
Another closing at Congressional Plaza
See that empty space next to the Chico’s sign at Congressional Plaza? That’s the former home of White House Black Market, which closed its doors unexpectedly this week after its neighbors on either side moved out. But while Chico’s and Lebanese Taverna have relocated a few doors down (more on that in our Feb. 21st edition), it appears that White House Black Market will not be coming back. That makes three empty storefronts in a row on the ground floor of Congressional Plaza, plus the neighboring second-level space where the Thomasville furniture store just cleared out. As we told you last week, owner Federal Realty is clearly making room for something big. Who will it be? Stay with Store Reporter for the answer. (Editor’s note: We have the answer now. For an update on this story in our March 28th edition, click here.)

Urban Plates is ready to roll
The big news on the food scene this week is the upcoming opening of Urban Plates in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery mall. The huge new eatery has been under construction since last summer in the space once occupied by the short-lived Naples Ristorante. Doors open next Thursday (March 7th), and meals will be on the house through that weekend if you sign up in advance (click here to register) and are willing to make a donation to Project HOPE. Recently, we paid a visit to the Urban Plates at Tysons Galleria. What did we think? Click here.

Victoria's Secret goes down a size
There’s a cupful of trouble ahead for Victoria’s Secret, which announced this week that it will close 53 underperforming stores in 2019. The company has been criticized in recent years for sticking with its images of airbrushed perfection while other lingerie brands like ThirdLove and Aerie are using more realistic models and courting women of different shapes and sizes. And the competition is about to get even tougher: This week Target announced plans to launch three new lingerie brands of its own.
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