Akira opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Akira has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Founded in 2002 by Eric Hsueh, Erikka Wang, and Jon Cotay in Chicago, the women's apparel boutique now boasts over 30 locations nationwide. Rather than derive inspiration from fashion trends in southern California or New York City, Akira's founders say their apparel is unapologetically representative of Windy City style. Look for Akira on Level 1 in the Old Navy/The Cheesecake Factory wing of the mall, in the space recently vacated by Alex Baby & Toys.

Signage installed at Wonderland Books in Bethesda

There are "signs" that it won't be much longer before downtown Bethesda has a bookstore again. Permanent signage has just been installed at Wonderland Books, opening soon at 7920 Norfolk Avenue. Former Washington Post journalist Amy Joyce and former communications executive and current book podcaster Gayle Weiswasser are the co-founders of the business. The 2000+-square-foot store will carry a wide variety of books, as well as a curated selection of cards and gifts, and host author readings and other book events.

Strong-arm robbery at White Flint bus stop

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at a bus stop in White Flint early last Saturday evening, November 16, 2024. The robbery was reported in the 11600 block of Rockville Pike at 7:52 PM Saturday. That is around the "North Bethesda" Metro station (formerly and more accurately known as the White Flint Metro station).

Cordell Avenue Dunkin' Donuts closes for renovations in Bethesda

The Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins at 4905 Cordell Avenue in downtown Bethesda is temporarily closed. A renovation project has begun to update the interior of the store. The franchisee just completed a similar refresh of the Bethesda Metro Center Dunkin' Donuts location. Customers are being redirected to the Metro Center and 4943 Elm Street locations during the closure.

Zenith Overlook opens at Westbard Square in Bethesda (Photos)

The first internal street at the new Westbard Square development in Bethesda has opened to traffic. Zenith Overlook currently connects Westbard Avenue - at a new signalized intersection - with the rear garage entrance to the Giant building at 5400 Westbard Avenue. Those traffic signals at Westbard are now active. The street opening comes not a moment too soon, with Tatte Bakery & Cafe now scheduled to open on Wednesday, November 20. "Overlook" is a type of road like "street," "lane," or "avenue." Who knew?

First lighted signage installed at Bethesda Lidl

The first lighted signage has been installed at the new Lidl supermarket, opening soon at 7625 Old Georgetown Road at the Bethesda Place development. It is located at the parking garage entrance to the building, and on a tenant roster monument sign. Last night, the signage was already lit up. Lidl replaces the former Safeway store as the anchor retail tenant at Bethesda Place.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe sets opening date at Westbard Square in Bethesda

Tatte Bakery & Cafe has looked ready to open for a while at 5300 Zenith Overlook at Westbard Square in Bethesda. Now there is an official opening date: this Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 7:00 AM. "Come join us to celebrate our opening...just in time for Pie and Holiday season," the company said in a statement. This is Tatte's second Bethesda location, and some major competition for Starbucks at Westbard Square.

Outdoor seating in place

Santa's Workshop now open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Santa's Workshop has been transported south to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and you are invited to enter through Christmas Eve, December 24. Inside, children are invited to write letters to Santa, enjoy Mrs. Claus’ weekly story time, and create gingerbread crafts in Comet’s Craft Room. LEGO mini-build classes will be held, and a gift-wrapping station will be manned by the Girl Scouts, Hope Connections and Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Look for Santa's Workshop on Level 1 of the mall, near J.Crew.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on the evening of November 12, 2024, after someone reported having been assaulted there. The assault was reported at 9:34 PM Tuesday. This was the eleventh assault reported this year at the popular mall. Only five were reported there in 2023. 

This year's total is now just one away from matching the twelve assaults reported at the retail center in 2022. That led to Montgomery County police opening a "resource room" at the mall, in an attempt to combat elevated crime at the property - part of a general crime wave that has persisted countywide since 2020, after the County Council defunded the police. The police department is down 194 officers since 2020, and 179 police officer positions are now vacant, according to a County Council staff memo released earlier this year.

