Amazon announced on Wednesday that it plans to close all 68 of its brick-and-mortar bookstores, pop-ups and shops carrying toys and home goods (including Amazon 4 Star) in the United States and United Kingdom, per Reuters.

Amazon has an Amazon 4 Star location in Montgomery Mall in Bethesda and one that was planned for Germantown, with signage at that location recently going up. The Montgomery Mall Amazon 4 Star location will be closing permanently on march 19th, the store confirmed today.  The Germantown location will no longer be opening, despite the recent signage that was erected prior to Amazon’s announcement.

Amazon Books at Bethesda Row will also be closing permanently, but the store does not have a closing date yet.

The company also stated that it would continue its focus on Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market grocery chains. An Amazon Fresh grocery store recently opened in Chevy Chase and one is planned for Gaithersburg. It was recently announced that an Amazon grocery store is in the plans for White Oak Town Center as well.

Back in August of 2020 we let you know that HalfSmoke would be opening a Rockville location in Rockville Town Square. Though it hasn’t opened yet, it’s still in the plans for the DC-based restaurant.

Now we know of a new location, HalfSmoke Bethesda, which will be opening in the Montgomery Mall food court, as first reported by The MoCo Source on Instagram. It will be located in the former home of Coldstone Creamery and more recently Gelato Galaxy.

HalfSmoke was the first restaurant of its kind to serve gourmet sausages via an assembly line format. Its sausages and toppings can be fully customized to create over 50,000 variations. The HalfSmoke menu also features craft beer, mac and cheese balls, tater tots, milkshakes, funnel cakes, wine, cocktails, and more, but there is no word on if the Montgomery Mall location will offer everything the DC restaurant does.

HalfSmoke’s Butter Me Up will also be opening in Montgomery Mall. No word yet on an opening date for either restaurant.

Sports Nation, a memorabilia and apparel store that sells licensed athletic apparel, has closed in Montgomery Mall.

The store opened its Montgomery Mall location in the summer of 2018, giving it a 3.5 year run at the mall.

Nearby locations can be found at Tyson’s Corner, Springfield Town Center, Potomac Mills, and Dulles Town Center.

The company posted the following message on its Montgomery Mall location Facebook page:

“Our time at Montgomery Mall has come to an end. We would like to thank all of our customers for making us your home for sports merchandise.
Although we may no longer be open here we do encourage you to visit us at our other locations at Tysons Corner Center, Springfield Town Center, Potomac Mills, and Dulles Town Center.
We hope to see you again really soon!“

Update: AMC Theater in Montgomery Mall will be opening on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, according to MyMCM.

Visit www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/washington-d-c/amc-montgomery-16/ for more information.

February 8:

At the end of January we let you know that AMC would be taking the place of ArcLight in Montgomery Mall.

Earlier today, AMC announced “high-profile, major-market acquisitions” of former ArcLight locations in the D.C. and San Diego areas, which includes the former ArcLight location in Montgomery Mall.

AMC Montgomery 16, the theater taking over the closed ArcLight location in Montgomery Mall, is expected to open in March, according to the press release by AMC.

ArcLight announced back in April that due to losses during the pandemic, it would not be reopening any of its locations, including the one at Montgomery Mall.

The press release can be seen below:

Tickets go on sale this week at AMC UTC 14 in La Jolla, CA, which opens Thursday, February 10

AMC Montgomery 16 in Bethesda, MD is expected to open in March

The two newest additions to AMC’s circuit join other high-profile locations acquired in the last 12 months, including the recent announcements of AMC Northridge 10 in Northridge, Calif., and AMC NEWCITY 14, which are expected to open later this year

AMC Americana at Brand 18 and AMC The Grove 14, which were acquired in the summer of 2021, now consistently rank among the top 30 theatres in box office performance in the United States

This announcement brings the number up to six former ArcLight/Pacific theatres that are being added into the AMC circuit

LEAWOOD, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– AMC Theatres (NYSE:AMC), the largest theatrical exhibitor in the United States, in Europe & the Middle East, and in the world, today announced it has reached lease agreements with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), global developer and operator of flagship destinations, to acquire and open two high-profile locations, each located in a major market. In the San Diego market, AMC will reopen AMC UTC 14 at Westfield UTC, located in La Jolla, this Thursday, February 10. In the Washington D.C. market, AMC will reopen AMC Montgomery 16 at Westfield Montgomery, with an expected opening date in March. Both are former ArcLight locations.

AMC remains in active discussions with other property owners regarding additional currently closed locations.

Upon reopening, guests at both locations can expect many of AMC’s most popular amenities, including AMC Stubs, a world class loyalty and subscription service that includes AMC Stubs A-List.

