Tasty Tidbits: Carmen’s Italian Ice to open new location in Potomac
Plus: Marathon Deli opens in Crossroads of Kensington; Panera closes longtime location in downtown Rockville
By
Elia GriffinMay 21, 2026 4:46 p.m.
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Carmen’s Italian Ice is set to open a new location in Potomac in early June, according to a press release from the dessert eatery.
The Potomac shop will be at 11325 Seven Locks Road, Suite 113, in the Cabin John Village shopping center, the release said. The new shop will be the chain’s fourth full-service location in Montgomery County.
Carmen’s Italian Ice opened its first county location 25 years ago, founder Jason Mandler said in the release. Now, there are five shops across the county in Rockville, Olney, Clarksburg, Gaithersburg and Kensington, which opened in October 2024.
The Potomac shop will be co-owned by Jerry Walters, Brad Riddle and Ajay Jalloh, in partnership with Mandler and his wife, Boodie, the release said. Walters noted in the release that a Potomac location has been on his “radar” for a long time.
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“We’ve watched families drive across town just to get their Carmen’s fix, and we knew this community deserved a shop of its own,” Walters said.
An array of frozen treats from Italian ice, frozen custard, gelato and shakes are available at the shop. Flavor offerings include Blue Cotton Candy, mint chocolate chip, piña colada and Olney Orange, according to the eatery’s website.
Carmen’s Italian Ice also offers frozen desserts such as the Jersey Shore Mocha, with espresso, chocolate Italian ice, vanilla custard and whipped cream; cherry Coke and root beer floats; and warm snacks such as churros, funnel fries and pretzel bites.
In April, Bon Appétit magazine included Carmen’s Italian Ice in its roundup of “The Best Things We Ate in April,” a milestone of national recognition for the brand, the release said.
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Marathon Deli opens in Crossroads of Kensington
Earlier this month, Marathon Deli & Grill opened in Kensington’s Crossroads of Kensington retail center at 10619 Connecticut Ave. According to a social media post, the eatery opened May 8.
The new restaurant offers a full-service bar serving Greek wine and beer and has indoor and outdoor seating.
On the menu is a mix of authentic Greek dishes such as moussaka, grilled octopus and spanakopita, as well as gyros, bowls, burgers and sandwiches. Marathon also features “favorites” from patrons at the eatery’s first location at the University of Maryland, such as chicken parm and meatball subs.
The Kensington location is the College Park-based eatery’s second and first in Montgomery County.
At the Crossroads of Kensington, Marathon Deli & Grill joins Buffalo Wild Wings, which opened in September. Mezeh, a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain offering wraps and grain and salad bowls, is expected to open in the retail center soon.
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Panera closes longtime location in downtown Rockville
It is the end of an era for Panera Bread in Rockville Town Center. A sign taped to the door of the eatery on Friday said the restaurant at 219 East Middle Lane would permanently close on Tuesday.
“Thank you for your support over the years! We appreciate your business and loyalty. Please visit us at our other Rockville locations!” the sign read.
Two Panera eateries remain in the Rockville area now, at 1780 E. Jefferson St. in the Federal Plaza shopping center and at 14921 Shady Grove Road in the Fallsgrove Village Center.
There are also 12 other locations across Montgomery County, in Germantown, Gaithersburg, Olney, Aspen Hill, White Oak, downtown Silver Spring and downtown Bethesda.
According to Store Reporter, the Panera operated for about a decade in Rockville Town Center.
Panera’s media team did not immediately respond Thursday afternoon to Bethesda Today’s request for comment.
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Originally published at Bethesdamagazine