Construction wall removed at Hawkers at Bethesda Row

The construction wall in front of Hawkers Asian Street Fare on Bethesda Lane came down yesterday. It's unclear why, as work on the interior is not close to finished yet. But you can see some structures taking shape for the individual food hall-style vendor areas.

Hand sanitizer station installed at Bethesda Row

A hand sanitizer station was installed on Bethesda Lane yesterday at Bethesda Row. Many retailers have added them inside their shops, but this one is accessible to visitors outdoors. It also might come in handy if you are eating at this table and need a wet wipe.

Dogtopia coming to downtown Bethesda

Dogtopia, a doggie daycare and boarding business, is coming to 4936 Fairmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The chain also offers dog training, and promises your dog will not only socialize with other canines, but will find his or her "BFFF: Best Furry Friend Forever." Construction has begun inside the space.

Lucy closes in Bethesda

Lucy, the Ethiopian restaurant at 4865 Cordell Avenue, has been cleared out. Tuesday night, men were loading equipment into a U-haul truck parked out front. The next time I went by last evening, the space was empty. Bethesda has gone from having three Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurants to having just one now, CherCher on Bethesda Avenue.

Modell's closes in Bethesda

Modell's has closed at 7201 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The closure was expected, as the sporting goods chain has filed for bankruptcy.

However, the closing was delayed when the coronavirus lockdown interrupted the store's liquidation sale. The space was once home to the beloved Lowen's toy store. Yesterday, the space was cleared out, as you can see in the above photos. But here's a last look inside, in a few pictures taken just prior to the closure.

Five Guys closes for renovations at Bethesda Row

Five Guys has temporarily closed at 4829 Bethesda Avenue for renovations. They will remain closed through August 3, 2020. Five Guys will reopen August 4 at 11:00 AM.

Serena & Lily sets opening date at Bethesda Row

Serena & Lily now has quite a display of furniture on its patio on Bethesda Lane. The home goods store also has an opening date. They will be open for private design appointments beginning August 3, 2020. Not only do they have the most unique use of outdoor space by a retailer at Bethesda Row, but I like the addition of working lamps on either side of the front doors.

Coin panic at CVS

A sign in the window at CVS Pharmacy at 7809 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda reflects the national coin shortage. Businesses are running out of coins because Americans haven't been using them during the coronavirus pandemic, and when they do make a purchase, they've tended to use credit cards or other touchless payment methods. Thus the number of coins in circulation has drastically dropped. CVS is asking for customers to trade in their coins for cash, on a sign that blares, "COIN SHORTAGE."

DC Boathouse restaurant building for sale in the Palisades

DC Boathouse, the American-Greek restaurant at 5441 MacArthur Boulevard NW in the Palisades, had previously announced it would be closed through August "due to the current circumstances." It has been scheduled to reopen in September.

An online real estate listing shows their building is now for sale as of July 27. The asking price for this 1933 building in a prime, high-income location is $2,150,000.

Subway closes at Federal Plaza

No more $5 Footlongs at Federal Plaza. Subway has closed, their signage is gone, and their space has been totally cleared out. Usually we can blame the moribund Montgomery County economy or - more recently - the coronavirus, but the struggling sub chain has been closing an average of three locations a day according to Restaurant Business Online.

Paul Bakery reopens in Bethesda

Francophiles rejoice: Paul Bakery has reopened at 4760 Bethesda Avenue in the Flats at Bethesda Avenue apartment building. It didn't look good when everything that wasn't nailed down was removed from the bakery and cafe in late May, during the coronavirus lockdown. Masks are required to enter, and there is a limited menu for the time being.

Two vehicles stolen in Bethesda

Two vehicles were stolen in Bethesda between Friday night and Saturday morning. One was taken from the driveway of a home in the 5900 block of Plainview Road in Kenwood Park. The other was stolen from a driveway in the 9300 block of Wildoak Drive in the Alta Vista area of Bethesda.