Adam Aron, Chairman and CEO of AMC, commented: “AMC continues to play offense and aggressively seek out opportunities to strengthen our company through strategic acquisitions. We look forward to bringing the AMC experience to even more guests in and around San Diego and Washington D.C., at these previously high-traffic, well known theatres. With this announcement, this brings the number up to six former ArcLight/Pacific theatres that are being added into the AMC orbit. Our most recent acquisitions of AMC The Grove 14 and AMC Americana at Brand 18 are already showing their success as those locations routinely finish in the top 10 theatres in box office performance among more than 150 theatres in the LA market, and in the top 30 in the entire United States.”

Dominic Lowe, U.S. Chief Operating Officer, URW added: “Westfield destinations are known for providing exceptional shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences, which is why we are so thrilled to welcome AMC to Westfield UTC and Westfield Montgomery. We know AMC will bring one-of-a-kind movie-going to the San Diego and D.C. markets, which will complement our offering and give visitors an amazing place to come together.”

About AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.

AMC is the largest movie exhibition company in the United States, the largest in Europe and the largest throughout the world with approximately 950 theatres and 10,500 screens across the globe. AMC has propelled innovation in the exhibition industry by: deploying its Signature power-recliner seats; delivering enhanced food and beverage choices; generating greater guest engagement through its loyalty and subscription programs, web site and mobile apps; offering premium large format experiences and playing a wide variety of content including the latest Hollywood releases and independent programming. For more information, visit amctheatres.com.

AMC now lists “AMC Montgomery 16” at 7101 Democracy Blvd (Westfield Montgomery Mall) in Bethesda, the former site of ArcLight Cinema, on its website.  ArcLight announced back in April that due to losses during the pandemic, they would not be reopening any of their locations, including the one at Montgomery Mall.

Photo from @themocosource on Instagram

A spokesperson for Westfield Montgomery’s parent company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), wrote in an email to Bethesda Beat on Monday that they had “nothing to announce officially yet,” in regards to the theater.

Back in June we reported that AMC was in discussion with landlords of recently closed Arclight and Pacific theaters about potentially taking over some of the locations after raising over $230 million through equity sales to Mudrick Capital Management.

According to a June article in Variety, AMC CEO and president Adam Aron said, “Given our scale, experience and commitment to innovation and excellence, AMC is being presented with highly attractive theater acquisition opportunities,” and “We are in discussions, for example, with multiple landlords of superb theaters formerly operated by Arclight Cinemas and Pacific Theatres. With this agreement with Mudrick Capital, we have raised funds that will allow us to be aggressive in going after the most valuable theater assets, as well as to make other strategic investments in our business and to pursue deleveraging opportunities.”

 

The Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) cordially invites you to join us in the 2022 Year of the Tiger Lunar New Year series of celebrations.

From CCACC:

In the past, CCACC held the grand Lunar New Year biweekly celebration event at LakeForest Mall every year, which has been recognized as one signature event in the community. However, the ongoing COVID situation has made it challenging for the community to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Many traditional Lunar New Year celebrations have been subject to various restrictions in order to slow down the spread of viruses.

Therefore, CCACC will adopt two methods, online and on-site, to hold a series of celebration activities during the festival to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The specific arrangements are as follows:

CCACC 2022 Lunar New Year Virtual Celebration @ Feb 05 Saturday 11:00 AM

Based on the mission of promoting Chinese culture, we will still present the online Lunar New Year celebrations this year through Zoom and YouTube Live Stream. The celebration is scheduled for Saturday, February 5th at 11:00 am, and we can’t wait to share the New Year blessings with you.

This is the second year in a row that CCACC has hosted an online Lunar New Year celebration. In fact, CCACC has held many online celebrations since the pandemic and accumulated a lot of valuable experience. During the preparations for this online celebration, besides many New Year greetings from the distinguished guests nationwide, diversified performances provided by the community groups and CCACC clubs, including a special performance at the invitation of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, will be presented one by one during the virtual celebration. The celebration will be held in both Chinese and English to showcase diverse cultures. The total length is expected to be one and a half hours. We sincerely invite all community members to participate and celebrate the Lunar New Year together.

