Prato Italian restaurant construction update at Bethesda Row

Prato is currently under construction at 7278 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row. The Italian restaurant is replacing Matchbox on that prominent corner at the Federal Realty development. First, they've had to gut the interior of the previous establishment. The expected opening timetable has been revised from fall to "late fall." That gives them through December 20, so it's theoretically still doable.

Sneak peek: Shake Shack in downtown Bethesda (Photos)

Shake Shack is expected to open next month at 7535 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda, in the ground floor of the Element 28 apartment tower. The burger chain got overly optimistic this spring in announcing a June 24 opening date, but as you can see, the interior fit-out of the restaurant is now complete. Equipment and supplies are now being loaded in, while seating and ordering kiosks are now mostly already in place. The neon signage has been lit, drawing burger lovers to peer into the windows, which you can do virtually below:

Signage installed at PopUp Bagels in Bethesda

The sign is up at PopUp Bagels at 7607 Old Georgetown Road, in the ground floor of the Solaire 7607 Old Georgetown apartment tower. A sneak peek inside shows that the interior fit-out of the restaurant is nearly completed. PopUp Bagels is in a race against time to open before local rival Call Your Mother deli can open its own downtown Bethesda outpost.

Call Your Mother Deli sets opening date in Bethesda

Call Your Mother Deli's newest location at 4828 St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda has an opening date. The deli is now set to debut on August 3, 2026. They are currently hiring staff. As you can see, signage has been "installed" over the storefront; it's actually a painted logo illuminated by light fixtures above it.

Tower crane erected at Westbard Square in Bethesda

A tower crane has been assembled at the Westbard Square development in Bethesda. It will assist with construction of a new 200-unit apartment building, which is the final phase of redevelopment on the former Westwood Shopping Center site at 5400 Westbard Avenue. The stack-and-pack style building will have ground floor retail space, and above-ground structured parking. Greystar is the developer, and the building was designed by MV+A Architects. A mid-2027 delivery is expected for the project.

Update on Gorjana at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Here's a sneak peek at the construction progress inside the future Gorjana boutique at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Laguna Beach-inspired jewelry retailer is appropriately expected to open this summer at the mall. A look inside the construction wall door that was hanging open reveals flooring, walls, and lighting fixtures in place. Now shelving and other displays are being installed, which means merchandise can't be far behind. When it opens, look for Gorjana on Level 1 of the mall, across from Lily Pulitzer in the Nordstrom wing.

Update on Call Your Mother Deli in downtown Bethesda

A painting crew is working on the exterior of the future Call Your Mother Deli at 4828 St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Gone is the drab gray of former tenant Hardwood Artisans, and in its place is the distinctive blue shade of the CYM branding colors. The windows are still covered, so we can't see the progress on the interior fit-out. Construction has been underway since April 16.

Shake Shack opening in downtown Bethesda on June 24

Shake Shack has set an opening date for its newest Bethesda location at 7535 Old Georgetown Road in the ground floor of the Element 28 apartment tower. The fast-casual hamburger restaurant will open June 24, 2026, according to Google. This is the second Shake Shack to open in Bethesda, with the first being located in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Here's another sneak peek at the construction progress inside the downtown Bethesda store.

Hammer and Nails opening August 1 in Bethesda

Hammer and Nails has set the opening date for its new downtown Bethesda location at 7712 Woodmont Avenue at the Lionsgate condominiums. The "Grooming Shop for Guys" will open on August 1, 2026. As you can see, the sign is up over the storefront, and is already lit up at night. Founding Memberships are still available. The company is referring to this as the "Woodmont" location, which makes me wonder if there might be additional Bethesda locations in the works. Stay tuned!

Sneak peek: The Food Market in Bethesda (Photos)

Here's a sneak peek at the interior of The Food Market, the highly-anticipated restaurant opening at 4720 Hampden Lane, in the ground floor of the Hampden House apartment tower. As you can see, the interior fit-out is complete. Equipment and seating are in place, some with plastic covers still on. A plethora of artworks await hanging upon the beige walls of the dining room. This lease was quite a coup for developer Saul Centers.

It was way back in November 2024 that I broke the news that Chef Chad Gauss would be expanding his American cuisine concept from Baltimore and Columbia to downtown Bethesda. The Food Market specializes in steaks, seafood, inventive vegetarian dishes, stand-by appetizers like mozzarella sticks, and a number of international flavors ranging from tacos and pork belly to yellowfin tuna meatballs and red curry butternut squash soup. We don't have a Bethesda menu or opening date yet, but I can tell you that they are currently hiring for all positions.

Bethesda Shake Shack construction update (Photos)

Construction is advancing quickly inside the future Shake Shack at 7535 Old Georgetown Road, in the ground floor of the Element 28 apartment tower in Bethesda. Tile application is well underway on the completed walls and counter. A mural has already been installed, as well. The restaurant has a Montgomery County liquor license hearing scheduled for May 21, 2026 at 1:30 PM. Next on the Shake Shack agenda should be a drive-thru location on River Road or Wisconsin Avenue - it's got to happen!