La Panetteria switches owners, closes for renovations

Longtime Bethesda Italian restaurant La Panetteria has changed owners, and has closed temporarily for a week for renovations, according to an employee who answered the phone Monday. Boxes were seen being carried into the building Monday evening.

The new ownership plans to keep the current menu intact, the employee said. La Panetteria's space, located at 4921 Cordell Avenue, was advertised as available for lease "in 90 days" back in mid-January. Rumors of its closure have swirled in recent weeks, so here is where things stand as of this morning. Stay tuned for updates.