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.

Met Bethesda closes, Smart Toys closes temporarily; Sheepskin Gifts opens, Halloween Adventure coming Friday (Photos)

Met Bethesda, one of several upscale restaurants lured to Westfield Montgomery Mall during its expansion two years ago, has closed. The restaurant was empty yesterday, and the website appeared to be down this morning. It's going to be a challenge to fill this spot, and I would not be surprised if it was converted to retail space. Still, second floor spaces are tricky for retail as much as restaurants, when they are as isolated as this one is.

Also closing, but just until the holidays, is Smart Toys. Halloween Adventure, a pop-up shop featuring costumes and scary accessories, will take over the space this Friday, September 23.

Finally, Sheepskin Gifts and Alpaca Too has opened.

Storm J closes, Smart Toys reopens at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

International soccer apparel shop Storm J has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall. It opened last summer. Meanwhile, Smart Toys has reopened after a mysterious - but apparently temporary - closure.

Coach, Abercrombie reopen; Smart Toys closes at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Coach has reopened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. After a brief closure, Abercrombie & Fitch has reopened as well, moving to Level 1 next to UnderArmour.

On the negative side, Smart Toys has closed indefinitely.

Also appearing, is Coming Soon signage for José Andrés' new Beefsteak location, now confirming it will take over the Qdoba spot in the Dining Terrace. Read my report from last week for all the details on the big Beefsteak announcement.

SMART TOYS RETURNS TO MONTGOMERY MALL FOR HOLIDAYS (PHOTO)

The Halloween Adventure pop-up store is now reverting back to Smart Toys at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

Smart Toys emphasizes toys with a science or learning element.

TOY REWARDS FOR GOOD GRADES? YOUR WORK PAYS OFF AT SMART TOYS IN BETHESDA!

Here's something else I wish they had when I was in school!

Smart Toys at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda will give kids big discounts on toys for good report cards.  For example, if you bring in a report card with 5 As, you'll get 40% off!

The store has standard Toys R Us-style toys, but also many "smart" toys.  One of my favorites I saw was a kit that turns a soda can into a robot.  First of all, it only costs $15 bucks. But secondly, it teaches kids about recycling. And without low-down moneymaking schemes like the Montgomery County bag tax.  I still see bags along the roads, and the politicians have $2 million more play money to funnel to the people who get them elected.

Better to prove your sincerity by paying someone to use a reusable bag, or giving them a smart toy.
Anyway, I think Smart Toys has a great idea here, and it doesn't cost the taxpayers anything.

As Batman said, "Stick to your books! "