Signage installed at Buffalo Wild Wings GO in Bethesda

Permanent signage has been installed at the future Buffalo Wild Wings GO restaurant in Bethesda. The fast-casual chicken wing restaurant is located at 4611-C Sangamore Road at The Shops at Sumner Place (a.k.a. Little Falls Mall). Location-specific brand signage is also visible on the interior wall of the space, which was formerly home to Wild Bird Center. Stay tuned for an opening date!

Rivian opening showroom at Bethesda Row

Automaker Rivian plans to open a Rivian Space showroom at Bethesda Row. It will be in the recently-vacated Nike space at 7117 Arlington Road, at the corner with Bethesda Avenue. Construction is expected to begin this fall. The company, which produces electric pickup trucks and SUVs, will soon open a similar showroom at the CityCenterDC development in downtown Washington, D.C. Rivian has slowly been playing catch-up to Tesla in Montgomery County, where it briefly operated a drop-off facility in Rockville before opening a service center in Gaithersburg.

What is a Rivian Space? It's an "experiential" showroom where you can look at, and sit in, Rivian models on display. You can also see displays of mechanical components, interior cabin materials, and paint swatches. Many have a boutique gift shop area selling Rivian merchandise and vehicle accessories. Like similar Tesla showrooms, staff will not be making sales pitches, but can answer your questions about the vehicles. Test drives can also be arranged.

Of course, the Rivian and Tesla showroom models are only partly the result of corporate targeting of the EV demographic. Strict rules protecting the current auto dealership business model in the United States prevent such companies from making direct-to-consumer sales at showrooms in many states. These restrictions are starting to loosen in some states, by allowing test drives, for example. Rivian is now challenging laws in multiple states, after winning the right to make direct showroom sales in Washington state.

Paint Nail Bar space offered for lease in Bethesda

One of the ground floor retail spaces at the 8001 Woodmont apartment tower in downtown Bethesda is now being marketed for lease. Currently home to Paint Nail Bar, the 1,931-square-foot space will be available for move-in on November 1, suggesting that the nail salon will be closing by the end of this month if a new tenant is found that quickly. Paint Nail Bar opened here in August 2023, joining anchor tenant Trader Joe's, Orangetheory, and Pure Green. 

This could be a second chance to get a fast-casual, takeout-oriented restaurant at the development. The pedestrian promenade that provides a mid-block cut-through between Woodmont and Wisconsin Avenues was originally conceived as an active public space with outdoor dining potential. It has not fully achieved that goal due to the current mix of tenants. According to the online listing, the monthly rent amount is available upon request, and the term of the lease is negotiable.

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.