to shed as many as 3,000 stores over the next 18 months. In Potomac Village, we hear that execs are weighing the merits of the drive-through lane at Walgreens vs. the recent renovation at Rite Aid. Either way, about 25 people will likely lose their jobs.

No Asian market for Wootton’s empty Giant

Here’s one question we get asked all the time: Is an Asian market really coming to the Rockshire Village Center across from Wootton High School? This rumor has been going around since the Giant store exited three years ago, leaving a few small tenants and lots of empty space at the ’70s-era shopping center. But so far, neither an Asian market nor anyone else has shown much interest in opening there. Bob Harris, an attorney for the property’s owners, says Giant still has one year left on its long-term lease — and after that, it’s likely the property will be torn down to make way for more housing. “This is a poorly located center that’s too small and has no visibility,” Harris says. “The community has asked us to go get another grocery store. But at this point, it doesn’t appear that’s going to be feasible.”

Win tickets to the Arclight Cinema

Want to win some FREE tickets to the ArcLight Cinema at Westfield Montgomery Mall? All you have to do is share the scoop about Store Reporter! Forward this (or any) issue to friends who might not know about us, then click here to tell us their names. If your friends subscribe, both you and they will be entered into our ArcLight drawing. The more friends you tell, the more chances you have to win!

Want to enter our ArcLight drawing via Facebook? Click here to find out how. Update: We’ve named the winners for this contest, but stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great giveaways.

Fire & Ice out, Marmi to the mall

Moving out of Westfield Montgomery Mall after more than a decade: Fire & Ice, the gift shop on the second level near California Pizza Kitchen. The Baltimore-based chain says its lease is up at the end of January, and there are no plans for another location in this area. All remaining inventory of art glass, fossils, jewelry and handcrafts is now on clearance at 30 to 70 percent off. Moving into the space this spring: Marmi, the women’s shoe store that some may remember from Tysons Corner. Marmi specializes in hard-to-find sizes from Vaneli, Sesto Meucci and Eric Javits. For a sneak peek of what the store will carry, click here.

Lululemon’s “naked sensation”

For our many readers who love Lululemon, the Chicago Tribune had an interesting piece this week on the future of the fitness retailer — including its Ivivva teen stores and its new line of “naked sensation” pants (shown here). If you can’t get enough of Lululemon, you can find the Tribune story here.

New gym opens at Wildwood

D.C.-based Solidcore just opened its first Maryland location at the Wildwood Shopping Center on Old Georgetown Road. This makes eight locations for the two-year-old chain, which features intense 50-minute workouts on Pilates-based Megaformer machines. Another Solidcore is set to open on Wisconsin Avenue this spring. To read more about Solidcore, click here for our Oct. 8 edition.

Would you wear this scarf to temple?

The H&M store at White Flint Mall is long gone, but we couldn’t help noticing this week’s brouhaha over the beige fringed scarf with black stripes that was pulled off store shelves in Israel. The move came after critics charged that the scarf bore an uncomfortable resemblance to a tallit, the prayer shawl worn at synagogue by many observant Jews. H&M apologized over the controversy, stating that its only intention was to embrace this season’s fondness for stripes. The scarf is one of several tone-deaf fashion moves for H&M in recent years, following a tallit-inspired poncho and a tank top that layered the image of a skull on top of a Star of David.

Roti closes, Rockville Soccer moves, Cal Tort goes extra-healthy

January 7, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Roti near the mall is the first to fall

Sometimes January brings a rash of store and restaurant closings, as leases end and businesses cut their losses after a disappointing holiday season. Macy’s, for example, is closing 40 stores across the country (although none in Montgomery County). But this year the Rockville/Potomac area made it through the holidays pretty much intact: The only closing we’ve noted so far is the Roti Mediterranean Grill just outside Westfield Montgomery Mall. Carl Segal, CEO of Chicago-based Roti, says traffic at that location began to suffer when Chipotle, Cava Grill and other fast-casual restaurants moved into the mall’s snazzy new Dining Terrace. So Roti signed a lease at Pike & Rose, where Segal says the hip young customer base is better suited to the modernized menu he’ll be rolling out this year. “We like to be next to the &pizzas and Shophouses of the world,” he says. “We all share customers and complement each other.”

Big move for Rockville Soccer

Rockville Soccer, the retail home base for MSI and a long list of local soccer clubs, has moved into larger quarters on the second floor of Wintergreen Plaza. Owner Hrant Tatarian, who runs a small chain of soccer stores in the D.C. area, says his 23-year-old business had outgrown its cramped space at the Sunshine Square Shopping Center further south on Rockville Pike. The new store, near Gold’s Gym and Adventure Theater MTC, offers 4,000 square of footwear, uniforms and soccer equipment. “We wanted to have concept shops for Nike and Adidas like you’d expect to see in a Dick’s or a Nordstrom,” Tatarian says. “We really needed the extra room.”

