Tuesday, September 30, 2014

TRUE RELIGION OPENS AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTO)

Denim fans have a new shopping destination in Bethesda: True Religion opened today at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The new Bethesda location is one of the first in the nation to feature the retailer's redesigned store concept. True Religion CEO David Conn emphasized the store's "more contemporary look and feel" in a statement released today. Digital storefront windows and in-store kiosks reflect that modern approach.

Also new at Montgomery Mall's True Religion: the denim bar has been replaced by a Denim Gallery, which Creative Director Gary Harvey says will "ignite a bold conversation with our customers with a relevant 3-D expression of our brand."

Overall, the company states its goal is to "disrupt the senses," so it will be interesting to see how that plays out in the shopping experience.

SANDY SPRING BANK POSTS COMING SOON SIGNAGE IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Sandy Spring Bank is edging closer to opening a new bank branch in downtown Bethesda, part of a veritable tidal wave of banks hitting town. This branch will be at Akridge's 7550 Wisconsin Avenue office building, where the locally-owned Sandy Spring is also consolidating some regional office space.

DRUG ARREST AT ROCKLEDGE BLVD., THEFT AT NORDSTROM + MORE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on September 27, according to crime data:

Vehicle burglary. Gloxinia Drive at Tuckerman Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 8500 block Connecticut Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 8500 block Connecticut Avenue.

Drug arrest. I-270 ramp at Rockledge Boulevard.

Theft. Nordstrom at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

KONST SIEMATIC SHOWROOM INSTALLS SIGNAGE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

The permanent signage has been installed at the new KONST Kitchen Interior Design at 7550 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. KONST is the DC area's only official Siematic showroom. Jonas Carnemark was approached by Siematic, a high-end German kitchen design firm, to open a showroom in this region. 7550 Wisconsin is a Class A office building renovated and redeveloped by Akridge.


Monday, September 29, 2014

2 HALLOWEEN STORES OPEN IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Halloween is just over a month away, and two pop-up retailers in Bethesda are vying for your ghoulish purchases. Halloween Megastore has temporarily taken over the former Staples store on Rockville Pike in White Flint. Halloween Adventure has similarly replaced Smart Toys at Westfield Montgomery Mall for the Halloween season. Both stores are featuring costumes, accessories and decorations.
Halloween Adventure returns
another year at
Westfield Montgomery Mall
Halloween Megastore in
White Flint

Costumes at
Halloween Megastore

Halloween Megastore

Halloween Megastore

A ghoulish fiend awaits
you inside
Halloween Adventure

ASSAULT & DRUG ARREST ON BETHESDA AVE., BURGLARY ON RIVER ROAD + MORE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on September 26, according to crime data:

Theft. 7500 block Woodmont Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 4800 block Bethesda Avenue.

Assault. 4800 block Bethesda Avenue.

Drug arrest. Bethesda Avenue at Woodmont Avenue.

Burglary. 5200 block River Road.

Assault. S. Park Avenue at Wisconsin Avenue.

Drug arrest. Bellevue Drive at Asbury Lane.

Theft. DSW Warehouse.

Assault. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

Vehicle burglary. 5400 block Albemarle Street (Westmoreland Hills).

Vehicle burglary. 10200 block Westlake Drive.

WINE & CHEESE SOCIAL, OUTDOOR MOVIE AT BETHESDA ROW TUESDAY AT 6:00

Stop by Le Creuset on Bethesda Lane Tuesday between 6:00 and 7:30 PM for a Wine & Cheese Social, presented by Redwood Restaurant & Bar. Attendees will be eligible to win a Le Creuset Compact Lever model wine opener worth $100.

Stick around for a free outdoor movie on Bethesda Lane, Julie & Julia, immediately following the event.

Le Creuset
7116 Bethesda Lane
(301) 718-1885

Sunday, September 28, 2014

BURGLARY ON HAMPDEN LANE, SEX OFFENSE IN FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS + MORE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on September 25, according to crime data:

Theft. 7300 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 7900 block Kentucky Avenue.

Theft. 4800 block Drummond Avenue (Chevy Chase West).

Burglary. 7800 block Hampden Lane.

"Other sexual offense." 4700 block Willard Avenue.

Theft. 5200 block Nicholson Lane.

The Wood Acres burglary that day on Devonshire Drive was previously reported in my crime update yesterday.

FREE PIZZA DAY THURSDAY AT BLAZE PIZZA IN BETHESDA!

What's better than pizza? Free pizza! And that's what you can pick up at Blaze Pizza in Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this Thursday, October 2.

All you have to do is follow Blaze Pizza on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Blaze Pizza's Josh Levitt says the company expects to give away more than 1,300 free pizzas to Bethesda residents Thursday.

Get a preview of how your pizza will be made in this video I recorded at the mall when it first opened.

PEET'S COFFEE & TEA PLANS NOVEMBER OPENING AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL


 The second Bethesda location of Peet's Coffee & Tea is now scheduled for a November opening, a company spokesperson reports. They are currently hiring staff for the Westfield Montgomery Mall store. Peet's opened its first location in Bethesda earlier this year, on Old Georgetown Road.

