First windows being installed at The Wilson in Bethesda

The building hasn't topped out yet, but the first windows are being installed at The Wilson, Carr Properties' Class A office tower that is part of the 7272 Wisconsin Avenue redevelopment. Two big disappointments remain with this project. One I've already discussed at length, the failure of the Montgomery County Council to require a replacement cineplex for the Regal Cinemas in the 7272 Wisconsin minor master plan amendment, the loss of which has devastated downtown Bethesda restaurants and foot traffic.

The other is my understanding that Fox 5 will not have a glassed-in studio with a view of the area outside when they relocate their broadcast operations here. That would have been a great tool to promote tourism, dining, shopping and economic development in Bethesda and the county at large. How did the County Council and economic development officials fail to have that conversation with the parties involved? Probably because they just don't understand how business and economic development work, I'm afraid.

Peter's Carryout takes annual summer break until August 12

There are two things you can count on at Peter's Carryout in downtown Bethesda - Bethesda's best cheesesteak and their annual summer break. Like many small businesses, when the owner takes a vacation, the business has to close. Peter's will be back open on normal hours on Monday, August 12, 2019.

Bethesda nightlife has gone to the dogs

Bone Jour to take over

vacant Quincy's sports bar

The nighttime economy has come crashing down all across downtown Bethesda. Just days after the 17th downtown nightspot shuttered in the wake of the Montgomery County Council's Nighttime Economy Task Force catastrophe, one of the abandoned bars is going to the dogs - literally. Bethesda pet business Bone Jour has leased the vacant building at 4920-4922 Del Ray Avenue, which has sat empty since 2017.

Previously home to Quincy's and Hard Times Cafe, the sizable space will give Bone Jour more room to offer additional services for dogs and cats, which include grooming, pet boarding and obedience classes. Bone Jour is expected to move in before the end of summer. This reminds us of Councilmember Hans Riemer's bizarre proposal to have the County government "assess the health impacts of dogs, and assess the health impacts of cats." Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed on the Council, but unfortunately, they did not stop Riemer's disastrous "Nighttime Economy Initiative," which ended up tanking the nighttime economy in Montgomery County.

Evening storm causes major power outages in downtown Bethesda, Chevy Chase

Update 8:52 PM: Flood warning extended until 2 AM. High water on Bradley Boulevard near Kentsdale Drive and Cabin John Creek; hundreds without power at Grosvenor Park 3 in North Bethesda

Power is out to almost 4000 Pepco customers in the Bethesda area, including over 2000 in downtown Bethesda and Chevy Chase. The largest outage in downtown Bethesda is in the vicinity of Bradley Boulevard between Arlington Road and Wisconsin Avenue.

There is a danger of flooding until 2:00 AM tomorrow morning. Avoid flood-prone roadways like Goldsboro Road and Little Falls Parkway if possible. A tree is reported down at the intersection of River Road and Bradley Boulevard. WMATA reports that the fallen tree is affecting service times for the T2 bus between Friendship Heights and the Rockville Metro station.

Anthony's Coal-Fired Pizza Bethesda update

Anthony's Coal-Fired Pizza, the restaurant chain taking over the former Community space in the 7770 Norfolk apartment tower, has completed interior demolition. You can see where the counter in the previous restaurant was located on the floor. Now construction of Anthony's must begin, so opening day won't be anytime soon. They do have a liquor license hearing scheduled for September 19.

Chase Bank sets opening date for newest downtown Bethesda branch

The number of banks continues to multiply in downtown Bethesda, with the newest competitor to enter the market now preparing to open its second downtown branch. Chase Bank will open August 13, 2019 at 7901 Wisconsin Avenue. The opening comes just months after their first downtown location debuted at 4749 Bethesda Avenue.

Inside 7901 Wisconsin, everything from furniture to counters and ATMs appears to be in place for next week's opening. Signage has also just been installed on the exterior of the building, and inside the bank. This space was previously home to another bank, Wells Fargo.

Honest Tea to debut immersive vending machine today at Bethesda Row

Honest Tea, located at 4827 Bethesda Avenue, will introduce a new charitable and immersive vending machine today outside their headquarters. Users of the vending machine will learn about the positive impact their Honest Tea purchase will have. Honest Tea's partners Fair Trade USA™ and Organic Farming Research Foundation will also be highlighted.

