BETHESDA CONVENIENCE STORE FOR SALE (PHOTOS)

Want to buy a convenience store? There's one for sale in Bethesda, and - based on photos in the sale announcement - it appears to be the Norfolk Mini Mart at 8006 Norfolk Avenue. 

You don't get the building, just the business, its equipment, and the current inventory of merchandise. The store currently holds a 6-year lease for the space, according to the Craigslist ad. Among the draws is that the store currently is a licensed lottery operator.

If you're a fan of Norfolk Mini Mart, there's no need to be alarmed - the store is still operating, and will continue operating as usual if another owner purchases the business. Competition is fairly high in the Woodmont Triangle, with chain stalwart 7-Eleven squaring off against Norfolk Mini Mart, Aria Beer Wine and Deli, News Express and other smaller stores. At the same time, residential construction is booming in the Triangle, with more customers on the way. So this could be a good opportunity for someone with management skills, and a sense of what products apartment dwellers want most in 2014.

VI-KINGS BRING THE 60s TO LIFE AT BETHESDA BLUES AND JAZZ JANUARY 10

Local band The VI-Kings will bring the sounds of 1960s rock and roll to the stage at Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club on Saturday, January 10, at 8:00 PM. This will be a dance night, taking full advantage of the historic building's custom-designed dance floor.

The band is coming off of successful recent gigs at Flanagan's Harp and Fiddle, and Clyde's of Chevy Chase. Among the VI-Kings is one of Bethesda's most prominent real estate agents, bassist Matthew Maury. Another member who might be a familiar face to Bethesda diners and bar patrons is guitarist/vocalist Sean Chyun.

Tickets will be $15, and are on sale now.

COLD STONE CREAMERY MAY BE COMING TO WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL

Peanut Butter Cup Perfection is sounding awfully close to happening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. You may recall when I reported the brief announcement that Cold Stone Creamery (and Max Brenner) were joining the restaurant lineup on the mall's Facebook page this past August. That announcement then disappeared within hours, and a mall spokesperson said neither chain had signed a lease at the retail center at that point.

Now Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services has received a request from Cold Stone to alter a 503 SF space at the mall, along with 185 SF of storage space.

You could be having a Chocolate Lava Meltdown - and ramping up your workout at the gym - if this addition to the mall indeed comes to pass.

Stay tuned!

CITY LIGHTS OF CHINA FIRE CAUSES OVER $400K IN DAMAGE AT BETHESDA RESTAURANT (PHOTOS)

A kitchen fire after midnight on Sunday at City Lights of China caused over $400,000 in damage to the Bethesda restaurant, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer. Piringer said the fire has been ruled accidental, and investigators determined it was electrical in nature. Heavy smoke poured from the roof, and fire officials had to temporarily close that block of Bethesda Avenue.

City Lights moved to 4953 Bethesda Avenue last year, and its original Bethesda Row location was taken over by ShopHouse. Piringer said a health inspector has been requested to examine the damaged restaurant.

Interior damage at
City Lights of China

Photos: Pete Piringer via Twitter

MORE NEW SIGNAGE AT SHOPPES OF BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

More shops (shoppes?) have their new signs as the remodeling of the Shoppes of Bethesda continues. The shopping center is located along Elm Street and Hampden Lane in downtown Bethesda.

ROBBERY REPORTED AT SUBURBAN HOSPITAL ON THANKSGIVING - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on November 27, according to crime data:

Liquor arrest. Union Jack's Bethesda.

Theft. 4700 block Bethesda Avenue.

Robbery. Suburban Hospital.

Burglary. 8000 block Glendale Road (Chevy Chase).

Burglary. 5800 block Magic Mountain Drive.

BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: SANDY SPRING BANK

The new Sandy Spring Bank branch in the ground floor of the 7550 Wisconsin office building is finished. Here are some preview shots of the bank's interior taken over the last two weeks; as you'll notice, the furniture has been added in the latest photos near the bottom: