Gold Bunny Donut a smash success among Black Friday shoppers in Bethesda

Selling out is bad when you're a punk band, but fabulous when you are a new vendor on your first day in the mall food court. Gold Bunny Donut made its debut in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda yesterday, and the Black Friday mobs literally ate it up. Before the end of the shopping day, Gold Bunny had sold out of donuts. These rich, filled fresh donuts really hit the spot for manic shoppers trying to keep their blood sugar up and their holiday shopping costs down on Black Friday.

Mallwalkers also got their first look at Gold Bunny's eclectic menu. Alongside familiar flavors like vanilla and raspberry were options you won't have at Dunkin' Donuts or Krispy Kreme, such as ube - a nutty vanilla-cotton-candy flavor experience derived from the Filipino purple yam, Earl Grey tea, Everything Bagel, and Black Sesame. Bombolone-style Jumble Donuts can be ordered with Apple Pie, Biscoff, Black Sesame, Chocolate, Oreo, Peanut, or Red Velvet filling. Finally, there are Asian tea beverages and a Dowich sandwich with sliced meat and greens.

Black Friday 2024 at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The biggest shopping day of the year at Westfield Montgomery Mall is tomorrow, November 29, 2024. Black Friday hours at the mall this year will be 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. In contrast to past years, the Black Friday deals are not listed on the mall's website. Westfield advises you to instead download their app from the Google Play or Apple store, which it says will display the deals available Friday. 

Holiday shopping season begins with Christmas decor, events at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

The countdown to Black Friday 2022 is on at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Many favorite holiday decorations have been brought back, alongside some new ones we haven't seen before. An elf was seen testing Santa's chair, to make sure everything is just right for Father Christmas when he arrives. Here are some of the exciting events and new features the mall has planned for 2022:

Jingle Lounge

A new Christmas-themed seating area called the Jingle Lounge has been set up, with upscale white chairs, sofas and tables, near Talbots on Level 1. Nutcrackers stand guard, and a pillow promises "Christmas cheer here." From November 18 to December 24, the Jingle Lounge will offer pizza delivery from Frank Pepe's Pizza, and cocktails, along with scheduled activity events.

Jingle Lounge

Jingle Lounge

Jingle Lounge

Mario Lopez

Speaking of events, the mall will start the holiday shopping season with a bang this coming Sunday, November 20, with Mario Lopez hosting a Home for the Holidays Kickoff Concert from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The concert is free, but you are being asked to RSVP online. By RSVPing, you also could win a meet-and-greet with Mario Lopez. Consider making a generous donation when you RSVP, as 100% of the proceeds will go to the Children's National Medical Center, and the Seacrest Studios at CNMC.

Westfield has partnered with CNMC. The company will match donations up to $10,000 during the holiday campaign, so your $10,000 donation would turn into $20,000-worth of benefit for the hospital. Find the concert in the Center Court on Level 1.

If you can't get out of bed for Sunday's concert, keep your pajamas on and head to the mall on Saturday, November 26 for a Holiday Pajama Party with the legendary Geoffrey the Giraffe from Toys R Us, which has a shop inside Macy's this holiday season. Take a selfie of yourself in your pajamas and tag @WestfieldMontgomery on social media for a chance to win a $250 gift card from Macy's. RSVP online, and you could win a free children's birthday party performance by Zucchini the Great. The pajama party will be held in the Center Court on Level 1 .

Black Friday at Westfield Montgomery Mall 2021

Westfield Montgomery Mall will be closed today, Thanksgiving Day 2021. The mall will open for Black Friday tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM, and close at 10:00 PM. Stores that have their own outside access may have different hours, so call ahead. Have a hearty Thanksgiving dinner tonight, to fortify yourself for shopping Friday.

Black Friday deals will include 20% off regularly-priced items at Windsor, 60-70% off women's coats at Macy's, 30% off entire purchase at Soma Intimates, 25% off everything at White House | Black Market, 40-50% off everything at Express, 50% off everything at Fabletics, 40% off everything at Gap, 40% off your purchase at Banana Republic, and 30% off your purchase at Pandora.

