Aeropostale reopens; Smart Toys, Peet's Coffee close at Westfield Montgomery Mall (Photos)

The redesigned Aeropostale

The new and improved Aeropostale has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Will the cosmetic and product changes help the struggling chain stay afloat? We shall soon find out.

Smart Toys walled off
after closing last week

Meanwhile, in other mall news, Smart Toys has closed. I've also confirmed Peet's Coffee, which went dark late last week, has permanently closed. Signage and menus have been stripped from the kiosk, as Starbucks continues to dominate the coffee wars at the mall.

The Limited closes at Westfield Montgomery Mall; Aeropostale to reopen Jan. 6 (Photos)

The Limited has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Known for casual and workplace apparel, the chain is in full collapse after struggling in recent years. Its first store opened in 1963 in Columbus, Ohio, and eventually grew into a retail empire that acquired Victoria's Secret, Express, Abercrombie & Fitch, Galyan's, Lane Bryant and Lerner. The company also created Bath & Body Works and Structure. In recent years, The Limited teamed with actress Eva Longoria on a clothing line.

While their stores are closing nationwide (Bethesda closed early, most are shuttering this Saturday), The Limited's website is still open with savings of 50% on all merchandise. Be advised that all sales are final.

In more positive retail news, the equally-struggling Aeropostale will reopen and reveal its store makeover this Friday, January 6. A whiteboard outside the temporarily-closed store sports cheerful John Hancocks from the "Aerofamily."

"All new" Aeropostale coming in January, Menchie's construction update (Photos)

Troubled chain Aeropostale is sending mixed messages at its Westfield Montgomery Mall storefront in Bethesda. Going-out-of-business-style signs screaming "Everything must go!!" and, "Entire store 70% off," share equal billing with another sign, which promises an "all new Aeropostale" in January 2017, and a reassurance that "this isn't goodbye."

The chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May, and even shuttered its flagship Times Square store at that time. A recent rent deal has allowed the chain to keep open more stores than originally expected. I found that these exact same signs are on another store in Syracuse, New York. At the same time, unlucky locations like Pearland, Texas are still on track to close.

Menchie's kiosk

Meanwhile, construction of the Menchie's frozen yogurt kiosk at the mall looks just about finished. Let's hope they can get open in time for the limited-edition holiday cup, spoon, and Egg Nog yogurt flavor. The kiosk is located right outside of Build-A-Bear on Level 1.