Trattoria Sorrento to take summer break in mid-August in Bethesda

Trattoria Sorrento at 4930 Cordell Avenue in Bethesda has scheduled its annual late-summer break for mid-August. The Italian restaurant will temporarily close on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, and will reopen on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Still family-owned after 34 years in business, Trattoria Sorrento is one of several small businesses in downtown Bethesda that schedule time off in the summer.

T.J. Maxx moving back into Friendship Heights location (Photos)

Two years ago, T.J. Maxx announced it would be returning to its former location at 5300 Wisconsin Avenue NW in the Friendship Heights area of Chevy Chase. Now the discount department store is moving back in. The address may be the same, but the building has changed, with the upper levels of the former Mazza Gallerie mall having been demolished and replaced with residential housing. With the flight of the ultra-rich from Montgomery County sending once-ritzy Friendship Heights into a staggering decline, landlords in the area are attempting to meet the market for more affordable retailers like T.J. Maxx.

Loudoun County wins ORBCOMM HQ over Montgomery County

Another economic development loss for Montgomery County and Maryland is in the books. Not surprisingly, the winner in the latest contest for a corporate headquarters is once again Northern Virginia. ORBCOMM, Inc., currently headquartered in New Rochelle, New Jersey, has announced it will locate its global HQ in Sterling, Virginia, in Loudoun County - not Montgomery County, Maryland. The "internet of things" company is focused on products and services that track, monitor, and control industrial assets around the world. It operates its own network of 31 low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. ORBCOMM's clients include Walmart, Caterpillar, Hitachi, Target, Tropicana, Tyson, and Canadian National Railways.

"Virginia is proud to welcome ORBCOMM’s global headquarters to Virginia," Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a statement. "This decision highlights our commitment to innovation, workforce development, and creating an environment where advanced industries can thrive. We look forward to the economic opportunities and technological leadership ORBCOMM will bring to the Commonwealth."

"As we welcome ORBCOMM's headquarters to Sterling, I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the significant economic impact this expansion brings to Loudoun County and the Commonwealth," Virginia State Delegate Atoosa R. Reaser said. "The creation of new jobs is a welcome development and will undoubtedly contribute to the prosperity of our community," said Delegate Atoosa R. Reaser.

Montgomery County has failed to attract a single major corporate headquarters in over 25 years. The County, and Maryland as a whole, have forgone massive amounts of potential tax revenue rather than adopt more competitive, business-friendly policies and tax rates. They have also refused to construct a new Potomac River crossing to the Dulles area that has been on the books for decades, which would provide direct access to the only local airport with the frequency of flights and variety of international business destinations that corporate executives demand. Once an economic engine of the Washington, D.C. region, Montgomery County's economy today is moribund, and the County has become a bedroom community for booming job centers elsewhere in the region.

Suspects arrested in three robberies at Geste Beer & Wine in Bethesda

Montgomery County police have confirmed rumors that they had arrested two suspects in the repeated robberies of Geste Beer & Wine at 4801 Edgemoor Lane in downtown Bethesda last week. Detectives say they have determined that the two unnamed juveniles, age 14 and 15, were the robbers who held up the store on July 8, 9, and 10, 2025. They employed - or implied - possession of a firearm in the first two robberies, and reportedly escaped each time via the adjacent Bethesda Metro station's Red Line subway.

The suspects may have returned repeatedly because they not only faced no resistance or rapid police response, but also because the store only keeps a small amount of cash on hand each day. After the store was hit two days in a row, police were ready on Day 3. Officers with the 2nd District Central Business District Team were patrolling the area outside the store at 2:35 PM on July 10, when they noticed two juveniles who matched the descriptions of the robbers entering Geste Beer & Wine.

When the juveniles once again declared a robbery at the checkout counter, police ran into the store and arrested them. Both juveniles have been charged with one count of robbery, and two counts of armed robbery. They are being held at an unidentified "youth facility."

Westbard shooting suspect indicted on multiple charges

Devon Edwards

The only suspect arrested so far in the March 29, 2025 shooting on Westbard Avenue in Bethesda has been criminally indicted on multiple charges. Filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville, the criminal charges represent a significant development in the case. Following his arrest on May 23 in Washington, D.C., Devon Edwards, 22, had only been charged with "loaded handgun on person," and "handgun on person," which are only misdemeanors. He has been held without bail since that time, awaiting a July 14 trial. That trial has now been postponed, and Edwards has been charged with felony 1st-degree assault, reckless endangerment, loaded handgun on person, and discharging a firearm in an urban area.

