T-Mobile store reopening today at Lakeforest Mall

The T-Mobile store inside Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg is expected to reopen today, September 20, 2021. It has been undergoing what the wireless company terms a "retail transition."

AMC Dine-In Rio Cinemas 18 reopening today - without the Dine-In

The AMC Dine-In Rio Cinemas 18 movie theater will reopen today, March 26, 2021. There's just one catch: In order to comply with local pandemic restrictions, you won't be able to dine-in at the Dine-In. 

That's right, there will be no food or drink sold at this or other theaters in Montgomery County until the restriction is lifted. This is to ensure patrons do not remove their masks at any time during a screening. 

What an ironic turn of events the dining ban is, as this theater debuted a spectacular new menu of restaurant-quality food and beverages only last year. Such sales are also needed so theater operators can make a profit, especially with the costs up and the number of seats that can be filled per show down. 

So, don't forget to eat before going to the movie! Fortunately, there are plenty of options for that at Rio Lakefront. There's also a surprisingly decent line-up of movies showing today, considering how many blockbusters were kicked down the road by studios.

Bowl America reopens in Gaithersburg

Bowl America has temporarily reopened at 1101 Clopper Road in Gaithersburg. They have special rules and hours in place to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Today through next Sunday, September 5, the bowling alley will be open from 2:00-10:00 PM.

Only 50 people may be in the building at one time. You must be bowling to enter; spectators are not allowed at this time. Bowl America recommends calling ahead to find out what the current wait time is; their number is 301-330-5200.

HomeGoods sets reopening date in Gaithersburg

HomeGoods at 602-A Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg has been closed nearly a year, since it suffered heavy damage during a storm last August. The building was temporarily condemned as unsafe to occupy by Montgomery County. Now the store is finally ready to reopen. HomeGoods will officially reopen on July 16, 2020.

A look inside the windows of the storefront shows that HomeGoods' reopening is piggybacking on the larger reopenings of economies across the country from the coronavirus lockdown. Signage welcoming customers back and touting new safety policies to reduce the spread of Covid-19 have a double meaning here, where the Gaithersburg store will be welcoming customers back from a weather disaster rather than a pandemic.

Lakeforest Mall reopening Friday

Lakeforest Mall will reopen tomorrow, Friday, June 19, 2020 at 11:00 AM, the mall announced today. 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."