Baltimore-Based ice cream shop The Charmery will open its newest location at 8551 Connecticut Ave, Suite 202, in Chevy Chase on Friday, June 23rd– it’s first in Montgomery County. The Charmery held its first soft opening event today from 6pm-9pm and will hold its second soft opening event on Thursday from 6pm-9pm (video below).

As part of the grand opening the store will unveil a special flavor as an homage to F. Scott Fitzegerald, who lived in Baltimore, but is known to have spent time in Montgomery County and is buried at a Rockville cemetery. The flavor is called Fitzgerald’s Rickey and is comprised of gin and lime flavored ice cream.


Tractor Trailer Crash occurred at I-495 SB (Outer Loop) at the I-270 Spur in Montgomery County, MD. All lanes of the Outer Loop are blocked. Delays are approximately 1.5 miles.

Per our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, Maryland State Police, Montgomery County Police, and MDSHA working to divert traffic off the Outer Loop of the Beltway (I-495 West) on to MD-187/Old Georgetown Road. Tonight’s crash, which involved 2 tractor-trailers, occurred shortly after 7PM. Featured photo courtesy of MDOT.


Per Montgomery County: Food lovers of all interests are sure to find something fitting their tastes this summer and fall as Montgomery Parks will host its “Foodie Fridays” speaker series this summer at Josiah Henson Museum and Park in Bethesda. The series will be held on the fourth Friday of each month, with the series opening at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 23.

Foodie Fridays will feature farmers, educators, community organizers, food lovers and changemakers. Each session will be a conversation about a different food-related topic. Admission of $10 per person includes light refreshments and one alcoholic beverage for adults 21 and older with identification. It also includes a ticket to the Josiah Henson Museum (a $5 value) that is redeemable during regular museum hours.


Last November, we let you know that New York‘s Chip City will be opening its first Maryland location at the Shoppes of Bethesda, replacing Fancy Cakes By Leslie at 4939 Elm St. Fancy Cakes by Leslie closed in October 2022. While there has been no movement since then, a commercial permit was issued earlier this month for a $210,000 buildout at the location.

Five years ago, cookies were a side hustle for Theodore Gailas and Peter Phillips. Since then, they’ve opened over a dozen Chip City cookie shops in and around New York with plans to expand outside of the area. Chip City is expected to rapidly expand, with over 20 stores expected to open in 2023. According to Forbes, The rollout plan will be supported by the founder of fast casual restaurant Shake Shack, Danny Meyer, who recently invested $10 million in the cookies. An opening timeframe for Chip City’s Bethesda location is not currently available.


Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT) today unveiled two new public art installations on a County-operated public parking garage in downtown Bethesda. MCDOT worked with Federal Realty, which commissioned the large murals by artist Andrea Cobb of Durham, N.C. They are located at the entrances of MCDOT’s Public Garage 57 on Elm Street and Bethesda Avenue in Bethesda Row.

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s ‘Go Montgomery!’ newsletter. For additional information about Federal Realty and its properties, visit www.federalrealty.com.


The proposed re-development of 5500 Wisconsin in Chevy Chase, Maryland, has been given the green light by the Montgomery County Planning Board. The project by Carr Companies and Donohoe Development is a mixed-use development that will include 360 apartments, 45 moderately priced dwelling units, 11,000 square feet of retail space, and underground parking. 15% of the apartments (45 total) as Moderately Priced Dwelling Units, for professionals who cannot afford the traditionally high rents in the community, such as teachers and first responders.  This will be the only building in Friendship Heights Village to offer MPDUs.

The development has been in the works for several years and has undergone significant changes and revisions to meet community feedback and address concerns raised by stakeholders. Donohoe Development worked closely with the community and the Montgomery County Planning Board to ensure that the project met the needs and expectations of all parties involved. Site Plan approval was received in April 2023 after Donohoe Development and Carr Companies received full support for the project from the Friendship Heights Village Council, and final plans were submitted to the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission.


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. Last month the restaurant had its hearing with Montgomery County’s Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) and we’re told Andy’s is currently targeting a mid to late July opening.

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.”


Colony Grill, a popular Connecticut Pizza restaurant offering “bar pies”, opens its newest location today (Monday, June 19), at 11:30am in Potomac’s Cabin John Village. Pricing for Colony Grill’s pies range from $10.50 to $13.50 with options for adding additional toppings or glutenfree crust. The menu also features a “salad pie,” as well as a breakfast pie that features a choice of bacon or sausage, egg, and cheese and is available all day. 

”Colony Grill, the 85-year-old restaurant brand known for its family-friendly tavern settings, gracious hospitality, and famous “hot oil” bar-style pizzas, has announced the opening of its newest location at Cabin John Village, a bustling mixed-use development located at 11325 Seven LocksRoad in Potomac, Maryland. Beginning Monday, June 19, the 4,800-square-foot space will be open daily from 11:30 a.m. until late closing, offering seating for about 175 across its dining room, bar, and patio.


VinoRita Wine Slushies is coming to the Montgomery Mall food court, taking over the kiosk space that was previously home to HalfSmoke, Gelato Galax, and Coldstone Creamery. HalfSmoke closed in April and VinoRita currently has a hearing with Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) on Thursday, July 6th at 1pm. VinoRita currently has locations in Georgia (Atlanta) and North Carolina (Charlotte and Concord). While an opening date is not yet available we don’t expect it to take long following the approval of the alcohol license.

The menu consists of a variety of flavors, including the best selling “Black San,” which is a Blackberry Sangria. Other flavors include Peach Frose, Strawberry Daquiri, Blueberry Pomegranate, and a variety of non-alcoholic slushees. Additional information below, Per VinoRita:


Dok Khao Thai Eatery is coming to Montgomery County, signing on to move into a new space in Chevy Chase Lake, next to The Charmery (opening on Friday) off of Connecticut Ave in Chevy Chase.  Dok Thai Thai Eatery opened its first location in Woodbridge, VA, followed by a second in the Merriweather District in Downtown Columbia, which is coincidentally also located to a relatively new location of The Charmery. Only a few spots remain available at Chevy Chase Lake, which is anchored by Amazon Fresh.

The restaurant describes itself as a “Local Thai Cuisine for everyone – every dish is crafty made to order using high quality ingredients including locally made fresh noodles, chef’s home grown Thai herbs, & Rare-Finds Asian vegetables.” The menu includes “Deliciously addictive Street Food & Noodles, Sense of Thai craft cocktails, and homemade cakes and an Asian Inspired Dessert Bar . At Dok Khao Thai Eatery, we brought to you the breeze of a Bangkok Night Market and the taste of real Thai street food with a variety of Thai small plates, healthy salads, & hearty noodle soups.” An opening date/timeframe is not yet available. Featured photo courtesy of the Dok Khao website.


Colony Grill, a popular Connecticut Pizza restaurant offering “bar pies”, opens its newest location this Monday, June 19, at Cabin John Village in Potomac. Pricing for Colony Grill’s pies range from $10.50 to $13.50 with options for adding additional toppings or glutenfree crust. The menu also features a “salad pie,” as well as a breakfast pie that features a choice of bacon or sausage, egg, and cheese and is available all day. 

”Colony Grill, the 85-year-old restaurant brand known for its family-friendly tavern settings, gracious hospitality, and famous “hot oil” bar-style pizzas, has announced the opening of its newest location at Cabin John Village, a bustling mixed-use development located at 11325 Seven LocksRoad in Potomac, Maryland. Beginning Monday, June 19, the 4,800-square-foot space will be open daily from 11:30 a.m. until late closing, offering seating for about 175 across its dining room, bar, and patio.


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