LaserAway opening at Bethesda Row

LaserAway is opening soon at 4930 Elm Street at Bethesda Row. The company says it expects to open on July 22, 2026. It's taking over the recently-vacated Ideal Image space. You may recall that Ideal Image has essentially been liquidated as a company, but was trying to sell its clinics around the country to other similar businesses where possible. The quick turnaround suggests they may have been successful here.

There is an existing LaserAway location at Pike & Rose, which - like Bethesda Row - is also owned by Federal Realty. LaserAway offers a wide variety of skincare treatments and services. These include laser hair removal, tattoo removal, microneedling, CoolSculpting (freezing of "fat cells" that are then naturally discarded by the body, a non-surgical fat removal alternative), laser facials, thermage, and dermal fillers.

Hammer and Nails opening August 1 in Bethesda

Hammer and Nails has set the opening date for its new downtown Bethesda location at 7712 Woodmont Avenue at the Lionsgate condominiums. The "Grooming Shop for Guys" will open on August 1, 2026. As you can see, the sign is up over the storefront, and is already lit up at night. Founding Memberships are still available. The company is referring to this as the "Woodmont" location, which makes me wonder if there might be additional Bethesda locations in the works. Stay tuned!

V Nails closes in Bethesda

V Nails has closed at 4903 Auburn Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Their space has been cleared out. V Nails began operating in an expanded location here in 2016, and is well-rated in online reviews. So I don't know if this is merely a 10-year lease ending, or the end for V Nails. Only that 7-Eleven coffee cup knows for sure, as there is no website or official social media account for the salon.

Hammer and Nails Grooming Lounge for men opening in Bethesda

Hammer & Nails Grooming Lounge is coming soon to downtown Bethesda. The luxury grooming shop for men offers barbering services, skincare, waxing, and hand and foot care. It will be located at 7712 Woodmont Avenue in the ground floor of the Lionsgate condominiums. Premium memberships will be available, and Founding Memberships are available now.

Haute Nail Bar opening soon in Bethesda

Haute Nail Bar is coming soon to downtown Bethesda. It has leased a storefront at 8301 Wisconsin Avenue, in the ground floor of the Rosedale Park apartments. The nail salon is expected to open by the end of spring. Services will include nail art, gel nails, manicures, and pedicures. Operating hours will be 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturdays, and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays. Haute Nail Bar is "where every day is a good nail day."

Sugared + Bronzed opening in Bethesda

Sugared + Bronzed is coming soon to 4939 Elm Street, in the Shoppes of Bethesda. The hair removal and spray tan salon will fill the space vacated by Chip City. What started in a Santa Monica apartment in 2010 has grown into a nationwide chain with celebrity endorsers and over 40 locations. 

"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."

Nail salon to fill vacant storefront at Lionsgate in Bethesda

The Lionsgate condominium building is swapping a salon for another salon on its ground floor. A nail salon has leased the space just vacated by Blue Bell Hair Salon & Spa at 7718 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Construction on the interior fit-out appears to be just getting underway. 

Meanwhile, an update on Blue Bell Hair Salon & Spa: While their new space is under construction nearby, the stylists are now working out of two temporary locations. Clients of Niana should go to 4964 Fairmont Avenue (Cheval Bethesda condominium tower), and clients of Fred, Maria, and Natalie can find them at Studio 47 at 4710 Bethesda Avenue (The Seasons apartments). The latter location has been added since my last report.

Blue Bell Salon & Spa moving in Bethesda

Blue Bell Salon & Spa has moved out of its space at 7718 Woodmont Avenue in the Lionsgate condominiums. It is currently operating out of a temporary space at 4964 Fairmont Avenue, in the Amor Studios in the ground floor of the Cheval condo tower, until a new location is ready. Services offered by Blue Bell include designer haircuts and styling, hair highlights, balayage, color, color correction, facial treatments, acne treatments, anti-aging, body waxing, facial waxing & threading, eyelash extension, microblading and "celebrity makeup artistry." The new permanent location has not been announced yet, but is going to be one block away.

Beauty spa moving into vacant Wyrd Ryds space in Bethesda

The storefront at 4825 Fairmont Avenue in Bethesda has experienced heavy turnover since tenant Bethesda Scooters & Boards moved around the corner several years ago. It's been home to furniture, art and antiques shops, a Psychic Reader, and most recently, e-scooter retailer Wyrd Ryds. There has been activity at the space since the end of December. Signage posted today now indicates the new tenant is a beauty spa. This is right next to Z-Burger at Veterans Park.

Mindzero to open at Westbard Square in Bethesda

The Phase 1 building at the new Westbard Square development in Bethesda is now fully-leased. Mindzero is the final tenant to come aboard at the Regency Centers property. It will be located on the ground level between Voorthuis Opticians and Oak Barrel & Vine. Mindzero is a wellness spa that combines sauna, cold plunge, sound, and breath work in a guided 50-minute group session. The company, which currently has two spas in South Carolina, describes its wellness program as a combination of ancient wisdom with modern science.

iCRYO opening downtown Bethesda location

iCRYO is expanding to downtown Bethesda. The wellness center chain is moving into 7161 Woodmont Avenue, in 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.

"Whether you're looking to recover more efficiently, improve your immune system, enhance your appearance, move with greater ease, boost athletic performance, or alleviate pain and inflammation, iCRYO has you covered," the company said in a statement. "Our comprehensive range of services is designed to cater to your unique needs and help you achieve your wellness goals."

