DENTIST'S OFFICE CLOSES AT WHITE FLINT MALL (PHOTOS)

One doesn't often think of going to a dental appointment at the mall, but many patients did at Dr. Rochelle Hackley, DDS Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in White Flint Mall. Dr. Hackley's office in the mall has officially closed, ahead of demolition. 

The important thing to note - Dr. Hackley has moved up the Pike, to a new location at 12230 Rockville Pike, in the Towne Plaza shopping center. One of my favorite restaurants, Chef Geoff's, is in the same shopping center. Dr. Hackley is in Suite 200-B at Towne Plaza.

You didn't think you were getting out of your dental appointment that easily, did you?

All photos copyright 2014 Robert Dyer

Please do not steal and repost these photos

without permission

ROBBERY IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA, ASSAULT ON POOKS HILL RD. - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on May 28, according to crime data:

Theft. 7500 block Woodmont Avenue.

Robbery. 7900 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Drug arrest. Wisconsin Avenue at Battery Lane.

Vehicle theft. 5000 block Bradley Boulevard.

Vehicle burglary. 5600 block Little Falls Parkway.

Burglary. 3800 block Kenilworth Driveway (North Chevy Chase).

Theft. 9600 block Rockville Pike (Pooks Hill).

Assault. Unit block of Pooks Hill Road.

Theft. 5900 block Massachusetts Avenue (near Sangamore Road).

Vehicle burglary. 9200 block Villa Drive.

Vehicle burglary. 5200 block Gretchen Street.

Theft. Home Depot, 7111 Westlake Terrace.

Vehicle burglary. 8100 block Clara Barton Parkway.

VINCE & DOMINIC'S PIZZA CLOSES IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Shocking news from Auto Park Avenue in Bethesda - Vince & Dominic's Pizzeria has closed after 31 years in business. The restaurant closed yesterday, after Home Depot declined to renew its lease, according to the owners. It certainly didn't close because of a lack of popularity. Many people set on a pizza feast for dinner were in disbelief as they approached the shuttered pizzeria last evening. One family exiting Five Guys mentioned that they had originally come for pizza, but had gone into the burger restaurant upon finding Vince & Dominic's closed.

Known best for its giant slices of pizza, Vince & Dominic's is the latest Bethesda institution to get the boot from its longtime home, joining Ranger Surplus, Bruce Variety and Eastham's Servicenter in the 18 months alone.

ASSAULT BY NIH; THEFTS AT BETHESDA METRO, STAPLES + MORE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on May 27, according to crime data:

Theft. Bethesda Metro Station.

Theft. Staples, 6800 Wisconsin Avenue.

Assault. Rockville Pike at South Drive.

Theft. 3900 block Newdale Road.

Burglary. 8800 block Spring Valley Road.

Theft. 6100 block Connecticut Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 9500 block Montgomery Drive.

Vehicle burglary. 5200 block Pooks Hill Road.

Vehicle burglary. 6000 block Conway Road.

Theft. 6000 block Grosvenor Lane.

Theft. 5400 block Tuckerman Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 7000 block MacArthur Boulevard.

Burglary. 10800 block Symphony Park Drive.

Burglary. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Theft. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

DORITOS JACKED TEST FLAVOR 855 REVIEW (VIDEO)

Doritos has 3 new mystery flavors, and I decided to try Test Flavor 855 first because it has blue cheese listed on the ingredients. 855 also has cayenne pepper, cheddar cheese, buttermilk, paprika... Can I guess what it is? And how good is it? Watch my review and find out!

NEW DETAILS ON TOLL BROS. HAMPDEN ROW CONDO PROJECT IN BETHESDA

I have a few more details about Hampden Row, the future Toll Brothers City Living luxury condominium development on Hampden Lane, in downtown Bethesda. There will be 55 units (that was already known previously), ranging from 1-3 bedrooms, and from 615 to over 2800 square feet in size. Each of those units will have a balcony or terrace, and assigned underground parking in a garage only accessible to Hampden Row residents.

Amenities planned as of now include a 24-hour concierge, a rooftop deck with grills (similar to Gallery Bethesda, but not as tall of a building, obviously), a fitness center and bike storage.

A spokesperson says sales are expected to begin in late 2014, or early 2015. The 7-story Hampden Row will compete with two nearby ultra-luxury condo projects, The Lauren and The Darcy.

THEFT AT THE RIVIERA + MORE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on May 26, according to crime data:

Theft. The Riviera, 4242 East-West Highway.

Drug arrest. 5900 block Montrose Parkway.

Vehicle burglary. 5800 block Beech Avenue.

Assault. 10400 block Old Georgetown Road.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY TRANSPORTATION FORUM TONIGHT AT 7 PM IN SILVER SPRING

A transportation forum featuring candidates for the Montgomery County Council will be held tonight (May 29), at 7:00 PM, at the Silver Spring Civic Building (there is public garage parking directly across Ellsworth Drive from the building).

