The popular Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema has temporarily closed its doors for extensive renovations, and the construction of a new cafe/bar area. Alcohol will be served when the theater reopens, and it will be the first theater in Bethesda - and maybe the county - to offer reserved seating.
Bethesda Row's arthouse theater is scheduled to reopen May 3. While there's no good time to close, this is probably the only "off season" BRC has. The rest of the year is either summer, or Oscar season.
The tower crane at the Lot 31 construction site is essentially completed. As you can see, some, if not all, of the counterweights are in place.
Looming over Bethesda Row, this crane will be assisting construction of The Darcy, The Flats, and a subterranean, 900-space parking garage to be shared by both buildings.
Bruce Variety has reopened in Bethesda at its new location, 8011 Woodmont Avenue.
A friendly employee was welcoming each customer entering the store yesterday. There is convenient parking alongside the store, and you can park for free on weekends, according to the posted sign.
Much of the familiar Bruce Variety products are back in stock, including thread, craft supplies and, yes, Mad Libs books.
The store has more open space, and brighter lighting than the old location, even though the cramped aisles and dim lighting were part of the original's charm. Overall, it is much easier to get around this store during more crowded times than the old one.
Enjoy a virtual tour of the new store below. It is also a virtual online catalog, as you can click to zoom in on each photo to see all of the individual products.
The Captain 20 Dick Dyszel pirate stole the show. Now that's classic Bethesda for you.
Stop by Luke's Lobster on Bethesda Lane for a special Cherry Blossom season treat, for a limited time - like the cherry blossoms!
Time to brush up on those crane signals around Bethesda Row. The tower crane is under construction in the chasm at former Lot 31.
As you can see in these photos, it takes a whole team of men and machines to assemble one of these things.
Once assembled, the crane will assist in the construction of The Darcy and the 900-space parking garage underneath it.
"Raise the load, and lower the boom!" Or is it the other way around?
The Bethesda Post Office on Arlington Road has been demolished. Demolition operations took place Thursday. The postal facility was destroyed to make way for a luxury, mixed-use development.
EXCLUSIVE!
Bradley Party & Variety, a retro dimestore opening in the Bradley Shopping Center in May, has chosen its logo.
The longtime previous tenant of the space, Bruce Variety, took its storefront signage to its new location at 8011 Woodmont Avenue, which should open by April.
Image from Bradley Party & Variety:
Courage.b Boutique has posted a "Coming Soon" sign at its future Bethesda Lane location.
But, as you can tell from the bare bones interior in these exclusive photos, it won't be opening any day soon. The space was formerly home to another boutique, lou lou, which has moved across the lane.
The lights of the Hyatt Regency hotel have been missing from the nighttime Bethesda skyline for 2 nights.
Last night, power was restored following an early Monday fire in the building that - fortunately - spared all of the hotel besides the utility area where it ignited. 430 guests were evacuated during the fire.
