Soccer jersey kiosk opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

If you have soccer fans on your holiday shopping list, there's a new destination for you at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. A kiosk selling international soccer jerseys has opened. Uniform tops for Jude Bellingham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cole Palmer, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé are among those available. Look for the kiosk on Level 1 near Carter's and the future PacSun, in the Old Navy wing of the mall.

PJ's Soccer/Lacrosse moves in Bethesda

PJ's Soccer/Lacrosse has relocated in Bethesda. It didn't move far. The new location is only two doors down from the old one, at 10438 Auto Park Avenue, at the Home Depot Square shopping center near Montgomery Mall. PJ's Soccer/Lacrosse is a family owned and operated sporting goods business specializing in soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. Founded in 1986, PJ's has two locations - this one, and another in Falls Church.

JOOLA opening today at Pike & Rose, Ben Johns to appear at pickleball flagship Saturday

 

The world of pickleball is about to get a lot bigger in Montgomery County. JOOLA, the world's leading pickleball paddle manufacturer, is celebrating a major milestone with the grand opening of its signature retail store at 917 Meeting Street at Pike & Rose. The doors officially open today, Black Friday, November 28, 2025, solidifying the connection of the global brand with its local roots and the burgeoning pickleball community.

JOOLA's presence in Montgomery County runs deep. The flagship opening follows the brand's relocation of its U.S. headquarters from Gaithersburg to Pike & Rose in March 2025, bringing its innovation, design, and community engagement under one roof. Now it will have a retail storefront at the same property along the busy Rockville Pike commercial corridor.

"Montgomery County has always been part of the JOOLA story, and opening our signature store here is a reflection of our deep roots and our future ambitions," JOOLA CEO and owner Richard Lee said in a statement. "This space is a celebration of how far pickleball has come, and a commitment to supporting the players and communities driving its growth worldwide."

The excitement of opening weekend is getting an extra surge of star power. World No. 1 pickleball player Ben Johns will be in attendance for a special autograph signing and meet-and-greet on Saturday, November 29, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. As a local, Johns says he understands the impact of this new hub on the pickleball community. "As a kid growing up in Montgomery County, I began with table tennis and eventually found my passion for pickleball. Back then, having a JOOLA store locally would have made a huge difference. Now, with JOOLA opening this first location, it’s exciting to know the next generation will have that exact opportunity right here at home."

Shoppers throughout the opening weekend will receive a complimentary gift with eligible in-store purchases, while supplies last.

Designed to be an immersive experience, the new retail space is a destination for players of all levels. Shoppers can get hands-on with the latest JOOLA paddles, apparel, and accessories, supported by a knowledgeable team of JOOLA experts. The JOOLA store is set to be an integral part of the local pickleball movement, which the company has championed, including helping Montgomery County become the first school district in the United States to introduce pickleball as a varsity sport in the fall of 2024.

The immersive pickleball hub features:

✨ Exclusive in-store-only product drops and limited-edition collections.

👕 Local Maryland, D.C., and Virginia-themed gear celebrating regional pride.

✍️ Pro-player appearances and autograph events.

🏓 A paddle demo program allowing players to “try before they buy.”

🤝 Interactive community events connecting pickleball fans of all levels.

Foot Locker construction begins at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The interior fit-out of Foot Locker's new space is underway at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Now the location of the new space is clear, as "coming soon" signage has been placed across the future storefront. The new store will open this fall, just in time for the big holiday shopping season, and will include a Kids Foot Locker. Foot Locker can currently be found two doors to the left, in its temporary location between AT&T and Macy's Home.

New Balance opens at Bethesda Row

New Balance has opened at 7033 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row. The sporting goods retailer carries a variety of athletic footwear and apparel. You can also return items you have ordered directly from New Balance online at this store. Operating hours are 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Saturdays, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Sundays, and 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Foot Locker temporarily relocates at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Foot Locker has temporarily moved to a smaller space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Its previous spot on Level 1 has been cleared out. The new location is right outside of Macy's Home, next to AT&T on Level 2. However, the game of musical chairs is only beginning, as Foot Locker is expected to move into a larger space at the mall, along with a new Kids Foot Locker, later this year. They do need to light up that sign over the entrance, though! Super low energy.

