Israeli defense firm chooses Virginia over Maryland for U.S. headquarters

Israeli defense firm Smart Shooter has selected the location for its new U.S. headquarters, and - surprise! - it's Northern Virginia, not Montgomery County. The company, known for its rifle-mounted and hand-held fire control systems, chose Dulles Office Park in Herndon for its U.S. operations center. As you might surmise from the property name, the site is 5 minutes from Dulles International Airport, an essential amenity for international businesspeople. Montgomery County infamously lacks direct access to Dulles, by virtue of County elected officials cancelling the long-planned new Potomac River crossing from I-370 in Gaithersburg to Route 28 in the Dulles area. "I coulda been a contender!" Womp, womp.

Photo courtesy Fairfax County Economic Development Authority/Nikolai Roster

Sugared + Bronzed sets opening date in Bethesda

Sugared + Bronzed is opening very soon at 4939 Elm Street, in the Shoppes of Bethesda. The hair removal and spray tan salon chain has scheduled the grand opening for November 2, 2026. Permanent signage has just been installed above the storefront. "S+B is a one-stop shop to prepare for any vacation, wedding, red carpet event — or to simply feel like your best self," the company says on its website. "We’re extremely passionate about providing exceptional services in beautiful, upbeat, and welcoming spaces that make your appointment something to look forward to. No matter the occasion, S+B promises that you’ll leave with immaculately smooth skin and a natural faux glow."

Smoke BBQ closes in Bethesda

Smoke BBQ has permanently closed at 4858 Cordell Avenue in Bethesda. "Smoke BBQ is permanently closed," a sign in the window Monday said. "Thank you to the community for all your support over the past fourteen years." Smoke BBQ opened here in January 2013, and it was an impressive run in a tough business environment. 

Customers say goodbye to Old Georgetown Grille in Bethesda

Old Georgetown Grille left a farewell message in the window to its loyal customers when it closed last month at 7755 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. Now some of those loyal patrons have returned the favor. A large poster board with goodbye messages from customers has been posted on the window of the shuttered diner, which had been in business for decades. That long tenure led to some heartfelt messages on the poster, including those from patrons who had been dining there since childhood. OG Grille's building is being demolished to make way for a new apartment tower.

Tesla Cybercab Robotaxi spotted in Bethesda

Tesla couldn't let Rivian steal all the EV news headlines in Bethesda this week. One of their new Cybercab Robotaxis was spotted outside of &pizza in downtown Bethesda at lunchtime today. Because Montgomery County leaders are stuck in the 1960s, such autonomous taxis are not yet allowed to operate here yet. But they have been sighted on County roads in recent weeks, as Tesla conducts testing and gathers data. Cybercabs are currently only allowed to legally operate in Austin, Texas.

Rivian opening showroom at Bethesda Row

Automaker Rivian plans to open a Rivian Space showroom at Bethesda Row. It will be in the recently-vacated Nike space at 7117 Arlington Road, at the corner with Bethesda Avenue. Construction is expected to begin this fall. The company, which produces electric pickup trucks and SUVs, will soon open a similar showroom at the CityCenterDC development in downtown Washington, D.C. Rivian has slowly been playing catch-up to Tesla in Montgomery County, where it briefly operated a drop-off facility in Rockville before opening a service center in Gaithersburg.

What is a Rivian Space? It's an "experiential" showroom where you can look at, and sit in, Rivian models on display. You can also see displays of mechanical components, interior cabin materials, and paint swatches. Many have a boutique gift shop area selling Rivian merchandise and vehicle accessories. Like similar Tesla showrooms, staff will not be making sales pitches, but can answer your questions about the vehicles. Test drives can also be arranged.

Of course, the Rivian and Tesla showroom models are only partly the result of corporate targeting of the EV demographic. Strict rules protecting the current auto dealership business model in the United States prevent such companies from making direct-to-consumer sales at showrooms in many states. These restrictions are starting to loosen in some states, by allowing test drives, for example. Rivian is now challenging laws in multiple states, after winning the right to make direct showroom sales in Washington state.

Paint Nail Bar space offered for lease in Bethesda

One of the ground floor retail spaces at the 8001 Woodmont apartment tower in downtown Bethesda is now being marketed for lease. Currently home to Paint Nail Bar, the 1,931-square-foot space will be available for move-in on November 1, suggesting that the nail salon will be closing by the end of this month if a new tenant is found that quickly. Paint Nail Bar opened here in August 2023, joining anchor tenant Trader Joe's, Orangetheory, and Pure Green. 

This could be a second chance to get a fast-casual, takeout-oriented restaurant at the development. The pedestrian promenade that provides a mid-block cut-through between Woodmont and Wisconsin Avenues was originally conceived as an active public space with outdoor dining potential. It has not fully achieved that goal due to the current mix of tenants. According to the online listing, the monthly rent amount is available upon request, and the term of the lease is negotiable.

Wetzel's Pretzels opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Wetzel's Pretzels is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The arch-rival of Auntie Anne's has made a triumphant return to the mall nine years after closing its original kiosk here. It arrives just in time for a major motion picture tie-in promotion with The Cat in the Hat, which opens in theaters nationwide on November 6. The partnership centers on a limited-time-only drink, The Things' Blue Lemonade Freeze. A super-patriotic red-white-and-blue presentation combines frozen lemonade with Blue Raspberry Granita and Cherry Boba. 

Special movie-themed packaging for standard menu items is also part of the promotion, while supplies last. The Cat in the Hat drink will be available through December 6, ensuring Black Friday refreshment. If you haven't tried Wetzel's Pretzels before, now you can finally conduct your own head-to-head comparison with Auntie Anne's under the same roof at Montgomery Mall. Look for Wetzel's Pretzels on Level 2 of the mall, in the corridor between Macy's and the Dining Terrace food court.

Multiple Bethesda buildings reduced to rubble

Multiple structures have now been demolished near the southeast corner of Old Georgetown Road at St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda, including the former Jewelry Exchange and Bethesda Florist buildings. The resulting rubble is being cleared away. Still to fall is the office building right on the corner, where Old Georgetown Grille closed recently. Old Georgetown Grille has posted a sign endorsing the nearby Lillit Cafe to its customers.

Kickz closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Kickz has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The streetwear and sporting goods boutique has been cleared out inside. Empty shelves and packing boxes are all that remain on the sales floor. Kickz has also been removed from the tenant directory on the mall's official website. Two area locations remain, at Potomac Mills Mall and Francis Scott Key Mall.

Bob's Soup Dumplings & Bar opening soon in Bethesda

Permanent signage has been installed at Bob's Soup Dumplings & Bar at 7776 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The signs have been hooked up to power, and are now lit at night. Window coverings remain, so the progress on the interior fit-out of the Chinese restaurant cannot yet be seen. Bob's began with a splash of intrigue, originally proposed as a new Bethesda location of Bob's Shanghai 66, the award-winning Rockville restaurant considered one of the best in the entire region. But there was apparently an internal conflict of some kind, which has largely played out behind the scenes - a "there's more to this story" situation. The Rockville Bob's has only stated in the local press that the Bethesda location is not affiliated, and the owner of the Bethesda Bob's has not yet told his side of the story publicly.

Old Georgetown Grille closes in Bethesda

Old Georgetown Grille has closed at 7755 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. The American diner operated for over 20 years. Their building is going to be demolished to clear the way for a new apartment tower. Smaller buildings on adjacent lots are already being taken down by a demolition crew.