Bethesda Boxing & Kickboxing Academy reopens after move

Bethesda Boxing & Kickboxing Academy has completed its move in downtown Bethesda, and is once again open for business. It was a short move, right across the street to 4927-A St. Elmo Avenue, at the St. Elmo's Cove shopping center. Their old space is being demolished to make way for a new apartment tower, necessitating their relocation. BBKA welcomes people of all ages and all skill levels to join their kickboxing community in Bethesda.

PacSun returning to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

When I reported nearly a year ago that PacSun would be returning to Westfield Montgomery Mall, there were some doubting Thomases who could not believe it. After all, the California-inspired surf and skate-wear retailer had just closed at the mall two years earlier. But PacSun has now made its return to the popular retail center official with coming-soon signage. PacSun will be located between Carter's and T-Mobile on Level 1 of the Old Navy/Cheesecake Factory wing.

Pop Mart opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Pop Mart has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The blind bag and stuffed-labubu toymaker previously tested a vending machine at the mall to gauge interest. That experiment was clearly a success, as the Chinese brand is now returning with a permanent storefront. Look for Pop Mart on Level 1 of the mall, next to Bath & Body Works.

Fialova holding early happy hour in Bethesda today for Freedom 250 Grand Prix events

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix downtown in Washington D.C. will be run tomorrow, but Fialova in The Bethesdan hotel at 8120 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda will be hosting an early happy hour this afternoon, Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. What's happening today on this Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend? Drivers will be taking practice runs on the course in the late morning and early afternoon. Two IROC Series races will be held at 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM, featuring greats like Jeff Gordon and Bill Elliott driving vintage Pontiac Firebird IROC racecars. Qualifying for Sunday's INDYCAR race - the big one - will follow at 5:00 PM.

Padel Social opens new facility at Westbard Square in Bethesda

Padel Social has returned to Westbard Square in Bethesda at 5455 Westbard Avenue. The padel club has upgraded from its original pop-up courts to a permanent facility between The Kensington Bethesda senior living development and the Westwood Tower apartments. Features of the new facility include 3 outdoor padel courts with lighting, a clubhouse that also houses a fully-stocked pro shop, food and beverages for sale, and space to hang out before and after playing. 

Additional features, and a grand opening celebration, are in the works. Padel Social remains a significant amenity at Westbard Square. While padel is widely considered the fastest growing sport in the world, the number of padel courts in the Washington, D.C. area remains relatively small.

Chef Chris Jara serves a signature lunch menu at MI Cafe in Bethesda (Photos)

Chef Chris Jara, as seen on Food Network and Netflix cooking shows, served as guest chef in-residence today at MI Cafe, located at the Marriott International headquarters in downtown Bethesda. Four menu items devised by Jara could be purchased individually, or together as a complete lunch. The dishes served were Red Chili Pork and Hominy Tamales topped with cabbage and radish slaw, and served with a charred salsa; a Mexican Street Corn Salad with cotija cheese and lime; a Jamaica Hibiscus drink; and a Buñuelo Dessert Taco with a triple filling of coconut tres leches cake, cheesecake mousse, and pineapple caramel. 

Chris Jara guest chef at MI Cafe in Bethesda for lunch Thursday

MI Cafe, the Marriott International headquarters coffee shop that is open to the public at 7750 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, is continuing its sporadic guest chef series. Chris Jara is the latest celebrity chef from television to participate, and he will be presenting a special lunch menu at the cafe from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM tomorrow, Thursday, August 20, 2026. A San Antonio native, Jara is no stranger to upscale hotel properties, having worked as head pastry chef at several luxury hotels in that city. He's no stranger to TV audiences, either, appearing on Holiday Wars and Summer Baking Championship on the Food Network, and on Sugar Rush Christmas on Netflix.