Below is a list of businesses that have recently opened, or are set to open in Germantown, MD:
Santa Elena Pupuseria & Antojitos is now open at 19201 Frederick Rd in Germantown. The menu features a wide variety of Salvadoran and Latin-inspired dishes, including pupusas, soups, tamales, antojitos (snacks), and entrée’s like carne asada, churrasco, and fajitas. The new restaurant takes over the space that was most recently home to Margaritas Bar & Grill and, before that, the Fraternal Order of Eagles #3509 and Captain Mori’s Seafood House. Santa Elena has an additional location at 12210 Viers Mill Rd.
C&C Cafe opened its doors at 13012 Middlebrook Road in the Germantown Commons shopping center, taking over the former ShareTea location. The Korean bakery offers a variety of sweet and savory treats, including cakes, scones, and pastries, alongside a full drink menu featuring coffee, lattes, fruit teas, milk teas, and yogurt smoothies.
Bitez, a new restaurant specializing in halal cuisine, opened this summer at 13525 Clopper Rd. in Germantown’s Seneca Plaza, located near Mamma Lena and Rio Grande. The restaurant offers a diverse menu that includes options such as chicken over rice, lamb gyro over rice, falafel over rice, pita wraps, salads, desserts, and drinks. According to Bitez, “Since the chain’s opening in 2023, Bitez has established itself as a unique presence in the local culinary scene. The restaurant is committed to providing exceptional halal cuisine, with dishes crafted from the finest halal-certified ingredients. Bitez aims to offer more than just a meal, promising an unforgettable dining experience that serves as a cultural bridge and creates memorable moments for its patrons. The menu at Bitez reflects a passion for blending traditional halal flavors with modern culinary techniques, appealing to a wide range of tastes. As the restaurant grows, its dedication to the community and its patrons remains strong, positioning Bitez as a haven for food enthusiasts and a celebration of halal culinary traditions. Bitez is proud to offer Zabihah Halal meat, prepared in strict accordance with Islamic dietary guidelines. This method, considered humane and ethical, involves a swift and precise slaughter with a sharp knife, ensuring a quick and painless process. This commitment to halal principles is evident in every dish served at Bitez, inviting guests to explore the rich and diverse world of halal dining.”
Miniso, a Japanese themed novelty store, is now open in the Fox Chapel Shopping Center at 19721 Frederick Rd in Germantown. Miniso is a Chinese retail and variety store chain with Japanese-inspired branding that specializes in household and consumer goods. It offers a wide range of products including, cosmetics and beauty tools, stationery, toys and plushies (often featuring popular licensed characters), kitchenware, home furnishings and decor, accessories, personal care items, snacks and beverages. Miniso describes itself as a “designer brand that places value on their quality, simplistic design, and low price. The global brand operates in over 40 countries, and has over 1,800 stores across the globe. Following their fast-fashion style, the company also launches new products every week – keeping up with trends. Miniso uniquely combines fashion and simplistic lifestyle to give quality products at affordable price.”
Coming Soon: Dollar Tree is coming to the former Staples store at 20906 Frederick Road. Dollar Tree, a company known for its value-oriented merchandise, has been actively growing its footprint in the area. The new Germantown store will add to its presence in Montgomery County, where the company has been moving into larger retail spaces to accommodate a wider selection of goods. Dollar Tree recently began construction on its upcoming store at 11130 New Hampshire Avenue in White Oak. We’ve previously reported on the company’s growth in our area, including the recent opening of a Dollar Tree in Cloverly Town Centerin April 2025, in a space that was formerly a karate studio. Additionally, a new Dollar Tree store opened last year in North Bethesda, and another new location recently arrived in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg.
Coming Soon: Marco’s Pizza has signed a new three-unit franchise agreement to open locations in Montgomery County, led by cousins Sri Masabathula and Sasi Vaddi under SS Brothers Pizza, LLC. The first location is expected to open ib Germantown within 12 months, with two additional stores planned over the following two years, though the exact locations have not yet been announced. According to Marcos, Masabathula got his start in the industry delivering pizzas for Papa John’s, always dreamed of owning his own pizza franchise. While he briefly pivoted to a career in IT, he quickly realized that his passion and long-term vision lived in the community connections of the pizza business.
“Marco’s stood out to us because of its commitment to operational excellence and quality ingredients”