The topics covered are inspected to include transit, the Purple Line, the county's proposed Bus Rapid Transit system, and the M-83 Midcounty Highway Extended.

Martin Di Caro of WAMU FM will be the moderator. The debate is sponsored by the Coalition for Smarter Growth, Purple Line Now, Action Committee for Transit, Montgomery County Sierra Club, Montgomery Countryside Alliance, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and the TAME Coalition.

Silver Spring Civic Building

1 Veterans Place

FORMER BETHESDA POST OFFICE SITE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

If you've walked/driven/biked past 7001 Arlington Road recently, you may have noticed the furnace chimney-like structures that now tower over the construction site there. If not, well, these photos will save you some time.

The mixed-use residential building replaces the former U.S. Post Office on the site. Retail and restaurant spaces will face the street on the ground floor, and - as a stick-built project - parking is above-ground. As always, click on the photos to enlarge them for greater detail (the top photo is a panoramic shot):

4825 MONTGOMERY LANE CONDOS BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

There's been some significant progress at the future 4-story luxury condo building at 4825 Montgomery Lane, in downtown Bethesda. While the stick-built (which doesn't require extensive excavation) project is probably the least-exciting one for photos in Bethesda right now, it is actually going to be one of the elite addresses when completed. Each of the four floors will be a single, luxury condominium. You can see some actual structures starting to rise from street level at this point. Click on the photos to enlarge for greater detail:

BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on May 25, according to crime data:

Disorderly conduct. 4900 block Edgemoor Lane.

Vehicle burglary. Hampden Lane at East Lane.

Theft. 4800 block Cordell Avenue.

Drug arrest. Jones Bridge Road at University Road.

Theft. 8700 block Ridge Road.

Liquor arrest. 10100 block Parkwood Terrace.

SANDY SPRING BANK LEASES SPACE AT 7550 WISCONSIN AVENUE

A 140-year-old local financial institution will be the second tenant in the vacant, Class A office building at 7550 Wisconsin Avenue, in downtown Bethesda. Sandy Spring Bank has leased second floor office space in the Akridge-owned property, and is constructing a financial center for its trust, private banking, commercial banking and mortgage divisions. HITT Contracting is working on the project.

In addition, Sandy Spring will open a bank branch on the building's first floor. That bank should open in the late 3rd or early 4th quarter of 2014, according to a Sandy Spring spokesperson.

7550 Wisconsin has been struggling to attract tenants since its completion over a year ago, recently aiming for smaller tenants by dividing the fourth floor into sections. The building is not alone in Montgomery County; the overall office market is weak countywide, with no major corporations showing any interest in moving here. Given that situation, we are fortunate to have smaller-but-successful banks like Sandy Spring and Bethesda's EagleBank, to put some stimulus into the local economy. Another local company, L-Soft, became the first tenant about 3 weeks ago, capitalizing on the county's lease incentives for smaller spaces.

The new lobby of 7550 Wisconsin

BAINBRIDGE BETHESDA LUXURY APARTMENTS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

The Bainbridge Bethesda luxury apartment tower continues to run behind schedule, but a lot of the finishing touches are now in place. As I reported yesterday, the street number is now affixed to the building. You can see there is still scaffolding up there. But the ground level has a significantly more finished appearance since my last update. The public art is still under wraps - literally - on the pedestrian street that runs between St. Elmo and Fairmont Avenues. You'll notice some hanging lamps have been installed along that pedestrian plaza strip, as well.

Future shops/restaurants

Multiple facade finishes

Public art is underneath those
covers along the property line;
this is the pedestrian street that
runs between St. Elmo and Fairmont

VETERANS PARK MEMORIAL DAY PHOTO GALLERY

Wreaths were placed around the memorial in Veterans Park for Memorial Day, including those from the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rotary Club, and the Bethesda Urban Partnership.

A focal point for those paying tribute to fallen heroes on Memorial Day weekend and Veterans Day each year, Veterans Park is located at the intersection of Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues in downtown Bethesda. The memorial commemorates Bethesda and Chevy Chase residents who were killed in action in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf Wars. It is also a popular public space year-round for residents, visitors and workers.

Let's hope we never have to chisel another war on that blank space, but somehow I'm not optimistic about that.

Flowers left at the
memorial

Wreaths placed by the Bethesda-
Chevy Chase Rotary Club (L) and
the Bethesda-Chevy Chase
Chamber of Commerce

Wreath from the
Bethesda Urban Partnership (L)

DEMOLITION PERMIT REQUESTED FOR AUTODENTZ IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

After a few twists and turns since it closed, Autodentz is apparently finally headed for demolition on Woodmont Avenue. One of several properties owned by developer The JBG Companies related to its 7900 Wisconsin Avenue project, Autodentz is the latest for which a demolition permit has been sought from Montgomery County.