New year, new burrito at Cal Tort

In a month when just about everyone seems to be hitting the gym and focusing on clean eating, California Tortilla has rolled out a “Super Food Burrito” stuffed with all the right buzzwords: kale, avocado, quinoa, whole wheat and “GMO-free.” The $7.39 dish is currently slated for a limited run, but a strong early response suggests it may end up sticking around. “We wanted to come out with something especially healthy during this first quarter when so many people are starting their diets,” says Keith Goldman, chief operating officer and head chef for the Rockville-based restaurant chain. “It took us a while to figure out how to make kale taste good,” he chuckles. “But if the first few days are any indication, this burrito is going to be one of our top sellers.”

What’s next for White Flint?

At this time last year, P.F. Chang’s was serving its final customers as the once-posh White Flint Mall closed its doors for the last time. Summer brought the culmination of a longstanding lawsuit when the mall’s owners, Lerner Enterprises and Tower Cos., were ordered to pay Lord & Taylor $31 million for lost profits during the mall’s redevelopment. Now White Flint has been reduced to a pile of rubble, with only Lord & Taylor left standing (and still doing business). As we swing into 2016, count on Store Reporter to keep you up to date on all things White Flint: When the new project will break ground, what shape it will take, and who might still be interested in moving there by the time this saga comes to an end. (Hint: Wegmans is over it.)

Catch up on all the scoop

Do you know that the Irish Inn is taking over Benny’s at Cabin John? Heard about the new bakery in Rockville and the seafood market at Potomac Woods Plaza? Wondering why Chef Geoff decided to close his restaurant on the Pike? For these and other Store Reporter scoops you may have missed during the busy holiday season, scroll through our website for a catch-up session.

Seafood market opens at Potomac Woods, Korean BBQ at the mall, two holiday parties this weekend

December 9, 2015 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Seafood market opens at Potomac Woods Plaza

After six months of renovations to the former Little Gym space at Potomac Woods Plaza, O’Donnell’s Market opened its doors this week with a promising selection of fresh fish, seafood and baked goods. The store was just beginning to stock up when we stopped by on Wednesday, but owner Bill Edelblut says he’ll soon be adding a salad bar, grab-and-go items and a full-service bakery. O’Donnell’s isn’t cheap: Much of the seafood is priced around $25 a pound, and crab cakes are $10 apiece. But we were impressed with the super-fresh flounder, one of the more economical choices at $13.50 per pound. Edelblut has a long history in the seafood industry; his family owned the venerable O’Donnell’s Sea Grill restaurant chain, which closed its last remaining location at The Kentlands two years ago.

Korean BBQ at the mall

B/Bop/Q, a new Korean fusion restaurant, opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall last week in the corridor adjacent to the Dining Terrace. The concept is based on Korean bibimbap, but also similar to the Chipotle spinoff ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen. Diners move along a serving line as they start with rice or noodles, add a protein, then customize their dishes with fresh vegetables and sauces. Also on the menu: tacos, wraps, dumplings and Korean-style chicken wings. B/Bop/Q is the brainchild of Ken Choi, a food industry veteran who operates cafes for NASA, the American Red Cross, the Library of Congress and other local institutions. He hopes this will be the start of a national Korean fusion chain, with four more locations already planned for the West Coast. B/Bop/Q is the second Asian restaurant to open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in the past month, following the November debut of neighboring Shanghai Bao Kitchen. Next up, after the holidays, is Tara Thai.

Great ideas, deals and discounts in our holiday gift issue

Have you had a chance to read our fabulous holiday gift issue? Inside you’ll find great ideas and deals for local stores like On Cloud 9, Leila Jewels and Ibhana Boutique; special pricing on gift cards for River Falls Tavern and Wildwood Kitchen; discounts for teen decor from Dormify and jewelry from Valerie Nahmani Designs; original artwork, personalized kids’ books and much more. The deals are good through Dec. 24. Click here to check them out.

Tasting party this Saturday at The Bottle Shop

It’s going to be a busy weekend at Potomac Woods Plaza: In addition to the opening of O’Donnell’s Market (see story above), The Bottle Shop has a year-end tasting event this Saturday (Dec. 12) from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. with door prizes plus wine and beer reps pouring premium selections for the holidays. There will be wine from The Country Vintner, Opici and Constantine among others, along with beer from DuClaw, Flying Dog and Jailbreak Brewing. There’s no obligation to make a purchase — but if you do, everything will be 15% off. You can find The Bottle Shop at 250 Fortune Terrace, Suite 102, near Seven Locks Barber. For more information, call (301) 738-WINE (9463) or click here.

