Sidewalk reopens in front of The Charles in Bethesda ahead of January opening

The Wisconsin Avenue sidewalk has reopened in front of The Charles, the new apartment tower nearing completion at 7342 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. It had been closed for about two years. The building is now leasing. First residents of The Charles are expected to move in on January 19, 2026, if all goes according to schedule.

Kids' gym to open at The Shops at Wisconsin Place in Friendship Heights

A children's gymnasium is coming soon to the Friendship Heights neighborhood of Chevy Chase. It will be located at 5406-D Wisconsin Avenue at The Shops at Wisconsin Place. Used most recently as a restaurant, the space has been subdivided into two retail suites. 

Bethesda Dental Group moving

Bethesda Dental Group is relocating to new offices north of downtown Bethesda. They are currently located at 7508 Wisconsin Avenue, near the Bethesda Metro Center. Their new location will be at 5415 W. Cedar Lane, Unit 205, in the Georgetown Doctors Park. The moving date has not yet been announced.

Vehicles ransacked in Massachusetts Avenue corridor of Bethesda

Two thieves targeted vehicles in neighborhoods along Massachusetts Avenue in Bethesda during broad daylight on December 3, 2025, Montgomery County police report. They were successful in obtaining stolen property and cash from inside of unlocked vehicles on Massachusetts Avenue itself, on Wapakoneta Road in Mohican Hills, and on Falmouth Road in Spring Hill. The thefts took place between 9:00 AM and 12:46 PM. 

Police describe one suspect only as a Black male of unknown age, and have no physical description of the second suspect. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000. 

Construction underway at Rosetta Bakery in Bethesda

Work is underway on the interior fit-out for Rosetta Bakery at 4901-A Fairmont Avenue in Bethesda. The Miami-based chain seeks to be "an official ambassador of the Italian art of baking." A central feature of the completed interior will be a glass wall that will provide a clear view of the bakers at work in the kitchen. Try their signature Rosetta bread sandwiches, their famous croissant, and authentic bombolones.

Just Salad, Inspire Nail Bar to open at Residences at Mazza in Friendship Heights

Just Salad and Inspire Nail Bar are the latest businesses to sign leases for retail space at the Residences at Mazza at 5300 Wisconsin Avenue NW in the Friendship Heights area of Chevy Chase, Washington, D.C. They join Total Wine, Wonder - a food hall (yeah, that ship has sailed, folks), and TJ Maxx at the redeveloped site of the Mazza Gallerie mall. A luxury mall - demolished!

Just Salad is similar to Sweetgreen and CHOPT, but with a more expansive menu that makes it the best of the three for people who don't want "just salad" for lunch.  They have dinner plates that look more like restaurant entrees than salads, and promote sustainability with returnable, reusable bowls. A nail bar is, well, a nail salon. The chain has many area locations, and specializes in waxing as well as nail services.

The additions continue the effort to recalibrate Friendship Heights downmarket after the flight of the rich to lower-tax jurisdictions tanked "Montgomery County's Rodeo Drive" of high-end boutiques, malls, and restaurants. So go get that salad, a Potbelly sandwich, and grab a six-pack at Total Wine, and think of the Montgomery County Council. Yee-haw!

Native Arts opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

 

Native Arts is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. If you are searching for unique holiday gifts, this may be the place to start. The store carries Native American-inspired art, clothing, and accessories. Shop here to find baja sweaters, ponchos, t-shirts, blankets, backpacks, and more. Look for Native Arts on Level 2 of the mall, between Laderach and LensCrafters.

Sweeteria opens in Bethesda

Sweeteria is now open at 7525 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. That's right across the street from the Bethesda Metro station. The family-owned, Thai-inspired dessert cafe is known for its creative menu items like honey butter toast, Thai tea custard buns, and Taiwanese cheesecake. Sweeteria has an existing location in Silver Spring.

Sephora sets opening date at Bethesda Row (Photos)

The interior fit-out of Sephora at 7271 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row is now complete. Employees are now in the process of stocking the shelves and displays inside the store. Sephora has announced an opening date of January 2, 2026. The cosmetics and beauty retailer replaces Spanish Diner at the Federal Realty development. Here is a sneak peek inside:

Citibank opens "Bethesda Row" branch

Citibank has opened a new downtown Bethesda branch at 4760 Bethesda Avenue, in the ground floor of the Flats at Bethesda Avenue apartments. They are referring to this as the "Bethesda Row" branch, even though it is not in the Bethesda Row development across the street. Citibank is constructing a second new downtown Bethesda branch at 8101 Wisconsin Avenue. That one should be opening soon, as well.

Choice Hotel execs "stealing holiday cheer" by using caged eggs, Bethesda posters allege

Signs popping up in the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood of downtown Bethesda this afternoon accuse executives at Rockville-based Choice Hotels of "stealing holiday cheer." How are they executing this Grinch-like plan, you may ask? By using caged eggs at Choice Hotel properties, the posters allege. One poster targets a Radisson executive (Radisson is a Choice brand). This one is directed at Megan Brumagim, Chief Sustainability Officer for Choice Hotels.

Five years ago, Choice Hotels committed to serving only cage-free eggs at its properties worldwide by the end of 2025. With only three weeks left, the company hasn't kept its commitment, The Humane League and Open Wing Alliance allege. Choice brands and Radisson serve an estimated 210 million caged eggs per year, Open Wing Alliance says. Activists want Choice to provide an update on its efforts to go cage-free.