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.

Kickz closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Kickz has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The streetwear and sporting goods boutique has been cleared out inside. Empty shelves and packing boxes are all that remain on the sales floor. Kickz has also been removed from the tenant directory on the mall's official website. Two area locations remain, at Potomac Mills Mall and Francis Scott Key Mall.

Armed robbery at gas station in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in downtown Bethesda on Monday, October 6, 2026. The robbery was reported at a gas station in the 8200 block of Wisconsin Avenue. According to police, it took place sometime "between 6:50 and 7:30 AM," and a knife was the weapon employed in the robbery. Needless to say, such a crime occurring in broad daylight is quite disturbing. No description of the suspect has been released as of this writing.

Update on Silk Route restaurant in Bethesda

Construction on Silk Route, a Persian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant at 4839 Del Ray Avenue, has resumed after Montgomery County inspectors issued a Stop Work Order this past spring. So far, interior walls and doors are nearing completion. This was previously the longtime home of Tia Queta. The restaurant is also now hiring staff.

Bob's Soup Dumplings & Bar opening soon in Bethesda

Permanent signage has been installed at Bob's Soup Dumplings & Bar at 7776 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The signs have been hooked up to power, and are now lit at night. Window coverings remain, so the progress on the interior fit-out of the Chinese restaurant cannot yet be seen. Bob's began with a splash of intrigue, originally proposed as a new Bethesda location of Bob's Shanghai 66, the award-winning Rockville restaurant considered one of the best in the entire region. But there was apparently an internal conflict of some kind, which has largely played out behind the scenes - a "there's more to this story" situation. The Rockville Bob's has only stated in the local press that the Bethesda location is not affiliated, and the owner of the Bethesda Bob's has not yet told his side of the story publicly.

Taste of Bethesda 2026 photo gallery

Assault at bus stop in Westbard area of Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault in the Westbard area of Bethesda on October 1, 2026. The assault was reported in the 5400 block of Westbard Avenue at 3:00 PM. It took place at a bus stop.

Fashion Q opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

After a few hiccups and false starts, Fashion Q has finally opened its doors at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It's an encore for the Los Angeles-based fashion wholesaler, which is returning to the mall after a sudden exit in 2025. A couple of grand opening dates had come and gone, but the important thing is that the boutique is now open in time for the peak holiday shopping season. Look for Fashion Q on Level 1 of the mall, across from Build-A-Bear.

Old Georgetown Grille closes in Bethesda

Old Georgetown Grille has closed at 7755 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. The American diner operated for over 20 years. Their building is going to be demolished to clear the way for a new apartment tower. Smaller buildings on adjacent lots are already being taken down by a demolition crew.