Santa Claus will be in the house from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Black Friday. Make your reservations for photos with Santa online, and to learn more details about pet photos, and the Sensitive Santa's special appearances for those with sensory concerns or who need extra time for photos on December 5 and 12, from 9:30-10:30 AM both days.

Give yourself a boost while shopping with the limited-edition holiday treats at Auntie Anne's on Level 2. Snowball Nuggets are pretzel nuggets tossed in powdered sugar. The Peppermint Chocolate Frost is an iced beverage topped with whipped cream and peppermint sprinkles. A must-try!

Elite Jewelers, See's Candies open at Montgomery Mall

See's Candies and Elite Jewelers have opened just in time for Black Friday and holiday shopping at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Yes - the mall will be open on Black Friday, from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Elite Jewelers will be hosting a Grand Opening with special guest Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier this Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 2:00 PM. You can pose for a photo with her, and get her autograph, as well as have a chance to win part of a total giveaway of more than 10 carats of diamond jewelry, tour the store and spin the prize wheel. Reserve your autographed photo on their website.

See's is on Level 1 next to Forever 21, and Elite Jewelers can be found next to Pandora on Level 2. 

Black Friday closer to home in Bethesda

GAP at Pike & Rose

Don't want to brave the crowds and parking spot search at the mall today? Black Friday savings can be found closer to home in Bethesda's urban centers and suburban strip malls. Many businesses at Bethesda Row will be offering doorbusters when they open this morning, as well as Black Friday discounts.

GAP at Pike & Rose has slashed the price of everything in the store by 50% today, and H&M on the next block will have savings of as much as 70% on some items, and 20% off all items. AMP by Strathmore will be slashing ticket prices on almost every future concert by $10 today at Pike & Rose; you can order tickets online with promo code "BlackFriday." Neighbor Owen's Ordinary is offering $20 off tickets to their annual New Year's Eve Steampunk Soiree, this weekend only.

Anglo Dutch Pools & Toys at the
Westwood Shopping Center

Support local small businesses like Anglo Dutch Pools & Toys in the Westwood Shopping Center at 5460 Westbard Avenue, where everything is 20% off today. Like GAP and H&M, you can also shop online at Anglo Dutch, and avoid going out altogether.

Westfield Montgomery Mall primed for Black Friday in Bethesda (Photos)

Elves have literally been working through the night at Westfield Montgomery Mall, installing even more holiday decorations for Black Friday - which begins on Thanksgiving these days. This year, you can even make a reservation to meet Santa Claus instead of waiting in line, just like Macy's in New York City. The mall will be open from 6:00 PM to midnight tonight (grab a turkey leg on your way from the dinner table to the mall), and 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Black Friday.

Here's an exclusive shot from the Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Elf Cam:

Elves began working after the mall
closed last night, including installing
decorations in the high ceiling above
the Dining Terrace here, using
hydraulic lifts

Black Friday deals at Bethesda Row, Westwood Shopping Center

While the usual blockbuster deals at the mall and big box stores are most often in the headlines, you can also plan a Black Friday closer to home at Bethesda Row and the Westwood Shopping Center.

Bethesda Row

Enjoy a weekend brunch today at Kapnos Kouzina at Bethesda Row, and find the popular Champagne Bears at Sugarfina for only $5 (small) or $10 (large). You'll also get a free doorbuster gift with any purchase today at Sugarfina.

Take a free Make-and-Take Craft class at Paper Source today or tomorrow (Saturday) between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM both days. Kendra Scott and Sassanova will have complimentary beverages and snacks while you shop.

With the weather trending toward the frigid, now is the time to stock up on 50% off scarves at lou lou.

Savings will range from 15% off the whole store at Kendra Scott, to 20% off Majestic and Sno Skins t-shirts and 40% off Macra Pac and Rino Pelle coats at Wear it Well, to 60% off sale items at Calypso St. Barth.