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Core launches pop-up gallery at the mall

Core, the progressive streetwear store that opened last winter at Westfield Montgomery Mall, will launch a holiday pop-up gallery this weekend with works by artist Shaun Outen. The Virginia native and part-time model is known for his painted denim and leather, some of which has been carried at the Manhattan boutique of famed “Sex and the City” designer Patricia Field. Outen is creating an art installation for Core, and he’ll be on hand this Saturday (Dec. 12) for an opening party from 2:00-8:00 p.m. You can find Core on the mall’s second floor, in the Macy’s Home Store wing next to UA Salon. For details, call the store at 301-365-1265.

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Goodbye Noodles & Company, hello dumplings & veggies — plus a comeback for Great Beginnings

November 19, 2015 By Store Reporter 8 Comments

Noodles & Company exits downtown Rockville

Noodles & Company has shuttered its restaurant on Gibbs Street in downtown Rockville, where business was slow and the company says it wanted to focus on its more successful Rockville location at bustling Congressional Plaza. This brings the number of closings at Rockville Town Square to more than a dozen in the past two years, with merchants continuing to complain about slow foot traffic and customers still grumbling about the parking fees. Restaurateur Danny Trehan, who will open a Mellow Mushroom pizzeria in the former Oro Pomodoro space next spring, says he plans to validate parking and wishes more of his neighbors would do the same. “So it’ll take an extra five dollars from my pocket,” Trehan says. “If it brings more people into my restaurant, who cares?” Three other restaurants — Miso Café, Samovar and Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub — had been scheduled to open at Rockville Town Square in the past few months, but now are expected to arrive sometime this winter.

Dumplings and veggies at the mall

Shanghai Bao Kitchen opened for business last week just outside the main Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall. This is a new venture from three young brothers whose family owns the Rockville restaurant Bob’s Shanghai 66. Dumplings and steamed buns are the focus here, as you’d expect — but we were surprised by the Cava-like assembly line of fresh Asian vegetables, as well as the willingness of servers to recommend which sauces would best complement them. With Chloe’s Deli next door and Korean B/Bop/Q slated to open just across the hall, this new section of the Dining Terrace is turning into an unexpectedly interesting showcase for ethnic foods from local entrepreneurs.

A comeback for Great Beginnings

Great Beginnings, the children’s furniture store that closed its Gaithersburg location last summer, is looking to reopen in North Bethesda late next year. Owner Jim Streight says he’s signed a lease for 15,000 square feet in a new strip shopping center that will soon begin construction just north of the former White Flint Mall. The store will focus on baby gear, nursery furniture and high-end toys, with a smaller area devoted to rooms for older kids and teens. Streight says the Gaithersburg store was a huge success for much of its 25-year history, but shifting demographics and the landlord’s redevelopment plans left him no choice but to find a new location. “This whole area is changing,” he says. “We do still have some customers coming from Gaithersburg, but now they’re coming more from Rockville, Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Kensington.” Until the new store is built, Great Beginnings customers can visit the company’s Chantilly location or shop online at www.greatbeginnings.com.

Holiday shopping at Mayfield Market

‘Tis the season for holiday gift shows in greater Rockville and Potomac. This weekend brings the Holy Child Mayfield Market, Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 21 and 22) at the Connelly School the Holy Child, 9029 Bradley Boulevard in Potomac. Shop more than 60 vendors offering artisan-made jewelry, home decor items, clothing and accessories for men and women, all sorts of gifts and an exquisite Christmas shop. There will be food trucks on hand and a bakery with breakfast items, desserts and freshly made Thanksgiving pies. For more info, visit www.holychild.org.

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Corned Beef King finds a home on the Pike

The Corned Beef King food truck, always on the lookout for long-term parking spots, has found a new home on Rockville Pike outside the century-old Hank Dietle’s Tavern. This is Truck #2 for the Corned Beef King, whose owner plans to keep Truck #1 at its usual spot in the parking lot of Potomac Petals and Plants on River Road. The Hank Dietle’s/Corned Beef King partnership follows a short-lived attempt by another food truck, Curley’s Q, to operate from the kitchen of the historic dive bar. That arrangement got off to a promising start last May, but fell apart by August when the two parties couldn’t come to terms. The Corned Beef King also has had trouble finding the right home: A previous attempt to park outside a Falls Road swim club went awry after neighbors complained to the county.

Giveaway winners coming up next week

Just in time for Thanksgiving, we’re going to give three Store Reporter readers a little something extra to be thankful for. Stay tuned next week to find out who will win our three current giveaways: a $50 gift card to Asia Nine, a workout outfit from Equilibrium Activewear, and a bag of goodies from the Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique and Silent Auction.

