Barnes & Noble update, more changes at Congressional Plaza, Red Door rebrands at Pike & Rose

Wondering what’s happening with the new Barnes & Noble store at Congressional Plaza? From what we hear, it’s not going to be ready until next summer at the earliest. That timing should coincide with the opening of the two new gyms — CorePower Yoga and Orangetheory Fitness —  that are now under construction in the former Thomasville space right next door. The north side of Congressional Plaza has seen plenty of upheaval this year: White House Black Market, Modern Market and Baja Fresh all closed their doors in that section, while Chico’s and Lebanese Taverna (now LebTav) relocated to smaller spaces. And Baskin-Robbins, one of Congressional’s oldest tenants, will serve its final scoops this Sunday (Dec. 15th). Owners say they could no longer afford the rent.

If you’ve been to Pike & Rose this holiday season, you may have noticed something new next to the Canopy Hotel. The Elizabeth Arden Red Door spa, which relocated from Wildwood in 2018, has replaced its iconic red door and changed its name to Mynd Spa & Salon. All 26 Red Door locations are converting to the new Mynd brand, which is dropping its image of old-school glamour in favor of millennial buzzwords like “mindfulness,” “wellness” and “self-care.”

This year we’re doing some holiday shopping at two of our area’s newest stores: West Elm at Pike & Rose and Lands’ End at Congressional Plaza. Both retailers sent us a selection of gifts to review and recommend to our readers. Below are four of our top picks.

• This Mid-Century Jewelry Box is an Art Deco stunner. From the champagne lacquer finish to the soft canvas interior, it’s spacious enough for all your favorite pieces and looks great on any dresser. The box seen here is $199, but holiday sales are frequent and smaller sizes are available. See it in person at the Pike & Rose store, or click here to find it on the West Elm website.
• The milky-white wave makes this Wood + Resin Tray a standout, perfect for displaying a few items or adding some interest to your table. Regular price is $69 — and for $29 more, you can throw in a set of matching coasters. Check it out in person at the Pike & Rose store, or click here to find it on the West Elm website.

• This Waxed Canvas Travel Duffle Bag gets the thumbs-up from our frequent flyers, who appreciate details like the padded shoulder strap, mesh pockets and snazzy zipper pulls. Regular price is $159.95, but 50%-off sales are common. See the bag in person at Congressional Plaza, or click here to find it on the Lands’ End website.
• We also love this company’s flannel Plaid Totes, which are roomy enough for all your winter essentials and pack a special pocket for your cell phone. $59.95 and up in red/brown or blue/green (but again, watch for sales). See the bags in person at Congressional Plaza, or click here to find them on the Lands’ End website.