Mind Games opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Mind Games has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Toronto-based toy store chain sells books, educational toys, and games alongside the conventional popular toys. It also has its own house-brand products. Familiar toy brands stocked include Lego, Funko, Mattel, and Maisto.

Give whoever set up the Funko display at the front of the store extra points for putting Inspector Gadget and Ultraman in that prominent location. Let the mind games begin on Level 1 of the mall, next to Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Claire's opening new location at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Claire's is coming back to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda in a new location. The ubiquitous mall piercing studio and gift shop has "improved our safety and sanitation procedures to give you a safe, clean, and happy piercing," the Illinois-based company says. Claire's will again go head-to-head with arch-rival Banter by Piercing Pagoda at the mall, giving potential customers - and in some cases, their nervous parents - a chance to comparison shop. When it opens, look for Claire's on Level 1 outside of Macy's.

Sophia apartment tower begins pre-leasing in Bethesda

The Sophia apartment tower at 4924 St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda has begun pre-leasing, developer Duball, LLC announced yesterday. This is Duball's fourth development in the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood, and is expected to welcome its first residents in early fall 2024. “We’re extremely excited about bringing Sophia to Bethesda,” John Segreti, Principal and Executive Vice President at Duball, said in a statement Wednesday. “We have taken some of the best practices learned from three condos in Bethesda—Cheval, Lionsgate and Stonehall—completed by our development affiliates and applied them to Sophia. We’ve created an eye-catching building with classic architecture that is gracious and inviting, right in the heart of Bethesda.”

Sophia's art deco design has become visible to all, as the building rounded into final shape in the first half of 2024. Yesterday's announcement included some new details on amenities not seen from street level. The 23rd floor rooftop includes a skyline pool, a spa with a water feature, outdoor grills, and a sky lounge with a fireplace, billiards, a gaming area, and a bar. Inside the fitness center, residents will find a strength training room, and a yoga studio with space for high-intensity interval training (HIIT). 

Those fortunate to live in the penthouses will enjoy larger floorplans, 10' ceilings, built-in wine fridges, superior appliances, and an indoor-outdoor lifestyle with balconies, patios, and terraces. All residents will enjoy the Paris Baguette cafe in the building's ground floor. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit sophiabethesda.com or call 240-483-0500. You can see in the animation on the website's home page that Sophia is notably taller than next-door neighbor Bainbridge Bethesda, with whom Sophia will share a pedestrian paseo that stretches from St. Elmo to Fairmont Avenue.

Montgomery County Council won't put property tax hike question on ballot this fall

Robin Ficker

The Montgomery County Council voted 6-5 on Tuesday to reject a Charter Review Commission proposal that would have made it easier to raise property taxes above the current County Charter limit. This means the proposal will not be put before the voters as a ballot question in November 2024. Currently, under the successful Robin Ficker ballot initiative approved by voters in the past, the Council must vote unanimously to raise property taxes above the charter limit. The CRC proposal, the latest attempt to do an end run around the popular "Ficker Amendment," would have dropped the unanimous vote requirement.

Councilmembers who voted against the CRC proposal were Marilyn Balcombe, Andrew Friedson, Natalie Fani-Gonzalez, Evan Glass, Sidney Katz, and Dawn Luedtke. The Councilmembers who voted for the proposal to remove the unanimous vote requirement were Gabe Albornoz, Will Jawando, Kristin Mink, Laurie-Ann Sayles, and Kate Stewart.

Montgomery County's high property taxes are one of several highly-regressive tax burdens on working families and residents who are on fixed incomes. Along with high property assessments, the annual payments have essentially become a second mortgage for many cash-strapped residents. The Ficker Amendment has provided relief from even-more-nightmarish tax bills since it was passed. That's because, as it is, the Council has raised property taxes on residents every year except for FY-2015.

Chevy Chase Lake traffic incident results in gun charges

Investigation of a traffic incident by Montgomery County police in the Chevy Chase Lake area on July 8, 2024 led to several gun charges. The vehicle was stopped near the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Chevy Chase Lake Drive at 4:24 PM that afternoon. Discovery of a loaded handgun led to the arrest of Tanika Beaner, 30, of Capitol Heights. 

Beaner has been charged with possession of a firearm without a serial number, handgun in vehicle, handgun on person, loaded handgun in vehicle, and loaded handgun on person, all misdemeanors. Bail status for the defendant is still pending a second review as of this morning, according to court records. A trial has been scheduled for August in Montgomery County District Court in Rockville.

Judge orders Bethesda restaurant owners to pay back rent, stay off premises

A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge sided with the property owner of 4866 Cordell Avenue in downtown Bethesda yesterday, entering a monetary judgement against the owners of Zuma by Chef Ninja for unpaid rent, and issuing several orders in the case. Judge Debra Lynn Dwyer entered a judgement in the amount of $146,166.39 for unpaid rent. That amount covers rent that was not paid between September 2023 and July 18, 2024. The judge also issued orders that allow landlord Greendell, LLC to change the locks on the building and secure the premises.

