Shopping Mall

The Ancient Ruins of Chi-Chi’s in Lakeforest Mall

By MCS Staff

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.

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Montgomery Mall to Hold ‘Y2K Pink Party’ Featuring Members of N’SYNC, 98 Degrees, LFO, and O-Town; The MoCoShow and Lone Oak Brewery to Host ‘Blossom Lounge’ Pop-up

By Patrick Herron

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:

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Tara Thai Closes Bethesda Location

By Patrick Herron

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.”

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What’s Still Open Inside of Lakeforest Mall: Final Edition

By Patrick Herron

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:

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Paul Stanley of KISS to Appear at Montgomery Mall This Friday

By Patrick Herron

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).

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Paul Stanley of KISS to Appear at Montgomery Mall

By Patrick Herron

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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Next Steps For Lakeforest Mall Redevelopment

By MCS Staff

The joint public hearing on the Lakeforest Mall Rezoning & Sketch Plan was conducted on January 17, 2023. The Planning Commission will hold their record open until 5 p.m. Friday February 17, 2023 with anticipated recommendation March 1, 2023. The Mayor & City Council hold their record open until 5 p.m. Friday March 10, 2023 with anticipated Policy Discussion April 3, 2023.

Below is a video of our very own Alex Tsironis discussing the latest meeting on Fox 5, followed by some highlights from WRS, Inc’s presentation on January 17th:

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Nori Japan to Open New Location Across From Lakeforest Mall

By Patrick Herron

Nori Japan, one of the last remaining tenants at Lakeforest Mall, has announced its opening a new location across from the mall in the Montgomery Village Crossing shopping center.  Nori will be taking over the space that was previously occupied by Wok Express. According to signage at the restaurant, “This is the new address for the store (9615 Lost Knife Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20877) near the H Mart Shopping Center. Now we are prepping for the opening of our new store. When we finish the prepping we will posting on the Facebook. Please add my Facebook ID Wei Huang. Thank you.” According to the owner, the restaurant is just waiting on permits before it can make the move.

In other Lakeforest news, Bath & Bodyworks and Charley’s Cheesesteaks have both closed, and Macy’s is currently running a store closing clearance sale. The mall itself is expected to close at the end of March, according to a recent announcement by WRS Inc.– the mall’s new owner.

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Bath & Bodyworks and Charley’s Cheesesteaks Close at Lakeforest Mall

By Patrick Herron

On January 17, WRS, Inc. officially announced that Lakeforest Mall would be closing at the end of March, after almost 45 years in Gaithersburg. While there are still a handful of businesses open inside of the mall, including a pro wrestling training school, the last remaining stores are beginning to close, including Bath & Body Works and Charley’s Cheesesteaks, which both closed this past week.

Bath & Body Works is expected to open its new Gaithersburg location at Downtown Crown sometime in the next month. The new store will be located at 130 Crown Park Ave, in the location that was formerly home to Hair Cuttery, in between ZAGG and Warby Parker. Employees from the Lakeforest location have been transferred to the Germantown store at 20934 Frederick Rd.

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Montgomery Mall Celebrates the Year of the Rabbit with Traditional Lunar New Year Celebrations, January 22 and 29

By Patrick Herron

Per Westfield Montgomery: Westfield Montgomery is celebrating the Lunar New Year Jan. 22 and 29 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. marking the Chinese New Year with celebrations hosted in partnership with the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC). Westfield Montgomery presents a series of well-designed and prepared cultural performances, including traditional dragon and lion dances, artisticdemonstrations, martial arts, and more! Along with these performances, the center has been adorned with festive decorations throughout.

All performances and activities occur in Nordstrom wing of the premiere shopping center, on the lower level; and is open to adults and children alike – no rsvp required.

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