Gorjana confirmed to be opening boutique at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Gorjana is now confirmed to be a future tenant at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Laguna Beach-based jewelry retailer has been pursuing an aggressive expansion plan this decade. However, its growth is strategically targeted to areas where it has identified an existing customer base for its products, and the company previously cited Bethesda as one of those. Gorjana continues a retail trend, particularly among fashion brands, of opening stores at Bethesda Row and Montgomery Mall to operate simultaneously.

Cheesecake Factory closing in Friendship Heights

The Cheesecake Factory is closing in the Friendship Heights area of Chevy Chase, Washington, DC. "After extensive review and analysis, the company made the difficult decision to discontinue operation of our restaurant in Chevy Chase," Cheesecake Factory, Inc. Senior Director of Public Relations and Global Branding Alethea Rowe told Fox 5 producer Allison Papson in a statement. "Our last day of service will be January 24, 2026." This will be a devastating loss for nearby residents, as well as for Chevy Chase Pavilion. Everything around that mall is being redeveloped as residential housing, and this will only increase the pressure. Fortunately, we still have The Cheesecake Factory at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

Water issue shutters several businesses at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A damaged water pump in the Old Navy wing of Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda forced several businesses to temporarily close last night. Kapow Buddy and Yogi Castle were among the restaurants impacted. The Cheesecake Factory in the same wing still had water service, and remained open for business, and the Dining Terrace food court was unaffected. Water could be seen in the parking lot outside the Old Navy wing, where the entrance by The Cheesecake Factory was cordoned off with tape. A plumbing crew was on-site last evening attempting to repair the damage so the affected restaurants could resume operation today.

Dolcezza has new sign, new Holiday Menu at Bethesda Row

Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee has a new sign and a new Holiday Menu at its Bethesda Row location at 7111 Bethesda Lane. The new neon-look sign has been installed above the storefront. Inside, their largest Holiday Menu of gelato flavors and beverages is now available.

Holiday Gelato Flavors:

• Coffee & Xmas Cookies – Rich coffee gelato folded together with chocolate covered biscoff cookies and a touch of xmas sugar

• Hot Cocoa –  Holiday spiced milk chocolate gelato with fresh marshmallow and warming notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.

• Sugar Cookie Dough –Vanilla Bean Gelato, bits of dark chocolate chips and morsels of sugar cookie dough.

• King Leo Peppermint – Crushed pieces of King Leo peppermint candy folded into mint gelato and ladled with melted dark chocolate. 

Holiday Hot Drinks:

• Gingerbread Latte

• King Leo Peppermint Mocha 

• Coconut Spiced Coquito Latte – a nod to Puerto Rican coquito, the island’s festive twist on eggnog.

Coming soon to the Bethesda shop will be new soft-serve gelato and sundaes. These are available now at the local chain's H Street NE and Hirshhorn locations in downtown Washington, D.C.

Colonial Opticians won't reopen in Bethesda after fire

Colonial Opticians has announced its store at 4942 St. Elmo Avenue in Bethesda is now permanently closed. The store was heavily damaged by an electrical fire Sunday night, November 30, 2025. Customers are being directed to the chain's Rockville location at 1776 E. Jefferson Street at Federal Plaza. Colonial Opticians has not ruled out a return to Bethesda in the future, but an expensive repair of its fire-damaged space makes little sense, as the building is expected to be demolished for a new apartment tower.

2 assaults in 2 days at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police on patrol at the mall Saturday 

Montgomery County police responded to two reports of assaults last week at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. A 2nd-degree assault was reported at the retail center on November 25, 2025,  at 5:26 PM. Just over 24 hours later, an aggravated assault was reported at the property. That assault was related to a shoplifting incident. These were the eighth and ninth assaults reported at the mall this year. At this pace, Montgomery Mall is likely to have fewer assaults this year than last, when eleven were reported. 

Montgomery County police had a more visible presence at the mall this past weekend. Officers were wearing the new back patches that identify they are with the County police. These were demanded by the Montgomery County Council to distinguish them from ICE officere working in the County.

Bethesda Bazar temporarily closed until December 5

Bethesda Bazar at 8006 Norfolk Avenue is temporarily closed until this Friday, December 5, 2025. The craft beer and fine wine shop is taking a short break, as many small businesses in downtown Bethesda do in the summer or winter. When the store reopens, it's a great place to pick up the right bottle for your holiday meals, parties, and gifts. There is also a selection of teas and snacks.

Fire at Colonial Opticians in Bethesda (Photos)

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel responded to a fire at Colonial Opticians at 4942 St. Elmo Avenue in Bethesda at 9:45 PM last night, November 30, 2025. The fire occurred in the store's lab area, and is currently believed to have been caused by an overloaded or malfunctioning power strip, MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer said. Over 50 firefighters were ultimately dispatched to the scene.

The electrical fire caused $300,000 in damage to the building, and $200,000 in damaged or destroyed merchandise or equipment, Piringer said today. No injuries were reported.

Brick work high above Bethesda at Triangle Towers

Maintenance work is underway on the facade of the Triangle Towers apartments at 4853 Cordell Avenue in Bethesda. A crew was seen on scaffolding high above the streets of the Woodmont Triangle. The contractor, Genco Masonry, just happens to be a tenant of a penthouse in the building. New building management has been making some overdue upgrades to the property in recent years.

Za'Atar Shawarma & Pizza opens in Bethesda

Za'Atar Shawarma & Pizza is now open at 8021 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Their menu features Middle Eastern cuisine and artisanal pizza. The restaurant replaces Cheesy Pizzi, which closed in August. It has already earned rave reviews on Google, and has been reviewed once on Yelp, where the customer gave it a positive four-star appraisal. Operating hours are 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM on Friday and Saturday.

Gold Bunny Donut a smash success among Black Friday shoppers in Bethesda

Selling out is bad when you're a punk band, but fabulous when you are a new vendor on your first day in the mall food court. Gold Bunny Donut made its debut in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda yesterday, and the Black Friday mobs literally ate it up. Before the end of the shopping day, Gold Bunny had sold out of donuts. These rich, filled fresh donuts really hit the spot for manic shoppers trying to keep their blood sugar up and their holiday shopping costs down on Black Friday.

Mallwalkers also got their first look at Gold Bunny's eclectic menu. Alongside familiar flavors like vanilla and raspberry were options you won't have at Dunkin' Donuts or Krispy Kreme, such as ube - a nutty vanilla-cotton-candy flavor experience derived from the Filipino purple yam, Earl Grey tea, Everything Bagel, and Black Sesame. Bombolone-style Jumble Donuts can be ordered with Apple Pie, Biscoff, Black Sesame, Chocolate, Oreo, Peanut, or Red Velvet filling. Finally, there are Asian tea beverages and a Dowich sandwich with sliced meat and greens.