Masked men casing vehicles in Massachusetts Avenue corridor of Bethesda

A group of men wearing masks has been seen testing door handles on vehicles in neighborhoods along Massachusetts Avenue in Bethesda, according to Montgomery County police. At least one theft has been reported, in the 5300 block of Albemarle Street in Westmoreland Hills. Two of the masked suspects were observed entering a vehicle there, and removing items from the interior. Be sure to lock your vehicle and remove any visible items from the interior.

Shake Shack signage installed in Bethesda

Signage has been installed at Shake Shack, opening soon at 7535 Old Georgetown Road in the ground floor of the Element 28 apartment tower. The restrictive sign regulations and slim font lettering of the Shake Shack logo will inhibit visibility for the burger restaurant to drivers passing by. But the location and visibility could not be better for high volume foot traffic emerging from the Bethesda Metro station at night, making it an easy takeout dinner stop for commuters between the station and their apartment or condo downtown. It's been a long road since I was writing about our chances of getting a Shake Shack downtown way back in 2012, but it's finally happening.

Indigo Octopus closes at Bethesda Row

Indigo Octopus has closed at 7126 Bethesda Lane at Bethesda Row. The women's boutique, which opened this location about a year ago, carries a curated collection of designer women's clothing, denim, jewelry, accessories, and swimwear. While they have closed here, the good news for those who travel to Ocean City and the Delaware coast is that their Fenwick Island shop opens for the season tomorrow, April 4, 2026. You can also continue to shop from home on their website at indigooctopus.com.

Prato Italian restaurant "coming soon" to Bethesda Row

Prato, a newly-expanding Florida-based Italian dining concept, has posted coming-soon signage in the windows of its future space at 7278 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row. It replaces Matchbox on the prominent corner at the Federal Realty development. The signage promises a late fall 2026 opening date, indicative of the major remodeling planned for the interior. After 14 successful years in Winter Park, Florida, Prato calls its impending arrival in Maryland "our biggest milestone yet."

Marine Layer closes for "refresh" at Bethesda Row

Marine Layer has temporarily closed at 4803 Bethesda Avenue at Bethesda Row. The beechwood pulp apparel boutique is beginning a "refresh" of the store's interior. A reopening date has not yet been announced. Customers are being directed to email ohhey@marinelayer.com for inquiries about orders, exchanges, returns, "or anything else." Marine Layer opened here in 2019.

Baruch Cafe closes in Bethesda

Baruch Cafe has closed at 4841 Del Ray Avenue in the ground floor of the Gallery Bethesda apartment tower. The restaurant opened in December 2024, replacing the convenience store that had occupied the space since the building opened a decade earlier. It's a double whammy of a closure, as Lifestyle Corner had begun operating out of the cafe just a few months ago. Hopefully the new attention to the Gallery Bethesda plaza generated by the recently-opened BabyCat Brewery will help draw another winning tenant to this space.

Kenwood Cherry Blossoms 2026 (Photos + Video)

Here's a look at the famous cherry blossoms in the Kenwood neighborhood of Chevy Chase for the year 2026. Why drive and walk for miles downtown when you can see the same thing here for free close to home? You can drive through, or walk through, but don't think about parking on the street! There might be a lemonade stand if the Montgomery County Council hasn't shut it down before you get there. The Capital Crescent Trail passes right through the neighborhood, a relatively easy walk from downtown Bethesda or points south of River Road into Georgetown.

Bethesda church for sale, a potential redevelopment target

A church property in the elite 20816 zip code of Bethesda could become the next cookie cutter townhome or - even more controversial - apartment development. Washington Baptist Church at 5144 Massachusetts Avenue has just listed its property as available for sale. The asking price for the 2.15-acre plot is $14,995,000. While a Montessori school tenant and cell service antenna leases can provide short term revenue to the purchaser, the online sale listing notes the redevelopment potential of the site, which is in the exclusive Westmoreland Hills neighborhood. 

One must wonder if this planned sale was a driving force behind including Massachusetts Avenue in the zoning text amendment rammed through last year by the Montgomery County Council. According to the ZTA map, this property is eligible for multifamily housing.

Such redevelopment would be contentious, but the Montgomery County Council and Planning Board have established a rock-solid track record in recent years of steamrolling over resident opposition, ignoring civic associations who don't sell their membership out to the Council, and paying zero price at the ballot box for doing so. "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" 

Rosetta Bakery opens in Bethesda (Photos)

Rosetta is now open at 4901-A Fairmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The Italian bakery "brings the authentic flavors of Milan to Bethesda with fresh pastries, signature focaccia, rich espresso, and all the sweet moments Rosetta is known for," the Miami-based chain said in a statement announcing the opening. Rosetta is named for the bread used in its signature sandwich menu item. See a preview of the menu boards below. The Bethesda location has established a partnership with the Best Buddies organization.

Silk Route restaurant aiming for May opening in Bethesda

A few more details have come to light regarding the future downtown Bethesda restaurant Silk Route. You may recall it is moving into the building that was recently sold and vacated by Tia Queta at 4839 Del Ray Avenue. According to Silk Route's liquor license application, the owner hopes to open before the end of May 2026. The menu will feature a fusion of Persian and Mediterranean cuisine. Operating hours will be 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM seven days a week. The owner was previously a co-owner of the former Pour Vino N Hops in Rockville.