Westfield Montgomery Mall to reopen Tuesday, June 23; Nordstrom opening early this weekend

Westfield Montgomery Mall is ready to come out of Covid hibernation. They will be reopening on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. The mall's hours initially will be 11:00 AM-7:00 PM Monday-Saturday, and 12:00-6:00 PM Sundays.

But you can get an even earlier start to shopping beginning this Saturday at Nordstrom, because they'll be reopening ahead of the rest of the mall this weekend (Nordstrom has its own entrance).

Nordstrom will have special hours this Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM-5:00 PM.  Starting Monday, Nordstrom will be open Monday-Saturday 11:00 AM-7:00 PM, and Sundays 12:00-5:00 PM.

Montgomery County's Phase 2 reopening that begins Friday at 5:00 PM requires masks to be worn, and social distancing observed, in stores. There may be restrictions on how many customers may be in a store at one time if it gets crowded.

Malls in Montgomery County will be "open for shopping, not for socializing," County Executive Marc Elrich said yesterday. "The food courts will not be opening," Elrich said. "We are not going to allow people to gather in the mall."

LOBSTER ME TO OPEN BETHESDA RESTAURANT

Las Vegas-based Lobster ME is expanding to Bethesda this fall. The purveyor of the "World's Best Lobster Rolls" will be the latest addition to the new dining choices at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Mark Setterington, VP of Operations at Lev Restaurant Group, confirms Lobster ME will be located at the mall's new dining terrace, which is currently under construction (above photo). Lobster ME is scheduled to open by November 1, he said.

Lobster ME offers the Maine and Connecticut-style lobster rolls familiar to residents who patronize Luke's Lobster, Freddy's or the Red Hook Lobster Truck, to name a few. They also offer a Cajun roll, which features chilled lobster meat in a spicy Cajun sauce. And the El Diablo roll, which has warm lobster in a spicy marinara-style sauce. Each roll is made-to-order, and features the meat of an entire lobster. But there is an XL size, if that's not enough.

The Lobsicle is a grilled or batter-fried lobster tail on a stick. Other lobster entrees include Lobster Mac and Cheese, Lobster and Chips, and Lobster Tacos. Landlubbers can enjoy a Hebrew National hot dog. Lobster ME's fries are beer battered, and seasoned with your choice of their custom spice blend, or Cajun spice. The Vegas locations have a nice list of cocktails, including Wicked Lemonade, a Lobster Mary, and a Blueberry Margarita. But you never know for sure what (if anything) will end up on the adult beverages list in Montgomery County, given the tight government control of alcohol here. In Vegas, they also have a breakfast menu, featuring Lobster and Waffles, and a Lobster ME English Muffin.

The menu sounds great, and I'm also waiting to try the Chowder Fries, which are sort of the New England equivalent of poutine, from the description. Sure, lobster rolls are plentiful in DC and downtown Bethesda. But this will provide a new lobster roll spot for mall patrons, and office workers in the nearby office parks at Rockledge (until the developers replace them all with luxury condos and townhouses - so much for "live where you work"). And some new, unique menu items not available elsewhere.

All-in-all, the new dilemma at the revamped Westfield Montgomery Mall is going to be where to dine before the movies at the ArcLight Cinemas, also opening this fall. It's a good problem to have.

FREDDY OPENS IN BETHESDA AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTO)

Freddy has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall. You may remember my preview not long ago. Inside, you'll find high-end activewear, and the ultra-tight Wr.up jeans. The chain is based in Milan.

PARDON OUR DUCTS: WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL FOOD COURT RENOVATION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Work is underway to create the fabulous new food court expected to open this fall at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

A lot of it is up in the air (pun intended) right now, as you can see in these photos.

Random coincidence: My mom once talked to a repair man, who said one of his brother's proudest accomplishments was installing the original duct system at Montgomery Mall. We may be looking at some of that work in these pictures.

As a diehard fan of Montgomery Mall, the guy certainly has my respect!

MILAN CLOTHIER FREDDY TO OPEN IN BETHESDA THIS SPRING (PHOTOS)

Sandwich has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall, not that long after opening.