Neither the Montgomery County State's Attorney's office nor the Montgomery County Police Department have commented publicly on the case since Edwards' arrest. However, the original case filed against Edwards was a "stipulated order of continuance."  An SOC is an agreement between a defendant and the prosecutor that sets conditions which, if met by the defendant, will result in the charges being dropped. If the conditions are not met, the case will then go to trial. It appears that the conditions agreed to were not met, and the prosecutor is now throwing the (relatively thin) book at the defendant.

According to Maryland court records, Edwards is still being held without bond in the Clarksburg jail. A hearing to schedule a new trial date will be held this Friday, July 18. Police still have not commented on how many shooters there were in the shocking March 29 gunfight outside of Bowlero at 5353 Westbard Avenue, only that there was more than one. The additional alleged shooter(s) remain at large. Two people were injured in the shooting. "Earwitnesses" reported hearing 20-30 shots being fired, and police were seen recovering multiple shell casings from a wide area on Westbard Avenue.

Police have asked anyone with information regarding additional suspects or this crime to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org, and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page, or call 1-866-411-8477.  A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of additional suspects. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

David Trone endorses Evan Glass for Montgomery County Executive

Businessman and former Maryland Congressman David Trone has endorsed Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass in the 2026 Democratic County Executive primary race. It's a significant development in the contest for two reasons. One is that Trone's endorsement is valuable politically, as Glass is running in the same "pragmatic centrist" lane as rival Democratic Councilmember Andrew Friedson. Backing from one of the most successful business owners in the county will be a signal to others in the business community.

The second, and most valuable, benefit of Trone's endorsement is even simpler: money. Friedson has plenty of it in his campaign chest. If Trone is willing to spend, and coach others in his Rolodex of powerful local and national Democrats, that will help Glass stay afloat amid the big developer bucks funding Friedson. The most shocking part of the endorsement is that Trone has hired Friedson in the past, and knows him well. To then choose Glass over Friedson says a lot, and certainly gives Glass something to crow about. If nothing else, it shows very skilled political maneuvering on the part of Glass.

Also shocking: the lack of Democrats filing to run for an open executive seat, the highest office in Montgomery County. Is this now a job that few want, as the County faces tough financial times ahead, a structural deficit, heavy debt, and a taxpayer base our leaders have already bled dry with yearly tax hikes? Is the next generation of progressive leadership in Montgomery County privately being told to stay on the sidelines for another 8 years?

Only Councilmember Will Jawando is running in the Marc Elrich progressive lane so far. He is unlikely to match Glass and Friedson in dollars. But he has a chance over the next 11 months to campaign to retain as much of the winning Elrich primary coalition as possible, while Glass and Friedson split the centrist vote. And while Trone is only a multimillionaire, Jawando may also have gained some stump material about the strong support his opponents have from the billionaire oligarchy.

iCRYO "coming soon" in Bethesda

iCRYO has posted "coming soon" signage on the storefront of its future downtown Bethesda location. It will be at 7161 Woodmont Avenue, in the ground floor of The Darcy condo building. iCRYO offers whole-body cryotherapy, infrared and red-light therapy, compression therapy, "zerobody dry float," intravenous infusion and injections, body sculpting, facial Neveskin shaping and toning, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The Darcy has seen a turnover of its ground-level retail spaces in recent years, with the pending arrival of iCRYO, and the replacement of PassionFish by One Medical.

Marshalls cleared out in Friendship Heights (Photos)

Marshalls closed several months ago at 5333 Wisconsin Avenue NW in the Friendship Heights area of Chevy Chase. At the time, Marshalls described it as a temporary closure. However, the corporate website now says, "This store is permanently closed." That is not a total surprise, as a redevelopment of the property is pending. The store has now been cleared out inside.

A Beautiful Closet relocates at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A Beautiful Closet has joined the game of musical chairs at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Last December, the fashion boutique moved to the Nordstrom wing on Level 1. Today, it has relocated up to Level 2, in between Laderach and LensCrafters. This is their largest space yet, and has a sharper-looking sign over the storefront. A Beautiful Closet features sustainable apparel and accessories sourced from around the world, including Italy and Turkey. 

Luggage Plus moves at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

All the luggage stores at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda seem to be moving this summer. Last month, I reported on Tumi's plans for relocation. Now, with far less of a preamble, Luggage Plus has up and moved from Level 2 down to Level 1, next to Häagen-Dazs. Or, based on the sign over their new storefront, "Lu gag Plus."

Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe construction update in Bethesda (Photos)

Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe looks pretty close to opening at 4925 Fairmont Avenue in the Sophia Bethesda apartment tower. The shelves and cases are still empty. Light fixtures and counter equipment are in place. The French-Korean bakery serves a variety of items besides baked goods, including hot lunch and snacks like tiny pizzas and pigs-in-a-blanket, and coffee and tea beverages. There's even a whole line of donuts, including cronuts and mochi donuts. 

