Bethesda Streetery reconfigured to add stopping lane at Bethesda Row

The Bethesda Streetery, the outdoor dining area located along Woodmont Avenue between Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street, just got a little smaller. Planters along the southbound vehicle lane have been pulled back to allow for the creation of a stopping lane. It is supposed to be a temporary stopping zone for delivery drivers, and for the Bethesda Circulator shuttle bus to pull into near its bus stop. But in the early going, a few drivers have appeared to use the lane as free parking.

Porsche Studio Chevy Chase construction update (Photos)

The window coverings have come down at the future Porsche Studio, scheduled to open by the end of summer at the Collection at Chevy Chase in Friendship Heights. Many of the interior design elements seen in the renderings of the auto showroom last year are now visible. Permanent signage is now in place on the exterior of the building, and is already lit at night. The art gallery-inspired showroom is being opened by the same ownership of Porsche Bethesda at Pike & Rose.

Man attacks front of Z-Burger in Bethesda (Photos)

A man attacked the front of Z-Burger at 4827 Fairmont Avenue in Bethesda about an hour before the restaurant opened yesterday morning. Witnesses said the man smashed the front windows using what appeared to be one of the new, rat-proof public trash cans. The crashing of the metal trash can drew a lot of attention from those in the vicinity at the time. Montgomery County police arrived at the scene, and very shortly had a suspect in custody. 

The suspect was handcuffed and seated in the adjacent Veterans Park, as officers searched his belongings. A motive for the vandalism is unknown at this time. An arrest in the case does not appear in Montgomery County arrest records as of this writing. Despite the damage, Z-Burger forged ahead Monday. The broken glass was swept up, and the burger restaurant opened for lunch.

Suspect detained in
Veterans Park

With debris cleaned up,
Z-Burger opened for lunch

Bethesda construction update: Cecil Apartments (Photos)

Here's a look at the current construction status of the Cecil Apartments at 8015 Old Georgetown Road at the northern edge of downtown Bethesda. The development was built on the former site of the Christ Lutheran Church, which was addressed as 8011 Old Georgetown before the house of worship was demolished. Cecil's delivery date has slipped from April 2024 to this fall, when the first residents of its 310 units are expected to move in. The project developer is JLB Partners, and the property will be managed by partner Bozzuto. There is now an official website for the development.

Bach to Rock relocating in Bethesda

Bach to Rock is relocating in downtown Bethesda. It won't be leaving the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood, however. The music school will only be moving a couple of blocks away from its current spot at 4819 St. Elmo Avenue. That location will remain open until the move, which is currently expected to take place in November. Bach to Rock's new location will be 4910 Cordell Avenue, which was recently vacated by Party Mania.  

Squishable won't give up at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The squishables are refusing to go at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Squishable closed a few weeks ago. Their sign was completely torn off, and the windows were papered over inside. But merchandise on the top shelf could still be seen inside. Yesterday, the sign was back in place, and the store's Google listing switched to say "Temporarily closed." Which forces me to add the label "weird" to this post.

The final week of Express at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

If you're seeking those closing sale savings at Express, hurry to Westfield Montgomery Mall in the coming days, as this is the final week for Express and Express Men at the mall. Signs at the store are counting down the final days. Express is closing around 100 stores nationwide after filing for bankruptcy. Their exit hasn't lived up to their brand name, though, with the closing sale having lasted all summer.

Carter's to open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this fall

Carter's is coming to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this fall. The children's apparel retailer has posted "coming soon" and help-wanted signage at its future storefront. Carter's is a venerable clothing manufacturer, having been founded in 1865. It has snapped up some other well-known brands like OshKosh B'Gosh in more recent times. When it opens, look for Carter's on Level 1 of the mall, next to Windsor.

BabyCat Brewery, Baruch Cafe Express opening in Bethesda

The pedestrian plaza at The Donohoe Companies' Gallery Bethesda development may finally achieve its potential with the addition of BabyCat Brewery and Baruch Cafe Express. Both have leased ground floor spaces at the Gallery Bethesda II apartment tower. Kensington-based BabyCat Brewery announced yesterday on social media that it would open a Bethesda location in early 2025 at 4829 Rugby Avenue. "Coming soon" signage has been posted in the storefront windows.

Also coming soon is Baruch Cafe Express. The coffee shop is promising "the best experience in Bethesda." It had a liquor license hearing on Thursday, according to a sign posted in the front window. Both the brewery and cafe will offer outdoor seating, which could finally provide the catalyst for sustained pedestrian and after-business-hours activity that could activate the plaza between Gallery I and II.