You can apply online for the positions of Retail Associate and Shift Lead at the Montgomery Mall store.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: 7770 NORFOLK LUXURY APARTMENT TOWER (PHOTOS)

The Bainbridge Bethesda has drawn a lot of attention this week, with its Grand Opening celebration. But people coming to and from the Bainbridge on the Fairmont Avenue side can't help but notice the hulking structure rising across the street. That's The JBG Companies' 7770 Norfolk project, a 17-story luxury apartment tower with ground floor retail.









WEAPON ASSAULT/ARREST AT BCC HS, ASSAULT AT BETHESDA METRO CENTER - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

I have an update on the burglary that was reportedly interrupted by the victimized Wood Acres homeowner. Crime data confirms a record of the incident on Thursday morning at 9:38 AM. The home broken into was in the 5800 block of Devonshire Drive.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on the previous day, September 24, according to crime data:

Assault. Bethesda Metro Center at 10:34 AM.

Vehicle burglary. 4900 block St. Elmo Avenue.

Weapons arrest/assault "with a deadly weapon." Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School at 10:34 AM.

Burglary. 4700 block De Russey Parkway.

Theft. 4800 block Falstone Avenue (Somerset).

Theft. Walt Whitman High School.

Drug arrest. Rockville Pike at Tuckerman Lane.

Theft. Safeway at Shops at Sumner Place.

Theft. Macy's at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Vehicle burglary. 4700 block Marinelli Road.

HARP & FIDDLE HOSTING ARMED FORCES APPRECIATION FESTIVAL OCT. 4 IN BETHESDA


Flanagan's Harp & Fiddle is hosting an Armed Forces Appreciation Street Festival next Saturday, October 4, benefitting the Fisher House Foundation and the Semper Fi Fund.

From noon to 7:00 PM on Cordell Avenue, you can enjoy live music, food, beer, raffles, games and Irish dancers, all for a good cause. There will also be face painting, arts and crafts and a silent auction.

Live performers include some familiar regulars at the Irish pub, such as Sean Chyun, Mary Ann Redmond, The Morrison Brothers and the 19th Street Band.

Harp & Fiddle
4844 Cordell Avenue

Friday, September 26, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: BAINBRIDGE BETHESDA LUXURY APARTMENTS GRAND OPENING

The Bainbridge Bethesda luxury apartment tower celebrated its grand opening last night in Bethesda.  Bainbridge Bethesda is currently offering an incentive of 2 months' rent free, which is definitely a sizable amount of cash you can put towards moving costs, parking, etc.

Right outside your door, you have restaurants like Union Jack's (British pub & nightclub), Chef Tony's, Positano and Bold Bite. There is even a Japanese market with fresh Japanese sushi to the left of the parking garage across the street. Fashionista? Reddz Trading is a short walk from home. Craft beer nut or oenophile? Capital Beer and Wine - and resident expert Justin McInerny - is less than a block away. As are Veterans Park, Tastee Diner, Woodmont Grill, Black's Bar and Kitchen, and Starbucks.

If you are considering the Bainbridge, and have the money, I would say to go for a 2-bedroom. It had more of a resort hotel floorplan than you would expect in an apartment. The city lights view is best on the Fairmont Avenue side. Planning to live here awhile? Ask your leasing agent about what your unit's view will be after the 7770 Norfolk apartment tower is completed across Fairmont, as it will be as tall as the Bainbridge.

Another impressive feature is the large business center, which you will see when I upload video of the Grand Opening soon. For now, here are photos from the event, which you can click to enlarge for more detail:
Part of the spread in the
lobby-level bistro

Man cannot live on
bread alone

Burgertime

Something for the health-conscious

and the not-so-health-conscious

Judging from this, the
brownies were popular
Welcome Welcome
The impressive lobby
chandelier

Books for the
sophisticated reader

Aerial view of the lobby

...and the chairs

Glowing orbs beneath the
lobby staircase
Loft hideaway above the
main lobby & bistro

Relax and read a book
or magazine here

Light fixture in the
loft

Artwork, and an elevator
for a quick getaway
Plenty of wine on hand
in Apartment 206

Dining area in this
1-bedroom unit


Living room

Cozy

Kitchen

Kitchen in Apartment 404,
a 2-bedroom unit
The 2-bedroom dining room
includes this chandelier

Dining set

Living room

The view from your living room
in Apartment 404

Let's check out the 18th
floor roof deck, shall we?
Nice view of downtown Bethesda's
Central Business District

Capital One towers (center), and
the Bethesda Crescent building (right, with
the red light sculpture) are
two iconic downtown buildings

Everybody into the pool

Steel drum virtuoso

VIPs and residents enjoyed a
respite from the earlier rain

Rooftop fire pit

15th floor fitness center

It has the "new car" smell

Practice up for crossing
Wisconsin Avenue at-grade
when they axe the Capital
Crescent Trail tunnel

That's the legendary
Tastee Diner, from
15 stories up

Shall we play
a game?

The Party Room is right off of
the 15th floor terrace

One of several flatscreens
The bar in the Party Room
was mixing up the
Bainbridge Bourbon Slush

A corner nook in the
Party Room
Bainbridge Bethesda
4918 St. Elmo Avenue
866-995-7690