Foot Locker to relocate at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Foot Locker will be relocating into a new space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this year. Four vacant storefronts will be consolidated into one larger space for the sporting goods store, which will have the brand's latest interior design scheme. Kids Foot Locker will also be moved into the new space along with Foot Locker. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer. 

Signage installed at New Balance at Bethesda Row (Photos)

The permanent sign has been installed above the storefront of New Balance, opening soon at 7029 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row. A barricade of construction fencing prevents a better look at the progress of the interior fit-out. But from what is visible, there's still a lot of work to do. New Balance will compete with Nike on the next block, but thanks to the blatantly-corrupt NBA's totally-rigged draft lottery, won't have the advantage of a hometown crowd looking for the Cooper Flagg New Balance shoe.

New Balance "coming soon" to Bethesda Row

New Balance has posted "coming soon" signage in the storefront of its future location at 7029 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row. The signage also confirms that the athletic shoe retailer will also be incorporating the adjacent storefront into its space. New Balance arrives as the Washington, D.C. area dares to dream of the Washington Wizards finally getting the No. 1 pick that they deserve in the NBA draft this summer. 

Cooper Flagg, considered by most observers as the player likely to be chosen first, is a New Balance endorser. Flagg is not yet able to sport his own signature New Balance shoe on the court, however, due to rules requiring players to use the shoes of the brands that hold contracts with their institution. Duke's current partnership is with Nike, not New Balance. That means his New Balance deal is limited to apparel until his collegiate career ends.

JD Sports opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

JD Sports is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The sporting goods chain has flipped a number of Finish Line stores, which it also owned, to the JD Sports brand. What is the "worldwide connection" touted on the posters in the store's windows? JD Sports carries exclusive items from brands around the world that aren't available at other American retailers. Look for JD Sports on Level 1 of the mall, near The Cheesecake Factory.

Finish Line closes, JD Sports sets opening date at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Finish Line has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. But its parent company, JD Sports, is quickly moving to fill the vacuum with a JD Sports store. JD Sports acquired the Finish Line chain in 2018. Last fall, JD Sports announced its intention to close up to 400 underperforming Finish Line stores by 2026. However, at least some of those are now being converted to JD Sports stores.

In the case of Montgomery Mall, JD Sports will not only replace Finish Line, but will relocate to a different spot in the mall. JD Sports currently expects to open the Montgomery Mall store this Saturday, August 10, 2024. When it opens, look for JD Sports on Level 1 of the mall, near The Cheesecake Factory.

Bethesda Row Nike store burglary suspect arrested

The Nike store at 7117 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row has been repeatedly victimized by thieves and robbers during operating hours since it opened last May. One suspect allegedly took a more-subtle approach to acquiring expensive Nike gear by breaking into the store oyutside of business hours. It did not pay off. 

At 6:17 AM on March 5, 2024, a burglar forced entry into the store. Montgomery County police have had a stepped-up presence around Bethesda Row in recent months, and arrested a suspect at the scene.

Jonathan Winfield, 34, of Laurel has been charged with 2nd-degree burglary, misdemeanor theft, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor malicious destruction of property. A preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for March 29.

JD Sports opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

JD Sports is coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, according to signage posted across its future storefront. It will fill the space vacated by PacSun. JD Sports is a British sporting goods retailer, but carries brands and styles from around the world. Among the labels sold by the chain are Adidas, Nike, New Balance, UnderArmour, Vans, Crocs and Champion.

Lids opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Planning to shop for the sports fans in your life this holiday season? One more option is now here at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Lids has opened next to the Lego store on Level 1. The sports merchandise retailer carries hats, of course, along with a wide variety of licensed sporting apparel, shoes and accessories. Lids offers "hassle-free" returns on merchandise up to 90 days after purchase.

Shouldn't it be the Commanders?

Lids opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Lids is "opening soon" at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The sports merchandise retailer is best known for hats, but carries a wide range of licensed sporting apparel, shoes and accessories. Lids offers 90-day "hassle-free returns" on products. Look for Lids when it opens on Level 1 next to the Lego Store.

Sneak peek: Nike Store at Bethesda Row (Photos)

The Nike Store officially opens this morning at 7117 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row. Last night, Nike held a special preview event for users of the Nike app, which had limited spaces and filled up quickly after the company sent out invitations. But readers of this blog will still be ahead of the general public, as I have a sneak peek of what is in store for you when you visit "Nike by Bethesda."