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Chef Geoff’s closes, Alex and Ani opens, Saks Off 5th heading to the Pike — plus an activewear giveaway

November 5, 2015 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Chef Geoff’s closes on Rockville Pike

Chef Geoff’s closed its doors this past weekend after three difficult years in the former home of Houston’s on Rockville Pike. “That spot just turned out not to be good for me,” says owner/celeb chef Geoff Tracy. “I’ve been doing this work for 15 years, and every once in awhile you lose one. If I’d been smart about this financially, I would have bailed on it 18 months ago.” Chef Geoff’s was a hit when it first opened, Tracy says, but sales soon declined and the overhead was too high. Over the weekend, a broken water heater was the last straw. “We tried all kinds of things — switching around the menus, offering discounts, lowering prices,” he says. “But it was a big, expensive place, and I just couldn’t generate enough sales to make it work.” Tracy, who splits his time between D.C. and New York with news anchor wife Norah O’Donnell, says he’s been working to find jobs for his 40-plus Rockville employees. “When you’re responsible for people’s rent, getting their kids through school, it’s pretty stressful. I wanted to make sure that I could keep a lot of those people working. And now I actually feel a sense of relief, just knowing that I’ve made my decision and I have to move forward.”

Saks Off 5th coming to Congressional

Off 5th, the discount sister chain to posh Saks Fifth Avenue, will open a 40,000-square-foot store next fall at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. This is big news for fans of the New York-based company, who’ve been trekking to Leesburg, Arundel Mills and Potomac Mills for their Fifth Avenue treasure hunts. Off 5th is something like a Nordstrom Rack for Saks, carrying leftover goods from its sister store mixed with designer items and merchandise created specifically for its own stores. At Congressional, Off 5th will take the storefront formerly occupied by Tiara Galleries as well as a portion of the office space that currently houses landlord Federal Realty. Off 5th should be a good fit for Congressional’s increasingly luxury-oriented tenant mix, which includes Last Call Studio by Neiman Marcus, White House/Black Market, The Container Store and gourmet grocer The Fresh Market. A beer and wine store recently joined the mix, and Chop’t is set to move in this spring.

Win this $150 outfit from Equilibrium Activewear

This week we’re offering a giveaway from Equilibrium Activewear, a Miami-based brand that’s newly available in our area. Equilibrium’s colorful styles are made with Supplex Lycra fabrics, which combine the feel of cotton with the benefits of advanced fiber technology — meaning they dry quickly, resist odors and wrinkles, provide a slimming and flattering fit, and won’t shrink or fade over time. Choose from cute styles for the gym or the tennis court, or edgier pieces that work for a night on the town. Click here for more on Equilibrium and its local rep, CORETASTIC. Check out the goods in person Nov. 15-17 at the Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique. And be sure to enter our drawing for this Equilibrium top and bottom (a $150 value). Click here to enter by email (subject line: Equilibrium) or click here to enter via our Facebook page. Update: Susan Murphy Hughes of Potomac won this giveaway; keep reading Store Reporter for your next chance to win.

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Alex and Ani opens at the mall

Alex and Ani, the jewelry chain known for its stackable bangle charm bracelets, opens tomorrow (11/6) at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Made from recycled materials and priced from $28, Alex and Ani bracelets feature charms for everything from sports teams and universities to animals, zodiac signs and Disney parks. The eco-conscious company also donates a significant portion of its profits to charity — an important hook for its core customer base of teens and millennials. Alex and Ani can be found in the mall’s lower level near Macy’s, next to the recently opened sweet shop Lolli and Pops.

Holiday shopping at Washington Hebrew

Get a jump on your holiday shopping Nov. 15-17 at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center, 11810 Falls Road, when Washington Hebrew Congregation holds its 29th Annual Holiday Boutique and Silent Auction. More than 50 vendors will be on hand with jewelry, clothing, gourmet foods, Judaica and much more. Take a shopping break at the in-house cafe, and browse the silent auction to bid on one-of-a-kind items: sports and theater tickets, beauty and fashion products, restaurant gift certificates, airfare for two to Israel, a dream vacation week, even a chance to go behind the scenes at “Meet the Press.” Proceeds will benefit a number of charities, including Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and Suited for Change. Click here for more.

