Car stolen in Friendship Heights

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen car in the Friendship Heights area of Chevy Chase on Tuesday afternoon. The vehicle was stopped, or parked, along the street in the 5500 block of Wisconsin Avenue when it was stolen around 3:49 PM, according to crime data.

New Bethesda Row development at 7070 Arlington Road would demolish Uncle Julio's (Photos)

UPDATE - March 8, 2021: This article has been updated to include a statement from Federal Realty regarding the future of Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row

The first renderings of the new development proposed for 7070 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row show Uncle Julio's being replaced at the corner of Arlington and Bethesda Avenue. Property owner Federal Realty plans to retain the Apple Store and other retail and restaurant structures east of Uncle Julio's along the south side of Bethesda Avenue. On the sites of Uncle Julio's, the small retail structure between Uncle Julio's and the future Audi Bethesda dealership on Arlington Road, and the parking lot behind the stores on Bethesda Avenue would rise a residential building of up to 90' with ground floor retail.

The development will not please fans of Uncle Julio's, one of the most-popular restaurants at Bethesda Row. Of course, it could return in the ground floor of the new development. And given Federal Realty's track record at Bethesda Row and Pike & Rose, whichever tenants do fill the ground floor retail are almost certain to be A-list names.

In response to concerns over the future of Uncle Julio's, Federal Realty provided the following statement:

Uncle Julio’s has been a fixture in Bethesda for over 33 years and a partner with Federal Realty for almost 20 years. Amid the excitement of our proposed plan to add housing to downtown Bethesda at Bethesda Row, there has been some confusion about whether or not Uncle Julio’s is leaving the neighborhood. While we have taken the first steps toward seeking approval for a residential and retail project, it could take several years to bring to fruition. We value our relationship with Uncle Julio’s and plan to keep them as a fixture at Bethesda Row for many years to come. 

One other positive that jumps out in the early renderings is a feature that many downtown residents have sought but rarely found in recent developments - an on-property solution for delivery and loading trucks. Here, Federal Realty appears to be taking the same approach as JBG Smith has at 8001 Woodmont. An internal driveway will pass through the building, allowing trucks to enter on one side, unload, and then simply continue forward to exit on the other side. This prevents the problem of trucks blocking traffic lanes or sidewalks.

Expect more details to be revealed at the virtual community meeting regarding the project, which will be held Monday, February 22, 2021 at 7:00 PM.

Renderings courtesy Federal Realty/Hickok Cole

Melina coming to Pike & Rose

Melina, a Greek restaurant, is coming to Pike & Rose. The latest dining concept from the team behind the CAVA empire, Melina will take up a prime location in the ground floor of Federal Realty's new office building at 909 Rose Avenue. That gives the restaurant high visibility from Rockville Pike. 

Melina has a liquor license hearing scheduled for March 4, 2021. If you want a sneak peek at what may be on the menu, check out the tantalizing photos on its Instagram account. Here's a look at the interior so far, and as you can see, there's quite a ways to go before opening day.

Zengo Cycle permanently closes all locations

Zengo Cycle has permanently closed all of its locations. The D.C.-area indoor cycling studio chain is citing the pandemic as the major cause of its demise. Zengo's Montgomery County locations included Bethesda at 4866 Cordell Avenue, and the Kentlands at 215 Kentlands Boulevard. Cycling studios have found themselves increasingly obsolete during the pandemic, with the success of in-home cycling devices like Peloton that allow riders to avoid the virus risk of the gym setting.

Bethesda construction update: Maizon Bethesda apartments (Photos)

Here's the latest look at the Maizon Bethesda apartments at 4900 Moorland Lane, along Arlington Road, in downtown Bethesda. They expect to begin leasing this spring.

New CVS Pharmacy coming to downtown Bethesda

CVS Pharmacy is opening another store in downtown Bethesda. The new location will be at 7235 Wisconsin Avenue, a building that has previously served as a bank. PNC Bank (formerly Riggs Bank) closed its branch there after the building was sold to Guardian Realty in 2019.

CVS lost a full-size store further down Wisconsin Avenue in recent years, but retains stores at 6917 Arlington Road and 7809 Wisconsin Avenue, as well as at 4601 Sangamore Road in nearby Sumner. The new store would be directly across the street from The Wilson and The Elm, and the future Bethesda Purple Line station.

Bethesda construction update: Marriott International HQ and hotel (Photos)

Here's the latest look at the progress on the Marriott International headquarters and hotel at 7750 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Marriott's development partners want to get the word out that the recent water main breaks near the construction site have had nothing to do with their project. The hotel is scheduled to deliver in early 2022, and Marriott employees will move into the office tower in the later half of 2023.

Car stolen in Green Acres neighborhood of Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the Green Acres neighborhood of Bethesda off River Road early Valentine's Day morning. The vehicle was taken from the driveway of a home in the 5300 block of Wakefield Road around 3:30 AM Sunday morning.

Sign installed at Parvizian Fine Rugs future location in Bethesda

The sign is up at Parvizian Fine Rugs' future location next to Saphire Cafe on Wisconsin Avenue. It is already lit up at night. They will be moving from their current location at 7000 Wisconsin Avenue due to the redevelopment of that property.

Deep freeze in Bethesda (Video+Photos)

The first significant ice storm since 2008 left a crystal shell and dangling icicles on anything not moving in Bethesda yesterday. Montgomery County and Maryland State Highway Administration crews were able to maintain wet road conditions throughout Saturday into the night, despite the temperature being below freezing all day. 

Sidewalks and pedestrian plazas were dicier, with some treated and shoveled more than others. Despite the slippery spots and frigid temperatures, diners packed onto outdoor patios at high-traffic restaurants like Woodmont Grill, Medium Rare, and Hawkers Asian Street Fare.