Participation is available on YouTube or Zoom, as follows:

– YouTube Live Stream

1. Click the following link： https://youtu.be/XxYVSycJtkc

2.  Or scan the following code:

– Zoom Login

1.  Login link：https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88063581805

Meeting ID：880 6358 1805

2.  Or scan the following code:

CCACC Lunar New Year Lantern Exhibition and Culture Performances, Mid-Jan to Mid-Feb

In addition to the online celebration, CCACC will once again collaborate with local malls to host the New Year’s Lantern Exhibition at Wheaton Mall and Montgomery Mall from Mid-January to Mid-February. These two large shopping malls will be decorated with colorful and festive New Year’s scenes. Furthermore, we will organize community groups and clubs to present 3 sessions of Lunar New Year on-site performances (tentatively) to add more New Year spirit. The detailed schedule is as follows:

– New Year Lantern Exhibition

Location： Westfield Montgomery and Westfield Wheaton

Date: Mid-Jan to Mid-Feb

– Culture Performances

Location： Westfield Montgomery

Date：Jan 29 1:00-3:00 PM

Feb 05 1:00-3:00 PM

Feb 12 1:00-3:00 PM

The bell of the Year of the Tiger is about to ring, and people will have stronger expectations for the New Year. The Tiger ranks third in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs. Tiger represents independence, fearlessness, loyalty, and confidence. They are strong in the face of adversity and never back down from a challenge. We believe those characteristics will lead us to go through all the hardships in the future.

We look forward to sharing the joy of the Lunar New Year with all the friends in the community. Please pay close attention to the time of each celebration. Don’t miss it! CCACC wishes everyone a Happy Lunar New Year, and may the year ahead be filled with joy, hope, health, and prosperity.

Gelato Galaxy has closed in Montgomery Mall, after less than six months in the food court.

Gelato Galaxy opened in the Montgomery Mall food court back in August of 2021 in the location that was previously home to Coldstone Creamery in the middle of the Westfield Montgomery food court.

The dessert spot offered gelato, soft-serve custard, Italian ice, and gelati (which is a combination of custard and Italian ice).

Gelato Galaxy does not have additional locations and is no longer listed on the Westfield Montgomery directory.

 

DC’s Butter Me Up will be opening a Montgomery County location in Westfield’s Montgomery Mall.

HalfSmoke, which should be opening its first MoCo location in Rockville Town Square soon, created Butter Me Up as a breakfast sandwich pop-up during the pandemic so that customers can pick up or order breakfast sandwiches for delivery.

In DC, the breakfast sandwich spot is open within HalfSmoke in Florida Ave NW from 8am-3pm on most days.

The menu at the DC location consists solely of breakfast sandwiches, with 13 different varieties available on your choice of a butter roll, biscuit, English muffin, or maple waffle. Stuffed inside the sandwiches you’ll find sausage, eggs, fried chicken, a variety of cheese, and a lot more.

A Yelp article named Butter Me Up DC’s best breakfast sandwich.

Butter Me Up will be taking over the old Aroma Espresso Bar location, which is downstairs near the Old Navy entrance.

Signage is up, but the inside has not changed since Aroma left, so an opening does not seem imminent. We’ll keep you updated on a potential opening date as soon as we have it.

A few photos, courtesy of Butter Me Up, can be seen below.

Big Al’s Subs and Soups has opened in the Montgomery Mall food court, taking over the location that was previously home to Wicked Waffles next to Charley’s.

The restaurant offers ten different signature sandwiches, which includes a vegetarian option called “The Mediterranean”, or gives you the option to create your own regular ($7.49) or large ($10.49) sub.

A combo meal with chips and a drink will cost you an extra $3.29, or you can add a soup and a drink for $6.29.

As of two days ago, Big Al’s was hiring multiple candidates as “sandwich pros” offering $14 per hour.

Pictures of Big Al’s can be seen below:

Westfield will have expanded hours at Montgomery and Wheaton Malls this holiday season. The hours for each day until January 3 can be seen below:

Note: Store hours may vary from what’s on the website.
Please contact the store for the most current information.

Montgomery Mall

It has been nearly two years (December 2019) since we learned that Frank Pepe’s would be opening its first Maryland pizzeria right here in MoCo– in Montgomery Mall.

After many delays, we learned this past summer that the restaurant was back on track to open, as they were given their beer and wine license in a hearing that took place at 10am on September 2nd.

Though progress has been made on some fronts, not much has progressed in regards to construction inside (see photo below from this weekend).

Frank Pepe’s is located in the old Bobby’s Burger Palace location on the lower level across from Cheesecake Factory. No opening timeframe has been provided yet, but we will relay the information as soon as it’s available.

The Daily Meal has referred to Frank Pepe’s as “America’s finest pizzeria” and many publications have tabbed the pizza joints as a must-try in the New England area.

Per its website, Frank Pepe originated the New Haven-style thin crust pizza which he baked in bread ovens fired by coke. Coke is a byproduct of coal and it was used extensively until the late 1960’s when it became unavailable and hence coal was then put into use to fire the oven.

Pepe’s signature pizza, the White Clam Pizza, was most likely an organic inspiration by Frank Pepe; an idea born from the fact that Pepe’s also served raw little neck clams from Rhode Island, on the half shell, as an appetizer.

Featured photo courtesy of @FrankPepePizza