Signage installed at Pure Green in Bethesda

Permanent signage is up at Pure Green at 7900 Wisconsin Avenue, in the 8001 Woodmont apartment building in downtown Bethesda. The artisan juice bar will serve juices, cold-pressed shots, smoothies, and acai and pitaya bowls. It will also offer catering services. Pure Green has three existing locations in Maryland, in Baltimore, Columbia, and Ellicott City.

Smoothie King broken into in Bethesda

Four suspects broke into the Smoothie King at 4710 Bethesda Avenue on October 30, 2024. Around 5:05 AM, the four forced their way into the building. They proceeded to steal money and flee, Montgomery County police say. Police describe the suspects only as four Black males, who are also believed to have hit the Montgomery County government liquor store at the nearby Shoppes of Bethesda forty minutes earlier. If you can help identify these suspects, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Tonieh Boutique closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Tonieh Boutique has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. All of the merchandise has been cleared out of the space, which is on Level 2 of the mall by Beauty Frizz, but the sign is still lit over the storefront. The store opened in February 2024. Tonieh Boutique still has locations across the river in Tysons and Dulles Town Center.

Embrace Ur Greatness opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Embrace Ur Greatness is opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It is a sportswear/streetwear boutique that is "looking to spark self-belief through the form of merchandise." An online storefront is also open for business. Look for Embrace Ur Greatness on Level 1 in the Old Navy wing of the mall, between T-Mobile and Windsor.

Virginia beats Maryland again, wins $1.3 billion manufacturing facility & 2015 jobs

Could Maryland and Montgomery County use a $1.3 billion corporate investment, 2015 high-wage jobs, and a major infusion of tax revenue? Yes! Did we win the 500,000-square-foot Microporous manufacturing facility? No! But Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will give you three guesses as to who did. Yet again, our rival across the Potomac River has bested us in the economic development sweepstates.

Microporous, a leading manufacturer of battery separators, will construct the $1.3 billion facility in Berry Hill, Virginia. The factory will create 2015 new, high-wage jobs, and will provide more freight traffic for the Port of Virginia. Tennessee-based Microporous was founded as the American Rubber Company, which patented the first rubber battery separator in 1934. Today, their products are in high demand, as adoption of electric vehicles explodes in many countries around the world, even if demand for EVs still lags in the United States. Virginia's port will indeed see a boost in outbound traffic as a result, as Microporous is the only manufacturer of rubber battery separators used in electric automobiles and mobility devices.

“This historic $1.35 billion investment by Microporous in Pittsylvania County marks a new chapter in Virginia's incredible advanced manufacturing story,” Youngkin said in a statement yesterday. “This project not only brings over 2,000 new jobs to Southside Virginia, but also positions the Commonwealth at the forefront of our nation’s resurgence in manufacturing. Microporous' decision to establish their new facility here underscores Virginia's competitive advantages and our commitment to leading the way in innovative industries.” Youngkin's office identified North Carolina as the other finalist for the facility; it's unclear if Maryland even attempted to pursue the opportunity, or was once again asleep at the switch.

“It is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome Microporous to the Southern Virginia Megasite and Pittsylvania County," Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Darrell Dalton said Wednesday. “Microporous brings a new level of technological advancement to our business community as well as high paying jobs that offer another opportunity for our young people to remain and raise families in and near their hometowns. Microporous will also provide the County with added revenue to better serve our citizens. We look forward to many years of Microporous’ growth and success and Pittsylvania County is honored to be part of that journey.” 

Photos courtesy Office of Gov. Glenn Youngkin

Bethesda Lidl construction update

Here's a sneak peek at the latest construction progress inside the future Lidl supermarket at 7625 Old Georgetown Road, at the Bethesda Place apartments. As you can see, most of the shelving is now in place. They are all still empty for the moment. Lidl will replace the departed Safeway grocery store as the anchor retail tenant at the property.

Signage activated at Beth's Cafe & Bar in Bethesda

The signage that was installed at Beth's Cafe & Bar at 4948 Fairmont Avenue in Bethesda last week has now been activated. Specializing in American cuisine, the restaurant will share the building with ala and - eventually - Fairmont Grill. Beth's Cafe & Bar is expected to open in the coming days. You can check out their website here.