Latest Little Falls Parkway road diet opens to traffic in Bethesda

The latest of several road diets on Little Falls Parkway implemented - or, more accurately, inflicted upon the public - by Montgomery County has opened to vehicle traffic. In the newest iteration, a grass median has returned between a single travel lane in each direction between Arlington Road and Dorset Avenue. The latest road diet was overwhelmingly opposed by the surrounding communities, and by 73% of residents who took valuable time to testify before the Montgomery County Planning Board. Public input was thrown aside by the board, Montgomery Parks, and the Montgomery County Council, who put the steamroller in gear and floored the accelerator over the people who pay their salaries.

JOOLA opening today at Pike & Rose, Ben Johns to appear at pickleball flagship Saturday

 

The world of pickleball is about to get a lot bigger in Montgomery County. JOOLA, the world's leading pickleball paddle manufacturer, is celebrating a major milestone with the grand opening of its signature retail store at 917 Meeting Street at Pike & Rose. The doors officially open today, Black Friday, November 28, 2025, solidifying the connection of the global brand with its local roots and the burgeoning pickleball community.

JOOLA's presence in Montgomery County runs deep. The flagship opening follows the brand's relocation of its U.S. headquarters from Gaithersburg to Pike & Rose in March 2025, bringing its innovation, design, and community engagement under one roof. Now it will have a retail storefront at the same property along the busy Rockville Pike commercial corridor.

"Montgomery County has always been part of the JOOLA story, and opening our signature store here is a reflection of our deep roots and our future ambitions," JOOLA CEO and owner Richard Lee said in a statement. "This space is a celebration of how far pickleball has come, and a commitment to supporting the players and communities driving its growth worldwide."

The excitement of opening weekend is getting an extra surge of star power. World No. 1 pickleball player Ben Johns will be in attendance for a special autograph signing and meet-and-greet on Saturday, November 29, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. As a local, Johns says he understands the impact of this new hub on the pickleball community. "As a kid growing up in Montgomery County, I began with table tennis and eventually found my passion for pickleball. Back then, having a JOOLA store locally would have made a huge difference. Now, with JOOLA opening this first location, it’s exciting to know the next generation will have that exact opportunity right here at home."

Shoppers throughout the opening weekend will receive a complimentary gift with eligible in-store purchases, while supplies last.

Designed to be an immersive experience, the new retail space is a destination for players of all levels. Shoppers can get hands-on with the latest JOOLA paddles, apparel, and accessories, supported by a knowledgeable team of JOOLA experts. The JOOLA store is set to be an integral part of the local pickleball movement, which the company has championed, including helping Montgomery County become the first school district in the United States to introduce pickleball as a varsity sport in the fall of 2024.

The immersive pickleball hub features:

✨ Exclusive in-store-only product drops and limited-edition collections.

👕 Local Maryland, D.C., and Virginia-themed gear celebrating regional pride.

✍️ Pro-player appearances and autograph events.

🏓 A paddle demo program allowing players to “try before they buy.”

🤝 Interactive community events connecting pickleball fans of all levels.

Nordstrom unveils 2025 holiday windows at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Nordstrom had promised to keep its external holiday windows covered until Black Friday, but had dropped the curtains as closing time approached last night. Perhaps this was done to save time for employees today and tomorrow. Here, then, is a sneak preview of what you'll see tomorrow on Black Friday. It's definitely a solid Christmas theme, with the Christmas tree and wreath.

Gold Bunny Donut opening Black Friday at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Gold Bunny Donut has set an opening date for its Westfield Montgomery Mall location in Bethesda. With impeccable timing, it will open tomorrow, Black Friday, November 28, 2025. Gold Bunny features fresh-baked donuts with rich fillings, providing plenty of carbohydrates to sustain your holiday shopping spree. Look for it in the former Donutchew space at the end of the Dining Terrace food court on Level 2 of the mall.

Egyptian holiday pop-up shop at Serpentine Dance Studios in Bethesda

Holiday shopping season officially begins Friday, and is quickly followed by Small Business Saturday, when shoppers are encouraged to support local small businesses. One such business in downtown Bethesda is Serpentine Dance Studios at 4930 St. Elmo Avenue, which is hosting a holiday pop-up shop with handcrafted items from Egypt. Pieces include jewelry, ornaments, and stone carvings. 

Here's a chance to pick up a high-quality gift for the Egyptology buff or handicrafts collector on your shopping list, while supporting a local small business. Serpentine Dance Studios is open 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays, and closed on Fridays and Sundays.

