TD Bank slashing hours in Bethesda

They're going to have to change the "Open 7 Days" signage at TD Bank. The bank's brand was partly defined by convenient hours, but the branch at 7628 Old Georgetown Road will be reducing those starting January 2, 2025. No longer will the bank be open on Sundays. The branch will also open later in the morning, at 9:00 AM Monday through Saturday. TD Bank came into downtown Bethesda like gangbusters in 2016, but have recently closed one of those branches, and now are reducing hours at the remaining location.

TD Bank closes Wisconsin Avenue branch in downtown Bethesda

TD Bank has closed its branch at 8101 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Signage has been stripped from the building. The closure was expected, as customers had been informed several months in advance. What is new, is that the property is now being marketed by CBRE as a "freestanding building with drive-thru." That would suggest that redevelopment, or assembly of the property with adjoining parcels for a larger project, is not expected in the immediate future. Hopefully we can get a Jack-in-the-Box, Taco Bell, Cook Out, Raising Cane's, or Burger King out of this.

Bank branch on prime downtown Bethesda property to close

A prime piece of downtown Bethesda property could be back on the market soon. One reader who banks at the TD Bank at 8101 Wisconsin Avenue reports that they have received a branch closure notice for that location. It lists the closing date for the branch as April 26, 2024. The branch, directly across Wisconsin from The Bethesdan Hotel, opened on April 16, 2016.

While big banks have no shortage of funds, TD Bank did pour quite a bit of money into this branch. The property used to be a gas station, which had to be demolished and the land remediated from pollutants. Then the branch building and drive-thru had to be constructed. Now, after only eight years in operation, the bank is apparently closing. Of course, the highly-desirable location of the property will now activate many a hot stove discussion in the real estate-watching community.

2 TD Banks to open Friday in Bethesda (Photos)

The two TD Bank branches started construction at different points in downtown Bethesda, but they will open the same day - this Friday, April 15. A grand opening celebration will be held on Saturday, April 16 at both locations, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Attendees will enjoy free food, entertainment and giveaways.

From what I understand, TD Bank does continue the bank traditions of offering free pens and lollipops to customers. What's different are their more modern hours. This will present quite a contrast at their 7628 Old Georgetown Road branch, where HSBC across the street closes at 4:00 PM sharp, and has no weekend or evening hours.

The other location is at 8101 Wisconsin Avenue, formerly home to Bethesda's "last gas," the BP station. Here is a tour of the Old Georgetown Road exterior, interior and drive-thru. Once again, take note of the impressive art piece that depicts the historic Bethesda Theatre.

Expect the jiffy johns to
vanish by Friday 

Right this way to the
drive-thru

There's the Christopher
condominium building in
the background

The canopies at TD Bank drive-thrus
have solar panels on top 

I have to say the drive-thru
is well-lit for after-hours use

The "green" theme continues with
this advice to cut your engine while
banking; not sure I would take
that advice working with cash
outdoors at night

LEED certified

Bank on your bike

HSBC has some serious
competition from its new
neighbor

Nighttime construction noise keeping downtown residents up in Bethesda

Downtown Bethesda's "nighttime economy" may be on the ropes, but the nighttime noise business is booming. Jackhammering and other things that go bump in the night are keeping up residents in the vicinity of the 8100 block of Wisconsin Avenue. A contractor held a nighttime noise waiver that was due to expire by the end of February there, which I've been informed was related to utility work for the new TD Bank under construction at 8101 Wisconsin.

However, I was told by Steve Martin of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection that the Maryland State Highway Administration can issue its own lane-closure permit for nighttime work to a utility, like Pepco or WSSC. The DEP has no authority to override the SHA, Martin said. Given that I am hearing from multiple residents who were not aware this was going to happen, it suggests that appropriate notification of nearby property owners and apartment management offices by the contractor did not occur in this case.

You'll notice a dark strip in the far-right lane of northbound Wisconsin directly in front of the bank in several of these photos. I'm also still not seeing a sidewalk closure announcement with dates prominently posted, which is now required under a recent County law. I am aware that a 311 report was filed on this and at least one other project a few weeks ago.

Mural at new TD Bank pays tribute to Bethesda landmark (Photos)

Environmentally-friendly features like a green roof and solar panels will dominate the exterior of the future TD Bank at 7628 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. But inside, a historic downtown landmark is the central feature.

A large mural depicts the Bethesda Theatre, which opened in 1938 as The Boro. The marquee announces a 1941 film, Swamp Water, starring Walter Brennan. In between those dates, the theater was renamed the Bethesda Theatre. Now, what the stacks of tires represent, I'm not sure. There is also a group of people standing in the foreground of the image.