Lilly Pulitzer "temporarily closed" at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Lilly Pulitzer is closed today at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The apparel boutique's sales floor has largely been cleared out, and packing boxes are stacked inside the space. There is no message to customers on the storefront explaining why it is closed, or what the purpose is. The corporate website notes only that the mall location is "temporarily closed." Lilly Pulitzer opened at the mall in 2014.

Bethesda bus lane removal underway

A Maryland State Highway Administration crew was working overnight to remove bus lanes on Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. They were using equipment to erase pavement markings that restricted the use of the right lane in both directions to buses only, during the closure of several Red Line Metro stations this summer. MDSHA vetoed the demand of several Montgomery County elected officials to make the temporary lanes permanent. Those officials - who had hoped to replicate a previous Trojan horse bait-and-switch scheme that saw "temporary" bus lanes on Georgia Avenue become permanent - were browbeating the state agency as late as last week. But MDSHA said the data verdict on the bus lanes was so bad that there was no justification to make them permanent, and actually stuck to their guns this time.

Bethesda Shake Shack opening date pushed back to September 30

There's been another delay in the opening of the downtown Bethesda Shake Shack at 7535 Old Georgetown Road. It has now been pushed back from September 17 to September 30. Inside, the fast-casual burger restaurant looks ready to go, so much so that employees have had to keep a sign in the window to inform the many hopeful gawkers that it is not yet open. If you just can't wait, there are always the relatively-nearby Montgomery Mall and Cabin John Village locations that are open now. But here in the downtown, there are 19 days to go!

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando discharged from hospital

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando (D - At-Large) has been discharged from the hospital after a successful surgical procedure following a heart attack last weekend. He is continuing his recovery at home, from where he filmed and uploaded a video message to his constituents. Jawando thanked his doctors at George Washington University Hospital, and the community for the outpouring of support and well-wishes. The video was likely reassuring to constituents, as you would not know he had suffered a medical emergency just days ago if you were not already aware. His appearance and speech showed no sign of illness or impairment.

Jawando advised viewers to "take care of yourself," and not ignore warning signs of cardiovascular health issues. He noted that even exercising regularly and being in good overall health did not prevent last Saturday's heart attack. "I'm in shape, I work out a lot, but things can happen." In short, this could happen to any of us at any time. 

"Most importantly, I want to thank God for getting me through this, and allowing me to still be here and to serve, and to be with you and to be with my family," Jawando said. Doctors expect Jawando, who is the Democratic nominee for Montgomery County Executive, to make a full recovery. "I'll be back on track before you know it," Jawando concluded. Jawando's office announced in a press release that it is fully open even while the Councilmember is recuperating, and that his staff is "available, and ready to serve constituents throughout his recovery."

Luke's Lobster closes at Bethesda Row

Luke's Lobster has permanently closed at 7129 Bethesda Lane at Bethesda Row. Signage has been stripped from the storefront, and the interior appears cleared out. It's the end of an era, as Luke's was one of the highest profile additions of the previous decade at the Federal Realty development. Luke's was also one of the biggest names in the lobster roll fad, which never actually ended, but became such a popular item that it wound up on many restaurant menus beyond the trucks and eateries that only sold those mayonnaise and butter drenched sandwiches. Perhaps the ubiquity of the lobster roll cut into demand for the OG specialty shops.

Kusshi Sushi to replace Passion Fin at Sumner Place in Bethesda

Kusshi Sushi is continuing its successful growth in the region with a second Bethesda location. It will be at 4611-H Sangamore Road in the Shops at Sumner Place (a.k.a. Little Falls Mall). There it will take over the Passion Fin space next to ATI Physical Therapy. Passion Fin had a successful run by any measure, surviving fourteen years, but was dark during normal business hours last night. The venerable shopping center has been upping its dining game recently, and Kusshi can be seen as another example of that.

