&Pizza reopens in Bethesda

UPDATE - June 28, 2025, 7:40 PM: &pizza has reopened.

UPDATE - June 27, 2025, 9:33 PM: &pizza says, "there’s a water leak that’s being repaired. We will be back open any day now." There is no sign or message referring to this posted at the restaurant, however.

&Pizza has closed "for now" at 7614 Old Georgetown Road in The Metropolitan in Bethesda. The "for now" caveat was added by the local chain in a message to customers without explanation. One could be that a number of &pizza locations have been sold to at least one franchisee, as the company attempts to move from direct ownership to a franchise model. They may want to give that franchisee, or another, the option to reopen this store before dismantling it. &pizza opened here over 11 years ago, in May of 2014. That's a good run in Bethesda by any measure.

Pink Moon opening this spring in Bethesda

Pink Moon, a self-care community for moms, will open this spring at 7610 Old Georgetown Road, above Chipotle at the Metropolitan apartments in Bethesda. "Pink Moon is a welcoming self-care community for moms," the founders said in a promotional statement online. "We provide fun fitness classes, convenient onsite childcare, social and educational events and resources, support groups and cohorts, self-care pop ups, and unique activities for moms and their families. Our goal is to empower moms to prioritize their own health and wellbeing and ensure they feel seen, supported, and connected throughout motherhood."

The space was previously home to fitness studio Moxie, until it closed in December 2022. Pink Moon is currently offering Founders memberships. These memberships, available for a limited time, will offer the holder a chance to lock in the lowest rates, access to exclusive pre-opening events, 2 guest passes per month, and 10% off retail purchases.

Plaza-level park reopens to public at The Metropolitan in Bethesda

The plaza-level park at The Metropolitan apartment complex at 7620 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda has reopened to the public. A major renovation of the whole property, which also includes the Montgomery County Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, has taken place over the past two years. Changes on the plaza include a new irrigation system, soil treatment, new plantings, and the installation of turf and grass. A separate public area between Geste Beer & Wine and Chipotle has also reopened.

The Metropolitan plaza renovations update (Photos)

Here's a look at the current status of the plaza-level park renovations at The Metropolitan apartments at 7620 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. It is pretty much just a wasteland at the moment. Everything has been torn up and out, and some minor grading work has been done on the surface. The plaza update is part of a major renovation of the property, which is a little over twenty-five years old at this point. I have not seen a rendering of what the finished plaza is going to look like, but the work includes irrigation systems, soil treatment, new plantings and the installation of turf and grass.

Bethesda's Metropolitan Public Parking Garage 49 to switch payment systems January 3

Beginning January 3, 2023, there will be a new payment system inside the Metropolitan Public Parking Garage 49 at 4805 Edgemoor Lane in downtown Bethesda. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has announced that it will implement a new Pay-by-Plate system of payment that day, replacing the existing cashier system. Garage patrons will enter their tag number into a payment station, or using a downloadable app for a touchless option. Hours of operation will remain the same.

As of yesterday, the new payment stations were in place, but with covers over them. MCDOT has an instructional video online for those who are unfamiliar with Pay-by-Plate systems, which can help you be prepared and save time when you use the new system in Garage 49. Now about those elevators...

Moxie closes in downtown Bethesda

Moxie has closed at 7610 Old Georgetown Road in The Metropolitan apartment building in Bethesda. The fitness start-up began as an online, virtual workout for the home. This was an attempt to branch out into bricks-and-mortar as gyms reopened after the pandemic lockdown. Members could opt for virtual home workouts or in-person classes as their schedule or needs dictated. Moxie's space is now available for lease.

Renovations planned for The Metropolitan apartments in Bethesda

Significant renovations are ahead for The Metropolitan apartments at 7620 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. The complex was one of the most modern in town when it debuted in 1997, but is now having to upgrade, to stay competitive with the new luxury buildings of the post-"Great Recession" era. According to a source with knowledge of the plans, changes will range from the cosmetic - finishes and fixtures - to major infrastructure updates. 

The main entrance will be updated with a new awning, and the roof will be replaced. Facades will be cleaned and resealed. A storage area will be converted into a pet amenity space. The lobby and penthouse will both be reconfigured and updated. Other renovation targets will include the rooftop pool, and improving bicycle storage facilities. Work is expected to begin by the end of the summer.

Kohler Signature Store by GROF USA sets opening date in Bethesda

The new Kohler Signature Store by GROF USA is filling the space at 7626 Old Georgetown Road, in the ground floor of the Metropolitan apartment building. You may recall a bike shop was the previous tenant at this prominent corner in downtown Bethesda. The kitchen and bath showroom has set an opening date of March 12, 2020. 

Signage has been installed on the building's facade. Kohler is an American company with a long history since it was founded in 1873 by Austrian-American industrialist John Michael Kohler. Based in Wisconsin, the Kohler family is practically royalty in the state, with John's son Walter and grandson Walter Jr. even having served as Wisconsin governor. They inherited the political genes of John, who himself served as mayor of Sheboygan. Walter Sr. founded the company town today known as Kohler Village in Sheboygan County, current population 2068, still today the company's world headquarters.

GROF USA is a major interior design and fixture supplier for projects large and small, offering design and procurement services. They have offices in some of my favorite cities in the world, including Washington, D.C., New York, Miami, and Caracas, Venezuela. GROF's Bethesda venture is the first Kohler Signature Store to open in the D.C. region.

