Barry's opening July 25 in Bethesda

Barry's, the fitness studio chain known for its high intensity cardio and strength classes, has set the opening date for its first Maryland location. The downtown Bethesda Barry's will open this coming Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue. No more riding into D.C. for Red Room workouts. Special opening rates and membership packages are still available this week, including an $85 Bethesda 5-Pack that "can be used to bring guests" during the first month. Here's a sneak peek at the reception area:

Peeping Tom in Potomac

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a peeping Tom in Potomac late Friday night, July 17, 2026. The incident was reported in the 7900 block of Stable Way at 11:48 PM. That is a small townhome-style condo development at the northern terminus of Stable Way in the River Falls area.

Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too returning to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

One of the signs that the holiday shopping season isn't as far away as it seems is here once again at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too is announcing its annual return to the mall for 2026. Coming soon signage for the seasonal apparel store has been posted at the former Sleep Number space on Level 1, between Arc'teryx and Lululemon. The holiday pop-up tends to open in September, but recently made an earlier exit in January than its typical March departure.

Squishable relocates in Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Squishable has relocated to a new spot at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. But you won't have to go far out of your way to find it. The collectible stuffed toy boutique moved directly across the corridor from its previous location. Look for Squishable on Level 1 of the mall in the Macy's wing, in the corner space between UnderArmour and Brow Art 23.

Controversial, delayed Bethesda street closure now scheduled for July 20, utility says

A controversial extended closure of a segment of Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda that was delayed earlier this summer is now back on for July 20, 2026. Water utility WSSC announced today that the portion of Woodmont between Strathmore Street and Wisconsin Avenue will remain closed through early November. The closure was deemed necessary to replace a 54" large valve vault below the street. Vehicular and delivery access will be maintained for the Solaire Bethesda apartments, and the Prenuvo Bethesda medical imaging facility. 

Detour signs will be posted to guide drivers around the closure. The blockading of the secondary north-south route through downtown Bethesda will have a significant impact on traffic during July and August, due to the loss of two travel lanes on Wisconsin that are restricted to buses during the closure of three Red Line Metro stations this summer. WSSC notes that the closure could extend beyond early November if the area should experience long periods of disruptive weather.

Maryland has 2nd-worst economy in America, CNBC finds

Maryland has the second-worst economy in the U.S., CNBC found in its 2026 Worst State Economies in America survey, the results of which were released today. "Economic growth and job growth nearly flatlined in Maryland over the past year," the cable TV business channel noted in its analysis. "[H]igh costs, unpredictable taxes, and growing regulatory burdens," are each a drag on the state's economy, as is an over-reliance on government jobs and federal funds. A new IT services tax walloped businesses, sending many firms packing for greener pastures in other states. Especially hard hit by the IT tax were government contractors, a painful irony in a state where little beyond government has been growing this century.

Some factors in CNBC's criteria certainly hit Maryland where it hurts. These included job growth, economic growth, and the number of major companies headquartered in the state. The first two "flatlined" over the last 12 months, in CNBC's own word, and Maryland hasn't attracted a single new major corporate headquarters this century. In fact, the story has been the number of companies leaving the state. "Budget situation" isn't a category any Maryland elected official would want to delve into publicly. Debt? Maryland and Montgomery County are both in deadly serious trouble on that front, as well.

"Small business survival rates?" Ho ho. The ubiquitous "Going Out of Business" and "Everything must go!!!" signs in Montgomery County storefront windows tell a most tragic story indeed.

"Maryland finds itself in a deep hole in 2026, with no easy way out of it," CNBC concluded. But the picture is even bleaker than the one painted by the already-stinging rebuke of a friendly, liberal news outlet. They didn't even mention the budget apocalypse currently forecast for the state in 2030. 

Can we continue to whistle past the graveyard, raising taxes and instituting new ones? Refusing for radical ideological reasons to construct the long-delayed new Potomac River crossing to the Dulles area? Continuing to block completion of our master plan highway system? Keep on losing, and often hardly trying, in the corporate HQ relocation sweepstakes?

We could. And we just might end up topping CNBC's worst list in the future. It's one of the few things within easy reach for the buffoonish incompetents currently running Montgomery County and Maryland. After all, "We're number two - we try harder."

Call Your Mother Deli sets opening date in Bethesda

Call Your Mother Deli's newest location at 4828 St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda has an opening date. The deli is now set to debut on August 3, 2026. They are currently hiring staff. As you can see, signage has been "installed" over the storefront; it's actually a painted logo illuminated by light fixtures above it.