When you take a break from shopping, take your receipt from any Bethesda Row shop to Redwood, where you can either get 10% off your check, or a free appetizer with your purchase of an entree.

Westwood Shopping Center

Perhaps the easiest Black Friday shopping is done from home. Sure, you can go into Anglo Dutch Pools and Toys at the Westwood Shopping Center at 5460 Westbard Avenue. But from your home, you can use checkout code BLACKFRIDAY2016 to get 20% off today. They also have free gift wrapping, and now offer same day delivery locally with Postmates!

Also at the Westwood Shopping Center, Rite Aid will be offering a Buy-One-Get-Two-Free deal on Hershey's Pot of Gold boxed candy collection. There's a Buy-One-Get-One-Free offer on "As Seen on TV" informercial products and gadgets. Restore yourself after shopping by picking up a DiGiorno 12" Rising Crust frozen pizza for only $3.99.

LAST HOSTESS CAKES AT BETHESDA CVS

Part of my Black Thursday/Black Friday shopping was to buy these Hostess cakes and donuts I found at the CVS on Arlington Road.

You can be sure Twinkies will return to shelves one day, but some of the other Hostess classics may not have the same appeal to whatever company buys the brand's rights.

Will they bring back these "Bakery Classics" Hostess Mini Donettes (Crumb) and "Snack Classics" Zingers (Vanilla)?  I sure hope so. But I'm not taking any chances.  I'll be enjoying these, some of the final cakes to roll off the Hostess assembly line. True American classics.

BETHESDA ROW APPLE STORE BLACK FRIDAY DEALS REVEALED!

Apple has finally announced its deals for Black Friday, which are supposed to be the same online as they will be in Apple Stores today.

IPad $41 off
iPad 2 $31 off
MacBook Air/MacBook Pro $101 off

There will be extended hours today at the Bethesda Row Apple Store.

BETHESDA ROW BLACK FRIDAY DEALS: APPLE STORE, BARNES AND NOBLE, CURRENT BOUTIQUE

Here are some of the best Bethesda Row Black Friday deals you may not have heard about.  Federal Realty distributed a nice summary of offers, but did not include these other major retailers:

BETHESDA ROW APPLE STORE

The always-secretive Apple is playing its Black Friday cards as close to the vest as you'd expect.

But wait - check the Apple Store's window wreath decoration for a possible clue!

Are those iPads? Yes!  Should we expect a discount on iPads Friday? With Apple, you have to be willing to be surprised. But that's a pretty obvious hint on the storefront.

One other thing - you can get the same prices online, or via your iPhone app Friday.

BARNES AND NOBLE

Bethesda Row's favorite hangout is offering deals on the Nook reader, and Buy One Get One 50% Off intellectual toys for intellectual kids.

CURRENT BOUTIQUE

Current is up the street from Bethesda Row at 7220 Wisconsin Avenue.  Owner Carmen Lopez says her upscale consignment shop will be giving 20% off all merchandise, all day Friday.

Labels in stock include J. Crew, BCBG, Diane Von Furstenburg,  Tory Burch, Milly, Banana Republic, Marc Jacobs and Rebecca Taylor.

For consignment, Current prefers natural fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, cashmere and wool.  Consignors will keep 50% of the item's sale price.

Current's Black Friday hours will be 10 AM - 8 PM.  Their phone number is 301-222-1114.

Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday

 from

 Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row!

WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY BLACK FRIDAY MIDNIGHT DOORBUSTERS - BETHESDA BLACK FRIDAY

PLUS,

I PICK THE

TOP SPOTS TO

HIT AT THE MALL

ON

BLACK FRIDAY!

Westfield Montgomery Mall is the place to be in Bethesda for Black Friday, without question.

To make up for the lack of Walmart and Target-style "giant flatscreen for $50" doorbusters, Westfield uses its advantage of sheer number of high-quality tenants.  Beyond the significant doorbuster savings, Westfield also tries to enhance the Black Friday experience with food and fun as the hours go by.

