Ted's Bulletin "coming 2027" to Bethesda

Coming-soon signage has been installed for Ted's Bulletin at the vacant Woodmont Grill building at 7715 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The signs promote a 2027 opening of the upscale diner's newest location in the D.C. region. Woodmont Grill abruptly closed one year ago despite being one of the busiest and most successful restaurants in town for decades, beginning its life as Houston's. This past August, the building was acquired by restaurateur and entrepreneur Steve Salis, who owns Ted's, among many other regional brands. The move sets up a dramatic showdown between modern diner Ted's and the "genuine article" vintage Tastee Diner right next door.

Signage installed at Maten's entertainment center in Bethesda

The first permanent signage has been installed at the future Maten's entertainment center at 7500 Old Georgetown Road, at the Bethesda Metro Center. Featuring billiards, shuffleboard, and foosball, the business is being positioned as an "out-of-home" entertainment venue by founder Aaron Lippman. The 4000-square-foot space will also feature lounge areas and beverage sales. Maten's is currently expected to open in early 2027.

QToys closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

QToys has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It has been removed from the mall tenant directory. It's a surprising closure for two reasons: First, we are approaching the peak toy-buying season of the year. And second, QToys only opened this location one year ago. A Chinese collectible toy importer, QToys may have been overshadowed by recent competitors at the mall like Pop Mart and Kako Claw. On a larger scale, the Financial Times recently reported that the Labubu toy craze is showing signs of running out of steam.

Police respond to assault in Glen Echo

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault in Glen Echo Thursday afternoon, October 29, 2026. The assault was reported in the 6100 block of Harvard Avenue at 2:45 PM. It took place in a commercial parking lot. That appears to be the U.S. Post Office and Town Hall lot.

Ruta Ukrainian restaurant closed in Bethesda

Ruta, the Ukrainian restaurant located at 4862 Cordell Avenue in downtown Bethesda, was closed yesterday. A sign in the window informs prospective diners that the establishment is "currently closed." But no explanation of the reason for the closure is provided. No reopening date is mentioned, either. Ruta opened here in August of 2024.

T-Mobile, Häagen-Dazs, Lilly Pulitzer reopen at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Three big names at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda have reopened after completing major renovation projects. T-Mobile, Häagen-Dazs and Lilly Pulitzer are now open well ahead of Black Friday and the peak holiday shopping season. Lilly Pulitzer has been making over its stores recently to give them the aesthetic of a resort residence with Mediterranean-inspired, Palm Beach-style design and decor. T-Mobile has focused its renovations on transforming its stores from transactional retail outlets to experiential spaces with interactive displays. Both retailers are emphasizing a more open floorplan. Häagen-Dazs is...well, Häagen-Dazs.

Aerospace firm chooses Virginia over Maryland for 2nd headquarters

Colorado-based defense and aerospace firm Auria, following the model of Amazon with its HQ2, sought a location to establish a new East Coast corporate headquarters. You will be absolutely shocked to learn that the company came to the same conclusion as Amazon, and has chosen Fairfax County over Montgomery County. Auria announced it will open its HQ2 at 2000 Edmund Halley Drive in Reston. The headquarters will also contain research, development, and system integration facilities, which will enhance testing and product demonstration capabilities. Meanwhile, the Montgomery County Council will have to again save their ribbon cutting scissors for the next convenience store opening.

"We are proud to welcome Auria’s East Coast headquarters to Fairfax," Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said in a statement yesterday. She said the company's decision "reflects confidence in our business environment, strategic location, and our continued support of innovative aerospace and defense companies."

We could talk about the lower taxes and business-friendly environment of Northern Virginia compared to Montgomery County, which has the highest total tax and fee burden in the entire region. But let's look again at the critical factor of access to Dulles International Airport, essential for any serious international businessperson. The site chosen by Auria is an 8 minute drive away from Dulles. Montgomery County still lacks direct access to Dulles, thanks to the Montgomery County Council canceling the long-planned Potomac River crossing of I-370 to Route 28 in the Dulles area. Doh!

Sneak peek: Bob's Soup Dumplings & Bar in Bethesda

Here's our first look at the interior fit-out of the long-awaited Bob's Soup Dumplings & Bar at 7776 Norfolk Avenue in the ground floor of the Windsor Bethesda apartment tower. It appears complete, with decor, lighting fixtures, and furnishings in place. It's been just over a year since I broke the story of a new Bob's Shanghai concept opening in Bethesda. With that regionally-recognized dining pedigree, this could be one of the biggest restaurant openings of the year in Bethesda - and quite a boon for residents upstairs, and in the nearby apartment buildings.