Groundhog Day in Bethesda as MoCo Govt. continues to refuse to repair garage elevator outage

It's Groundhog Day in Bethesda, as one of the main elevator banks in the Montgomery County Government-owned parking garage at The Metropolitan remains out of service. The ADA violation has continued since August, as our elected officials continue to thumb their collective noses at taxpayers. Our "leaders" are astonishingly unable to deliver the most-basic functions of government, as anyone who presses the button to summon the elevator here will quickly surmise.

Even as Montgomery County Councilman Evan Glass is proposing more taxes amidst already-record-high County taxation, the County has failed to repair a major elevator bank at its own Bethesda government headquarters for months. If the elevator could talk, I suspect it would say, "I just want to give you your money's worth. You paid top dollar for me." Just more evidence that we need to convert the At-Large seats on the Council to smaller district seats, as currently no councilmember is addressing basic Bethesda issues like this.

Bethesda parking rates, taxes rise - but Garage 49 elevators don't (Photos)

Parking rates in the Metropolitan Public Parking Garage 49 in downtown Bethesda rose to $1 an hour on Monday, and lost tickets will cost you $15. The Montgomery County Council raised your property taxes - yet again - this past May. But despite charging you more, Montgomery County can't manage to fix the elevators in its own garage! 

A blasé sign that notifies garage patrons they'll just have to use the Old Georgetown Road elevators instead has been there long enough for one frustrated taxpayer to scribble, "So when is this going to be fixed already!!" This seems to follow the County's magical thinking that distance is not a factor in parking for those with disabilities, as with their ludicrous fake "solution" for the Bethesda Post Office they approved with no handicapped parking spaces.

Heckuva job, Brownie!

Pay more, for literally less service

Maintenance blocks off sections of Garage 49 in Bethesda

Heads-up if you need to park underneath the Metropolitan in downtown Bethesda near the Metro Center. Maintenance underway in the Metropolitan Public Parking Garage 49 at 4805 Edgemoor Lane is blocking off some sections of parking.

LIQUOR ARREST AT THE METROPOLITAN, WEAPON ARREST AT TILDEN MS - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on February 25, according to crime data:

Liquor arrest. The Metropolitan.

Theft. 7800 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Burglary. 3800 block Woodbine Street (Chevy Chase Section 5).

Assault. Cedar Lane at Beach Drive.

Burglary. 5400 block Whitley Park Terrace (Whitley Park).

Theft. DSW Warehouse.

Weapon arrest. Tilden Middle School.

"Other sexual offense." 5800 block Nicholson Lane (Pike District).

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

MY FIRST BETHESDA APARTMENT - A YOUNG PERSON'S WEEKLY GUIDE TO APARTMENT HUNTING IN BETHESDA, MD - BETHESDA APARTMENTS, RENTALS

Welcome to the sixth installment of My First Bethesda Apartment:  a weekly, urban guide to the intimidating task of apartment hunting in Bethesda, and scoring and furnishing your dream pad once you find it.

BETHESDA APARTMENT

OF THE

WEEK

1 BR/1 BA  THE METROPOLITAN (click for listing) - $1801 a month

This week's apartment is not cheap.  But the outstanding location right by the Bethesda Metro Center, washer and dryer in-unit, large closets plus storage, fitness center, 24-hour concierge, and pool are among many reasons to round up a roommate or two, and make it work!

SPLURGE OR FAKE IT

SPLURGE OR FAKE IT

Spend lavishly, or just make everyone think you did!

You can't spend more lavishly than at Bethesda's Design Within Reach.  So if you're searching for a multi-arm lamp for that living room sofa, you're going to have a choice:

SPLURGE

Serge Mouille 3 Arm Floor Lamp from DWR - $7,380

FAKE IT

Ore 5 Arm Floor Lamp from Kmart - $93.60

Where do you stand?  There are people in Bethesda who could write that check for the Serge Mouille without a second thought.  And they'd be getting a 1952 design classic, the finest materials, and... it's made in France.

But the rest of us will have to Fake It this week, and save over $7200(!!) in the process.  Get to know your local Kmart in Aspen Hill for handy bargains like this.  5 arms beat 3 any day!

Have a great weekend, and let me know if this guide helps you find the apartment of your dreams, in the Richest Town in America!

OLD GEORGETOWN ROAD

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

TO GET COMPLETE

OVERHAUL

County Promises Aerial Crossing Will

Remain in Operation Throughout Repairs

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

One of "New Bethesda's" most prominent landmarks is getting an overhaul. This spring, Montgomery County will begin an 8-month renovation of the pedestrian bridge over Old Georgetown Road.

The bridge connects Bethesda Place with The Metropolitan (which also houses the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, and a 1,100 space public parking garage).

90 feet long, this bridge is only 13 years old. I can actually remember the Metropolitan being built. It was just a skeletal framework, and all of the car horns honking in the traffic jams were echoing inside of it. Once completed, the bridge - like the Bethesda Metro Center - became a symbol of the "new" Bethesda, and the futuristic potential ahead. Alas, the record, architecturally-speaking, since then has been quite the mixed bag.

What are they doing to the bridge?

Cleaning, painting, fascia repairs, cladding and railing support replacement.

The east end approach bridge connection will be replaced. A new truss bridge drainage system will be installed. Stamped, lightweight concrete will replace the existing concrete pavers.

Last, but not least, they'll replace the expansion joint that connects the truss bridge with the approach bridge.

Got all that?

Do you use this bridge? If so, you'll be glad to know that - according to the county - the bridge will remain open during all of this work.

Now that is amazing, given the above list of repairs. This bridge has served the public well for over a decade, and this work will ensure it continues to do so well into the future.