Head2Toe Health relocates in Bethesda

Head2Toe Health & Aesthetics has relocated in Bethesda. They have moved out of their space on St. Elmo Avenue, and are now open at their new location at 7505 Democracy Boulevard in Suite A113. The wellness center first opened in downtown Bethesda in 2019. That building is expected to be demolished to make way for a new apartment tower.

Update on Dave's Hot Chicken in White Flint (Photos)

Dave's Hot Chicken has been in a slow-motion construction process over the last few months, but some significant effort has been put into the exterior facades of the former McDonald's building at 11564 Rockville Pike in recent days. In contrast to the blank walls found at most fast food chains' buildings, Dave's has now emblazoned its walls with graffiti-style art. The stylings are capped off with a huge "Rockville" mural that takes up an entire wall. It's also a nice touch that the orangeish red paint on the roof overhang matches the scorching color of the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich pictured on the sign out front.

Student arrested for carrying gun to school in Bethesda

Montgomery County police arrested a student at Northwood High School in Bethesda yesterday morning, after he was found to allegedly be in possession of a firearm at the school. Isaiah Gaunt, 17, of Silver Spring has been charged as an adult with possession of a firearm without a serial number, handgun on person, possession of a firearm by a minor, and loaded handgun on person. Police say he was carrying a loaded 3D printed privately manufactured firearm (PMF) in his waistband. 

Gaunt was arrested without incident, police say. The alleged firearm came to light during an altercation between Gaunt and another student earlier Friday morning. Police officers were then dispatched to the school, located at 11211 Old Georgetown Road, at 8:23 AM.

Andy's Pizza opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Andy's Pizza is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. One reason this is exciting news is that they serve award-winning, authentic New York-style pizza. The second is, you can buy it by-the-slice if you prefer. As much as I revere Sbarro as a classic denizen of American mall food courts, this is a much higher quality product. Look for Andy's Pizza on Level 2 of the mall, in the Dining Terrace food court by CAVA and Chipotle.

Gorjana confirmed to be opening boutique at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Gorjana is now confirmed to be a future tenant at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Laguna Beach-based jewelry retailer has been pursuing an aggressive expansion plan this decade. However, its growth is strategically targeted to areas where it has identified an existing customer base for its products, and the company previously cited Bethesda as one of those. Gorjana continues a retail trend, particularly among fashion brands, of opening stores at Bethesda Row and Montgomery Mall to operate simultaneously.

Cheesecake Factory closing in Friendship Heights

The Cheesecake Factory is closing in the Friendship Heights area of Chevy Chase, Washington, DC. "After extensive review and analysis, the company made the difficult decision to discontinue operation of our restaurant in Chevy Chase," Cheesecake Factory, Inc. Senior Director of Public Relations and Global Branding Alethea Rowe told Fox 5 producer Allison Papson in a statement. "Our last day of service will be January 24, 2026." This will be a devastating loss for nearby residents, as well as for Chevy Chase Pavilion. Everything around that mall is being redeveloped as residential housing, and this will only increase the pressure. Fortunately, we still have The Cheesecake Factory at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

Water issue shutters several businesses at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A damaged water pump in the Old Navy wing of Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda forced several businesses to temporarily close last night. Kapow Buddy and Yogi Castle were among the restaurants impacted. The Cheesecake Factory in the same wing still had water service, and remained open for business, and the Dining Terrace food court was unaffected. Water could be seen in the parking lot outside the Old Navy wing, where the entrance by The Cheesecake Factory was cordoned off with tape. A plumbing crew was on-site last evening attempting to repair the damage so the affected restaurants could resume operation today.

Dolcezza has new sign, new Holiday Menu at Bethesda Row

Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee has a new sign and a new Holiday Menu at its Bethesda Row location at 7111 Bethesda Lane. The new neon-look sign has been installed above the storefront. Inside, their largest Holiday Menu of gelato flavors and beverages is now available.

Holiday Gelato Flavors:

• Coffee & Xmas Cookies – Rich coffee gelato folded together with chocolate covered biscoff cookies and a touch of xmas sugar

• Hot Cocoa –  Holiday spiced milk chocolate gelato with fresh marshmallow and warming notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.

• Sugar Cookie Dough –Vanilla Bean Gelato, bits of dark chocolate chips and morsels of sugar cookie dough.

• King Leo Peppermint – Crushed pieces of King Leo peppermint candy folded into mint gelato and ladled with melted dark chocolate. 

Holiday Hot Drinks:

• Gingerbread Latte

• King Leo Peppermint Mocha 

• Coconut Spiced Coquito Latte – a nod to Puerto Rican coquito, the island’s festive twist on eggnog.

Coming soon to the Bethesda shop will be new soft-serve gelato and sundaes. These are available now at the local chain's H Street NE and Hirshhorn locations in downtown Washington, D.C.

Colonial Opticians won't reopen in Bethesda after fire

Colonial Opticians has announced its store at 4942 St. Elmo Avenue in Bethesda is now permanently closed. The store was heavily damaged by an electrical fire Sunday night, November 30, 2025. Customers are being directed to the chain's Rockville location at 1776 E. Jefferson Street at Federal Plaza. Colonial Opticians has not ruled out a return to Bethesda in the future, but an expensive repair of its fire-damaged space makes little sense, as the building is expected to be demolished for a new apartment tower.

2 assaults in 2 days at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police on patrol at the mall Saturday 

Montgomery County police responded to two reports of assaults last week at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. A 2nd-degree assault was reported at the retail center on November 25, 2025,  at 5:26 PM. Just over 24 hours later, an aggravated assault was reported at the property. That assault was related to a shoplifting incident. These were the eighth and ninth assaults reported at the mall this year. At this pace, Montgomery Mall is likely to have fewer assaults this year than last, when eleven were reported. 

Montgomery County police had a more visible presence at the mall this past weekend. Officers were wearing the new back patches that identify they are with the County police. These were demanded by the Montgomery County Council to distinguish them from ICE officere working in the County.