The full list is below, but I recall that last year there were lots of surprises and giveaways around the mall that were not announced in advance.

Finally, what's about to take place defies the nutty claims by some "experts," who want to convince us
that the great American indoor mall is a dinosaur of the past, and that the suburbs are dying, etc., etc.

Obviously, those folks weren't at Westfield Montgomery last Black Friday, where there were huge crowds and delays just trying to park the car. Or at Milestone Shopping Center in Germantown, where every single space was taken in their massive parking lot.  Those are the same geniuses who say both retail meccas have "too much parking."  Uh, OK guys, if you say so.  But I hope you're ready to join the rest of us in the real world some day again soon.

Westfield continues to do a great job managing the mall, and this Black Friday is the perfect time to show your support for this classic American shopping mall.

Here's the complete list of Black Friday specials for the Midnight opening (don't forget, Sears opens right after Thanksgiving dinner at 8 PM!).  My picks are in bold:

Midnight to 8am: Enter to win a $500 Shopping Spree. Hourly giveaways.

American Apparel - 12am - 6am: 25% off entire store with a purchase of 4 items or more.

Arden B - 12am - 10am: Buy 1, get 1 free; 10am - 10pm: Buy 1, get 1 for $5.

Banana Republic - 40% off entire store.

Banner's Hallmark - 12am - 9am: 25% off entire store. Excludes Gift Cards, Stamps, Sale, Past Purchases.

Bare Minerals - Get the Royal Treatment for $49, regularly $85.

Bath and Body Works - See store for details.

BCBGMAXAZRIA - 30%-50% off select items.

Bebe - See store for details.

Body Shop, The - See store for details.

Bose - Savings on SoundDock 10 Series, Lifestyle Home Theatre, Bose Audio Headphones and more.
Plus, Wave Music System and Multi-Disc Changer special.

Brookstone - 12am - 10am: Save $25 on Active Sport Massager; save $100 on Pure Ion Air Cleaner; Save $70 on a 3-piece luggage set.

Brow Art - 8am-10pm: $20 for a full face threading.

Bubbles Salon - 9am - 2pm: Half off all blow dry's and men's haircuts.

Build-a-Bear Workshop - Door Buster: $5 Snow Boy and Snow Girl. While supplies last.

Candy World - 10% off bulk candy.

Caribou Coffee - Stay Awake for Midnight Madness opening 10pm on 11/22/12

Champs - See store for details.

Chick-fil-A - Enter to win Chick-fil-A for a year. Submit entry at the store.

Children's Place - 30-50% off entire store.

California Pizza Kitchen - 8am - 10am: Yummy Breakfast Pizza; 8am - 10pm: buy a $100 gift card, get a $40 gift card for free.

Crabtree & Evelyn - Gardeners 250 ml Hand Sanitizer $4.99; select 50ml Hand Sanitizer $5.

Dollar Store Plus - 12am-8am: 1 free roll of Christmas wrapping for the first 100 customers with minimum $5 purchase.

Express - 12am - 12pm: 50% off entire store; 12pm-10pm: 40% off entire store.

Fire & Ice - 12am - 12pm: $25 Fire and Ice gift card with $75 purchase; 12pm-10pm: 20% off entire store; All day get a free ornament with $100 purchase, while supplies last.

Forever 21 - See store for details

Furnish @ the Mall - $100 off on every $1,000 purchase; free delivery on every $2,000 purchase or more (offers and deals cannot be combined); 90 days same as cash option financing available with no interest and no credit check; free lay-a-way available.

Gap - 12am - 12pm; Door Buster Event: Select Styles - Mens & Womens $19, Gap Body PJ Sets $19, Gap Kids & Baby Gap $5 graphic tees.

Godiva - See store for details.

Gold Palace - 12am - 6am: 40% off silver (select styles); free fashion earrings with any purchase ($6 value); free watch with any $25 purchase; watch battery change $5 and up; buy 1, get 1 free any body jewelry; free jewelry cleaning

Guess - 30% off entire purchase (some restrictions apply).

