Below is a list of retail and restaurant updates at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda:
Now Open:
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Garage – Montreal-based fashion brand Garage opened earlier this summer in the former Aeropostale space. Popular among young women, Garage offers trendy casual wear including denim, dresses, loungewear, and accessories. “For the independent it-girls,” Garage is a trendy clothing store specializing in casual and stylish fashion for young women, offering a variety of denim, tops, dresses, loungewear, and accessories. Known for its laid-back yet fashion-forward aesthetic, Garage caters to those looking for comfortable everyday wear with a trendy edge.
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Subway – Subway is open in the former J. Chow’s space, which closed in December 2023. The global sandwich chain has nearly 37,000 locations worldwide.
Coming Soon:
- Signage is up for Arc’teryx. Known for its high-end outdoor apparel and equipment, Arc’teryx specializes in premium gear for climbing, hiking, skiing, and mountaineering. Founded in 1991 in North Vancouver, Canada, the brand is especially recognized for its technical outerwear, including GORE-TEX jackets, insulated layers, backpacks, and climbing harnesses. According to on-site signage, the store is expected to open this fall.
- Hollister Co. is returning to Montgomery Mall after almost a ten-year absence. Hollister Co. is a retail clothing brand owned by Abercrombie & Fitch, known for its Southern California–inspired casualwear aimed at teens and young adults. Its beach-themed stores typically feature graphic tees, jeans, and loungewear, all sold in a laid-back environment. The brand previously had a location at Montgomery Mall, which closed in 2016. An opening date for the new store has not yet been announced.
- Signage is now up for Warby Parker. Warby Parker is a national eyewear retailer offering prescription glasses, sunglasses, and eye exams through both online and in-store services. Founded in 2010, the company is known for its direct-to-consumer model and emphasis on accessible, stylish eyewear. The upcoming location will be located in the Nordstrom wing of the mall and is expected to open this fall. Warby Parker currently operates additional Montgomery County locations at Bethesda Row, Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg, and Pike & Rose in North Bethesda.
- Wetzel’s Pretzels is coming to Westfield Montgomery Mall, with signage at the location indicating a fall opening. The popular chain serves a variety of hand-rolled, oven-baked snacks, including classic salted pretzels, pretzel-wrapped Wetzel Dogs, cheesy Dog Bites, and pepperoni-topped Pizza Bitz. Wetzel’s is also scheduled to open a location in Westfield Wheaton.
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Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings – Westfield announced that this Michelin-recommended, New York-based restaurant will open in the former Urban Plates space next to Shake Shack on the dining terrace. Known for its Shanghainese dim sum and Jiangsu-Zhejiang cuisine, the menu includes a wide variety of soup dumplings (including pork, chicken, crab & pork, truffle, scallop, ham, and abalone), sampler sets like Lucky Six and Three Treasures, as well as cold dishes, noodles, rice plates, soups, and desserts like Ube Red Bean Bao.
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Shiki Fusion – Blending Japanese precision with Thai passion, Shiki Fusion will serve premium seafood, organic herbs, and high-quality spices. It will be located above Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings, across from the AMC movie theater.
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Below Zero – Below Zero Swiss Science Skin Restoration specializes in cold therapy-based skincare designed to enhance beauty, boost dopamine, and promote sustainable self-care practices.
Closed:
- IT’SUGAR closed its doors on July 27. According to its website, IT’SUGAR is one of the largest specialty candy retailers in North America, offering a playful and immersive shopping experience centered around bold, pop culture–inspired sweets. Founded in 2006 by candy industry veteran Jeff Rubin, the brand combines candy with entertainment, “aiming to create a sense of joy and lighthearted rebellion.” IT’SUGAR has an additional location at 216 Boardwalk Pl in Gaithersburg (Rio).
- Miniso has closed, according to signage posted on the storefront. Last month, Miniso opened a new location in Germantown’s Fox Chapel Plaza and has recently signed a lease to open another at 12266F Rockville Pike in Federal Plaza, Rockville. Miniso is a Chinese retail and variety store chain with Japanese-inspired branding, offering a wide range of affordable household and consumer goods. Its product lineup includes cosmetics, stationery, toys, kitchenware, home décor, accessories, personal care items, snacks, and beverages, often featuring licensed characters.
- Gap permanently closed at the end of July. The store is currently running several going out of business sales. Gap is a national apparel retailer known for selling casual clothing, including denim, basics, and accessories for men, women, and children. The chain continues to operate additional Montgomery County locations in Bethesda Row, Clarksburg (outlet), Chevy Chase, and Rockville.