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Bean bags at the mall, a move for REI, a wine and beer weekend and a giveaway for teens

October 22, 2015 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Bean bags and body pillows

Yogibo, a modern bean bag store catering to kids, teens and space-challenged millennials, opens today (10/22) in the Old Navy wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall. This is the third store in Maryland for Yogibo, which was founded six years ago when a New Hampshire man designed a body pillow for his pregnant wife. Today the company’s most popular product is the Max (pictured here), a six-foot-long chair/couch/bed that comes in 16 colors and sells for $239. But there are plenty more to choose from: body pillows, back pillows, neck pillows, tablet pillows, even poolside pillows with washable covers. Jason Knights, marketing director for Yogibo, says the company also has developed many fans in the special needs community. “Because of the way our bean bags conform to the body, sitting and laying on them can provide sensory soothing for people with autism or sensory processing disorder,” he says. “We hear great feedback from parents and therapists all the time. But really, these are incredibly comfortable pieces of furniture for anyone. You can’t realize how comfortable they are until you sit on one.”

It’s official: REI is moving to Pike & Rose

This week REI formally announced what we reported here last month: Its Rockville Pike store will relocate to larger quarters at Pike & Rose in 2017. The 36,000-square-foot store will be about 40 percent larger than REI’s current space, but company spokesman Mike Ferris says no decisions have been made yet about how the extra square footage will be used. (If you have suggestions about what you’d like to see more of at REI, email us here and we’ll relay your feedback to the company.) If you missed the original REI story in our Sept. 10 issue, click here to catch up on other recent news about Rockville Pike.

Win $50 in gifts from Jodi’s Jamboree

This week we’re giving away a $50 gift certificate to Jodi’s Jamboree, a Rockville-based business specializing in teen clothing and accessories. There’s lots to choose from at Jodi’s this season, including pink Lokai bracelets ($18), plaid pajama pants ($22 and up), monogrammed robes ($60) and personalized rain jackets ($65). Also hot is a new collection of $40 silver bracelets shown here. And Jodi’s offers personalized merchandise for sports teams, school spirit wear, theme parties or mitzvah favors. (For more info, call 301-742-1468.) Want to win some goodies for your favorite girl or teen? To enter our drawing, click here to send us an email (subject line: Jodi) or click here to enter via our Facebook page.

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A weekend of wine and beer

The fall shopping and dining season is officially under way this weekend with two big events in our area. On Saturday afternoon (10/24) , Westfield Montgomery Mall is hosting Westfield Uncorked — a festival of fine wines and small bites at various locations around the mall, followed by an after-party and fall fashion show at Nordstrom. Tickets are $15 and $25, benefiting Bethesda’s Imagination Stage; click here for details. Then on Sunday (10/25) from noon to 4 p.m., Pike & Rose is hosting Piketoberfest, a beer garden pop-up with live music, fall activities and giveaways from local stores and restaurants. Admission is free; click here for details.

Don’t leggo your Lego

If you’re planning to buy Legos for the kids this holiday season, it’s time to start shopping. This week the Danish company announced that it cannot keep up with demand for its products in Europe — and it’s possible that shortage could affect the U.S. by December. Lego, which recently overtook Mattel and Hasbro to become the world’s largest toymaker, saw its popularity rise even higher after the success of last year’s The Lego Movie. The surge is similar to what happened in 2013, when Disney was caught off guard by the Frozen juggernaut and couldn’t make toys fast enough to satisfy its audience.

Over-the-top sweet shop, hot Halloween costumes, online price wars, a grand opening

October 15, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Over-the-top sweet shop opening at the mall

The Lolli and Pops candy store at Westfield Montgomery Mall is scheduled to open by Halloween. But trust us: You’re not going to want to share these sweets with random trick-or-treaters. Lolli and Pops is a San Francisco-based chain with an eclectic selection of gourmet, retro and international candies, all wrapped up in a ’50s decor that would look right at home on Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A. If you’re looking for Choward’s Violet Mints from New York, Jonboy Caramels from Seattle, Butlers Irish Whiskey Fudge from Dublin, Leone candies from Italy or Mr. Stanley’s Toffee from England, this is the place to find them. The store also specializes in oddball drinks like Moxie Original Elixir, Brownie Caramel Root Beer and Jones Peanut Butter and Jelly Soda. And did we mention there’s a room devoted entirely to gummy bears — with plenty of free samples? This will be the third D.C.-area location for Lolli and Pops, which arrived in Annapolis and Tysons Corner last year. You’ll find it on the mall’s lower level near Macy’s, next door to the upcoming Alex and Ani store.

Halloween 2015: Star Wars, Minions and the Inflatables

If you’re planning to take the kids out shopping for Halloween gear this weekend, don’t wait too long: Costumes from Star Wars, Minions and Inside Out are already flying off the shelves at local Halloween stores, as are the Avengers and other classic superheroes. Also hot this year is the new breed of inflatable costumes, which come with a battery-powered air pump to keep everything puffy through a long night of trick-or-treating. Popular inflatables include sumo wrestlers, Baymax the robot from Big Hero 6, and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters. But pretty much anything inflatable is a hit at the pop-up store X-treme Halloween on Rockville Pike, says manager Dennis Bracey. “We’ve got a T. Rex, Spongebob and Patrick the Starfish, and we can’t even keep them in stock.” For the girls, characters from the Monster High franchise and Disney Channel’s Descendants are popular choices this year. But Princess Elsa from Frozen is still holding onto her crown: Just like last year, she remains the top pick for girls who want to be royal.