Gymboree - See store for details.

Haagen-Dazs - 12am - 4am: Buy any Dazzler and get a 2nd 50% off, including the new Peppermint Bark flavor; 4am - 8am: $1 off any Smoothie or Baristo frozen beverage. One discount per person, not valid with any other offer.

House of Hoops by Footlocker - See store for details.

Icing By Claires - Free cell phone stylus with any $20 purchase, pre-tax. While supplies last.

Janie and Jack - See store for details.

J.Crew - 25% off your entire purchase.

Keurig - Opening at 11pm on Thursday with Coffee Samples.

Laila Rowe - 12am - 6am: Buy 1 get 1 50% off” ALL DAY and 20% off all mark downs.

Leather Store, The - Rimona Luggage $100 off; 20% off Bagatelle, and Women's Lodis briefcases and
wallets; 15% off Werks Collection Victorinox Luggage; $50 off every $350 purchsae of Briggs and Riley
luggage.

Lucky Brand Jeans: 12am - 10am: 30% off entire store.

Lids - Buy 1, get 1 50% off, promotional Nationals and Redskins hats.

Macy's - Savings throughout the store.

Marbles: The Brain Store - Free Marbles Colorfall with $250 purchase, limit one per customer; Free Geek Box with $100 purchase.

McDonald's - 12am - 8am: Buy an extra value meal and receive a free large regular coffee.

Michael Kors - 12am - 10am: 25% off sale merchandise and other select items.

Mirch Masala - 12am - 2am: Get $2 off purchase of $10.

Naartjie Kids - Buy 1, get 1 50% off girls dresses and boys tops. Extra 40% off clearance items.

Old Navy - 12am - 4am: $5 fleece half-zips, $15 jeans, $12 adoraboots; 4am - 8am: Disney/Pixar DVD and Graphic-T $15; 8am - 12pm: Sherpa Hoodie $15.

Pandora: Limited Edition Mystery Bead Release, while supplies last.

Papyrus: 50% off pre-wrapped gifts; Holiday boxed cards, buy 2, get 1 free.

Payless Shoesource - Up to 50% off select items.

Pen Boutique - 12am - 12pm: 25% off entire purchase (some restrictions apply); Parker Insignia Ball
Point Pen 50% off or free with any $50 purchase; Parker Jotter Ball Point Pen free with any purchase.

Qdoba Mesixan Grill: Buy 1 entree, get 1 free. Limit one per customer.

Radio Shack - Buy a Galaxy Siii with upgrade or 2-year new line and get a $50 Google Play gift card. Galaxy Siii is $99.99.

Sears - Doorbusters and savings throughout the store.

Sephora - Special items starting at $10.

Shenk & Tittle - 50% off all Reebok NFL apparel; 50% off selected snowboards, boots & bindings; 40% off selected snow sports outerwear.

Services Plus - Gatorade/Powerade- 2 for $2 (20oz), 2 for $5 (32oz); Red Bull 2 for $4 (8oz), 2 for $5 (12oz).

Soma Intimates - 10% off when you purchase Soma Sensualities; First customer to donate gently used bra for "Soma Bra Donation-Ending Domestic Violence" will receive a free bra of their choice.

Steve Madden - Scratch off sale - see store for scratch off card with instant special offer.

Sunglass Hut - 70% off select Vogue styles; Buy select styles and get 1 free; Purchase a full price item 
of $150 or more and get a $50 off coupon reward.

Things Remembered - Select Jewelry buy 1, get 1 free; Spend $100 and get $20 credit toward a
December purchase; Five items (see store) are free when you engrave them for $6 or more.

Under Armour - Get a $20 gift card for every $100 you spend on select styles.

Urban Outfitters: 50% Sale items. See store for details.

