More Lidl signage pops up at Bethesda Place (Photos)

All signs point in the direction of the new Lidl supermarket opening soon at 7625 Old Georgetown Road at the Bethesda Place development in downtown Bethesda. This time, it is more tenant monument signage on heavily-traveled Wisconsin Avenue (MD 355). The monochrome sign doesn't currently light up, and does not particularly stand out well at night as a result. Only two tenants at the property are listed so far - the German grocery store, which will now serve as the anchor retail tenant, and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL).

Westfield brings in new leadership at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, the owner of Westfield Montgomery Mall, has replaced several key leaders at the property just before the busiest shopping time of the year. Jason Dyer has been hired as the mall's Senior General Manager, Catherine Brady has been named the new Marketing Director, and Montgomery County Public Schools veteran Joe Damaia will be the new Facilities Director for the sprawling property. Dyer and Brady have successful track records at other Westfield malls, and Damaia was at MCPS for over 14 years of his more than three decades in mechanical and facilities operations.

Dyer's career has found him working with major brands like Victorinox, Sears, PAPYRUS, and GAP, in national and international markets, before joining URW in 2017, taking on management roles at Westfield malls on both coasts. He is bringing this experience to Montgomery Mall with the key goal of "delivering memorable customer experiences that foster loyalty and repeat engagement," URW said in a statement.

“I’m excited to collaborate with Catherine and Joe as we work to elevate Montgomery’s premier retail, dining and entertainment destination,” Dyer said in a statement. “With our varied expertise and established success in the industry, we’re well-positioned to continue shaping Westfield Montgomery into a vibrant hub for dining, retail, and cultural life in Montgomery County.”

Baruch Cafe Express construction advances in Bethesda

Signage has been installed at Baruch Cafe Express, opening soon at 4800 Auburn Avenue, in the Gallery Bethesda development. One sign depicts a croissant and a piping-hot beverage. Construction has advanced to the point where kitchen and counter equipment have been installed, and interior seating has been brought in. Obviously, it will be a few months before the cafe can take full advantage of its outdoor seating space on the plaza between Gallery's two apartment towers. 

Akira opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Akira has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Founded in 2002 by Eric Hsueh, Erikka Wang, and Jon Cotay in Chicago, the women's apparel boutique now boasts over 30 locations nationwide. Rather than derive inspiration from fashion trends in southern California or New York City, Akira's founders say their apparel is unapologetically representative of Windy City style. Look for Akira on Level 1 in the Old Navy/The Cheesecake Factory wing of the mall, in the space recently vacated by Alex Baby & Toys.

Signage installed at Wonderland Books in Bethesda

There are "signs" that it won't be much longer before downtown Bethesda has a bookstore again. Permanent signage has just been installed at Wonderland Books, opening soon at 7920 Norfolk Avenue. Former Washington Post journalist Amy Joyce and former communications executive and current book podcaster Gayle Weiswasser are the co-founders of the business. The 2000+-square-foot store will carry a wide variety of books, as well as a curated selection of cards and gifts, and host author readings and other book events.

Strong-arm robbery at White Flint bus stop

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at a bus stop in White Flint early last Saturday evening, November 16, 2024. The robbery was reported in the 11600 block of Rockville Pike at 7:52 PM Saturday. That is around the "North Bethesda" Metro station (formerly and more accurately known as the White Flint Metro station).

Cordell Avenue Dunkin' Donuts closes for renovations in Bethesda

The Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins at 4905 Cordell Avenue in downtown Bethesda is temporarily closed. A renovation project has begun to update the interior of the store. The franchisee just completed a similar refresh of the Bethesda Metro Center Dunkin' Donuts location. Customers are being redirected to the Metro Center and 4943 Elm Street locations during the closure.

Zenith Overlook opens at Westbard Square in Bethesda (Photos)

The first internal street at the new Westbard Square development in Bethesda has opened to traffic. Zenith Overlook currently connects Westbard Avenue - at a new signalized intersection - with the rear garage entrance to the Giant building at 5400 Westbard Avenue. Those traffic signals at Westbard are now active. The street opening comes not a moment too soon, with Tatte Bakery & Cafe now scheduled to open on Wednesday, November 20. "Overlook" is a type of road like "street," "lane," or "avenue." Who knew?

First lighted signage installed at Bethesda Lidl

The first lighted signage has been installed at the new Lidl supermarket, opening soon at 7625 Old Georgetown Road at the Bethesda Place development. It is located at the parking garage entrance to the building, and on a tenant roster monument sign. Last night, the signage was already lit up. Lidl replaces the former Safeway store as the anchor retail tenant at Bethesda Place.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe sets opening date at Westbard Square in Bethesda

Tatte Bakery & Cafe has looked ready to open for a while at 5300 Zenith Overlook at Westbard Square in Bethesda. Now there is an official opening date: this Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 7:00 AM. "Come join us to celebrate our opening...just in time for Pie and Holiday season," the company said in a statement. This is Tatte's second Bethesda location, and some major competition for Starbucks at Westbard Square.

Outdoor seating in place

Santa's Workshop now open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Santa's Workshop has been transported south to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and you are invited to enter through Christmas Eve, December 24. Inside, children are invited to write letters to Santa, enjoy Mrs. Claus’ weekly story time, and create gingerbread crafts in Comet’s Craft Room. LEGO mini-build classes will be held, and a gift-wrapping station will be manned by the Girl Scouts, Hope Connections and Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Look for Santa's Workshop on Level 1 of the mall, near J.Crew.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on the evening of November 12, 2024, after someone reported having been assaulted there. The assault was reported at 9:34 PM Tuesday. This was the eleventh assault reported this year at the popular mall. Only five were reported there in 2023. 

This year's total is now just one away from matching the twelve assaults reported at the retail center in 2022. That led to Montgomery County police opening a "resource room" at the mall, in an attempt to combat elevated crime at the property - part of a general crime wave that has persisted countywide since 2020, after the County Council defunded the police. The police department is down 194 officers since 2020, and 179 police officer positions are now vacant, according to a County Council staff memo released earlier this year.