The Scotland Juneteenth Festival, and its presenting sponsor Minds in Motion Child Care, are bringing recording artists Wyclef Jean, Gyptian, Jamaican reggae legend Tarrus Riley with opening act Dean Fraser & The Blak Soil Band, and more for the Freedom Day Concert at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds on Monday, June 19th. Tickets can be purchased here. Additional information below:

Celebrating the past and present of the first places African-Americans owned land in Montgomery County, the Scotland community of Potomac, has announced significant expansion of the annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival for 2023. Featuring a children’s carnival and musical performance highlighted above, as well as art exhibitions, food, sports, and presentations on Black history in this region, the events for the federal holiday on Monday, June 19, will be spread across the Cabin John Regional Park, Cabin John Village, the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, and the Scotland community on Seven Locks Road.


Persimmon, a popular and highly regarded Bethesda restaurant on 7003 Wisconsin Ave for 25 years, has been acquired by its employees from founders Damian and Stephanie Salvatore. The deal closed on May 8. Terms were not disclosed.

“Deciding to sell wasn’t an overnight decision,” said Stephanie. “It’s taken a while to think things through, such as figuring out our next steps professionally and personally. We have an amazing team of professionals who have helped prepare us for this day. After 25 successful years, we decided this was the right time.”


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Investigative Section are investigating an armed robbery that occurred on Monday, May 1, 2023, in the 5500 block of Wisconsin Ave. in Chevy Chase. Detectives have released photos of the male suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

At approximately 10:45 a.m., 2nd District officers responded to the location for the report of an armed robbery that occurred inside a commercial building. The investigation has revealed that the suspect approached a female victim in a stairwell of the commercial building. The suspect pushed her against the wall, touched her inappropriately, displayed a knife and threatened to kill her. The suspect took her cell phone and threw it against the wall. The suspect then stole her wallet and left the scene.


“Shake Shack is celebrating the hardworking teachers in our communities by treating them to a FREE SHAKE during Teacher Appreciation Week. Between Monday, May 8 and Friday, May 12, teachers and school staff can enjoy a hand-spun shake with their order, on us, when visiting their local Shack. This offer is valid in-Shack with proof of school badge.”

There are Montgomery County Shake Shack locations in Potomac (Cabin John Village), Bethesda (Montgomery Mall), and Gaithersburg (Kentlands). Shake Shack shared the following post via its Instagram story yesterday:


Lucky Strike, located in Montgomery Mall (Bethesda), is offering an hour of free bowling for teachers this week (Monday, May 8th until Friday, May 12th) for National Teacher Appreciation week. Lucky Strike opened in 2017 on the lower level of the mall in the space that was previously home to movie theaters. Hours of operation and additional information below:

“It’s National Teacher Appreciation Week and class is in session at Lucky Strike! Monday, May 8th to Friday, May 12th enjoy a free hour of bowling! Thank you teachers! *Must show a valid teacher ID to get the offer. Bowling is for Walk-Ins Only. The free hour is only for teachers in any group.”


Washington, D.C.’s luxury nail and beauty parlor, nailsaloon, has announced its next location, a 2,128 SF space, at The Collection–a block-long outdoor shopping center that is home to “accessible luxury, featuring an array of high-end retailers, popular shops, and restaurants” in Chevy Chase.

Per the press release: The third location by DC-based Latina salontrepreneur, Andréa Vieira, is set to open its doors by early Fall 2023. nailsaloon is best known for providing superior, non-toxic nail care in a hyper-clean environment. All three locations are premier places of pampering, where patrons are welcome to unwind and re-energize while making new friends and connecting with old ones over nail treatments such as manicures, pedicures, and nail art, as well as facial and body waxing. Conversations are encouraged and a complimentary beverage is offered to each guest to wet their whistles as they enjoy an optional specialty tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice, soda, beer or glass of wine during their service.