Bethesda's Finmarc Management acquires cineplexes in Maryland, Virginia

Finmarc Management, a commercial real estate firm located in downtown Bethesda, has acquired cineplexes in Maryland and Virginia. The movie theaters are the Xscape Theatres Brandywine 14 in Brandywine, Maryland, and the Cinemark Centreville in Centreville, Virginia. Finmarc paid $15.1 million for both theater properties, according to REbusiness Online. The company had vowed earlier this year to acquire $200 million worth of new assets in 2025.

Acquisitions of cineplexes appear to be a growing trend in commercial real estate. It suggests the industry is forecasting tough times ahead for the movie business. The Regal Germantown was sold earlier this year. Like the theaters Finmarc acquired, it sits on prime land for redevelopment. 

The Xscape Theatres, for example, is located in the Brandywine Crossing shopping center near the interchange of MD 301 and Route 5 in Prince George's County. It is close to the CSX railroad tracks, which - if smarter people are elected to the state legislature - could eventually be repurposed for MARC commuter rail service. That would permit higher density for the cineplex site, increasing the property's value even without assembly with adjacent lots. For the immediate future, it is a revenue generating opportunity for Finmarc, as the Xscape Theatres is leasing the property at a very successful shopping center, in an area with no other convenient movie options.

Construction begins on The Food Market in Bethesda

The interior fit-out of The Food Market has begun in the ground floor of the Hampden House apartment tower at 4915 Hampden Lane in downtown Bethesda. This is the third location of the growing local restaurant chain in Maryland. The existing locations are in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore (what a coincidence!) and in Columbia. Serving American cuisine, 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.

La Panetteria Ristorante for sale in Bethesda

La Panetteria Ristorante at 4921 Cordell Avenue in downtown Bethesda is on the market for sale. Operating for 40 years, the Italian-Argentine restaurant is being marketed as a turnkey opportunity. The asking price is $599,000, according to the online listing. La Panetteria remains fully open for business at this time.

Montgomery County cracks down on owner of vacant Bethesda properties

Montgomery County code enforcement officials have taken action on several eyesore properties in downtown Bethesda associated with the long-delayed Artena Bethesda development. Inspectors issued a violation notice to Artena Equities, LLC of Manassas, Virginia, in regard to the trash-strewn premises at 8000-8011 Wisconsin Avenue. A fine of $1000 per day was threatened if the garbage, plastic bags, bottles, food containers, and metal debris were not removed within 10 days. It appears an effort was then made to clean up the mess, although the dilapidated, boarded up site remains an eyesore and favorite haunt of vagrants and mischief makers.

Bethesda construction update - The Charles apartment tower (Photos)

Here's a look at the lobby entrance at The Charles, the new apartment tower at 7342 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Marble baseboard can be seen on the interior walls of the lobby. The Greystar development is now leasing. According to the Greystar website, most units will be available for move-in by January or February, with a smaller number coming online in December.

Dinner-and-a-movie deal at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Here's something you used to see in downtown Bethesda, before the Montgomery County Council stupidly but intentionally allowed the demolition of the Regal Bethesda 10 cineplex at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, without mandating a replacement movie theater be part of the redevelopment of the property. Dinner and a movie! Today it's happening where there is a 16-screen cineplex in walking distance to restaurants in Bethesda, and that is at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Order any entree at California Pizza Kitchen on Level 2 in the Nordstrom wing of the mall, and your movie ticket at the AMC Montgomery Mall 16 cineplex on Level 3 will be only $11. This is a great deal to take advantage of while doing your holiday shopping, for a date night, or when going to see any of the big holiday movie releases.

Bethesda construction update: Cheltenham apartments (Photos)

Construction is advancing quickly at the site of the Cheltenham apartments at 4725 Cheltenham Drive in downtown Bethesda. Work only began in September, and the building is already one story above street level. Of course, much time was saved by the ommision of underground parking. The first story also appears shorter in height than most other buildings, where the ground floor tends to be the tallest, to allow for the higher ceilings of the lobby and retail spaces. 

Nordstrom upholds Christmas display tradition at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Nordstrom's exterior display windows are covered at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. A sign notes that the displays won't be revealed until Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. This is not inspired by the backlash of recent years against Thanksgiving Day sales, but continues a 124-year tradition by the department store chain. Nordstrom does not put up Christmas decor or play Christmas music in its stores until the day after Thanksgiving. "One holiday at a time" is the chain's motto for its policy.