Update: Postponed due to weather. Look out for updates with new dates.

The Jolly Shows Carnival will be at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda) from Wednesday, September 20th until Sunday, September 24th. There will be over 30 attractions, including carnival rides, games, and food wagons. According to their website, “We are a new generation of carnival operators who strive to be more progressive and professional. We realize that we must produce a premium product for our customer’s hard earned money. We won’t forget our proud traditions, but we are committed to overcoming the stigmas which have hindered our industry for far too long.”


Butter Chicken House is coming to Montgomery Mall, moving into the space that was recently home to Ya Mon! Island Grill. The Caribbean restaurant, which was located next door to Chick-Fil-A, closed earlier this year. Ya Mon! served jerk chicken, meat, fish, beef patties, along with salads and sides.

Butter Chicken House plans to open on Friday, September 15th, according to Robert Dyer. Per his report, “The internationally-popular dish [butter chicken] from the city of Amritsar will be available as a bowl with rice, as a wrap, or in a combo meal.” Additional information on food court updates at Montgomery Mall, from earlier this summer, can be found here. Our latest on what’s new at Westfield Montgomery Mall can be seen here.


Brio’s Chicken has announced it will open a location at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda. The restaurant will be located in the space previously occupied by Tara Thai, which closed this past spring.  Menu items at Brio’s will includes Peruvian charbroiled chicken, empanadas, paninis, steaks, and seafood. Brio’s plans to be open daily from 8am-9pm and will offer Sunday brunch (full menu below.) No opening timeframe has been announced.

Brio’s Chicken was scheduled to open a location in the Kentlands but after several years of delays and issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant never materialized.  Brio’s Chicken previously had a location in Aspen Hill in the Aspen Manor shopping center, where Outback is located, but that location is under new ownership and is now known as Gio’s Chicken.


UPDATE: Montgomery Mall bomb threat determined not valid. Mall has been cleared and turned back over to mall security.

Montgomery County Police tweeted the following on Friday, August 18, at 8:12pm:  “MCPD at Montgomery Mall for reported bomb threat. Mall being evacuated as a precaution. Currently investigating validity of the report. More information will be released when it is available.”


Per Westfield Montgomery: Westfield Montgomery is proud to partner with Bethesda-based non-profit organization, The Napkin Network for the “Napkin Nook” initiative in a testament to the mall’s ongoing commitment to the community. As 1 in 3 families struggle to afford diapers for their children, the Napkin Nook welcomes those in need to take home essential baby items such as diapers and formula, making their parenting journey a little easier. Stationed on the lower level in front of the PlaySpace, the activation aims to bridge the gap between families in need and those eager to help, recognizing the challenges of motherhood and the persistent need within the community.

“The Napkin Network is here to assist in this messy, wonderful, challenging, and necessary journey known best as ‘motherhood,” says Founder Lindsay Gill. Echoing Gill’s objective, Zeina Davis, Director of Marketing for Westfield Montgomery says: “As a native of Montgomery County and a mother myself, it’s my pleasure to facilitate the betterment of mothers and families who contribute to the vitality of our center and are at the heart of our vibrant community. We aim to be a cornerstone of the community, offering both support for families and a platform for local artists.”


Swarovski has reopened in a new location on the upper level of Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda. Swarovski closed its previous location this past spring to make room for a new Rolex storefront at Liljenquist & Beckstead, which is taking over the former Swarovski space. Swarovski is an Australian based company that specializes in jewelry, watches, and crystal decorations.

In other Westfield Montgomery news, VinoRita Wine Slushies is now open mall’s food court, taking over the kiosk space that was previously home to HalfSmokeGelato Galax, and Coldstone Creamery. Alcohol infused slushie flavors include the best selling “Black San,” which is a Blackberry Sangria, Peach Frose, Strawberry Daquiri, and Blueberry Pomegranate. Non-alcoholic options include Blue Raspberry and Lemonade.


Lids is coming to Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda. The store will be located next to LEGO on the mall’s lower level. Lids is a “mall based, retail headwear” store that sells NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL licensed hats and merchandise. Lids has additional Montgomery County locations at the Clarksburg Outlets, Ellsworth Place (Silver Spring), and Wheaton Mall.

The location is currently hiring and no opening date has been announced. Click here to see a list businesses that are also coming soon to Montgomery Mall


VinoRita Wine Slushies is now open in the Montgomery Mall food court, taking over the kiosk space that was previously home to HalfSmokeGelato Galax, and Coldstone Creamery. Alcohol infused flavors include the best selling “Black San,” which is a Blackberry Sangria, Peach Frose, Strawberry Daquiri, and Blueberry Pomegranate. Non-alcoholic options include Blue Raspberry and Lemonade.  According to VinoRita, the first 150 customers will receive their slushies in color-changing Margarita souvenir cups at the pop-up.

Additional information below, Per VinoRita:“If you’ve never had a wine slushy before, you’re in for a treat! Even if you have  had a wine slushy, you’re in for a treat! VinoRita was created to bring you a fun & unique, Love at First Sip, top notch customer experience! Our goal is to revolutionize the way you experience wine! We’re not biased, our slushies really are delicious & they really are  made with wine – no hard liquors or spirits are added. At VinoRita, we offer a delicious slushy cocktail that does not require you to indulge in hard liquor to have fun! We’ve worked hard to perfect our recipes over the years and can’t wait to bring our wine slushies to a city near you.  In some of our locations, you can have a wine slushy while you shop! 🍷🍹🛍How fun is that? Check out our locations page to see where you can find us & experience Love at First Sip with a VinoRita Wine Slushy! Based on the way alcohol and liquor licenses have previously worked at the mall, we do not expect customers to be able to leave the VinoRita area with the drinks, but are awaiting word on that. Featured photo courtesy of VinoRitaWineSlushies.com


Wentworth Gallery, which sold paintings and limited edition prints from established artists and celebrities, has closed its location at Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda. The gallery recently hosted events and appearances by Paul Stanley from KISS and Joe Satriani. The Tysons Galleria‎ location at 1807 International Drive in McLean, VA remains open.

About Wentworth Gallery: “At Wentworth, we define selection not only by bringing you some of the most collected and heralded artists worldwide, but by travelling to the far reaches of the globe in order to introduce you to new artists whose works are sold exclusively through Wentworth Gallery. We carry artists such as Peter Max, Ric Ocasek, Mickey Hart, Rick Allen, Paul Stanley, Michael Cartellone, Brian Wheat, Charles Fazzino, Elena Bond, David Schluss, Michael Godard and Romero Britto. If you are in the area, please visit one of our many gallery locations. In any one of our galleries, you will find hundreds of works by internationally renowned artists. We also offer our unique Home Show service where we will bring up to 20 works of art to your home or office for a private viewing, within 50 miles of any of our galleries at no charge and no obligation, at a time convenient for you. At Wentworth, you will find the best selection, the best service, and the best prices. We hope you enjoyed your visit.


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