We confirmed today that Altar’d State would be closing its Montgomery Mall location permanently on Sunday, May 21. The women’s boutique opened at Montgomery Mall approximately five years ago. “Altar’d State is an energetic fashion boutique that offers a distinctive shopping experience for women interested in the latest fashion finds, the most anticipated accessories and that next great gift. Whether she is 16 or 60, the common thread is her desire to share her personality through stylish, comfortable, on-trend clothes, shoes and accessories.”

The first Altar’d State boutique was opened in 2009, in Knoxville, Tennessee, with one idea on the mind of founders Aaron Walters and Brian Mason: to create a brand that could make the world a better place. Per Altar’d State: “Every Monday, you have the opportunity to give back to those who need it most. 10% of net proceeds on Mondays go directly to local charities across the country. Throughout the year we support organizations who feed the hungry, assist service men and women, boost self-esteem, love on those undergoing treatment and house the homeless.” The boutique has a nearby location in Leesburg that we were told will remain open. Featured photo courtesy of Altar’d State on Facebook.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision with an overturned vehicle on I495 near River Road, before MacArthur Boulevard, on Monday, May 8 around 12:30pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, EMS is evaluating three patients with non-life threatening injuries. The incident blocks all lanes of Inner Loop I-495 and the left two lanes of Outer Loop I-495 just prior to Exit 39 (River Rd/MD190).  Drivers should expect significant delay and seek an alternate route.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: Update IL/OL I495 beltway IAO Thomas Bridge/River Rd, collision with rollover, four (4) lanes blocks northbound & two (2) lane blocked southbound, debris in roadway, @MCFRS_EMIHS  evaluating 3 patients incl 2 Pri2 trauma & 1 Pri3, all NLT”


Last summer we let you know that Andy’s Pizza, the 2021 winner of the International Pizza Challenge™, is coming to Montgomery County with an upcoming location at 4600 East West Highway– the former site of sandwich shop Booeymonger in Bethesda. In January,  a representative from Andy’s let us know the restaurant is “approximately six months away from opening”, which makes an early summer opening likely. In addition to progress with construction, the restaurant also has its hearing with Montgomery County’s Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) on Thursday, May 18 at 10am.

Andy’s Pizza currently has locations in Adams Morgan, NoMa, Navy Yard, and Shaw in DC, with an additional NoVa location at Tysons. Another upcoming location is planned for Old Town Alexandria. Owner Andy Brown, who grew up in Bethesda, stated that he had been looking in the area since his restaurant began expanding. According to Business Journal, “The Bethesda location will also have more space than average — its other locations run roughly 1,800 square feet — to accommodate larger parties.”


Greek Aroma Grill has closed the Montgomery Mall location the restaurant opened back in the fall of 2022. The restaurant was located in the food terrace and offered items that included, dolma, gyros, kababs, salads, souvlaki, and baklava. Greek Aroma has additional location/ at 177 D Thomas Johnson Dr. in Frederick, MD and at 4555 Woodberry St, in LeFantome Food Hall (Riverdale, MD).

According to Greek Aroma, “every dish is created using only the freshest and finest ingredients. We serve only the finest meats, freshest vegetables, and desserts that are baked fresh daily. Our authentic menu and atmosphere create a truly enjoyable dining experience. Every dish is made to order.” For a full list of what’s new and what’s coming soon at Montgomery Mall, check out our recent update here. The news of Greek Aroma’s closing was first reported by Robert Dyer.


Just days after the Nike store in Georgetown closed its doors,  a new Nike store put up signage in January at 7117 Arlington Rd in Bethesda– the former home of Amazon Books. “Nike By Bethesda” has now set a tentative opening date for the 6,063 SF store– Thursday, May 25th. Though Google lists this as the opening date, the recent Silver Spring Nike Unite store pushed the date back a few times before actually opening on February 23.

In addition to the Silver Spring Nike Unite store, Nike operates a Factory Store at the Clarksburg Premium Outlets. The Bethesda store will be a retail store. Nike retail stores offer shoes and apparel that are new and come directly from the warehouse. They are generally priced at the normal retail price. This is different than a Nike Factory store, which sell products made specifically for the retail outlet or outlet out-of-season discounted goods.


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