The City of Gaithersburg has recently authorized an outline of a development plan with the new owners of Lakeforest Mall, WRS Inc.

The agreement is to set forth a framework for the redevelopment of the property (Lakeforest Mall) away from its current status as a roughly 40 year old mall to a thoughtfully designed mix of uses (including residential, commercial, and retail uses).


UPDATE: Bethesda Magazine has reported that Fran Pepe has delayed its plan to open in Montgomery Mall and that the restaurant is no longer expected to open in late 2020. No new date has been provided.

In a tweet this morning, he wrote that Frank Pepe’s is opening a location in Montgomery Mall in late 2020.


We were just informed of two impending closures at Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg.

Forever 21, the “fast fashion” retailer known for its trendy offerings and low pricing, filed for bankruptcy last month. At the time, the Lakeforest location was the only one of the four MoCo locations that was not listed as one of the stores expected to close.


Moe’s Southwest Grill is coming back to MoCo as the fast casual Mexican restaurant prepares for an opening in the Wheaton Mall food court.

Many of you may remember that Moe’s previously had MoCo location last in Gaithersburg at the Potomac Valley shopping center until October of 2015, in Rockville Town Square, where Finnegan’s Wake is now located, and in Silver Spring on Tech Rd where Qdoba is now located, so this will be the Atlanta-based chain’s fourth go around in Montgomery County.


Dream Aero is a simulator providing a realistic impression that reproduces every aspect of the in-flight experience and it’ll be opening at Montgomery Mall soon, overlooking the food court (exact date is unknown, but it looks to be coming very soon).

The flight simulator accurately reproduces every aspect of a real flight, with you behind the controls. While flying in adverse weather conditions might be a challenge for beginner pilots, one can master basic elements of the flight, such as takeoff, landing and following a flight path. Learning is easier than ever with an experienced instructor at your side.


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