Express, Express Men, J.Crew close at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Express and Express Men have permanently closed their stores at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, as expected. J.Crew has also closed, but will return to the mall in the near future in a space across the corridor from their old location. What's odd is that J.Crew closed the existing store before the new one was ready, despite having access to the new space across the hall since March. Hopefully it's just a matter of moving the inventory, and won't be an extended closure.

The final week of Express at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

If you're seeking those closing sale savings at Express, hurry to Westfield Montgomery Mall in the coming days, as this is the final week for Express and Express Men at the mall. Signs at the store are counting down the final days. Express is closing around 100 stores nationwide after filing for bankruptcy. Their exit hasn't lived up to their brand name, though, with the closing sale having lasted all summer.

Express, Express Men to close at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Express and Express Men are closing at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The brand announced it would close nearly 100 stores after it declared bankruptcy this spring. But Bethesda wasn't on that April list. Alas, just as Express was acquired by a new owner, the axe has fallen. Everything must go!

EXPRESS REOPENS STORE AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Popular apparel store Express had temporarily moved to an interim location on the first level at Montgomery Mall while its redesigned space was being constructed.

Now it has reopened in that gleaming new space on the upper level, and includes a separate Express Men shop, and The Denim Lab.

MAJOR CHANGES AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Major renovations of Westfield Montgomery Mall's food court, the addition of a luxury cineplex, and other random happenings have caused a massive game of musical chairs at the popular Bethesda retail palace. Over the weekend, I told you about the garage closure. But there is much more happening inside the mall.

I hope to help you make sense of it all through the following words and pictures.

EXPRESS - Temporarily relocated to the lower level, where Toys R Us Express was, near Sears.

TRADE SECRET SALON - Gone. Kaput. Kablooey. Closed. Fin. Forever.

FINISH LINE - Temporarily closed.

DUMPLING DOJO - Still open! Sliding over to new space in food court.

MIRCH MASALA GRILL - Still open, will also move within the food court.

RUBY THAI KITCHEN - Ditto. Moving to new spot in food court.

Ultimately, an even better mall is on the way after all of the work is done.