A new boutique will fill the space this spring. Freddy is a Milan-based apparel company with - good news - lines for men and women. Their website prices are listed in Euros, which means it's got to be fashionable, right? It's coming from Milan, after all.

For women, Freddy offers athletic wear, loungewear it calls Sloungewear, and skintight yet shape-enhancing Wr.up jeans.

For us guys, I do see some nifty light jackets.

Another international addition for Westfield Montgomery, along with the Chinese boutique I reported on not long ago.

LAST DAY TO SAVE 50% ON GUESS JEANS IN BETHESDA

Buy 1 pair of Guess jeans today at Guess at Westfield Montgomery Mall, and you'll get 50%-off of a second pair.

Offer applies to "most" styles of jeans.

Sale ends at close of store tonight.

ERIC ALEXANDER SALON OPENS IN BETHESDA AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTO)

Eric Alexander Salon has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

Clients will immediately notice this is not your average mall salon, when they encounter the Swarovski chandelier in the reception area.

The 2100 sq. ft. salon boasts marble and hardwood flooring.

The owner says there is a celebrity hair stylist on staff, and a Dry Bar-esque blowout bar featuring a menu of blowouts for different occasions.

She says the salon also offers microdermabrasion, chemical peels, waxing and massage.

To make an appointment call (301) 365-0200.

AROMA ESPRESSO BAR OUTDOOR PATIO PRELIMINARY CONSTRUCTION BEGINS (PHOTOS)

Remember the images Aroma Espresso Bar unveiled of their future outdoor dining area at Westfield Montgomery Mall? The initial work is getting underway, as you can see in these photos.

Part of a general overhaul of this existing mall entrance by Westfield, the outdoor patio is going to be a great place to hang out during good weather.

ROTI OPENING MARCH 9 IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

You could win lunch every day for a year from Roti Mediterranean Grill by Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda! All you have to do is fill out this entry form.

Roti will open on March 9. Here are some pictures of the future Bethesda Roti taken about a week ago. You can also see the size of the patio dining area:

NEW YOGURT PIE AT YOGI CASTLE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Searching for a new and different dessert? Try this new Yogurt Pie at Yogi Castle, at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda:

HOAMGAR TO OPEN IN BETHESDA, BOUTIQUE WILL BE CHINESE LABEL'S FIRST IN AMERICA (PHOTO)

Bethesda is getting a very unique new boutique. Hoamgar is one of the best-selling fashion lines in China. For twenty years, their high-end women's apparel has been sold only in China, Mongolia and Singapore.

Now the company has decided to expand beyond Asia, and the city they've chosen above all others in the world to conquer first is...

Bethesda, Maryland!

The boutique will open this spring in Westfield Montgomery Mall.

When Hoamgar says, "exclusive high fashion," they're not kidding. You'd have to take a mighty long plane trip to get these outfits and accessories - until now.

This is another coup for Westfield, but the company is so new to America, they don't even have a website yet.

Here's another bit of interesting Hoamgar Bethesda trivia: the store employees are reportedly undergoing training for 2-3 months in China.  It sounds like the company is serious about making a good impression, and having a successful American launch, to take such a hands-on approach.

FREE PEOPLE OPENING IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

Free People, a boho boutique targeted toward twenty-something women, will open in Bethesda this spring at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

The chain grew out of the original Urban Outfitters in Philadelphia. UO, coincidentally, just opened a store in the mall this past fall.

Who is Free People's target customer?

"A 26-year-old girl, smart, creative, confident and comfortable in all aspects of her being, free and adventurous, sweet to tough to tomboy to romantic. A girl who likes to keep busy and push life to its limits, with traveling and hanging out and everything in between. Who loves Donovan as much as she loves The Dears, and can't resist petting any dog that passes her by on the street," according to the company website.

The Dears? Donovan?

Bonus question: What happens when a 19 or 30-year-old woman enters the store?

Get ready to get boho in MoCo this spring at Westfield Montgomery, millenial ladies of Bethesda.

CRATE AND BARREL CLOSED AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Crate and Barrel has closed forever at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.  Mall patrons passing by were shocked to find a wall, where the home furnishing and decor giant once beckoned to the nation's richest homeowners.

