Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Koons Lincoln puts Corvette, Hellcat up front in Bethesda (Photos)


Koons Lincoln of Bethesda
has turned to some non-Lincoln-badged vehicles to turn heads along Wisconsin Avenue. The luxury dealership at 7315 Wisconsin currently has a late model red Chevrolet Corvette, and a 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat in stock. They have been parked on the sidewalk in recent days. Talking heads from America's auto industry have recently begun openly boasting that new cars are now just for the elites, as a novel way to explain why they are jacking up the price of used cars to such outrageous levels. The used Hellcat on display here is selling for essentially the same price as it did new in 2020, according to a Google Gemini search. It's no surprise that Detroit is blocking $8000 Chinese EVs from being sold in America.





Signage installed at iCRYO in Bethesda


The sign is up at iCRYO at 7161 Woodmont Avenue, in the ground floor of The Darcy condo building. iCRYO offers whole-body cryotherapy, infrared and red-light therapy, compression therapy, "zerobody dry float," intravenous infusion and injections, body sculpting, facial Neveskin shaping and toning, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The Darcy has seen a turnover of its ground-level retail spaces in recent years, with the pending arrival of iCRYO, and the replacement of PassionFish by One Medical. iCRYO has been under construction since July.

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

New digital screen at Windsor Bethesda apartments (Photos)


A digital screen has been installed at the lobby entrance to the Windsor Bethesda apartments at 7770 Norfolk Avenue. It is currently showing promotional images for the apartment tower. The building opened as "7770 Norfolk" (the logo for which remains on the glass lobby doors) in 2016. After developer JBG Smith sold the property, it was rebranded as Windsor Bethesda in 2021.






BabyCat Brewery setting up outdoor seating ahead of opening in Bethesda (Photos)


We've previously seen some furniture and fencing outside the future BabyCat Brewery at 4850 Rugby Avenue in the Gallery Bethesda II apartments. Now that, and some additional tables and seating, are being set up for use. BabyCat Brewery hopes to open this new Bethesda Taproom before the end of the month.









Monday, October 20, 2025

Police investigate explosives possession at Bethesda gas station


Montgomery County police were called to a gas station in downtown Bethesda Friday night, October 17, 2025 to investigate a report of explosives possession. The incident was reported to police in the 5000 block of Bradley Boulevard at 9:23 PM Friday. That is the Bradley Liberty gas station at 5001 Bradley Boulevard at the Bradley Shopping Center.

Boll & Branch close to opening at Bethesda Row (Photos)


Here's a sneak peek inside Boll & Branch at 7270 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row. Construction has been underway for a month inside the space, which was formerly home to CHIKO. It looks like the construction phase has now ended, and merchandise is now being placed on the shelves and displays. The upscale bedding retailer appears to be very close to opening.




Sunday, October 19, 2025

Gold Bunny Donut opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


Gold Bunny Donut
is coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It will be taking over the end space just vacated by another donut shop, Donutchew, in the Dining Terrace food court on Level 2 of the mall. At Gold Bunny Donut, the donuts will be handmade fresh each morning, and each afternoon. You can check out the flavors here.

"Gold Bunny Donut transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary," the mall said in a statement. "The goal is to lead the new wave of donut innovation, offering a premium and delightful dessert experience you can feel good about sharing with your loved ones."


"Gold Bunny Donut believes in creating moments of joy with every bite. With donuts that are crafted with unique textures and flavors, especially the signature creamy varieties that elevate the traditional donut experience. Gold Bunny Donut is dedicated to using only the finest ingredients, free from preservatives and artificial additives, ensuring that treats are not only delicious but also safe for everyone, including your little ones."

"The inspiration comes from a desire to provide clean and wholesome desserts. The bunny symbolizes purity and care, reflecting our commitment to quality and family-friendly treats." 

Andy's Pizza opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


Andy's Pizza
is speeding up its expansion within Montgomery County. The award-winning pizzeria that has had tremendous success in downtown Bethesda will soon open a second Bethesda location at Westfield Montgomery Mall. It will be in the Dining Terrace food court on Level 2, in between CAVA and Chipotle. A third MoCo Andy's Pizza shop will be opening soon at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg.

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Mystery Mansion Adventure at The Woman's Club of Chevy Chase Oct. 31 & Nov. 1, 2025


Listen, friend. I’ve seen things. Things you wouldn’t believe. And the truth is, Chevy Chase has a secret. We're talking about the annual Mystery Mansion Adventure put on by The Woman's Club of Chevy Chase. It’s not just your typical haunted house.

If your little monsters are between the ages of 3 and 10, they are the target audience for the show. Bring 'em on down. But bring the parents as well, because every good ghost story needs witnesses, right? And if you're one of those grown-up fans who still likes the shiver but can skip the genuine terror—you're welcome here, too. The door is wide open.