7900 Wisconsin will span the block between Wisconsin and Woodmont, and will be adjacent to the Fairmont Plaza property. 

Over the last few months, Autodentz appeared to be used as a storage facility, perhaps for equipment related to the other JBG project nearby at 7770 Norfolk Avenue. At one point, it appeared a renovation was underway, with drywall and insulation. But that wouldn't make sense if it is going to be demolished.

JBG requested demolition permits for the other properties related to 7900 Wisconsin about 2 weeks ago. There is no timetable for when the actual demolitions would begin. One current Wisconsin Avenue tenant has asserted it is staying in place until 2019, which should make for some fascinating developments in the coming months.

A photo for the Bethesda historical record

This was outside at one point

And these...

BAINBRIDGE BETHESDA LUXURY APARTMENT TOWER INSTALLS STREET NUMBER (PHOTOS)

The street number is up on the facade of the Bainbridge Bethesda luxury apartments, still under construction in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle area. 4918 St. Elmo Avenue - get ready to hear that street address a lot over the coming months. The Bainbridge Bethesda will be the second smoke-free building to open in downtown Bethesda this year; the Gallery Bethesda was the first.

ASSAULT ON GREENTREE ROAD, 2 DOWNTOWN BETHESDA BURGLARIES - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on May 23, according to crime data:

Drug arrest. Woodmont Avenue at Edgemoor Lane.

Burglary. 7900 block Norfolk Avenue.

Disorderly conduct. Cordell Avenue at Norfolk Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 8100 block Woodmont Avenue.

Burglary. 8100 block Woodmont Avenue.

Theft. Bethesda Row Giant.

Theft. 7700 block Oldchester Road.

Vehicle burglary. Giant (Friendship Heights).

Vehicle burglary. 9100 block Ewing Drive.

Assault. 6300 block Greentree Road.

Theft. 7400 block Westlake Terrace.

iPic THEATER TANZY RESTAURANT AT PIKE AND ROSE HIRING CHEF, GENERAL MANAGER

Tanzy, the gourmet restaurant in the future iPic Theater at Pike and Rose in White Flint (a.k.a. North Bethesda or Rockville, depending on your opinion), is hiring an executive chef and general manager ahead of its expected November opening. The luxury theater will immediately square off with Westfield Montgomery Mall's ArcLight Cinemas and new restaurants and dining terrace, also opening this fall. With 2 upscale theaters with restaurants about 10 minutes apart, it will be interesting to see the pricing, given the immediate competition. ArcLight will have double the screens of iPic (16 vs. 8) and more dining options, while iPic offers some additional perks like recliners, pillows and blankets.

Image courtesy of iPic Theaters
All rights reserved

ROCK AND ROLL ART AT WENTWORTH GALLERY THIS WEEKEND IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

Wentworth Gallery at Westfield Montgomery Mall is launching its Summer Concert Series with a 20% off sale this Memorial Day weekend. Stop by to view works by Paul Stanley of KISS, Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, and Michael Cartellone of Damn Yankees and Lynyrd Skynyrd (who recently appeared at the gallery).

The gallery is now offering 0% 24-month financing, so you can take your new artwork home and worry about the payments later. Call Holly at 301-365-3270, or apply in-person to qualify.

Wentworth Gallery

Westfield Montgomery Mall

Upper Level (outside Nordstrom)

7101 Democracy Boulevard

301-365-3270

ASSAULT AT BCC HIGH SCHOOL + MORE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on May 22, according to crime data:

Theft. 4900 block Fairmont Avenue.

Disorderly conduct. 4800 block Cordell Avenue.

Assault. Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

Theft. 10400 block Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center area).

Theft. 7100 block Westlake Terrace.

Vehicle burglary. 5700 block Marinelli Road.

Drug arrest. Westlake Drive at Democracy Boulevard.

Theft. 5900 block Montrose Road.

EQUITY ONE MAKES SAFETY UPGRADES AT WESTWOOD SHOPPING CENTER, WESTWOOD CENTER II (PHOTOS)

There may be disagreement about what the future of the Westwood Complex along Westbard Avenue and Ridgefield Road should be, but give credit to new landlord Equity One for making several safety-related upgrades to 2 retail properties over the last few weeks.

Bright lights were added to the lower surface parking lot at Westwood Center II, which also helps add some illumination to the dangerously dark corner of Ridgefield and River Roads at night. Several shops at the Westwood Shopping Center are now lit after closing at night, which improves safety along the majority of the strip mall, where many stores close earlier in the evening than Giant or Rite Aid.

Finally, in the last few days, they have repainted the parking spaces and crosswalks. Given the poor job previous owner Capital Properties did maintaining the properties, the upgrades are a welcome change. Longtime readers will recall that, just prior to the sale to Equity One, CP had turned off most of the lighting around the Westwood Shopping Center at night, except for the parking area directly in front of Giant and Rite Aid. After writing about it several times on here, the lights eventually were turned back on. And then there was that wooden "light pole" that was about to collapse...