Skincare treatment business opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A high-end skincare treatment business is opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It will not only carry creams and serums, but also skincare medical devices. Product lines include +VouPre, Zero Gravity Skin, and Avologi Scientific. The +VouPre Themal Collection in the front window retails for $5000, according to the company's website, and many Zero Gravity Skin devices also retail in the thousands. Nova's Space Touch LED light therapy mask, as seen below, has a retail price of $26,000. When it opens, look for it on Level 1 of the mall next to Everything But Water.

SEV Med Spa, RTR Pilates opening at Chevy Chase Lake

Two new lifestyle tenants are opening soon at the Chevy Chase Land Co.'s new Chevy Chase Lake development. SEV Med Spa and RTR Pilates will both be in the ground floor of The Claude apartments at 3820 Chaplin Place. "Coming soon" signage has been installed in both storefronts. SEV and RTR are expected to open this summer.

SEV Med Spa was founded in 2010 by Sevana Petrosian in Glendale, California, and specializes in laser hair removal. As word of mouth spread, Petrosian began to gain a following among celebrities from nearby Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Her first celebrity clients were the Kardashians, who have since been joined by Rita Ora, Sofia Richie, and Eva Longoria.

Alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers used by SEV are safe for all skin tones, and a cooling feature minimizes discomfort. SEV is medically-accredited and employs specialized nurses. Prices range from $25 to permanently get rid of your mustache, to a $600 full body hair removal.

RTR Pilates is a local chain of fitness studios founded by Reina Offut in 2006. Over the last two decades, it has grown to what will be six locations when Chevy Chase Lake opens this summer. There are classes at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. All classes utilize Allegro II reformer machines. Under Offut's leadership, Potomac Pilates donates more than $5000-worth of services to schools, charities and organizations each year. RTR's existing Shops at Wisconsin Place location in nearby Friendship Heights has earned a perfect 5-star rating on Google Reviews, with nearly 250 reviews submitted, suggesting clients are clearly satisfied with their results.

Sheepskin Gifts closes, Relax Station kiosk opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too has cleared out of its space on Level 1 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Like See's Candies and other seasonal stores, this was to be expected after the holiday shopping season ended - - although you'd think the temperatures outdoors would keep them in business through the spring. Meanwhile, massage spa Relax Station from the Old Navy wing of the mall has set up an auxiliary kiosk to serve shoppers in the center of the mall. Look for it on Level 1 outside of J.Jill. 

Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too

The Grove, Apricot Lane open at Cabin John Village in Potomac, Indigo Physiotherapy coming soon

The Grove and Apricot Lane have opened at Cabin John Village in Potomac. Cuisine at The Grove has shifted from the earlier plans for a Belgian concept to Mediterranean dishes of Spain, Italy and Greece. Chef Jose Lopez-Picazo is at the helm for the latest dining addition to the shopping center, which is located at 11325 Seven Locks Road.

Apricot Lane offers a curated selection of women's apparel. Brands include AG Denim, Boys Lie and Free People. Apricot Lane is located at 7951 Tuckerman Lane. Also coming soon to the center is Indigo Physiotherapy, offering physical therapy and massage services. When it opens, look for it at 7735 Tuckerman Lane.

The Now massage boutique "coming soon" in downtown Bethesda

The long-vacant Ritz Camera space at 6917 Arlington Road finally has a new tenant. The Now, a "massage boutique" will be opening soon there, according to window screens just attached to the storefront by CVS Pharmacy. Los Angeles-based The Now offers massage services, "enhancements," and healing products on a "menu." Its spas are designed to be "a sanctuary from the bustling city," and "form the ultimate zen environment." I'm actually amazed that the Ritz Camera sign is still up after all this time.

Wentworth Gallery, Nature's Elite close at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Wentworth Gallery has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The upscale art gallery has hosted many celebrity artists over the years, including Paul Stanley of KISS, Rick Allen of Def Leppard and Michael Cartellone of the 1990s supergroup Damn Yankees. It will be greatly missed for that star-drawing power alone. The Wentworth Gallery in Tysons remains open for business.

In other mall news, Nature's Elite has also departed. The facial spa's space next to Beauty Boss has been cleared out and walled off. 

First salons open at Cheval Bethesda condos (Photos)

The first tenants have opened their salons at the new Amor Studio Salons in the ground floor of the Cheval Bethesda condo tower at 4960 Fairmont Avenue. Beauty by Jenna and Be Well Beauty Studio are now accepting clients. Be Well Beauty Studio offers nail, eyelash extension, waxing, facial, eyebrow tinting, and permanent makeup services. Beauty by Jenna does not yet have a website or social media presence that I can find.

BioTec USA to reopen August 1 in Bethesda

BioTec USA Skin Care's Westfield Montgomery Mall location in Bethesda is temporarily closed. The clinic is scheduled to reopen next Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Look for BioTec next week on Level 2 of the mall, next to Avalon in the Nordstrom wing.

Journey Within Wellness Center to open at The Sterling

Prepare to embark on the journey within. The Journey Within Wellness Center is moving into the former PureBeauty Salon in the ground floor of The Sterling at 11755 Rockville Pike. Services offered will include float therapy, massage therapy, cryotherapy, infrared sauna, steam room, Thai body stretch, and intravenous injection therapy. The original Journey Within Wellness Center in Columbia boasts celebrity clients from the Baltimore Orioles, NFL, USFL among others. Journey Within is expected to open in June 2023.