Here’s our Butter jacket winner from On Cloud 9

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Jill Mendelson Rodriguez, whose 7-year-old daughter won a super-soft Butter jacket from On Cloud 9 at Potomac Woods Plaza. For all you contestants who didn’t win the jacket but still want to visit On Cloud 9, watch your email later this week for a special coupon from Store Reporter. (And if you didn’t enter the contest but would like to receive the coupon, click here to send us an email and we’ll be happy to send one out.)

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October price wars: Target vs. Amazon vs. Jet.com

Amazon.com got some extra competition this month as Target upped the price-matching ante and online newcomer Jet.com dropped its plans to charge for membership. Target stores and Target.com are now promising to price-match comparable items from a long list of retailers including Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Staples, Walmart, and even warehouse clubs Costco and Sam’s Club. Check your phone to compare prices while shopping in the store, or come back within 14 days if you find a lower price at any retailer on this list. As for Jet.com — an online retailer that launched this fall as a direct competitor to Amazon — the young company now says its customers are filling their shopping carts much more quickly than expected… so never mind about that $50 membership fee, it won’t be necessary after all. Jet doesn’t promise two-day delivery à la Amazon Prime, but it’s not charging $99 a year for membership either — and a quick search shows that Jet’s prices often beat Amazon’s by 10 percent or more. So if you’re ordering stuff that you don’t really need in the next 48 hours — even if you already belong to Amazon Prime — it may pay to take Jet for a spin.

New food, new looks at the mall — plus a grand opening, a contest winner and corned beef on wheels

September 17, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

This fall at the mall: five new eateries to try

The lively dining scene at Westfield Montgomery Mall continues to expand this fall, with two new eateries already open and three more on the way. Jamaican Mi Crazy, a food truck-turned-restaurant, is serving up jerk chicken, curry goat and fried plantains next to Naples Ristorante in the Dining Terrace. Just around the corner, Yum Crepes offers sweet and savory options near the ArcLight Cinema escalator. Shanghai 66 Innovation Kitchen, from the owners of the Bob’s Chinese restaurants in Rockville, will open in the next few weeks next to Chloe’s Deli. November will bring B Bop Q, a Korean fusion restaurant moving into the former Laila Rowe store next to Macy’s Home. Opening around the holidays: a new branch of Tara Thai, breathing new life into the long-empty Legal Sea Foods space.

New moves, new looks: J. Crew, J. Jill, Journeys and more

There was a bit of reshuffling at Westfield Montgomery Mall this summer, as several retailers moved to new locations while others freshened up their storefronts. J. Crew closed down in June for a months-long renovation, reopening last month with a polished new look for the increasingly upscale Nordstrom wing. J. Jill moved into the space next to Lilly Pulitzer, where it’s better positioned to capture traffic from the nearby Macy’s store. Bose built a posh new storefront in the Sears wing, where customers now linger in the patio-style seating next to Peet’s Coffee. The Specs sunglass store and the Avalon nail salon also are sporting new looks, as will the teen store Journeys at its new home in the Old Navy wing. The empty Caché store near the mall’s center is occupied for now by Storm J, a pop-up store selling soccer apparel. There’s lots more to tell about what’s happening at the mall this season; next week we’ll have details on who’s about to move in.

Join the party at Ibhana — with a 15% discount

If you’re a fan of Joseph Ribkoff dresses, Damee jackets and Lior tunics, you’ll want to check out the new Ibhana boutique at Potomac Woods Plaza off Montrose and Seven Locks Road. The store also carries a lovely selection of Joanel handbags and Lipault luggage, plus scarves, belts and jewelry from Canada, India, England, Italy and France. Store Reporter readers are invited to Ibhana’s grand opening party this Friday (Sept. 18) from 6-8 p.m. With the coupon below, take 15% off your purchase on Friday or any day through the end of September. Planning to attend the grand opening? RSVP by phone (301-424-0906) or by email (click here).

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Another move for the Corned Beef King

The Corned Beef King food truck has a new home in Potomac: the parking lot of Potomac Petals and Plants, the nursery that replaced Behnke at 9545 River Road. Truck owner Jon Rossler says he gave up his previous spot at a Falls Road swim club after too many altercations with an unhappy neighbor. At the nursery, he’s serving up a varied menu with matzoh ball soup, knishes and lobster rolls. But in Potomac, he says, most customers are looking for the basics: “plain corned beef on rye with mustard” is far and away the best-sell

Who won our Urban Heights gift card?