The Illinois-based chain confirmed the rather-obvious closure, and directed CB customers to their Spring Valley, Washington, DC store at 4820 Massachusetts Avenue NW.

Why did Crate and Barrel close in Bethesda?

Frankly, it doesn't make much sense.  Westfield Montgomery Mall is undergoing a minor Renaissance, having added some promising tenants, and is in the midst of an aggressive physical expansion. A new wing, new restaurants, new cineplex and a transit center are scheduled to be built in the next few years.

And the real estate bubble never really burst in Bethesda.  Sales slowed, but prices stayed sinful. In fact, many lower-upper class residents refurbished and refurnished, rather than move to a new McMansion during the "down'' market.

So - theoretically - CB products should have been in demand.

Of course, CB did close an Orange County store a few years back. So closing stores in a wealthy area is not unprecedented at all.

Still, the closure was unexpected here. Are you a Crate and Barrel person? I haven't been a big shopper there - have you noticed less customers or other signs of a downturn there recently?

AROMA ESPRESSO BAR UNVEILS DESIGN FOR FUTURE OUTDOOR PATIO AREA AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL

Aroma Espresso Bar is having a soft opening tonight in Bethesda, but the new coffee hotspot is already planning an expansion of its space at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Located near the mall's Entrance 4 (Old Navy wing), Aroma will claim space outside its walls this summer - literally.  The new expansion will be an outdoor patio, where customers will able to enjoy food, coffee, beer and wine on summer and fall days with good weather.

Seating will be at high tables with stools, or on stylish outdoor chairs complete with low coffee tables.

Aroma expects construction on the outdoor space to be completed by this summer. Click to enlarge the photo below for a preview of the new patio:

TASTY IMAGE OPENS IN BETHESDA

Tasty Image, the store that can put your face on a piece of candy, is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

Talk about perfect timing - Valentine's Day is only 10 days away, and Tasty Image can create candies with custom images just for you or your chocoholic Valentine.

AROMA ESPRESSO BAR UNVEILS INTERIOR AHEAD OF BETHESDA GRAND OPENING (PHOTO)

The wall in front of the future Aroma Espresso Bar in Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda has been removed.  Shoppers passing by are getting their first look at Aroma's sleek interior. But the first coffee from the Israeli version of Starbucks won't be poured before late next week.

An Aroma spokesperson says they are targeting Saturday, February 9 as the opening date. But stay tuned, as that could change.

AROMA ESPRESSO BAR OPENING DELAYED

Aroma Espresso Bar, which finally acquired its liquor license last week, says its planned January 28 opening is being delayed.

A spokesperson said the new coffee bar and eatery - the Israeli equivalent of Starbucks - now plans to open on February 5 or 6.

Aroma is located in Bethesda at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

AROMA ESPRESSO BAR GETS LIQUOR LICENSE IN BETHESDA

A spokesperson for the future Aroma Espresso bar has confirmed the upscale Bethesda coffee shop is now approved for a liquor license from Montgomery County.

The license had initially been held up by the county over vague concerns regarding keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors.  Strangely, the liquor board quickly approved a similar license for the Bethesda Row Cinema, where there will be far less ability to stop underage drinkers than Aroma.

In any case, Aroma now hopes to be ready to serve beer and wine when it opens on January 28 at Westfield Montgomery.

SERENBERRY YOGURT UP FOR SALE AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL

The owner of Serenberry Yogurt at  Bethesda's Westfield Montgomery Mall has put the 2-years-young frozen yogurt and smoothies bar on the market.

With a prime, first-level spot outside of Macy's, there is certainly the prospect of business success there.  The current asking price, according to the owner, is $75,000.  But he says the stand brings in more than that in revenue.

That's a lot of yogurt!

SAMSUNG HAPPY HOUR EVERY EVENING AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY IN BETHESDA!

Stop by the Samsung pop-up kiosk at Bethesda's Westfield Montgomery Mall between 5 and 8 PM every evening through New Year's Eve, and get a gift card!

Test out the latest gadgets from Samsung, and receive a Corner Bakery, California Pizza Kitchen or Caribou Coffee gift card.