Below is a list of businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda:
New: Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch and Abercrombie Kids has officially reopened at Westfield Montgomery Mall, following the closure of their previous location in January 2021. Abercrombie is best known for their casual clothing, jeans, and fragrances. There are nearby locations in Tysons Corner and Leesburg, VA.
New: Akira
Chicago-based women’s clothing store Akira is now open the space that was recently occupied by Alex Baby & Toy. Known for its fashion-forward style, Akira is currently offering doorbuster deals, including 50% off select items. The brand has additional nearby locations in Arlington, VA, and Columbia, MD.
According to Akira, “AKIRA first opened in 2002 as a single Women’s Clothing boutique in the trendy Bucktown/ Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago and is owned by Eric Hsueh, Erikka Wang, Sarah Hughes, and Gordon Liao. Over the years, AKIRA has expanded to over 30 stores, its E-Commerce Website, and Wholesale. AKIRA now has stores in over 12 states with more on the way and offers a full line of Women’s Clothing, Footwear, and Accessories.”
New: Capsule Galaxy
Capsule Galaxy is now open on the mall’s lower level, next to the Lego Store. The store features gachapon (also called capsule toys), a type of vending machine-dispensed toy popular in Japan, known for its fun, collectible nature. The term “gachapon” comes from the sound the machine makes—gacha (the crank) and pon (the toy dropping into the tray).
New: Carters
Carter’s is now open on the mall’s lower level, next to American Eagle. According to its website, “Carter’s is the leading brand of baby & kids clothing in the United States. Our designs are based on a heritage of quality and innovation that has earned us the trust of generations. Little Baby Basics, the original bodysuit and America’s Favorite Jammies are just a few of the iconic products parents count on to make their lives easier. And with sizes and styles to fit babies, toddlers and kids – thanks to our newly expanded Carter’s KID™collection – Carter’s delivers quality clothing to handle everything from that first night at home to first days at school.”
Carter’s has additional Montgomery County locations in Clarks, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, and Wheaton.
New: Ǝ.mbrace Ur Greatness
Embrace Ur Greatness is now open on the lower level of the mall, across from Yogi Berry. According to its Instagram page, the clothing company is “looking to spark self belief through the form of merchandise.”
New: Falafel Inc
The DC-based quick-service chain Falafel Inc is now open in the space recently vacated by Butter Chicken House, next to Chick-Fil-A. Its menu includes falafel, hummus, bowls, and sides like Zaatar fries and Tabouli salad. Partnering with the World Food Programme, Falafel Inc supports refugee assistance worldwide. Branded as “the world’s first falafel fast-casual food social enterprise franchise,” it promotes an “Eat For Good” mission, serving authentic, all-natural, freshly made vegetarian dishes. The restaurant also operates in multiple locations across Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and New Jersey.
New: Fashion Q
A new women’s discount clothing store, Fashion Q, is open on the mall’s lower level, next to Macy’s. Q has another Montgomery County location at Westfield Wheaton Mall, which opened this past spring.
New: Kelly’s Cajun Grill
Kelly’s Cajun Grill is now open next to Panda Express in the mall’s dining terrace. Kelly’s is known for its “world famous” bourbon chicken, blackened fish, and Cajun shrimp. Kelly’s was previously located at Lakeforst Mall in Gaithersburg and was one of the last remaining tenants at the time of the mall’s closure.
According to its website, “In 1991, Kelly’s Cajun Grill became the home of the World Famous Bourbon Chicken when it opened its first restaurant in the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida. The delicious food and innovative concept fueled the company’s rapid expansion, even surpassing all of IRMG’s other concepts combined. Kelly’s Cajun Grill is a proven concept with an excellent track record. The operations are very streamlined and the restaurants are capable of producing very high sales volumes with a very limited amount of space. Our world famous Bourbon Chicken is a delicious yet healthy dish made with fresh grilled chicken and our own special blend of sauces and seasonings. Other favorites include Blackened Chicken, Blackened Fish, Shrimp Etouffee, Cajun Spicy Chicken, as well as a variety of delicious side dishes.”
