Saturday, August 15, 2026

Cafe X-press closing in Bethesda


Cafe X-press
will close by the end of the month at 8000 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The coffee shop and deli's lease has run out, and the owners say they've made the difficult decision to close the business, rather than seek a new location. The restaurant will permanently close on August 29, 2026. Cafe X-press has enjoyed one of the longest runs of success in downtown Bethesda, having originally opened way back in 1994, a heady time when Bethesda was growing on the right track for success instead of turning into Ballston like today. It's a shame that we are seeing more and more of the oldest establishments in Montgomery County closing due to the anti-business policies of the County Council, which combine with the already-slim hospitality industry profit margins to destroy businesses that have survived so many other challenges over the decades.



13 comments:

Anonymous said...

So now being like Virginia is a bad thing?? Make up your mind already!

JAC said...

That's ok. No one knew it was ever open.

Anonymous said...

Turning into Virginia? Isn’t that a good thing?

Anonymous said...

It does seem to me the best food is where the rents get cheaper. As rents get higher, there is less money for quality food. So The Full Key in Wheaton still is packed even though the shopping center where it's located is kind of sketchy.

Anonymous said...

When did it open?

Anonymous said...

Honestly, it's hard to take you seriously ranting about anti-business practices, when this company has been serving customers for over 30 years. Lease expiration is not an anti-business policy of MC. Do you have a clue what you are even talking about?

Robert Dyer said...

4:52: A business open for decades now no longer able to make enough profit to renew a lease at market rates, or sign a new one elsewhere in Bethesda, is something our failed County Council should indeed "take seriously." Gee, I wonder what policies changed in the last decade?

Anonymous said...

Or it could be the 'policy noose' gets tighter and tighter and more difficult to pay for and negotiate?

Anonymous said...

Great place nice staff it will.be missed

Anonymous said...

10:09 Better than our present DTSS trajectory.

Anonymous said...

This is one of the last, true neighborhood restaurants, solid and affordable breakfast/lunch spot, family owned and service with a smile. It's no Pop-up Bagels, but this place was always packed with parents/kids from the dance studio next door on Saturdays, I just don't think they were close enough to the businesses to capture much of the lunch traffic. They'll be missed, I absolutely loved the bagel tuna melt.

Anonymous said...

Let me see if I understand your argument- Rosetta Bakery, Pop Up Bagels, Call Your Mother, Jetty, Tatte, Sisters Sandwiches and Pete's are all about 5 minutes walking from them- and its the anti-business policies of MC that are hindering them.

Your arguments are so tired...they need a rest.

Robert Dyer said...

10:10: Now list all the businesses within 5 minutes' walk that have closed.