The fun starts when the shadows get long: October 31st and November 1st, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Costumes are encouraged for kids and adults. Swing by before or after the big sugar grab of Trick or Treating, or just use it to finish off the whole Halloween shebang. It's the perfect nightcap... or maybe the perfect appetizer.

Look, you don't want to get shut out, standing there in the cold, so buy those timed entry tickets in advance at www.MysteryMansion.org. Trust me, disappointment is a ghoul you want to avoid.

For one low price—a flat $20 for any age—you get the whole creepy carnival:

1.  Entry to the Mystery Mansion: Wander the unique halls of their indoor, family-friendly haunted house. It’s strange. It’s fun. It’s exactly where you need to be.

2.  The Hall of Portraits: Rub elbows (or maybe just skeletal remains) with assorted characters and get those perfect, spooky photo-ops. Say cheese! Or maybe say "boo!"

3.  Artisan Alley: This year they have a new spot for you to let your creative side out—a crafting workshop where you can leave your own little mark.

And if you get a little hungry, a little thirsty from all that excitement, they will have food and drinks for sale, including s'mores kits. Oh, yes. Firepits will be crackling away, waiting for you to tell your own whispered tales. The address, if you're looking for the house at the end of the lane? It’s The Woman's Club of Chevy Chase clubhouse at 7931 Connecticut Ave in Chevy Chase. Parking is available in the lot behind the clubhouse.

Photo courtesy Woman's Club of Chevy Chase

Agora "coming soon" to Bethesda Metro Center


Agora
is "coming soon" to the ground floor of the Hyatt Regency Bethesda hotel, at 1 Bethesda Metro Center, according to signage posted outside the space. It is located where the former Daily Grill restaurant was. Agora will feature a mezze-style menu inspired by the traditional cuisines of Turkey, Greece, and Lebanon. Signature dishes will include flame-grilled kebabs, house-made künefe, and pistachio soufflé, alongside vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. As the signage notes, the restaurant is expected to open next spring.





Friday, October 17, 2025

MDSHA updating River Road bike lanes in Bethesda (Photos)


Maryland State Highway Administration contractors are updating the bike lanes along River Road between Brookside Drive and Little Falls Parkway in Bethesda. Single-lane closures will be implemented between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and overnight, between now and the end of October. New pavement markings and green surface paint are being applied to the lanes. Flexposts will be installed alongside the lanes.




Kabob Zone opening in Bethesda


Kabob Zone
is expanding to Bethesda. The local Afghan restaurant chain will open its first Maryland location at 4924-A Del Ray Avenue in downtown Bethesda. That is the former Avenue Cafe space in the Woodmont Triangle. Kabob Zone has two existing Northern Virginia locations, in Woodbridge and Manassas. This will be the second Afghan restaurant to open in Bethesda this year, with the first being Tasty Grills & Catering, which opened last month.

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Fire in garage at Ellis Bethesda apartments (Photos)


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel responded to a fire at the Ellis Bethesda apartment tower at 4918 St. Elmo Avenue this afternoon. Around 3:20 PM, a vehicle fire was reported in the building's underground parking garage. Firefighters located the vehicle on a lower level of the garage, and extinguished the fire. However, a significant amount of smoke remained in the garage.


MCFRS personnel remained on-scene to assist in ventilating smoke from the garage. Very little smoke entered the residential floors of the building, so there was no need to evacuate the tower, MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer said. No injuries were reported. As a high-rise incident, the response from MCFRS and other departments was substantial, including at least one unit from the nearby National Institutes of Health. 










Warby Parker holding grand opening event Saturday at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


Warby Parker
will celebrate its arrival at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this week with a special grand opening event this Saturday, October 18, 2025. The eyewear boutique will be open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Saturday. This is Warby Parker's second Bethesda location; the first is located at Bethesda Row. Look for Warby Parker on Level 1 of the mall, across from Vineyard Vines in the Nordstrom wing.





Immersa Edutainment VR game experience opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


Immersa Edutainment
has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The virtual reality game hub has been set up on Level 1 of mall, near the LEGO Store and Build-A-Bear in the former Sears wing. VR machines available to play include the TRON light cycle-esque 360 Moto VR ($11.99-$15.99 for 7 minutes), Car Simulator VR ($11.99-$15.99 for 8 minutes), and the UFO Experience space exploration adventure game ($11.99-$15.99 for 6 minutes). The UFO game has 5 seats for a multi-player experience.


Immersa is operating on a soft opening basis right now. The full experience will begin on October 31, 2025 for the holiday season. Immersa is combining gameplay with STEM learning, and will be offering educational workshops in the future.