"BabyCat is a fantastic addition to our building and the neighborhood," Donohoe's Don Konz said in a statement. "Ownership is excited to welcome a MoCo-born craft brewer to Bethesda and think this store will be a huge hit with our residents and locals alike."

Landmark Theatres, owner of Bethesda Row Cinema, facing Nov. 8 foreclosure auction

Landmark Theatres, which owns the Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema at 7235 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda, could be under new ownership - or fade into cinema history altogether - if an agreement between parent company Cohen Realty Enterprises and creditor Fortress Investment Group cannot be reached before November 8, 2024. A New York State Supreme Court Judge set the date after CRE defaulted on a $543 million loan. The Landmark chain was among the collateral CRE put up for the loan.

Deadline reports that an agreement to restructure the loan before the November 8 auction is "unlikely [but] not out of the question." Industry insiders are noting many of the issues that cinemagoers in Bethesda have in recent years. Landmark shifted its programming away from its solid diet of arthouse and foreign films during the pandemic, IndieWire reports, because the virus impacted the older moviegoers those films attracted. But when the government declared the pandemic to be "over," Landmark found that bigger chains - who had more screens - had begun to muscle into the indie film market to fill the vacuum. Ironically, it was the larger struggles of the movie industry after 2019 that left more screens available for alternative programming at big cineplexes, such as indie films or Hollywood gems from the past.

Film distributors are also dissatisfied with the failure of Landmark to implement the amenities and more-lavish recliner seating the major chains now provide moviegoers, another reason they might choose an alternative chain to screen their films. IndieWire is optimistic that Landmark's more-profitable locations would be snapped up by other chains. One presumes Bethesda might be on that list, but the financial health of the Bethesda location is not public information.

But, speaking of "deadline," Landmark's lease for the Bethesda Row Cinema was said to expire in 2027, the last time property owner Federal Realty publicly commented on it in 2016. At that time, Federal Realty informed the Montgomery County Planning Board that it would have the option to redevelop the building that houses the Bethesda Row Cinema. Cohen Realty Enterprises acquired the Landmark chain two years later, and by all accounts, has fumbled the ball since. Four Landmark theaters have closed, including its flagship Westside Los Angeles theater, since CRE took ownership of the chain, Deadline reports.

The Montgomery County Council's deliberate choice to not require a replacement cineplex when the Apex Building was torn down continues to haunt downtown Bethesda. Foot traffic in downtown Bethesda plunged after the demolition of Regal Cinemas Bethesda 10, and the Council's disastrous "Nighttime Economy" initiative and policy decisions that cratered nightlife in the County after 2012. Now downtown Bethesda faces the possibility of having no movie theater at all.

Autobody Dimensions now open in downtown Bethesda

Autobody Dimensions has moved to a new location in downtown Bethesda. The auto body shop is now at 4709 Chase Avenue, right off of Wisconsin Avenue. Autobody Dimensions offers collision repair and paint services for all vehicles, and is also a certified collision repair facility for Volvo, Honda, and Acura automobiles. There is an after-hours envelope service that allows you to fill out a form and deposit your keys into a drop box. 

KaFean Koffee opening soon at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

KaFean Koffee is opening soon at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Signage has been installed at the kiosk, and virtually all of the equipment seems to be in place. KaFean Koffee will serve coffee from the Austrian coffee roaster Julius Meinl. The kiosk also has a Rancilio Silvia espresso machine. When it starts percolating, look for KaFean Koffee on Level 1 of the mall, near the Lego store and Kiehl's.

JD Sports opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

JD Sports is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The sporting goods chain has flipped a number of Finish Line stores, which it also owned, to the JD Sports brand. What is the "worldwide connection" touted on the posters in the store's windows? JD Sports carries exclusive items from brands around the world that aren't available at other American retailers. Look for JD Sports on Level 1 of the mall, near The Cheesecake Factory.

Tory Burch opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Tory Burch is coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Signage has just been posted across the future storefront. Founded by Tory Burch in 2004 in New York City, the preppy-bohemian women's fashion brand soon got high-profile boosts from Oprah Winfrey and the TV series Gossip Girl over the ensuing few years. The product line today includes apparel, shoes, handbags, home decor, watches, and accessories. 

Tory Burch currently has a store at Tysons Galleria. The Montgomery Mall store is scheduled to open this fall, in plenty of time for peak holiday season shopping. When it opens, look for Tory Burch on Level 2 of the mall, next to Lovesac.