Shotted Specialty Coffee opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Shotted Specialty Coffee is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Saudi-inspired coffee and dessert bar features several unique beverages and menu items you won't find at Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts. Try a Karak Chai or Warm Date Toffee for a taste of the Arabian Gulf. They even have soft-serve ice cream. 

The chain, which is thriving in Northern Virginia, was conceived by its founder as a way to use coffee as an ambassador for Saudi culture. Its corporate values are aligned with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 initiative, part of which is aimed at diversifying the Saudi economy beyond oil with the promotion of culture and tourism. Customers are invited to experience Saudi culture and hospitality at all Shotted locations, and three Saudi holidays are celebrated with special events.

But Shotted isn't ignoring trends closer to home. Witness their Pumpkin Series menu for fall, which features the limited-time-only Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Chai Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, and Pumpkin Cream Matcha beverages. It will be interesting to see what seasonal drinks they might have as the holidays and winter approach. Look for Shotted Specialty Coffee in the former Gold Bunny Donut space in the Dining Terrace food court, on Level 2 of the mall.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Assault at restaurant at Pike & Rose

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a restaurant at Pike & Rose Thursday night, October 8, 2026. The assault was reported at a restaurant in the 11800 block of Grand Park Avenue at 6:20 PM, the height of the dinner hour. Police have not yet identified the specific restaurant where the assault took place.

Wetzel's Pretzels opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Wetzel's Pretzels is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The arch-rival of Auntie Anne's has made a triumphant return to the mall nine years after closing its original kiosk here. It arrives just in time for a major motion picture tie-in promotion with The Cat in the Hat, which opens in theaters nationwide on November 6. The partnership centers on a limited-time-only drink, The Things' Blue Lemonade Freeze. A super-patriotic red-white-and-blue presentation combines frozen lemonade with Blue Raspberry Granita and Cherry Boba. 

Special movie-themed packaging for standard menu items is also part of the promotion, while supplies last. The Cat in the Hat drink will be available through December 6, ensuring Black Friday refreshment. If you haven't tried Wetzel's Pretzels before, now you can finally conduct your own head-to-head comparison with Auntie Anne's under the same roof at Montgomery Mall. Look for Wetzel's Pretzels on Level 2 of the mall, in the corridor between Macy's and the Dining Terrace food court.

Multiple Bethesda buildings reduced to rubble

Multiple structures have now been demolished near the southeast corner of Old Georgetown Road at St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda, including the former Jewelry Exchange and Bethesda Florist buildings. The resulting rubble is being cleared away. Still to fall is the office building right on the corner, where Old Georgetown Grille closed recently. Old Georgetown Grille has posted a sign endorsing the nearby Lillit Cafe to its customers.

Kickz closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Kickz has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The streetwear and sporting goods boutique has been cleared out inside. Empty shelves and packing boxes are all that remain on the sales floor. Kickz has also been removed from the tenant directory on the mall's official website. Two area locations remain, at Potomac Mills Mall and Francis Scott Key Mall.

Armed robbery at gas station in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in downtown Bethesda on Monday, October 6, 2026. The robbery was reported at a gas station in the 8200 block of Wisconsin Avenue. According to police, it took place sometime "between 6:50 and 7:30 AM," and a knife was the weapon employed in the robbery. Needless to say, such a crime occurring in broad daylight is quite disturbing. No description of the suspect has been released as of this writing.

Update on Silk Route restaurant in Bethesda

Construction on Silk Route, a Persian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant at 4839 Del Ray Avenue, has resumed after Montgomery County inspectors issued a Stop Work Order this past spring. So far, interior walls and doors are nearing completion. This was previously the longtime home of Tia Queta. The restaurant is also now hiring staff.