Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana posts "coming soon" signage at Montgomery Mall

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, voted the world's-best pizza by many across America's Northeast, has posted some Coming Soon signage at its future Westfield Montgomery Mall location. This spot was until recently Bobby's Burger Palace. Pepe's legend precedes it in these parts, and they've appropriately come up with some of the most-elaborate graphic screens ever seen, that put you in front of the original Frank Pepe pizzeria. YouTuber Tarnation Bob has been touting Pepe's as America's best pizza for some time now, and by this fall we should be able to verify if he is correct.

Bethesda Target restocking for coronavirus (Photos)

Montgomery County announced again yesterday that there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus here so far, but that hasn't deterred people from panic buying bottled water, every kind of hand wipe or Lysol-style disinfecting cloth, rubbing alcohol, and tissues and toilet paper. The current U.S. death toll is 11. On the positive news front, Target in downtown Bethesda is restocking some of these hoarded goods.

On Wednesday night, there were ample supplies of water from many major brands, including Deer Park and the awards-show-photobombing FIJI. Target also had a fresh stock of their own up&up house brand of disinfecting wipes.

Bethesda construction update: Edgemont II (Video+Photos)

Construction is still in the very early stages at the future site of the Edgemont II, on the corner of Edgemoor Lane and Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Support columns can be seen jutting up from down in the future expansion of the existing Edgemont garage under the new tower.

7-Eleven Montgomery Mall sneak peek (Video+Photos)

The new 7-Eleven store inside Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda will be opening very soon. But a lot of the digital screens and equipment like the soda dispenser are already lit up and running inside. The signage is up on the exterior, as well. This store could have a big advantage over other 7-Eleven locations if the coronavirus gets out of control, as mall tenants do not have germ-laden doors you must handle to enter and exit, a good way to keep COVID-19 off your coffee cup.

Strong-arm robbery on Montrose Road

A strong-arm robbery at a gas station on Montrose Road was reported to Montgomery County police on Saturday around 6:45 PM. There is a Sunoco gas station on that block of Montrose.

Coronavirus fears spark run on paper goods in Bethesda

Empty hand wipe shelves at
Safeway

Despite assurances from President Donald Trump, Vice-President Mike Pence, Gov. Larry Hogan and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich that the COVID-19 coronavirus is not currently a significant threat to County residents, concern in Bethesda appears to be rising alongside the American death toll from the novel virus. No coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Montgomery County or the District so far, but news of cases and deaths in other states over the last 48 hours have noticeably boosted fears beyond the level they were at in my Sunday report.

Shoppers at the Giant in the Westwood Shopping Center cleared the shelves of almost all toilet paper Monday. No cellophane-wrapped multi-packs of tissues (Kleenex or other brands) were left, but single boxes remained of some brands. Paper towels were still in good supply at the store, however. In fact, the store remained well-stocked in virtually all other departments. Just about everything you usually would buy is still fully-stocked at that Giant location.

Hand wipes and Clorox-style disinfecting cloths are now virtually impossible to find at stores in Bethesda and countywide, from what I have seen personally and heard from other shoppers. The shortages extend from grocery and drug stores to the Rockville Target to online.

OVME Medical Spa coming to Shoppes of Bethesda

The collapse of the nighttime economy in Montgomery County has apparently been a boon for beauty spas. and by December, Bethesda's Elm Street may be known as Aesthetician's Row. OVME Medical Spa is the latest chain to lease a space on the street, at 4921 Elm Street, in the Shoppes of Bethesda retail center. 

OVME, founded by S. Mark McKenna, MD, is pronounced "of me," and their tagline is "Fountain Ov You." They focus on "age appropriate skin health solutions." OVME will join two other beauty shops also opening in 2020 across the street at Bethesda Row, Ideal Image and Heyday.

Lego "coming soon" signage, luggage store opens, Mattress Warehouse moving at Montgomery Mall

Highly-anticipated new addition to Westfield Montgomery Mall Lego Store has posted some "coming soon" signage at its future Bethesda location, opening this summer. The floor-to-ceiling screens mark off a storefront of significant size.

Meanwhile, in a potential case of unfortunate timing, a luggage store has opened between Nordstrom and Hanna Andersson on Level 1 just as coronavirus threatens to bring travel to a halt worldwide. Having said that, the luggage is of high quality, and now might be the time to stock up at better prices for future vacations.

Finally, mattresses are always big news in a bedroom community like economically-moribund Montgomery County, compared to the booming job centers elsewhere in our region. Mattress Warehouse is gearing up to move to the other side of the same wing it's in now.

