Polestar EV on display at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Tesla has been a prominent presence at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda for many years now. Competitor Polestar, which counts Volvo among its ownership team, is muscling in on Elon with a holiday display. The Polestar 3 (sounds a lot like Model 3) is described as "the SUV that drives like a sports car" (sounds a lot like Model X and Y). Depending which variant you buy, the Polestar 3 comes with up to 517 horsepower, and 350 miles of range. You can arrange a test drive by using a QR code at the display, but you can also use this link.

Water main break in downtown Bethesda

Extreme temperature shifts over the last few days have brought predictable results in downtown Bethesda. Last night, an apparent water main break was visible at the intersection of Arlington Road and Bethesda Avenue. Water began pooling in that area as temperatures began dropping across the region early last evening. The mains under Bethesda Avenue have been a trouble spot for water utility WSSC frequently in recent years.

Norfolk Avenue Starbucks to temporarily close for renovations January 12

The Starbucks at 7700 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda will temporarily close for renovations on January 12, 2025. Stop me if you've heard this one before. This is at least the third time since 2020 that this Starbucks will close for renovations. The closure announcement does not give a reopening date or timeline for the work, but promises that the renovations will bring "exciting updates" to the store.

Bethesda construction update: The Charles apartments (Photos)

The new apartment tower at 7340 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda has apparently been branded as The Charles. It is currently rising on the site of a former Exxon gas station. The retail space in the ground level is being marketed as a potential restaurant location, with kitchen venting installed. That would be a positive development if realized.

When completed, the building will hold 310 residential units. Developer Greystar anticipates the first residents moving in during Q4 2025, and delivery of the completed project in early 2026. 

Westbard Square installs signage for hidden businesses

Westbard Square at 5400 Westbard Avenue in Bethesda has installed signage to promote the businesses located on the Giant building's second floor. Giant is on the top, and the individual storefronts of ground floor businesses already have signage. The new signs under the windows of Giant identify second level dwellers like Stretch Zone, 1to1 Fitness, and Westbard Dental. They are not lit, but have lighting shining on them from below (to one degree or another).

KBR Kitchen & Bath renovating showroom in Bethesda

KBR Kitchen & Bath is renovating its showroom at 7008 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. The remodeling firm has been open here for nearly eleven years, and is now turning its design-and-build talents to its own space. Completion of the project will provide customers with "an enhanced experience and improved services," the company promises. The renovation is expected to take several weeks.

Livewell Animal Hospital opens in Bethesda

Livewell Animal Hospital is now open at 7000 Wisconsin Avenue, in the ground floor of The Camille apartments in Bethesda. Walk-in appointments are welcomed at the facility, which is a full-service animal hospital. However, it is not open 24 hours a day, so Friendship Animal Hospital at 4105 Brandywine Street NW is still going to be your best bet for after-hours emergencies. Operating hours at Livewell are 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays.

The Cordell construction update (Photos)

Here's a look at the progress on the interior construction of The Cordell, an event venue opening at 4865 Cordell Avenue in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle neighborhood. The long-vacant restaurant space was previously home to Grapeseed and Lucy. I'm not sure that you're going to see fixed seating installed inside here, because it will likely be configured based upon the size and type of each event taking place. So work is much closer to completion than the emptiness of the space might suggest, with flooring, walls, and circular light fixtures in place.

Dok Khao Thai Eatery "coming soon" to Chevy Chase Lake

"Coming soon" (or "conming [sic] soon," as it says) signage has been posted at the future location of Dok Khao Thai Eatery at the Chevy Chase Lake development on Connecticut Avenue. The local Thai restaurant chain's expansion was announced way back in June of 2023, but it looks like construction is finally underway inside the space, which is next to The Charmery in the ground floor of the Ritz Carlton Residences. According to the new signage, the fall 2024 opening that slipped into the ether is now planned for "Early Spring 2025." Dok Khao has existing locations in Columbia and Woodbridge.

Avocet Tower lights up for Christmas in Bethesda (Photos)

Avocet Tower celebrated the nights of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a light display color-coordinated to the holiday. Accent lighting at the office tower was switched to red and green for the occasion. The building's neighbor across the street, Hyatt Regency Bethesda, had already made the holiday color change with its accent lighting. Avocet Tower is located at 7373 Wisconsin Avenue.

Chili's demolished in White Flint (Photos)

The Chili's restaurant at 11428 Rockville Pike has been demolished. Demolition of the adjacent Woodglen Park property is still underway. The site is being redeveloped with a mixed-use residential apartment building, branded for now as North Bethesda Market II. Montgomery County has already approved that project.