The Cinema movie theater building cleared out in Friendship Heights (Photos)

The building that was long home to The Cinema at 5100 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Friendship Heights has been cleared out. Like some other shuttered movie theaters, it was eventually converted into a gym - Crunch Fitness, in this case. A one giant-for-the-time screen theater, it could seat 800 moviegoers. It was known for its 70mm projector from the 1980s onward, and for being a theater where you might turn your head during a Tom Clancy thriller to see a United States Senator or national security potentate pumping his fist during a particularly patriotic moment. You might have also spotted, or even been interviewed by, a TV personality from WTTG Fox 5, which used to be right across the street.

Beyond the high-profile clientele, the theater's architecture combined space-age utilitarianism with attention-grabbing Googie neon signage. Passing through the ownership of several chains since its opening in 1965, the Cinema's anodyne name functioned much like Bar in Ocean City: mention you were going to The Cinema, and everybody in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Northwest Washington knew exactly which theater you were referring to.

Among the highlights of the theater's four-decade operation was being one of only a couple dozen movie houses in the U.S. and Canada to show The Exorcist upon its opening date of December 26, 1973. You can imagine the hysteria of this exclusive engagement at The Cinema, with the Washington setting only topped by the outlandish spectacle delivered by the movie itself. Local newspaper reporters were all-too-eager to file colorful reports of Cinema patrons collapsing, vomiting, or simply fleeing the auditorium with what was left of their sanity intact. 

Later, beginning with the release of The Empire Strikes Back in 1980, The Cinema would draw cinephiles from far and wide to experience the adventures of Indiana Jones and Jack Ryan in 70mm grandeur. With the building now empty, isn't it time for one of our few remaining local billionaires to step in and restore the movie magic to 5100 Wisconsin Avenue NW? The Cinema was a true remnant of a golden age when there were neighborhood movie houses, ones we still remember from Damascus to Twinbrook to Spring Valley to Georgetown Square to - yes - Friendship Heights.

Shiki Fusion now open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Shiki Fusion is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Asian fusion restaurants are experiencing a revival in Bethesda, or maybe they just never went out of style. We just got a Chinese-Thai fusion gastropub in Six Ways to Sunday. Now here is a Japanese-Thai menu at Shiki Fusion. 

The restaurant is celebrating the opening by offering a complimentary appetizer or dessert to all dine-in customers through May 14, 2026. Look for Shiki Fusion on Level 3 of the mall, right across from the entrance to the AMC Montgomery 16 cineplex. Just take the escalator up from the Dining Terrace food court. You can't miss the Trumpian gold letters on the side, with an arrow pointing the way up. Even the Montgomery County Council would be able to find it!

Mayflower Chinese Food closes in Bethesda

Mayflower Chinese Food has officially closed at 7925 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The restaurant has been cleared out over the last few days. It operated for over 23 years, an impressive run amid Montgomery County's moribund economy and the County Council's anti-business policies. Ultimately, the property was sold and an agreement on a new lease could not be reached.

Beyond Yoga opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

What is beyond yoga? Astral projection? Teleportation to Waffle House? The first customers are finding out at Beyond Yoga, which is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. We know one thing, which is that Beyond Yoga delivers on promises. Only announced a few months ago, and expected to open by summer, it has opened well ahead of schedule. Expected to compete with Lululemon and Fabletics, based on reader feedback, Beyond Yoga is considered by a good number to be superior to both.

The Los Angeles-based company's calling cards include a "body-positive" product line, a Thred-Up apparel exchange program, and its proprietary soft Spacedye fabric. It recently expanded into men's apparel. Look for Beyond Yoga on Level 1 of the mall, next to Vineyard Vines in the Nordstrom wing.

Bethesda Shake Shack construction update (Photos)

Construction is advancing quickly inside the future Shake Shack at 7535 Old Georgetown Road, in the ground floor of the Element 28 apartment tower in Bethesda. Tile application is well underway on the completed walls and counter. A mural has already been installed, as well. The restaurant has a Montgomery County liquor license hearing scheduled for May 21, 2026 at 1:30 PM. Next on the Shake Shack agenda should be a drive-thru location on River Road or Wisconsin Avenue - it's got to happen!

