Baskin Robbins is back in Potomac
If you’ve missed Baskin Robbins since it closed last year at Cabin John Village, we have some sweet news: The ice cream shop is about to reopen in its new home at Potomac Woods Plaza. Owner Tari Iftikhar, who has operated the business for more than a decade, is putting the finishing touches on his storefront next to Walgreens. “I’m getting a lot of calls from my old customers,” he says. “They’re very excited, and I’m excited too.” Iftikhar plans to stay open well past most of his neighbors — till 10 p.m. for now, and later in the summer. His primary competitor is newcomer The Scoop, which took his old space at Cabin John Village and keeps a similar nighttime schedule.
Amazon Fresh hits its expiration date
This week we say a final goodbye to Amazon Fresh on Shady Grove Road — the “just walk out” grocery store that… just never opened. As we reported last January, the store was fully teched-out and ready to roll last summer — but its projected opening date came and went, while the building just stood there empty. Meanwhile, this “zombie store” scenario was playing out at Amazon Fresh locations all over the country. This past February, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy finally admitted that the company had “temporarily” halted expansion of the entire Amazon Fresh concept. On Shady Grove Road, as of this week, the bright green sign has been taken down but Amazon reps tell us they have no information to share.
The honeymoon's over for David's Bridal
The future is looking bleak for David’s Bridal, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week for the second time in five years. The 70-year-old retailer, with about 300 stores, is expected to go out of business unless it finds a buyer. David’s blames its troubles on Covid-19, but it’s also suffered from the post-pandemic trend toward smaller and more casual ceremonies. Meanwhile, stores like Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Eloquii and Reformation have jumped into the market with less expensive dresses that don’t take months to arrive. David’s stores, including the one on Rockville Pike, are expected to stay open for now. But the company says it will lay off 9,000 people by August.
The Store Reporter Guide
A weekly guide sponsored by some of our favorite local businesses
SHOP LOCAL
- BONDAY is a Rockville lifestyle boutique brimming with unique clothing, shoes, purses & gifts that spark joy. Shop our new Felicity T handbag line, made in Italy. Check out our moving sale, as we get ready to relocate to Congressional Plaza. Find us at Federal Plaza on Rockville Pike. Shop Facebook & Instagram. Phone: (240) 249-5908. Website: lebonday.com.
- HANNA’S CONNECTION clothing boutique, upstairs inside the Cabin John mini-mall. Big winter sale going on now! All winter fashions are on clearance. Stop in to see everything in person, schedule a private appointment, or arrange a virtual shopping session. Curbside pickup & shipping available. Shop new arrivals on Facebook and Instagram. Call us: (301) 704-0264. Website: hannasconnection.com.
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IBHANA BOUTIQUE is the place to shop your favorite U.S. & Canadian designers: Joseph Ribkoff, IC, Snoskins, Moonlight, Lisette, Lior, Terra, Piccadilly, Habitat & more. Complete your outfit with a beautiful piece of jewelry & matching handbag, & walk out as your best self. New location: Federal Plaza in Rockville, 1776 East Jefferson Street, Suite 116. Open Monday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-4. Phone: (301) 424-0906. Website: ibhana.net.
- JOYFUL BATH CO.: We make our own soaps, shower steamers, bath bombs, soy candles, Turkish towels & custom baskets. All our products are vegan & cruelty-free, paraben & phthalate-free, great for sensitive skin, no SLS or detergents, no glittery mess. We ship, we offer curbside pickup, or visit us in person: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. 5534 Wilkins Ct., North Bethesda. Call (301) 986-5320. Website: joyfulbathco.com.
- KAUFMANN JEWELERS: Fine jewelry, custom jewelry, large & small repairs. Father & son George & Corey Kaufmann are carrying on the family tradition: offering an upscale shopping experience while preserving the handshake-generation, family-business mentality. Whether we’re designing your custom piece, showing you our collection or handling your repairs, Kaufmann Jewelers strives to build lifelong clients. Call us: (301) 978-7778. Visit us at Park Potomac, 12500 Park Potomac Avenue. Website: kaufmannjewelers.com.
- LEILA JEWELS is the online address for the jewelry, gifts & Judaica shop you used to love at Cabin John Shopping Center. Since closing the shop a few years ago, owner Deb Shalom has gone virtual with a unique & beautiful selection of everything from gemstones & sterling silver to Murano glass from Venice & Judaica from Alef Bet Jewelry & Joy Stember Studios. Every price point, every occasion. Free shipping for all jewelry & hand-delivery for customers in the Potomac area. Catch us in person Sundays at the Cabin John farm market! Website: leilajewels.com.
- MOSAIQUE DESIGNS: Bethesda artist Shelley Dane blends traditional mosaic techniques with modern designs & resin finishes. She takes custom orders for beautiful, functional serving trays inspired by what’s meaningful to you: your home, your dog, your favorite spot, your favorite photo. Perfect for wedding gifts, anniversaries & milestone birthdays. Check out recent pieces on Instagram. Email: shelley@mosaiquedesigns.com. Phone: (301) 367-6735. Website: mosaiquedesigns.com.
- OUR GIFT BIZ: Administrative Professionals Day is April 26th, and Mother’s Day is May 14th. Show your appreciation for those who take such good care of you! We’ll take this task off your plate & save you time, energy & effort. Shop online at ourgiftbiz.com, or work with our “gift concierges” to create the perfect custom gift. Just let us know your budget and when & where to send the gifts; we’ll take care of the rest. Phone: (240) 406-8701. Website: ourgiftbiz.com.
- SUSAN KOEHN DESIGNS: Where fun shines. Come see our collection of fine jewelry. Classy. Edgy. Timeless. Check out our latest on Facebook & Instagram. Call, text, email or DM for a private appointment at our showroom. Email susankoehndesigns.com. Phone: (301) 704-7605. This week: Join our piercing party on Monday, April 24th, with Potomac dermatologist Dr. Lily Talakoub. Call for your appointment!
BUYING & SELLING JEWELRY
- JUST JEWELS: Ready to sell your jewelry? Lee Siegel has been buying & selling diamonds, fine jewelry & watches for 25 years. Modern & older cuts, engagement rings, loose diamonds, vintage pieces & brands like Cartier, Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels, David Webb, Chopard, Bvlgari, David Yurman, Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe & Omega. License #2801. Call our office in Bethesda: (301) 525-7561. Email justjewelsusa@outlook.com. Website: justjewelsusa.com.
- STX GOLD: We can help you settle any estate. Get full value for all precious metal items — gold jewelry, sterling silver flatware & silver serving pieces. We’ll do an in-home appointment, no obligation, to evaluate your items. Call (301) 318-9788. Visit our website & check the current price of gold: stxgold.com.
KIDS & TEENS
- TIPS ON TRIPS AND CAMPS: What are your kids doing this summer? We’re here to offer ideas, expertise & plenty of options. Tips on Trips and Camps has been around for half a century, guiding families like yours to the best summer options for their students ages 7-18+. All our services are FREE to families. No need to figure this out alone — we are happy to help, with plenty of ideas for summer 2023! To get started on your summer plan, call Lisa Bulman Mullen: (561) 703-6448 or email lisa@tipsontripsandcamps.com.
HOME & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES