Always Ice Cream Company is targeting a late November opening for its new shop at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda.

The shop will be located at 11802 Rockville Pike, next to Chipotle and Visionworks, in the space formerly occupied by PetWellClinic. An exact opening date has not yet been announced.

Known for its small-batch ice cream, Always Ice Cream offers more than 200 rotating flavors, along with soft serve, handcrafted sundaes, old-fashioned milkshakes, root beer floats, ice cream cakes, vegan and dairy-free options, and seasonal specialty creations.

The Pike & Rose location will be the company’s ninth Maryland shop. Co-owners Adam and Mark Cohen previously said the opening holds special meaning because many of their family members live in the surrounding communities.

“Opening our newest location is a dream come true. As our ninth Maryland shop, we are thrilled to join the vibrant Pike & Rose neighborhood,” Adam Cohen said.

Always Ice Cream has earned numerous accolades, including being named the No. 1 ice cream shop in the country by Fodor’s Travel. The company has also received “Best Ice Cream” and “Best Dessert” awards from publications including What’s Up Magazine, the Capital Gazette, the Baltimore Sun, and Severna Park Voice.

Smashwala recently opened its new College Park location at 7110 Baltimore Ave., celebrating its grand opening on Friday and Saturday.

The food truck specializes in stuffed smash burgers with creative toppings and house-made sauces, with a menu featuring flavors inspired by countries including Korea, France, India, Mexico and Pakistan.

Burger options include The OG, made with house patties, creamy Cooper Sharp cheese, grilled onions and Smashwala’s special sauce; Patties in Paris, topped with Swiss cheese, grilled mushrooms and truffle-Dijonnaise; and the Seoul Smasher, featuring Cooper Sharp cheese, grilled onions and Seoul Smashing Aioli.

The menu also includes Jalalujah, made with Carolina Reaper cheese, grilled jalapeños, jalapeño jelly and Smashwala’s achar-inspired “BBB” sauce, as well as The Pinche OG with grilled jalapeños.

Customers can choose from a classic brioche bun or upgrade to a croissant or paratha. Smashwala also serves several fried chicken sandwiches, including the Nashville-inspired Chick Happens and Brown Seoul, which combines Korean-inspired flavors with the restaurant’s achar-inspired sauce.

Sides include fries, Cooper Sharp cheese fries and loaded fries, while drinks include a Lychee Arnold Palmer. Smashwala’s menu is halal.

Gene’s Costumes has reopened its Kensington store nearly three years after a fire forced the longtime costume shop to close.

The business announced its return on social media earlier this week, writing, “October 1 reopening!! After nearly 3 years we are able to reopen! Retail area is ready. Rentals will be a work in progress. Let’s give it a try! Come see us!!”

Gene’s Costumes is located at 10636 Connecticut Ave. in Kensington and has been in business for more than 30 years. The shop is one of the remaining full-service costume rental and retail stores in the D.C. area, offering costumes, accessories, wigs and other items.

In January 2024, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a fire in the basement of the business shortly before noon. The fire was brought under control and no injuries were reported, but the store remained closed following the incident.

With the reopening, the retail portion of Gene’s Costumes is ready for customers, while the business says its rental operation remains a work in progress.

According to MyMCMedia, regular store hours are Monday through Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. During the final two weeks leading up to Halloween, hours will be extended until 9pm.