New: Kokee Tea
Kokee Tea kiosk is now open on the lower level near Macy’s. The menu features a variety of milk teas, fruit teas, and “cold clouds” made with cold brew coffee. This new location will join existing nearby cafes in Wheaton and Urbana.
“Kokee Tea fosters a sense of positivity by crafting delicious tea and creating a vibrant, welcoming café experience. We’re dedicated to building a strong community with our customers and partners, spreading a wave of happiness with each cup,” the company shared.
New: Peter Mason by Montgomery Custom Tailors
Peter Mason by Montgomery Custom Tailors is now open on the lower level, across from the Cheesecake Factory. The shop is being launched by Peter and Lisa Lim, who also own Montgomery Custom Tailors, located nearby on the lower level near the escalator to the food court, close to Lucky Strike. The Lims opened their first store at Annapolis Mall in 1983 and have been at Montgomery Mall for 25 years, since 1998. Both locations will remain open.
New: Tory Burch
Tory Burch is now open on the mall’s upper level. The luxury women’s brand, known for its shoes, handbags, accessories, jewelry, and watches. Founded in New York City in 2004, Tory Burch has redefined American luxury with a global perspective, aiming to empower women and women entrepreneurs, according to the company’s website. Tory Burch also has a nearby outlet store at Clarksburg Premium Outlets.
Below is a list of seasonal/holiday kiosks and pop-ups:
Socks To Be You
Socks To Be You is now open on the lower level, near Nordstrom. The chain sells “high-quality, novelty socks made from eco-friendly materials” with designs featuring themes like pop culture references, sports, cannabis, and Christmas.
“At Socks To Be You, we believe that socks are more than just an accessory—they’re a statement! Explore our unique, fun, and comfortable sock collections that reflect your personality. From quirky designs to bold patterns, we’ve got the perfect pair for every step of your journey. Made with quality and creativity in mind, we aim to keep your feet happy and your style fresh. Step into something amazing with Socks To Be You!”
Go! Calendars & Games
See’s Candies
Seasonal retailer See’s Candies has reopened on the mall’s lower level next to GameStop, offering chocolates, truffles, fudge, brittle, toffee, and nuts. See’s joins Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too as one of the pop-up stores now open for the holiday shopping season.
According to their website, “See’s Candies has been making quality chocolate and candy Mary See’s way for over 95 years. From the beginning, Mary took pride in her recipes and insisted on only the finest, freshest ingredients. Today, we’re still just as committed to making candy the right way. See’s has expanded from one chocolate shop to over 200 shops across America and a flourishing online store. And though we continue to grow, our commitment to tradition, taste, service and quality never wavers. Stop into one of our iconic black-and-white shops inspired by Mary’s kitchen, or visit us online. You’ll find over 100 varieties of delicious candy, chocolates, and seasonal gifts made with the same motto in mind: Quality Without Compromise®.
Sports Memorabilia
Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too
The store features a range of sheepskin and alpaca products, including boots, sandals, rugs, throws, and steering wheel covers. It is located on the lower level in the center of the mall.
Religious Carvings
Ornaments
Coming Soon: Subway
Subway is set to open in the former space of J. Chow’s, which closed in December 2023. With nearly 37,000 locations worldwide, Subway is one of the largest restaurant chains globally. In 2021, a Subway-inspired eatery called Big Al’s briefly operated in the mall but closed after just six months.
Coming Soon: UNIQLO
UNIQLO is known for their “high-quality, made for all” clothing and is expected to open in mid-2025, per Westfield. The store has current Montgomery County locations in Pike & Rose and Downtown Silver Spring. According to a report by Robert Dyer, the store will be located on the upper level in the space previously occupied by Express, which closed over the summer.
UNIQLO will join other soon-to-open retailers at the mall, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Carters, and Tory Burch. Founded in Yamaguchi, Japan, in 1949 as a textiles manufacturer, UNIQLO has since grown into a global brand with over 1,000 stores worldwide, dedicated to quality and innovative textiles.
