Australian based jewelry chain Lovisa is coming to the lower level of Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. According to its website, “We are the fashionable on-trend jewelry specialist. See our latest styles & curated range for every occasion. From earrings, necklaces, rings & more.”
Additional jewelry stores in Montgomery Mall include Elite Jewelers, Francesca’s, Gold Palace, Icing, Jewelry Corner, Kay Jewelers, and Pandora. No opening date for Lovisa has been announced.
Sneaker Boutique KICKZ is holding its grand opening today, October 29, at Westfield Montgomery Mall. According to KICKZ Instagram page, “the first 25 people inside the store will receive a $25 store credit at the door and all purchases that include both a sneaker and a clothing item will receive $50 for the first 50.”
KICKZ has an additional location inside of Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, VA which opened in 2021.
We first reported that Five Below was coming to Westfield Wheaton Mall (11160 Veirs Mill Rd) back in August and we were recently informed by representatives from Westfield that the store is scheduled to open this December. Five Below will be located in the upper level center court, in the space that was recently occupied by Gussini Fashion & Shoes. Gussini will be relocating to the former Panera Bread location, which closed in 2020. Five Below opened its most recent MoCo location at 516 N Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg, the former location of Chuck E. Cheese, back in July. Five Below has additional MoCo locations in Gaithersburg (Kentlands), Germantown, Rockville, and Silver Spring.
This Saturday, October 29, Westfield Wheaton will host a Halloween ‘BOO!sterama’ event from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to provide the new bivalent COVID-19 boosters to anyone age 5 and older who had their last vaccination at least two months ago. The shots are free and no appointment is needed. The new Pfizer bivalent booster is approved for anyone 5 and older and the updated Moderna bivalent booster is approved for anyone 6 and older.
The event will be held at Westfield Wheaton Mall, outside of the Carter’s store on the second floor. Individuals who receive their booster at the event will be entered into a drawing to receive one of five $50 gift cards that can be used throughout Westfield Wheaton’s variety of retailers.
“Health officials continue to recommend the updated COVID-19 booster as a way of protecting people from the risk of serious illness from COVID-19,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I am grateful and appreciative of our partnership with Westfield Wheaton to provide space, incentives and access to get our vaccines directly in front of potential recipients.”
WRS Inc., a real estate investment firm based out of South Carolina, that purchased Lakeforest Mall and all four anchor sites, held an informational meeting on Thursday evening to share some early plans for what will take the place of the mall. WRS purchased the core, ponds, and forest conservation of the mall back in 2019 and added the four anchor sites earlier this year, spending a total of $75 million to acquire Lakeforest Mall. This evening they announced that they have worked with the City of Gaithersburg since March and plan to submit their zoning application and sketch plan in the next couple weeks.
The target date for demolition of the mall and the start of new construction is currently 2024, with a more specific date to come after the approval of sketch plans. The sketch plan requires at least 35% “green space” and WRS stated that initial sketches are currently at a little more than 35%. Green space is defined as trees, grass, walking/biking areas, etc. The current retention pond will be “cleaned up” and a boardwalk is in the plans for a dining experience on the water that was described as being similar to what is available at nearby Rio Lakefront. WRS has also heard from several different movie theaters that are geared towards adults with food offerings and a bar, mentioning one that has a very robust civic program that would allow community groups to use one theater per week for their own functions. No specific names were given and it was noted that a discussion “doesn’t mean it’ll happen.”
The owners of Nori Japan, one of the last remaining restaurants at Lakeforest Mall, have announced that they are currently looking for a new location. A sign at the restaurant asks customers to follow the owner on Facebook and that they will “notify every customer when we find a new store”. The restaurant is still currently open.
Both Moderna and Pfizer bivalent boosters will be available at the BOO!sterama. Anyone 12 and older who had their last vaccine dose at least two months ago should get the updated booster shot. The event will be held at Westfield Wheaton Mall, outside of the Carter’s store on the second floor. Individuals who receive their booster at the event will be entered in a drawing to receive one of five $50 gift cards that can be used throughout Westfield Wheaton’s wide variety of retailers.
“Over the past month, Montgomery County became the largest jurisdiction to become 90% fully vaccinated,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “However, being ‘fully vaccinated’ doesn’t protect us enough and we must convince every eligible individual to get the new bivalent booster. These booster shots are free and can protect you from the risk of serious illness from COVID-19. I am grateful and appreciative of our partnership with Westfield Wheaton to provide space, incentives and access to get our vaccines directly in front of potential recipients.”
The Jolly Show Carnival is returning to the Westfield Wheaton Mall parking lot (11160 Veirs Mill Rd.) from October 5-16. 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.
The idea of a business that made people happy though, never left his thoughts. While visiting a firemen’s carnival with his children in 1939, Frank saw what he thought might be the new business for him. He counted the people in line at the “Roll-O-Plane” and watched as the thrilled riders exited the ride, and got right back in line to ride again. He visited the carnival again each of the next three nights and paid even closer attention to the operation of amusement rides. He was now sure that this is where he would invest his savings.
Want to become the next Hulk Hogan, John Cena, or The Rock? Renaissance Rumble, a pro wrestling training organization, is now open on the bottom level of Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg. The group offers basic training, “intro to wrestling” workshops, and fantasy camps. The folks behind Renaissance Rumble tell us that they are a “radically inclusive” company that believes pro wrestling at its core is theater and that wrestling should be a safe space for everyone. Their ultimate goal is to build a thriving wrestling community in Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia.
Renaissance Rumble works closely with Flying V, a local theater group that promotes wrestling cards at the Black Box in Downtown Silver Spring. Flying V’s next show, BOWTIES & BLACKEYES, takes place on Saturday, October 8. You can find more information about that event here.
Did you know that Kevin Plank, founder of Under Armour, grew up in Kensington? He is the youngest of five brothers born to William and Jayne Plank. His father was a prominent real estate developer who passed away in 1993. A local project of his was the Al Marah subdivision off River Road, just off of exit 39 on the Beltway. His mother was the mayor of Kensington for 8 years, from 1974-1982. She went on to direct the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at the United States Department of State under President Ronald Reagan, and was a real estate broker until the early 2000s. Read more about Kevin’s story here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZsfYOtMRR0/
Under Armour has reopened its newly renovated location in Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda) and is offering a 20% discount promotion throughout the weekend. The store now features a youth clothing section, 3D foot scanner, digital boards, and upgraded fitting rooms.
Kevin Plank, founder of Under Armour, grew up in Kensington. He is the youngest of five brothers born to William and Jayne Plank. His father was a prominent real estate developer who passed away in 1993. A local project of his was the Al Marah subdivision off River Road, just off of exit 39 on the Beltway. His mother was the mayor of Kensington for 8 years, from 1974-1982. She went on to direct the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at the United States Department of State under President Ronald Reagan, and was a real estate broker until the early 2000s. Read more about Kevin’s story here.