Users will learn that 100% of the purchase price of their beverage will be donated to one of those partnering organizations. They will also have the option of donating additional funds while purchasing their beverage, using the vending machine's Up Their Impact feature.

In addition to the appearance of the vending machine at 4827 Bethesda Avenue and in other select cities today, August 6, 2019, you will find the Honest Tea Mobile Tea Garden on Bethesda Lane today between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. There you will learn how organic tea leaves are grown for Honest Tea, and how Fair Trade assists the communities from which Honest Tea sources their leaves.

Gaylords Lamps & Shades to relocate in Bethesda

Update - 8:43 AM: The move could tentatively occur around October 1

Gaylords Lamps & Shades, which moved to 5272 River Road almost six years ago, is planning to move again. A representative of the business says they hope to move into a vacant space by the Arlington Road CVS Pharmacy.

The current expectation is that the move would take place around October 1, 2019; stay tuned for a final moving date announcement. Gaylords remains open for business until then at their current Kenwood Professional Building location between American Plant and the Westwood Center II shopping mall.

Yvonne Fx opens at Montgomery Mall, Dream Aero under construction (Photos)

Women's fashion boutique Yvonne Fx has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It is located on Level 2 by LensCrafters.

In other mall news, the Dream Aero Flight Simulator ride remains under construction above the Dining Terrace. A wall panel has been punched out near the ceiling above Gusto and Chipotle, and wiring can be seen along the edge of the opening. Dream Aero plans to begin providing the experience of flying a Boeing 737 this fall.

Piccoli Piatti Pizzeria opening in Bethesda in 2020

Piccoli Piatti Pizzeria, which means "small plates" pizzeria, will open in the Wildwood Shopping Center in Bethesda next year, according to a statement from property owner Federal Realty. The pizzeria will be the latest venture from the ownership of Red Tomato, Centro and Fish Taco. It will be located between existing tenants Sequel and Sanctuary Interior Design.

Pizzas served will be what the owners call "Neo-Neapolitan," a hybrid between Neapolitan and American-style pizza. They will be joined on the menu by the aforementioned small plates, including Panzanella salad and calamari.

Nighttime utility work blocks Tastee Diner (Video+Photos)

Workers digging along Norfolk Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue partially blocked views of and access to the Tastee Diner on a Friday night in downtown Bethesda. This can't have been good for business. There were several lane closures in the area. Tastee Diner is open 24 hours.

Jeff's Best now open at 6 AM for coffee

Jeff's Best Ice Cream expanded into coffee earlier this year by adding a Seattle's Best Coffee vending machine to their self-serve soft-serve business at 8004 Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda. But with demand for coffee at the highest in the morning hours, their noon opening schedule was costing them a lot of potential coffee sales. Now they've fixed that. You can now get into their storefront at 6:00 AM for coffee. Decaf and hot chocolate are also available.

Bradley Boulevard speed limit drops to 25 MPH in downtown Bethesda

Watch the accelerator on Bradley Boulevard west of Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda - the speed limit there dropped overnight from 35 MPH to 25 MPH. Maryland State Highway Administration crews replaced the speed limit signs along the road during the night. If the River Road speed change is precedent, expect the Montgomery County police to begin enforcing the new speed limit immediately.

SHA worked through the night
to replace existing speed limit signs

New 25 MPH sign awaits
installation in SHA trailer

Making the switch

Erecting the new 25 MPH sign

Get your picture on the Iron Throne in Bethesda August 3

Who will sit on the Iron Throne? This Saturday night, August 3, 2019, it could be you. Caddies on Cordell at 4922 Cordell Avenue in downtown Bethesda will be hosting a Game of Thrones-themed cancer benefit that night from 9:00 PM to midnight.

Attendees can have their picture taken on the Iron Throne, and there will be Game of Thrones-themed cocktails, games, and prizes. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to We Will Survive Cancer. There is no cover charge to get in; all proceeds will come from donations and raffles accepted during the event.

Tapp'd Bethesda closed

Tapp'd Bethesda at 4915 St. Elmo Avenue has been closed for two days. No one is answering the phones, and no explanation is posted on the door or on social media. A Door Dash employee attempted to pick up an order that somehow was placed online Wednesday evening, only to find upon arriving that the gastropub was closed.

If Tapp'd Bethesda does not ultimately reopen, this will be the 17th bar to close in downtown Bethesda since the Montgomery County Council's disastrous Nighttime Economy Task Force initiative ended up tanking the nighttime economy.