Kneipp closes at Montgomery Mall, EJJI Ramen reopens

Kneipp, a German retailer of natural, vegan bath and body products, has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The shop was the latest victim of the moribund Montgomery County economy, which has suffered a net loss of over 2100 retail jobs since 2000, according to the Maryland Retailers Association. Kneipp's storefront is now blacked out, but inside it has been cleared out.

Another closure at the mall earlier this week was temporary. EJJI Ramen was closed at the beginning of the week. But the company, which has another location in Baltimore, says they had to close due to a mechanical problem. EJJI Ramen is now open again in the Dining Terrace.

Kneipp plans October opening in Bethesda; Kay Jewelers reopens (Photos)

Kneipp, the chain offering natural German bath and body treatments, has now announced its new Westfield Montgomery Mall boutique will open in October. They've got some new Coming Soon signage up.

Already open now, and also on Level 2, is the new location of Kay Jewelers. Their old location in the mall is now walled off.

Kneipp coming to Westfield Montgomery Mall; Sephora moving (Photos)

It's not often Bethesda retail signage features a priest. But Father Sebastian Kneipp is making a cameo appearance on Coming Soon signage for his namesake store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Kneipp USA will be moving into the former Bose space on Level 2.

A German naturopath afflicted with tuberculosis in the 19th Century, Fr. Kneipp used plants, herbs and hot and cold waters in the natural environment around him to cure himself. That made him quite a popular figure, and led to the retailing of natural bath and body treatments under the Kneipp brand.

The products are actually made in Germany, and include herbal baths that are natural treatments for back pain, stress and sleep issues, among other ailments.

Meanwhile, the reshuffling of stores on Level 2 continues with Sephora now scheduled to move to a new location in September. They will be on Level 2 next to Solstice.