Below is a list of businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda:
Coming Soon: Garage– Montreal-based Garage is set to open a new location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, taking over the recently vacated Aeropostale space. “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. The chain currently has a nearby location at 1961 Chain Bridge Road in McLean, VA.
Coming Soon: Subway– Subway is scheduled to open this spring 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.
Coming Soon: Thai Express– Thai Express is set to open soon at the dining terrace, taking over the space formerly occupied by Ruby Thai Kitchen, which closed on January 1. Thai Express is expected to open shortly after a quick remodel. The Ruby Thai Kitchen at Westfield Wheaton Mall remains open.
Coming Soon: UNIQLO– In October we let you know that Japanese retailer UNIQLO was coming to Montgomery Mall. Now we know the retailer has received a permit valued at $1.425 million to build out the store.
It will be taking over the space that was previously home to Express in the upper level. 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. 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.
Reopened: Kapow Buddy– Kapow Buddy ‘Thai Street Bowls’ reopened on January 17, following its temporary closure due to a utility room fire on December 23. The restaurant has introduced updates such as new menu items like Halal Steak, revamped Happy Hour deals, catering services, and updated pricing starting at $10.99
About Kapow Buddy: “KAPOW BUDDY brings the beloved Pad Ka-Prow to customers in a convenient “Bowl Style.” We offer a variety of choices for customers to customize their meals, allowing them to enjoy the flavors of a classic Thai Street Bowl according to their own preferences. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch on the go or sitting down for a relaxed dinner, KAPOW BUDDY caters to all dining occasions. We aim to provide a versatile and satisfying dining option that meets the diverse needs of our customers, offering a delicious and convenient alternative to their dietary choices in town.”
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.”
Recently Opened: 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.”
Recently Opened: 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).