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Sandy Nolan Nesbit, who won our gift card to Urban Heights on Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda. She’ll get to sample the fresh Tuna Bar and the Asian-influenced menu from new executive chef Cliff Wharton. We have more great giveaways in the works; keep reading Store Reporter for your chance to win.

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Fish Taco, As Kindred Spirits, Alex and Ani, White Flint and a Wildwood Kitchen Giveaway

July 16, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Fish Taco on the way to Wildwood

Fish Taco, the homey Mexican restaurant from the owners of Bethesda’s Food Wine & Co., is heading our way with a new location in the Shops at Wildwood. Like its sister restaurant on MacArthur Boulevard, the new Fish Taco will offer a gourmet twist on the usual Mexican fare of tacos, quesadillas, burritos and chopped salads. Doors are set to open this fall next to Chop’t, in the space that once housed the home furnishings store Pierre Doux.

As Kindred Spirits opens — with 15% OFF

As Kindred Spirits, the popular gift shop at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike, will open a new location August 1 at Westfield Montgomery Mall — taking over the former Aveda space on the upper level near Godiva. “We started many years ago with a kiosk at that mall, so things have really come full circle for us,” says owner Wendy Rukmini Walker, who also has a store at Reagan National Airport. As Kindred Spirits specializes in home decor, jewelry and art-to-wear “from unique artists that could never be represented in a department store,” Walker says. “We use our profits to help with fair trade, women’s initiatives and other projects around the world.” Want to check it out for yourself? Store Reporter readers get 15% OFF from August 1-9.

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Alex and Ani heading to the mall

Heading to Westfield Montgomery Mall this fall: Alex and Ani, the white-hot jewelry chain known for its stackable bangle charm bracelets and its mission to “spread positive energy.” Made in the U.S. from recycled materials, with prices starting at $28, the eco-conscious line also includes fan jewelry for sports teams, the armed forces, various universities and the Disney parks. Alex & Ani will replace the mall’s Things Remembered store, which departed earlier this month.

Win a $75 dinner at Wildwood Kitchen

This month we’re giving away dinner for two at Wildwood Kitchen, in the Shops at Wildwood off Democracy Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road. Top picks from the menu include Amish Chicken with scallion potato cake and glazed carrots; Heirloom Tomato Salad with basil pasta and burrata; and the summer special shown here: Grilled Vegetable Marinara over pappardelle pasta. Update: Store Reporter reader Sharri Freedman won our $75 gift card for Wildwood Kitchen. To see what contests we have going on currently, click here.

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The wrecking ball arrives at White Flint

The wrecking ball finally arrived at White Flint Mall this month as demolition began on the parking garage behind the long-empty property. Plans call for White Flint to be reimagined as an open-air complex of retail, restaurants, apartments and offices. Most of the mall’s tenants have been gone for a year or more, with only Lord & Taylor still in business. Details of the new White Flint are still under wraps… but count on Store Reporter to do some digging this fall.

First look at Not Your Average Joe’s

Last week we got a chance to check out Not Your Average Joe’s, newly open in the former Hamburger Hamlet space at Georgetown Square Shopping Center. The dishes we sampled were most definitely above average — especially the Chicken Piccata, Ahi Tuna Wontons, Mango Shrimp Summer Rolls and Gluten-Free Carrot Cake. (Not to mention the fresh-baked focaccia bread that’s delicious enough to ruin your appetite.) Next up for the Boston-based chain: Reston and Silver Spring. “The D.C. market is similar to our own area in food preferences,” says executive chef Jeff Tenner. “We think the corridor from Boston down to D.C. is going to be our sweet spot.”

Vineyard Vines opens, Irish pub on the way, Amazon same-day shipping and a River Falls Tavern giveaway

June 4, 2015 By Store Reporter 3 Comments

Vineyard Vines, Johnston & Murphy open at the mall, while J. Crew takes a summer break

It’s a busy time in the Nordstrom wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall, where two new stores opened for business last weekend and a third closed its doors for the summer. The big news for many is the Maryland debut of Vineyard Vines, whose breezy, clean-cut clothes have earned a huge following among preppies from Massachusetts to Palm Beach. The brand has become a staple at college campuses as well as our local high schools, where the pink whale logo is as popular with today’s teens as Izod crocodiles and Polo ponies were with their parents. Not to be outdone by its snazzy new neighbor, the mall’s nearby J. Crew store closed its doors last week for a major remodeling that should be done by early August. The other new addition in the Nordstrom wing is the classic shoe store Johnston & Murphy, which built its reputation in men’s footwear but now offers a range of clothing and accessories for both sexes. In other mall news: A huge Peet’s Coffee station with plenty of comfy seating is about to open in the Sears wing, while the women’s clothing store J. Jill is relocating to the former Fossil space near Macy’s.

