Construction underway at Rosetta Bakery in Bethesda

Work is underway on the interior fit-out for Rosetta Bakery at 4901-A Fairmont Avenue in Bethesda. The Miami-based chain seeks to be "an official ambassador of the Italian art of baking." A central feature of the completed interior will be a glass wall that will provide a clear view of the bakers at work in the kitchen. Try their signature Rosetta bread sandwiches, their famous croissant, and authentic bombolones.

Just Salad, Inspire Nail Bar to open at Residences at Mazza in Friendship Heights

Just Salad and Inspire Nail Bar are the latest businesses to sign leases for retail space at the Residences at Mazza at 5300 Wisconsin Avenue NW in the Friendship Heights area of Chevy Chase, Washington, D.C. They join Total Wine, Wonder - a food hall (yeah, that ship has sailed, folks), and TJ Maxx at the redeveloped site of the Mazza Gallerie mall. A luxury mall - demolished!

Just Salad is similar to Sweetgreen and CHOPT, but with a more expansive menu that makes it the best of the three for people who don't want "just salad" for lunch.  They have dinner plates that look more like restaurant entrees than salads, and promote sustainability with returnable, reusable bowls. A nail bar is, well, a nail salon. The chain has many area locations, and specializes in waxing as well as nail services.

The additions continue the effort to recalibrate Friendship Heights downmarket after the flight of the rich to lower-tax jurisdictions tanked "Montgomery County's Rodeo Drive" of high-end boutiques, malls, and restaurants. So go get that salad, a Potbelly sandwich, and grab a six-pack at Total Wine, and think of the Montgomery County Council. Yee-haw!

Native Arts opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

 

Native Arts is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. If you are searching for unique holiday gifts, this may be the place to start. The store carries Native American-inspired art, clothing, and accessories. Shop here to find baja sweaters, ponchos, t-shirts, blankets, backpacks, and more. Look for Native Arts on Level 2 of the mall, between Laderach and LensCrafters.

Sweeteria opens in Bethesda

Sweeteria is now open at 7525 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. That's right across the street from the Bethesda Metro station. The family-owned, Thai-inspired dessert cafe is known for its creative menu items like honey butter toast, Thai tea custard buns, and Taiwanese cheesecake. Sweeteria has an existing location in Silver Spring.

Sephora sets opening date at Bethesda Row (Photos)

The interior fit-out of Sephora at 7271 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row is now complete. Employees are now in the process of stocking the shelves and displays inside the store. Sephora has announced an opening date of January 2, 2026. The cosmetics and beauty retailer replaces Spanish Diner at the Federal Realty development. Here is a sneak peek inside:

Citibank opens "Bethesda Row" branch

Citibank has opened a new downtown Bethesda branch at 4760 Bethesda Avenue, in the ground floor of the Flats at Bethesda Avenue apartments. They are referring to this as the "Bethesda Row" branch, even though it is not in the Bethesda Row development across the street. Citibank is constructing a second new downtown Bethesda branch at 8101 Wisconsin Avenue. That one should be opening soon, as well.

Choice Hotel execs "stealing holiday cheer" by using caged eggs, Bethesda posters allege

Signs popping up in the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood of downtown Bethesda this afternoon accuse executives at Rockville-based Choice Hotels of "stealing holiday cheer." How are they executing this Grinch-like plan, you may ask? By using caged eggs at Choice Hotel properties, the posters allege. One poster targets a Radisson executive (Radisson is a Choice brand). This one is directed at Megan Brumagim, Chief Sustainability Officer for Choice Hotels.

Five years ago, Choice Hotels committed to serving only cage-free eggs at its properties worldwide by the end of 2025. With only three weeks left, the company hasn't kept its commitment, The Humane League and Open Wing Alliance allege. Choice brands and Radisson serve an estimated 210 million caged eggs per year, Open Wing Alliance says. Activists want Choice to provide an update on its efforts to go cage-free.

Hyatt Regency Bethesda hotel ready for Christmas

The Hyatt Regency Bethesda hotel at 1 Bethesda Metro Center is ready for Christmas. LED accent lighting on the facade has been set to red and green Christmas colors. Meanwhile, Morton's Steakhouse in the hotel will be open for dinner on Christmas Day. Hours on December 25 will be 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Starbucks adds Cinnamon-Shaken Waffles to menu in Bethesda

Check out what's new at Starbucks for the holiday season. Cinnamon-Shaken Waffles are starting to pop up on menus at Starbucks locations across Montgomery County in recent days. Three bite-size Belgian waffles are shaken in a Cinnamon Dolce Shake Shake Topping, and served warm and golden brown. The waffles are available all day long, not just for breakfast.

Head2Toe Health relocates in Bethesda

Head2Toe Health & Aesthetics has relocated in Bethesda. They have moved out of their space on St. Elmo Avenue, and are now open at their new location at 7505 Democracy Boulevard in Suite A113. The wellness center first opened in downtown Bethesda in 2019. That building is expected to be demolished to make way for a new apartment tower.