VEG ER for Pets, Method Room sign on at Westbard Square in Bethesda

Regency Centers has found its first ground floor retail tenant for the Greystar-developed apartment building now under construction at Westbard Square in Bethesda. VEG ER for Pets, a chain operating 24-hour emergency rooms for animals, has leased a Westbard Avenue-facing storefront in the future building. Meanwhile, reformer-based fitness studio chain Method Room has signed on to fill the final ground-level space in the existing Giant building at the property. This will be the second location for the Washington, D.C.-based high-intensity, low-impact fitness concept inspired by traditional Pilates, but employing modern reformer equipment.

Woodmont Grill to become Ted's Bulletin in Bethesda

Restaurateur extraordinaire Steve Salis has purchased the former Woodmont Grill restaurant building at 7715 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. He plans to turn it into a Ted's Bulletin, one of several concepts within his hospitality portfolio. The location served Woodmont Grill - and Houston's before that - well, as it was widely considered to be the highest volume restaurant in downtown Bethesda prior to its abrupt closure last year.

Salis has experience in the downtown Bethesda market, ranging from the very successful &Pizza to the innovative but short-lived Ensemble. But the question of placing a modern homage to diners next door to the real-deal Tastee Diner could be his boldest challenge yet. News of the real estate transaction and Salis' plans were broken by UrbanTurf.

Bethesda Boxing & Kickboxing Academy reopens after move

Bethesda Boxing & Kickboxing Academy has completed its move in downtown Bethesda, and is once again open for business. It was a short move, right across the street to 4927-A St. Elmo Avenue, at the St. Elmo's Cove shopping center. Their old space is being demolished to make way for a new apartment tower, necessitating their relocation. BBKA welcomes people of all ages and all skill levels to join their kickboxing community in Bethesda.

PacSun returning to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

When I reported nearly a year ago that PacSun would be returning to Westfield Montgomery Mall, there were some doubting Thomases who could not believe it. After all, the California-inspired surf and skate-wear retailer had just closed at the mall two years earlier. But PacSun has now made its return to the popular retail center official with coming-soon signage. PacSun will be located between Carter's and T-Mobile on Level 1 of the Old Navy/Cheesecake Factory wing.

Pop Mart opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Pop Mart has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The blind bag and stuffed-labubu toymaker previously tested a vending machine at the mall to gauge interest. That experiment was clearly a success, as the Chinese brand is now returning with a permanent storefront. Look for Pop Mart on Level 1 of the mall, next to Bath & Body Works.

Fialova holding early happy hour in Bethesda today for Freedom 250 Grand Prix events

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix downtown in Washington D.C. will be run tomorrow, but Fialova in The Bethesdan hotel at 8120 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda will be hosting an early happy hour this afternoon, Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. What's happening today on this Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend? Drivers will be taking practice runs on the course in the late morning and early afternoon. Two IROC Series races will be held at 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM, featuring greats like Jeff Gordon and Bill Elliott driving vintage Pontiac Firebird IROC racecars. Qualifying for Sunday's INDYCAR race - the big one - will follow at 5:00 PM.

Padel Social opens new facility at Westbard Square in Bethesda

Padel Social has returned to Westbard Square in Bethesda at 5455 Westbard Avenue. The padel club has upgraded from its original pop-up courts to a permanent facility between The Kensington Bethesda senior living development and the Westwood Tower apartments. Features of the new facility include 3 outdoor padel courts with lighting, a clubhouse that also houses a fully-stocked pro shop, food and beverages for sale, and space to hang out before and after playing. 

Additional features, and a grand opening celebration, are in the works. Padel Social remains a significant amenity at Westbard Square. While padel is widely considered the fastest growing sport in the world, the number of padel courts in the Washington, D.C. area remains relatively small.