Store Reporter

The Office Depot on Shady Grove Road is closing its doors to make room for something new: an Amazon Fresh supermarket where you can walk in, fill up your cart and exit the store in minutes. The e-commerce behemoth hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but the Washington Business Journal reports that all signs point to Amazon as the new tenant. So what exactly is an Amazon Fresh store? Unlike Amazon’s Whole Foods chain, this new concept promises a wider range of price points and a completely tech-assisted shopping experience. The store will be full of devices that can read your Alexa-created grocery list, map out your route and guide you to all the right aisles. When you’re ready to leave, your Amazon app will total your purchases and automatically charge your card. No need to stand in line, no need to interact with a human, and perhaps no need to enter the store at all: Amazon Fresh also offers curbside pickup and same-day delivery for Prime members.

Behold the future home of Bark Social, the Pike & Rose dog park that’s finally getting started in the empty lot across from Pinstripes. The park originally was expected to be up and running by now, but the project got delayed and owners tell us they’re now hoping to open around Thanksgiving. Plans call for an indoor/outdoor bar with craft beer, coffee and WiFi, plus baked goods from Lil’ Cakes and Creamery. Humans can visit for free, but four-legged guests will require a membership or a day pass. Once inside, all pups will be able to roam off-leash and have their poop scooped by Bark Social staffers. For a peek at what this place will look like, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram. For more scoop on the Pike & Rose restaurant scene, click here.

The Washington Sports Club chain has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but the North Bethesda location is staying open along with five others in the D.C. area. Sales of home exercise equipment continue to be off the charts, but the pandemic has been tough on gyms: Gold’s Gym and 24 Hour Fitness are also in Chapter 11.

As we predicted back in July, Bed Bath & Beyond has announced plans to close its store in Gaithersburg but will continue to operate the one on Rockville Pike. The struggling retailer is shuttering some 200 stores by the end of this year — including some from sister chains like Buy Buy Baby and World Market.

A weekly guide sponsored by some of our favorite local businesses

THIS WEEK’S UPDATES: Looking to treat yourself or someone you love? Check out our Shop Local section for inspiration and a chance to support small businesses. Stores like Gym & Tonic, Hanna’s Connection, Karen’s Rocks and Rags, My Best Friend’s Closet and Scout & Molly’s are all locally owned and brimming with great stuff that can’t be found at the mall. Austyn Parker, a local online business, has tons of fun ideas that bring kids, moms and grandmas together. And Joyful Bath Co. in Bethesda is perfect for small indulgences (like the bath bombs pictured above). Scroll down for the full list.

 

SHOP LOCAL

 

• AUSTYN PARKER, fun jewelry for kids & cute clothes for moms. For kids: Make-your-own jewelry kits & online parties where everyone works on a project together. For moms: We’ve got your favorite brands like LNA, Monrow, Perfect White Tee, Generation Love, Chrldr & Comune. Shop Facebook or Shop Instagram. For gift ideas, party planning & what’s in stock, call us: (301) 706-8122 or email us: randi@austynparker.com.

 

• GYM & TONIC, luxury athleisure apparel. Whether you’re working out or working from home, we have the casual comfortable looks you want right now — plus lots of different style of masks, from tie-dye to camo! Now open for in-person shopping Monday-Saturday 12-4 p.m., and we’re always sanitizing for the safest possible experience. Prefer to shop from home? DM us for virtual visits & delivery in the DMV. Shop @lovegymandtonic on Instagram. Email us: wendyamy18@gmail.com. Call us: (301) 340-8800.

 

• HANNA’S CONNECTION clothing boutique, inside the Cabin John mini-mall. All new loungewear and cozy, comfy fashions from $49-$99. Don’t miss our closeout sales: $10-$49 on your favorite brands. Free designer face masks with your purchase. Ask about virtual shopping and one-on-one appointments. Curbside pickup & shipping on orders over $50. Call us: (301) 704-0264. Shop Facebook or Shop Instagram.

 

• JOYFUL BATH CO., natural handmade bath and body care products for spa & wellness at home. 5534 Wilkins Ct., North Bethesda. Soaps, shower steamers, bath bombs, hemp ultra therapy, soy candles, Turkish towels & gift sets plus our own citric acid surface cleaner. Open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call (301) 986-5320 or order online for shipping or curbside pickup: joyfulbathco.com.

 

• KAREN’S ROCKS AND RAGS, women’s boutique with on-trend, affordable clothing & accessories. 212 Main Street, Gaithersburg. Now accepting luxury designer bags on consignment for a 50/50 split. Check out our $10 face masks, $10 racks & 40% off tons of merchandise — plus pre-fall items on sale now. Open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Shop Facebook. Shop Instagram. Phone: (240) 631-2565. eBay store: ebay.com/str/karensrocksandrags.

 

• MY BEST FRIEND’S CLOSET, a fun & exciting shopping experience with the best selection of junior, young contemporary & women’s clothing at very reasonable price points. 9735 Traville Gateway Drive, Rockville. We receive new merchandise daily, so stop in often to find fun pieces to add to your wardrobe. Don’t miss our very popular $10 racks. Open Monday-Saturday noon to 4 p.m., with private appointments on Sunday. Shop Instagram. Call (301) 340-3233. Website: mybffcloset.com

 

• SCOUT & MOLLY’S BOUTIQUE, your North Bethesda fashion destination at Pike & Rose. We have tons of new fall arrivals. Check out our chic new Italian lines, unique jewelry items, messenger bags with guitar straps & fun comfy joggers. Click here for new face mask colors & styles. Shop Instagram. Shop Facebook. We will continue to offer curbside pickup, so feel free to shop online or call us at (301) 348-5047 to help with your shopping needs! Website: northbethesda.scoutandmollys.com.

 

FITNESS & WELLNESS

 

• POTOMAC PHYSICAL THERAPY & REHAB, PT in the comfort & convenience of your home or office. We treat patients from birth to adulthood for sports injuries, postpartum recovery, orthopedic & neurologic conditions, pediatric disorders, chronic & acute pain, headache & concussions, oncology rehab & more. Our Covid precautions include masks for clinician & patient, hand & equipment sanitizing, option for outdoor or garage sessions. More info: dorina@potomacptandrehab.com or www.potomacptandrehab.com.

 

• ROBERT SHERMAN FITNESS, personal training & Zoom classes from a master trainer for Reebok, Schwinn, SPRI, Beachbody, Lifetime & Equinox. Specializing in yoga, post-rehab, muscular strength, endurance, sports performance & active aging, with 37 years training/teaching globally. Choose in-home distanced sessions, Zoom classes for 1-4 people, or Livestream classes for as low as $10: yoga, core, strength, barre, cycle & Pilates. Email robert@robertshermanfitness.com or visit robertshermanfitness.com.

 

• ROCKVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING, private sessions for fitness & medical exercise. Bring a friend or family member: We can accommodate up to four people for small-group training in our studio at 152 Rollins Avenue, Suite 208. We also offer meal planning, wellness coaching & Zoom sessions. We require masks & gloves during the session, and we sanitize both the air and the equipment between clients. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter. Call us or text us: (240) 630-0298.

 

CELEBRATIONS