Vans - Free Vans phone case for iPhone 4/4S with purchase of $100 or more (while supplies last)

Verdict - 20% off any 1 item; 30% off 2 or more items; Fall Fashion Sale up to 50% off plus an extra 50%.

Vera Bradley - Holiday Tote - free with a $100 purchase (while supplies last); Holiday Sale - 25% off
select colors and styles.

Victoria's Secret - Free tote bag with $65 purchase. While supplies last.

VIP Outdoor Apparel - 10% - 50% off The North Face, Spyder, Kelly Hansen, Patagonia, and Mountain Hardware

Vitamin World - Mix and match, buy 1 get, 1 50% off all Vitamin World and Precision Engineered brand Items (excludes spectacular values).

Washington Redskins - Earbuds, $7.95; DJ Headphones, $29.95; iDock, $39.95, while supplies last.

Walking Company, The: Free Cozy Scarf from Zealand, a $20 value, with any regular priced footwear purchase before 9 am. While supplies last.

White House Black Market 25% off entire purchase; Free tote with purchase, while supplies last.

The following restaurants will open at Midnight:

Auntie Anne's
Bistro Sensations
Candy World
Caribou Coffee (opening at 10pm on Thursday, November 22)
Charley's Grilled Subs
Chick-fil-A (see special offer)
Dairy Queen
Dippin' Dots
Dumpling Dojo
Godiva (see special offer)
Haagen-Dazs (see special offer)
Jamba Juice
J.Chow's Chicken & Rib
McDonald's (see special offer)
Mirch Masala
Panda Express
Popeyes
Qdoba Mexican Grill (see special offer)
Ruby Thai
Sbarro Italian Grill
Sarku Japan
Subway
YoCake

SEARS BLACK THURSDAY AND BLACK FRIDAY IN BETHESDA 2012

Sears at Bethesda's Westfield Montgomery Mall is one of those stores opening on what's starting to be called Black Thursday.  Sears spokesman Brian Hanover spent much of Monday telling reporter after reporter that Sears customers will "drop their drumsticks and pick up doorbusters" this Thanksgiving night.

Is this new trend intruding on the most American of holidays, or is it the epitome of American free enterprise at work?  You decide!  Although I feel bad for the workers who have to miss Thanksgiving dinner, I have to admit that Black Thursday and Friday are pretty exciting.

But in Bethesda, the first Black Friday rule is to admit that, well, the most exciting Black Thursday/Friday action is taking place well north of our town.  Walmart at Milestone is probably ground zero, and the place to be to experience a real Black Thursday or Friday.  Last year, the parking lot was filled to the brim.  You had to drive around and around and around.

Target, Best Buy, Kmart... you know the drill.

All are out of our reach because the county has banned big box stores in Bethesda.  Even when Hechingers tried to open a sizable location at what is now the Kenwood Station shopping center years ago, the "powers that be" went ballistic.

So there, we've acknowledged that we don't have the best of Black Thursday in Bethesda.  But having said that, Sears will have a few deals that night right here at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Opening at 8 PM on Thanksgiving, the Bethesda Sears will be offering a 32" HDTV for $97.  A ProScan DVD player for $9.99 (yes, that decimal point is in the right place).  2 carat diamond jewelry for $99.  And a 27 cubic foot Kenmore refrigerator for $1299.99.

Then, get some sleep, and come back at 4:00 AM.  They'll have a Craftsman 18 volt drill for 29.99, and a Kenmore Elite washer or steam dryer for $649.99 each.

Where are the iPads, and the killer flatscreens, and all that other stuff worth jumping up from the Thanksgiving dinner table for?

That's why I had to let you down easy.  You'll find plenty of deals and fun at Westfield Montgomery for Black Thursday and Friday.  They have different things and giveaways around the clock, if it's like last year.  But those super-duper, colossal doorbusters worth busting the doors for?  Plot a course for points north.  And rest assured, the wise politicians have put your best interests first by banning big boxes in Bethesda.  There are no politics involved in that decision whatsoever.

And if you believe that, I've got a bridge doorbuster to sell you.