Notices warning locksmiths that they can only open or change locks for authorized representatives of Greenhill Realty Company, and that the building is a no-trespass zone, have been posted on-site. The building is now being guarded by uniformed security.

Judge Dwyer's July 22 orders allow Greendell, LLC to remove or dispose of any property inside the building that belongs to the owners of Zuma, which closed in January 2024. The owners of the former restaurant may not interfere with Greendell's access to the premises in any way. If the defendants fail to comply with the orders issued yesterday, they will be held in contempt of court, the court-issued document concludes. With the process of Zuma exiting winding up, the property owner is now closer to welcoming a new restaurant or business in this space in the near future.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore endorses Kamala Harris

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. Moore lauded President Joe Biden's decision to not pursue reelection on Sunday, but did not immediately join the many other prominent Democrats who quickly endorsed Harris shortly after Biden gave her his support. "I am proud to voice my full support and offer my full endorsement to Vice-President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Nominee for President," Moore tweeted this morning.

Moore said that he had spoken to both Biden and Harris yesterday. He noted that Harris was one of the first officials to call him after the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore earlier this year. In his statement, Moore said Harris could attract a "unique coalition" of support, and urged Democrats to quickly "rally around her" for the nomination. 

Former president Barack Obama, to whom Moore is often compared when future Democratic presidential nominees are discussed, also declined to immediately back Harris yesterday. Moore has been one of the leaders to appear on the short list of possible candidates to replace Biden in a "mini-primary" ahead of next month's Democratic National Convention in Chicago. His name has been less-often mentioned as a potential running mate for Harris since Biden dropped out yesterday. Leading candidates to be Harris' running mate are Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, North Carolina Gov. Roy Moore, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

Moore and the many other Democrats who had been expected to run for the White House in 2028 will have to weigh their options in deciding whether to accept a VP slot in 2024, or to wait another four years. Endorsing Harris would allow Moore to leave all options open aside from running as Biden's replacement this year. The Democratic National Committee is expected to announce more details on its plan for the nomination process in the coming days.

Banana Republic closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Banana Republic has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Its space next to the Apple Store has been cleared out of merchandise. A sign on the door provides a number to call for deliveries, so it appears they haven't fully vacated the premises yet. However, the logo signage outside the store is gone. 

It's a shock to see a mall stalwart like Banana Republic vanish, even if smart shoppers knew you could always find similar items far cheaper at sister stores Gap and Old Navy, without leaving the premises. Operating a mall without a Banana Republic, Hot Topic, Cinnabon, and Auntie Anne's should probably be illegal, if it isn't already. Parent company Gap, Inc. said in 2020 that it planned to close 350 Gap and Banana Republic stores by the end of 2023. This location survived that cut, but I see that Banana Republics in Columbus, Ohio and Sacramento, California shuttered earlier this year, so a smaller round of closures appears to be taking place.

Oreo Cookies and Creme Pie now available at Bethesda McDonald's

A new limited-time dessert is now available at McDonald's at 5214 River Road in Bethesda. The Oreo Cookies and Creme Pie is made with real Oreo cookie pieces, and filled with a vanilla creme filling. This isn't the Golden Arches' first officially-licensed Oreo product, as those who have ordered an Oreo McFlurry or Oreo Frappe in the past can attest. I believe McDonald's previously had a generic "Cookies and Creme Pie," but it now has the official Oreo license with this release.

Kapow Buddy opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Kapow Buddy is coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It's the latest in a long line of Chipotle-style fast-casual bowl restaurants. This time, the theme cuisine is Thai. 

Your imagination will suggest to you that a grain base will be loaded with vegetables, proteins, and Thai cuisine toppings, and - incredibly - your hunch is correct. In fact, Westfield says in its promotion of the restaurant that "Kapow Buddy is eager to introduce their famous Thai food in the 'Bowl Style' to offer customers a variety of choices including grains, proteins, toppings, and more." When it opens, look for Kapow Buddy on Level 1 in the Old Navy wing.

Armed robbery in North Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in North Bethesda Wednesday night, July 17, 2024. The robbery was reported in the 12500 block of Village Square Terrace at 9:50 PM Wednesday. @DCNewsLive on Twitter reported that a vehicle was later pulled over by police on Old Georgetown Road at the interchange with I-495 in Bethesda. At least one person in that vehicle was detained in relation to the armed robbery.

Free People closing at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Free People is closing at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The store's final day of operation will be Friday, July 26, 2024. A bohemian brand of Urban Outfitters, Free People opened this location in May of 2013. Despite that solid track record of success, the store has ultimately succumbed to the moribund Montgomery County economy, along with MoCo's high taxes and ever-shrinking business profit margins. Not only do I find no reports of Free People stores closing elsewhere in recent times, but Urban Outfitters is actually expanding the brand by opening additional Free People locations this year.