HomeWorks "coming soon" to Bethesda

HomeWorks is expanding to downtown Bethesda. The family-owned Kensington furniture, home decor, and home interior design business will open a second showroom at 4920 Fairmont Avenue. That space was just vacated by Pronto Press, which has moved over to the Ellis Bethesda apartment tower. You can check out HomeWorks' inventory of products and design services on their website, or visit their Kensington showroom at 3740 Howard Avenue during the hours posted on the website.

Pronto Press relocates in Bethesda

Pronto Press has made a very short move in downtown Bethesda. It has vacated its original space at 4920 Fairmont Avenue, and moved diagonally across the street into a shared storefront with Once Again Tech at 4915-B Fairmont Avenue, in the ground floor of the Ellis Bethesda apartment tower. Pronto Press offers a variety of quick printing services, as well as worldwide shipping via several major carriers. It has been on Fairmont Avenue since 2014.

Bethesda beer & wine store robbed on 3 consecutive days

Robbers have struck Geste Beer & Wine at 4801 Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda three days in a row this week. Yesterday, July 10, 2025, at 2:39 PM, Montgomery County police responded to a call regarding a strong-arm robbery at the store. The previous night, July 9, the robbers were armed when they threatened the cashier to obtain cash from the register. They were also armed the day before that, as I reported yesterday. 

The store has been targeted by robbers repeatedly since last year. At the time, the owner asked the County to increase police patrols in the area. That's a challenge, as the County Council has defunded and repeatedly verbally undermined the police, with 194 officers leaving the force since 2020, and 179 officer positions sitting vacant, according to a 2024 County Council staff memo.

Armed robbery at store in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a downtown Bethesda store Tuesday afternoon, July 8, 2025. The robbery was reported at a store in the 4800 block of Edgemoor Lane at 4:47 PM. Police did not identify the business, but Geste Beer & Wine is located on that block. The store has been a target of gun-wielding robbers several times in the past.

Western Market property for sale in Bethesda

An iconic landmark on Western Avenue at the border of Maryland and Washington, D.C. has just hit the market for sale. The Western Market property at 4840-4842 Western Avenue could be yours for $1,375,000. That's relatively cheap, when you consider what new residential housing at a prime location like this would sell for - and that's what's likely to replace the market, as its exemption to operate a retail market here has expired.

The 8000-square-foot site is zoned R-60, for single-family detached housing. It is walking distance from the Friendship Heights Metro, the commercial areas of Friendship Heights and Spring Valley, and Fort Bayard Park. As always, check with Montgomery County and a good land use attorney to determine what is, and is not, possible here. Bethesda-based AMR Commercial, LLC is marketing the property, with brokers Sam Farnum and William Montrose.

Photos courtesy AMR Commercial, LLC

Ala takes summer break from lunch in Bethesda

Ala at 4948 Fairmont Avenue in Bethesda is taking a "summer break" from lunch hours. Until further notice, the Levantine restaurant will open for dinner at 4:00 PM. However, brunch hours of 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM continue as usual on the weekends, and Sunday dinner hours have been added. It appears the summer break also applies to their original Washington, D.C. location, as well.

Velatis Caramels opens in Bethesda

Velatis Caramels has opened at 4928 Hampden Lane at the Shoppes of Bethesda. The 159-year-old candy business was previously a fixture in Silver Spring. Before that, it was in Washington, D.C., and started off in Richmond before the Civil War. Velatis closed the Silver Spring store in April, and has now completed the move to downtown Bethesda. It still needs a sign above the storefront, though. "Underwraps?"

Arc'teryx opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Arc'teryx has signed a lease to open a store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The outdoor apparel store will open this fall, according to signage posted across its future storefront. Arc'teryx was founded in North Vancouver, British Columbia in 1989 by Dave Lane and Jeremy Guard. Their techwear and streetwear lines have become popular with outdoor adventures and urbanites alike, with the latter viewing Arc'teryx clothing as a status symbol, the Financial Times and New York Times have noted. When it opens, look for Arc'teryx on Level 1 of the mall, next to Sleep Number.

Harris Teeter closing in White Flint

Harris Teeter is closing its store at 11845 Old Georgetown Road in White Flint. The store will close "on or before July 20, 2025," according to a sign that also promotes a closing sale with prices up to 50% off. This store has been rumored to be one of the lowest-performing in the Harris Teeter chain. It also has fallen victim to Montgomery County's puzzling decision to place a homeless shelter nearby, frequent thefts of merchandise and shopping carts, the general moribundity of the stagnant Montgomery County economy, the County's highest-in-the-region tax and fee burden, and the failed 2010 White Flint sector plan. The recent arrival of a Wegmans just up Rockville Pike was likely the final nail in the HT coffin.