Inspire Nail Bar coming soon to downtown Bethesda

We knew a nail salon was coming to 7718 Woodmont Avenue, in the ground floor of the Lionsgate condominiums, and now we know which one. Inspire Nail Bar is "coming soon," according to signage posted in its future storefront. This is a local nail salon chain that has grown from five locations in the region to nearly forty. Inspire is also opening a location at the Residences at Mazza in Friendship Heights, and has an existing location at 10309 Westlake Drive by Montgomery Mall.

Montgomery County Councilmember suffers heart attack

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando (D - At-Large) suffered a heart attack during a pickup basketball game this past Saturday, September 5, his office announced on Monday. He was transported to George Washington University hospital, where doctors inserted a stent, although the statement released did not indicate where the stent was placed. The statement did say that Jawando is "resting comfortably." His doctors expect him to make a full recovery, and anticipate he will be discharged from the hospital later this week. He will then work back up to his normal Council schedule under their guidance.

Jawando's medical emergency gained increased notice because he is also the Democratic nominee for Montgomery County Executive, and because he is relatively young and in apparent good health. The latter two factors will be advantageous in his expected full recovery. Much older elected officials like Bernie Sanders and Chris Van Hollen have suffered cardiovascular episodes, and have returned to not only full schedules, but to vigorous travel and public speaking engagements. In that context, there's every reason to believe his ability to campaign - and serve, if elected in November - will be unaffected in the long term.

However, the incident did draw renewed attention to the fact that Jawando had not yet agreed to participate in one or more public debates with his Republican opponent, Esther Wells. Debates are a critical part of this "democracy" thing we keep hearing strident lectures about. The voting public has a right to hear the candidates for each office expound on the issues, and defend those positions and ideas. If a candidate cannot do this, they are utterly incapable of assuming the responsibilities of public office - much less the highest office in the County. 

Yet Jawando and his colleagues never participated in a general election Council At-Large debate in 2018 or 2022(!!). It seems inconceivable that the forces of "democracy" in Montgomery County would allow this definitively-autocratic trend to continue this fall. Voters should not only express their interest in debates to the Democratic candidates directly, but should also apply pressure to the local media and their civic associations to host these debates prior to the start of early voting. You can either be complicit in an election process that Vladimir Putin and Fidel Castro would be proud of, or you can claim you are a champion of democracy. You cannot do both.

PJ's Soccer/Lacrosse moves in Bethesda

PJ's Soccer/Lacrosse has relocated in Bethesda. It didn't move far. The new location is only two doors down from the old one, at 10438 Auto Park Avenue, at the Home Depot Square shopping center near Montgomery Mall. PJ's Soccer/Lacrosse is a family owned and operated sporting goods business specializing in soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. Founded in 1986, PJ's has two locations - this one, and another in Falls Church.

Always Ice Cream "coming soon" to Pike & Rose

Always Ice Cream is coming soon to Rockville Pike, according to signage posted in its future storefront. It will be located at 11802 Rockville Pike at Pike & Rose. The Maryland-based chain manufactures over 250 handcrafted flavors in the state, but has attracted the attention of national media. Always Ice Cream is expected to open this fall. Most of its scoop shops are located in the Annapolis area, but the brand is now expanding into Montgomery and Charles counties.

Lexus TZ prototype displayed at Bethesda Row "Discover Your Energy" event through Labor Day

The Lexus Discover Your Energy Tour is making its final stop here in Bethesda over this Labor Day weekend. It is set up on the Bethesda Avenue end of Bethesda Lane at Bethesda Row. The most obvious and attention-grabbing element is the 2027 Lexus TZ prototype on display. This is the first all-electric, 3-row seating SUV from the Lexus brand. The production model is expected to arrive at dealerships late this year. 

Interactive digital displays behind the backdrop are open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Test drives can be scheduled between 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM today and tomorrow. The tour has made three previous stops in Scottsdale, Arizona; Plano, Texas; and Cleveland, Ohio.