WMATA reneging on Grosvenor Metro parking promise

In the latest example of developers refusing to eat their vegetables, and still getting their chocolate cake anyway, WMATA is now seeking to get out of providing all of the parking it promised to replace spaces lost to a new residential development on its Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station parking lot. Phase 1 of a two-phase garage expansion at the station is now underway. But that addition will replace just over 52% of the spaces eaten up by the new development.

WMATA is now proposing to cancel the Phase 2 garage expansion, which was to provide 194 parking spaces. The transit agency's reasoning is threefold: First, it continues to be strapped for cash and would like to save the cost of the Phase 2 project. Second, it claims many parking spaces are currently sitting empty at the White Flint and Twinbrook Metro stations, and suggests Grosvenor riders switch stations to one of those. Finally, it notes that the Phase 2 construction will greatly disrupt the Kiss and Ride area, and the Arts Walk.

A public hearing on the proposed changes has been scheduled for Monday, March 30, 2020, at 6:30 PM at the Mansion at Strathmore, located at 10701 Rockville Pike. The hearing will be preceded by an Open House at 6:00.

Indigo Octopus opening at Wildwood Shopping Center

A fashion brand familiar to vacationers on the Eastern Shore is coming to this side of the Chesapeake in 2020. Indigo Octopus, a Fenwick Island boutique with a DC pop-up shop that recently ended its run, will open a Bethesda location at the Wildwood Shopping Center. The boutique carries women's apparel, jewelry, and accessories.

Bethesda Land Rover repair business moving to White Flint area

One of downtown Bethesda's most unique auto repair shops is relocating to North Bethesda. Independent Land Rover Specialists will shortly move its Bradley Boulevard Liberty gas station and River Road facilities into a new 12500 SF space at 5334 Marinelli Road in the White Flint area. The new location is within walking distance of the White Flint Metro station.

Aside from its proximity to one of the largest clusters of Land Rover owners in the region, Independent established its business servicing just Land Rovers, and every Land Rover - whether you own a 1948 or a 2020 Range Rover Velar. Rover aficionados will miss seeing the varied collection of vehicles parked outside their Liberty shop, but then again, you'll see quite a few every day on the streets of 20816 and downtown Bethesda.

Few signs of coronavirus panic yet in Bethesda (Photos)

Hogan, Elrich advise residents

to remain calm and informed

Bethesda residents are not hitting the panic button over the deadly COVID-19 coronavirus yet. There have been no confirmed cases of the virus in Maryland yet, but a few patients have qualified for testing. Stores seem to be well-stocked with virtually every item, including the milk, bread, and paper goods that people often clear out in a panic. The only panic buys I have really seen so far are of hand wipes, gloves, masks and respirators at CVS Pharmacy, Lysol and other disinfecting wipes at Safeway on Arlington Road, and rubbing alcohol bottles, meals that do not require refrigeration, Cup Noodles, and a few specific brands of peanut butter, water and bread at Giant (but there were still plenty of both on the shelves as of last night, and more on the way as stores continue to restock).

Lysol disinfecting wipes cleaned out at
Safeway

Purchases seem to be strategic and based on expert advice stressing the need for wipes, masks and gloves. A notice is posted at CVS regarding the shortage of masks and gloves, and that shortage already extended to major online retailers earlier last week. But to this point, I haven't seen the shelves stripped as we have during weather events since I began reporting on Bethesda in 2006. In such a highly-educated community, residents appear to be following credible information and remaining calm.

Bottled water at Giant in the
Westwood Shopping Center

We can also learn some interesting trivia about the preferences of Bethesda residents. JIF is the peanut butter brand of choice of shoppers at the Westbard Giant during emergencies, and the creamy variety in particular. Plenty of Peter Pan and Skippy peanut butter remain on the shelves, as does Chunky JIF. Shoppers there also overwhelmingly prefer Nissin's Cup Noodles ramen cups over Maruchan's. A handful of packs of Shrimp Cup Noodles, and a stray beef and chicken pack remained Saturday. Maruchan varieties were fully stocked.

Giant shoppers like the beef varieties of Hormel's non-refrigerated entrees, except for the Dinty Moore beef stew. Even at 2 for $4.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R)

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has spoken with Vice-President Mike Pence (R) to coordinate the state and federal response to the coronavirus outbreak. Bethesda residents appear to be following Hogan's advice not to panic, but to take this seriously and to continue to stay informed.” Hogan paid an in-person visit to the state's emergency command center in Reisterstown last Thursday, and is submitting a $10 million coronavirus response package to the General Assembly for approval. He urges residents to rely on Maryland's official coronavirus information website.

Montgomery County Executive
Marc Elrich (D)

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) says "Our primary focus is to ensure that people are educated and informed as this situation unfolds." He is directing residents to the County's own official coronavirus website for ongoing information and prevention tips.