V Nails closes in Bethesda

V Nails has closed at 4903 Auburn Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Their space has been cleared out. V Nails began operating in an expanded location here in 2016, and is well-rated in online reviews. So I don't know if this is merely a 10-year lease ending, or the end for V Nails. Only that 7-Eleven coffee cup knows for sure, as there is no website or official social media account for the salon.

Hammer and Nails Grooming Lounge for men opening in Bethesda

Hammer & Nails Grooming Lounge is coming soon to downtown Bethesda. The luxury grooming shop for men offers barbering services, skincare, waxing, and hand and foot care. It will be located at 7712 Woodmont Avenue in the ground floor of the Lionsgate condominiums. Premium memberships will be available, and Founding Memberships are available now.

Construction begins at PopUp Bagels in Bethesda (Photos)

Construction has begun on the interior fit-out of PopUp Bagels at 7607 Old Georgetown Road, in the ground floor of the Solaire 7607 Old Georgetown apartment tower in downtown Bethesda. The race is officially on, as competitor Call Your Mother Deli recently began construction as well. PopUp has a "LegUp," as it is starting the process immediately, while Call Your Mother has to first demolish the interior left from the previous furniture store tenant. Who will cross the finish line first?

PopUp Bagels are served hot and fresh out of the oven every 3-4 minutes, and they are the main attraction on a very simple menu - not the bagel sandwiches you typically see on social media. Smaller than the typical bagel, PopUp Bagels are served unsliced, to keep them warm. They are crisp on the outside, while their interiors are characterized as pillowy and fluffy. Customers are encouraged to "grip, rip, and dip" their hot bagels in a selection of schmears. Cream cheese, scallion cream cheese, butter, and vegan scallion butter are always on the menu, but a rotating list of limited-time-only schmears changes weekly, ensuring there will always be a new flavor to try.

Nighttime resurfacing on Bradley Boulevard

A contractor was performing resurfacing work on Bradley Boulevard in Bethesda last night. The paving was taking place near the intersection with Hillandale Road, just east of the railroad trestle. This does not appear to have any connection to the upcoming WSSC water main replacement project further west on Bradley.

Six Ways to Sunday opens in Bethesda

Six Ways to Sunday has opened at 8003 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda. It's hard to tell going past the restaurant, due to the lack of prominent signage. The Sino-Siamese gastropub serves a fusion of Chinese and Thai cuisine. Chefs Lekki Limvatana and Satang Ruangsangwatana's resumes include Thai Supperclub in Washington, D.C., Bar Chinois in Mount Vernon, and SURA at Dupont Circle. 

Montgomery County police arrest suspect in Montgomery Mall armed robbery

Montgomery County police have arrested a suspect in the April 25, 2026 armed robbery at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Kilbert Rosales, 34, of no fixed address, was identified by one of the two victims. Officers located Rosales near the Transit Center on the mall property. He initially was cooperative, but after being handcuffed, he allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted police. Before being placed in the rear of a police cruiser, police say Rosales began to slam his head into the rear window of the vehicle, lacerating his face. 

Rosales has been charged with armed robbery, theft ($100 to under $1,500), disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, malicious destruction of property, assault, making a false statement to a police officer, and related charges. He is being held without bond at the County jail. Police recovered the box cutter he allegedly used to threaten the two victims in the parking garage outside of Nordstrom on his person.

Sushi Masato opening in Bethesda

Sushi Masato is coming soon to downtown Bethesda. It has leased the former Tako Grill space at 4914 Hampden Lane at the Shoppes of Bethesda. Tako Grill closed last December, but the spot will now remain home to a Japanese restaurant. Operating hours for Sushi Masato will be 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Sundays, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Fridays and Saturdays, and closed on Mondays.

"Sushi Masato is a modern Japanese restaurant featuring fresh sushi, sashimi, and handcrafted rolls, along with a unique selection of premium cakes and desserts," the restaurant said in a promotional statement. "We focus on high-quality ingredients, creative presentation, and a welcoming dining experience. Whether you’re dining in or ordering takeout, Sushi Masato is the perfect spot for both savory and sweet cravings." Sushi Masato has a Montgomery County liquor license hearing scheduled for May 21, 2026 at 11:30 AM.