What’s happening to Bethesda, Montgomery Mall, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Is something happening in the Bethesda area that I’m not aware of?
The last few times we had dinner in downtown Bethesda, including on New Year’s Eve, the streets are empty by 8 or 9. It feels sad and empty even with all the surrounding residential housing and businesses.
Also, several national stores have recently left Montgomery Mall; including Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and Talbots.
Is there a reason for Bethesda being so empty at night/evening? And retailers leaving one of the only major malls left in Montgomery County?

[Anonymous]

Crime

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crime

This and "downtown" Bethesda isn't particularly impressive. Seems quite the opposite of what's going on in Tysons

[Anonymous]

Downtown Bethesda seems fine.. fine? Bethesda Row has a pretty high occupancy rate. Woodmont Triangle less so, but the turnover seems to be within healthy margins. It never was Manhattan, but it seems to be in much better shape than Friendship Heights further down Wisconsin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is something happening in the Bethesda area that I’m not aware of?
The last few times we had dinner in downtown Bethesda, including on New Year’s Eve, the streets are empty by 8 or 9. It feels sad and empty even with all the surrounding residential housing and businesses.
Also, several national stores have recently left Montgomery Mall; including Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and Talbots.
Is there a reason for Bethesda being so empty at night/evening? And retailers leaving one of the only major malls left in Montgomery County?

Downtown Bethesda is full of retired folks now so that might explain the early nights. I agree about Montgomery Mall. The Banana Republic and Ann Taylor are both gone. Honestly, I was wondering if I was just getting old.

[Anonymous]

Yet the mall itself always seems to be bustling. I think people prefer places like Pike and Rose and Rio for dining.

[Anonymous]

Ann Taylor and Soma were bought out by a PE firm that is closing down stores.

https://www.storereporter.com/ann-taylor-and-soma-close-westfield-montgomery-mall/

[Anonymous]

Pike and Ross is taking the business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is something happening in the Bethesda area that I’m not aware of?
The last few times we had dinner in downtown Bethesda, including on New Year’s Eve, the streets are empty by 8 or 9. It feels sad and empty even with all the surrounding residential housing and businesses.
Also, several national stores have recently left Montgomery Mall; including Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and Talbots.
Is there a reason for Bethesda being so empty at night/evening? And retailers leaving one of the only major malls left in Montgomery County?

Downtown Bethesda is full of retired folks now so that might explain the early nights. I agree about Montgomery Mall. The Banana Republic and Ann Taylor are both gone. Honestly, I was wondering if I was just getting old.

I remember when Montgomery Mall overtook White Flint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crime

The crime problem is in NoVa. Crimegrades:

Arlington County: C- (https://crimegrade.org/safest-places-in-arlington-county-va/)

Fairfax County: B (https://crimegrade.org/safest-places-in-fairfax-county-va/)

Montgomery County: A+ (https://crimegrade.org/safest-places-in-montgomery-county-md/)

[Anonymous]

Many of the restaurants and stores are very overpriced and New Years Eve often has special $$$ menus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pike and Ross is taking the business.

Yes, and retail generally is struggling with more and more online shopping, so mid-line places across the country are not doing well. You either need to go high (Pike and Rose) or low (Dollar General).

[Anonymous]

P

Anonymous wrote:Crime

No fool it is the owner

They want to sell

[Anonymous]

If you want drunken, late-night, crime-infested nightlife, just head over to Clarendon. I'm good with the criminals and drunks staying out of Bethesda.

https://www.arlnow.com/2024/12/26/efforts-ramping-up-to-address-noise-crowd-issues-in-clarendon/

https://www.arlnow.com/2025/01/01/d-c-man-arrested-two-wounded-after-shots-exchanged-in-ballston-building/

https://www.arlnow.com/2024/10/23/county-plans-to-deploy-more-weekend-problem-solving-staff-across-clarendon/

[Anonymous]

These places should be torn down, like much of buildings in Bethesda