Updated to reflect that the Montgomery Village location is the only Moe’s left in the county, rather than state.

Moe’s Southwest Grill made its triumphant return to MoCo when the fast-casual Mexican restaurant opened in the Wheaton Mall food court in late 2019. That restaurant has now closed permanently, a representative from the Montgomery Village location confirmed for us on Saturday morning.


The Jolly Shows Carnival will be at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda) from March 29 through April 16. 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.” Tickets can be purchased here.

ALSO SEE: What’s New and What’s Coming Soon to Montgomery Mall: Spring 2023


Westfield Montgomery has announced the signing of a new lease with Arhaus, a leader in artisan-crafted, sustainably sourced home furnishings and décor. The nearly 10,000 square-foot showroom will open on the lower level of the Nordstrom wing of the mall, providing shoppers with an inspiring destination to experience the brand’s heirloom-quality furnishings and complimentary design services.

“We are thrilled to have Arhaus open at Westfield Montgomery,” says Stuart Amos, Senior General Manager of Unibail-Rodamco Westfield. “The company’s sustainable mission and artisan-quality furniture and décor speaks directly to the values of the modern consumer in our region, and the new showroom will provide the sort of experience that our shoppers are looking to return to – one that emphasizes personal touches and in-real-life service.”


With Lakeforest closing in just a couple weeks, we felt it was time to bring back an old favorite here at The MoCoShow. Our founder, Mr. MoCo (Alex T.) has previously stated that some of his fondest MoCo memories took place at Chi-Chi’s (photos of the Lakeforest location below). Growing up in Gaithersburg, he and his family would frequently go to the Lakeforest location for dinner– it was the restaurant that introduced him to fried ice cream.

Chi-Chi’s also had a Rockville location in Wintergreen Plaza that later became Broadway/Ted’s 355 Diner and is currently Habit Burger and Jersey Mike’s. Tough the restaurant chain left town approximately two decades ago, Lakeforest never replaced it (located across from the old Lakeforest Silver Diner). The vacant location was closed off, but a few years backthe window covers were temporarily removed and MoCo resident Jeff Melia was able to take a few photos through the window. Inside were the ruins of days past.


Get ready to party at the mall like it’s 1999! As part of its upcoming BlossomFest, Westfield Montgomery will be hosting a special Y2K Pink Party on Saturday, April 1st at 1pm. The free concert will be hosted by NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick and 98 Degrees’ Jeff Timmons and will feature performances by Y2K-era pop heroes LFO and O-Town, who’ll perform live in the Nordstrom wing. The MoCoShow will team up that day with Lone Oak Brewery to host a special pop-up biergarten in the Blossom Lounge from 11am-8pm. Reserve your spot here. Full details below from Westfield Montgomery:

Play among the cherry blossoms, snap photos in an Insta-worthy Blossom Lounge, take in new spring-inspired public art activations and celebrate Washington’s iconic flower, all without stepping foot on the Tidal Basin this month at Westfield Montgomery Mall. BlossomFest, an official participating event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, will feature activations and events slated through April, including new artwork from artists Nicole Bourgea, Maggie O’Neill and Cris Logan, a stunning blossom and lantern installation brightening up Nordstrom corridor, and more, culminating in a live nostalgic concert that’ll have guests reminiscing about the dawn of the millennium with NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick and 98 Degrees’ Jeff Timmons, LFO and O-Town. Here’s what’s on tap in March and April at the region’s premier retail destination:


About Tara Thai: “Walking into Tara Thai is like walking into the soothing serenity of the deep blue sea, with indoor waterfalls and seaside colors sparking from the ceilings and walls. This is a place worth indulging in courses. We proudly bring you to experience fine dining with the most successful Thai restaurant on the east coast. Serving delicious Thai cuisine, along with an enjoyable atmosphere. Our unique decoration reflects quality of our dishes with finest ingredients, in preparing our gourmet-quality dishes. All ingredients are carefully selected by our experience head chef.”


With Lakeforest Mall scheduled to close its doors at the end of March after 45 years, a handful of tenants remain open during its final days. Since our last update in January, Aeropostale, Bath & Body Works, Beautiful U, Champs Sports, Charly’s Cheesesteaks, and Finish Line have all closed.  Bath & Bodyworks recently opened a new location in Downtown Crown and Beautiful U has relocated to the Clarksburg Outlets. Below is a list of what was open when we stopped by on February 27:

The following businesses were not open when we stopped by, but had yet to clear their locations, so they may be open during limited hours:


Paul Stanley, the co-founder, singer, and guitarist of legendary rock band KISS, will be appearing at the Wentworth Gallery at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda) this Friday, February 24 from 7-9pm. Stanley’s art is currently on display at the gallery and individuals who purchase one of his paintings will have the opportunity to meet him at event. Stanley will also be appearing the Wentworth Gallery at Tysons Galleria on Saturday, February 25. Additional information below courtesy of Wentworth Gallery:

“To ring in the New Year – Wentworth Gallery is honored to present a collection of works from legendary Musician and Fine Artist, Paul Stanley. Since the artist’s last national art tour, over four years ago, Stanley has created new original paintings, hand painted signature Paul Stanley Ibanez guitars, mixed media originals, and limited-edition artworks including new works on metal. Several of the pieces on display come from the Black Series that was originally commissioned in 2020 for museum exhibition. As with most events in 2020 that exhibit was canceled due to the pandemic. With the Black Series, Stanley pushes the boundaries of his art by starting with a black canvas and creating vibrancy and emotion with his trademark bright colors. Fans can experience the new works and meet Paul Stanley at the following Wentworth Gallery locations beginning February 3 in Hollywood, FL on February 4 in Boca Raton, FL and then on February 24 in Bethesda, MD and finally February 25 McLean, VA (full details below).


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.


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