Win dinner for two at River Falls Tavern in Potomac Village

This week we have a fabulous giveaway from the River Falls Tavern in Potomac Village, which is offering dinner on the house for one lucky pair of Store Reporter readers. RW Restaurant Group, which purchased the Tavern last spring, has introduced a sophisticated new menu under the direction of famed chef Robert Wiedmaier. Top picks include the Braised Boneless Beef Short Rib, served with creamy garlic polenta and glazed young carrots, and the Peppercorn and Coriander Seared Rare Tuna (shown here), served with roasted beets, emerald kale and farro salad. For more on what’s happening at the River Falls Tavern, click here for our May 28th edition. Want to win dinner for two (up to $65) and try the new dishes for yourself? Click here to email us (subject line: Tavern) or click here to enter via Facebook. Update: Store Reporter reader Nicole Kustner won this giveaway. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great contests.

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Amazon same-day shipping

This week brought some welcome news for Amazon Prime shoppers in greater Rockville and Potomac: The company just launched same-day delivery service in the greater D.C. area, including area codes 20850, 20854, 20817 and many others nearby. You can now order by noon for guaranteed delivery by 9 p.m., or by midnight for delivery the next day — as long as you spend at least $35 and choose items marked with the Prime Free One-Day logo. The list of qualified items is not exactly comprehensive, but we spied plenty of things (batteries, printer cartridges, kids’ birthday presents, etc.) that could easily spare us from a last-minute shopping trip. Same-day shipping is free for Prime members, but it’s also open to other Amazon customers for a $9.98 delivery fee. And here’s some more good news: Amazon says it will soon start offering free shipping for everyone on inexpensive items that weigh less than eight ounces.

Irish pub on the way to Rockville Town Square

An Irish pub is joining the restaurant lineup at Rockville Town Square, where three new eateries are now scheduled to open in the next few months. Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub, the first venture from local husband-and-wife team Terry and Vanessa Laurin, will start renovations this month at the Gibbs Street space that formerly housed Carbon Peruvian Chicken & Grille. Rockville Town Square, which lost nearly a dozen tenants in the past 12 months, is now looking to entice diners with locally owned ethnic restaurants like the recently opened Ev & Maddy’s (European-style bistro) and Peter Chang (traditional Chinese). Also on the way are Miso Cafe (Korean/fusion) and Samovar (food from Tajikistan). Those two, along with Finnegan’s Wake, should be open by fall.

Congrats to the winners of our Robeks gift cards

Congratulations to Store Reporter readers Christy Taylor, Ron Gravitz, Margie Ritter, Rhoda Ganz and Amy Pelletier, who won our gift cards for the Robeks smoothie store at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great giveaways, and like us on Facebook (click here) to make sure you don’t miss a beat.

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Gamers and geeks are worth big bucks

Video game retailer GameStop has announced plans to buy Geeknet, the Fairfax company that runs the popular ThinkGeek website, in a $140 million deal that’s expected to close this summer. ThinkGeek specializes in goofy and nerdtastic merchandise from Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, Marvel and other franchises that appeal to adults and kids alike. (Theoretically, at least, these are the same people who like to shop in GameStop’s stores — and will be thrilled to check out that Captain America Stealth Shield Watch in person.) Apparently geek chic is worth a lot these days: GameStop expects this acquisition to boost its sales by $100 million per year.

Bob’s Shanghai and Jamaican food to the mall, new bakery in Rockville — plus new tenants at Potomac Woods and Cabin John

May 21, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Chinese and Jamaican food on the way to the mall

Two more ethnic eateries — both from local owners, not big chains — will join the increasingly adventurous Dining Terrace lineup at Westfield Montgomery Mall in the next few months. A new Bob’s restaurant, from the owners of Rockville favorites Bob’s Shanghai 66 and Bob’s Noodle 66, will serve up authentic Chinese cuisine (and hopefully those famous soup dumplings) starting in late August next to Chloe’s Deli. Also on the way is Jamaican Mi Crazy, the first permanent storefront from D.C.-based food truck owner Nya Radway, opening in early August near the new Naples pizzeria. The menu will feature traditional dishes that Radway learned from her Jamaican parents: jerk chicken, beef patties, curried chicken and goat, oxtail simmered in butter beans, rice and peas, coco bread and fried plantains. “Doing the food truck has been great, but I’ve been looking for something bigger with more foot traffic,” Radway says. “And as far as I know, there has never been a Caribbean restaurant like this in a mall.”