Store Reporter

Retail & Restaurant news for Rockville & Potomac. We know it all. And we like to share.

Federal Plaza

New opening at Pike & Rose, Five Below is on the go, Rockville restaurant closes and the real price of delivery apps

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Curry on over to Pike & Rose

Commonwealth Indian opened its doors at Pike & Rose this week, offering an upscale menu and stunning, modern decor (check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram). Traditional Indian entrees (curried chicken, butter chicken, lamb stew and vegetarian dishes) are served in family-style portions priced from $19 to $29. Also on the menu: six types of flatbreads, plus a full bar with Indian beer, wine and cocktails. Commonwealth is the third venture from chef Sunil Bastola, who also owns the Bollywood Bistro restaurants in Fairfax and Great Falls. What’s next for Pike & Rose? Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão, almost ready to open right next door. Click here for more in our May 23rd edition.

The Big Greek Cafe
Mimi Arnold

Five Below is on the go

June 14th is moving day for Five Below on Rockville Pike. The popular discount chain, which sells teen gear and trendy household goods for five bucks or less, is leaving its longtime home at Federal Plaza for a new one next to Aldi, Michaels and Petco at Congressional North. Between now and mid-June, just in case five bucks isn’t enough of a bargain, everything in the old store is marked down 50 percent.

California Tortilla

Rolling out of Rockville

Rolls ‘n Rice Japanese Bistro Cafe has closed its doors after a decade in the Shops at Congressional Village off Rockville Pike. Owners opted not to renew their lease and have no plans to reopen.

2019 Norman's We're Back May ad

The dish on delivery

Eater has an interesting report this week about online food delivery apps and the potential damage they’re doing to local restaurants. Services like Grubhub, Postmates and Uber Eats charge commissions as high as 30 percent, and some apparently also charge for handling customer questions and complaints. In the restaurant business, which already works on tight margins, these fees can take a substantial bite out of any potential profits. What to do? When you’re looking for local food delivery, Eater suggests skipping the apps and calling your favorite restaurant directly.

International School of Music
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Lululemon goes for the guys — plus Robeks, Teamania & pop-up shopping in Rockville

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Lululemon goes for the guys

If you’ve shopped at Lululemon lately, you may have noticed what’s new: lots and lots of menswear. The fitness retailer is turning its attention to the male wallet, offering a greatly expanded assortment of workout and athleisure clothes, stretchy dress pants and wrinkle-free office attire. If you’re looking to spend $38 on boxer shorts or $58 on a T-shirt, this is the place. Lululemon is expecting to double its menswear business over the next five years, with additional revenue coming from new ventures into skin care, deodorant and athletic shoes.

The Grilled Oyster Co.
Wintergreen Plaza

Tea for two

New place to try near Rockville’s Federal Plaza: Teamania Bakery + Cafe, serving fresh-baked breads, desserts, coffee and Asian specialty teas. Doors opened last month at 130 Rollins Ave., and the brightly colored teas and charming decor have been generating buzz on social media. “We actually designed the aesthetic of this place with Instagram in mind,” says partner Arnold Chang. “A ton of money went into the custom-made furniture. The way everything looks is pretty important these days.” To see for yourself, check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram.

Realtor Mimi Arnold of Century 21 Redwood Realty

Robeks at the Row

Robeks makes its debut this weekend at Rockville’s Research Row development, serving up juices, smoothies and acai bowls just off I-270 between Chick-fil-A and One Life Fitness. Meanwhile, another Rockville sweet spot has closed its doors: Ki No Spoon is out at Wintergreen Plaza.

International School of Music

Pop-up shopping in Rockville

New initiative at Rockville Town Square: filling some of those empty storefronts with pop-up shops. At 36 Maryland Ave., once home to LiquidBlue Denim Boutique, four female entrepreneurs will be on site through Memorial Day selling chocolates, lotions, fragrances, dog treats, scarves, purses and jewelry. Just a block away on Gibbs Street, pop-up bookstore Carpe Librum is at the Square through August raising funds for child literacy efforts. More on that in our April 11th edition.

The Game Gym
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Sears checks out, Five Below is on the go, Justice closes… and what’s up with Wicked Waffle?

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Sears checks out, mall's ready to move on

Sears closed its doors for the last time at Westfield Montgomery mall this past weekend, clearing the way for the mall’s upcoming redevelopment. Long-term plans call for offices, apartments, a hotel, pedestrian walkways and outdoor promenades lined with upscale stores and restaurants. The mall also is getting a fancy new gym — and we hear it’s going to be a Life Time Athletic club, complete with a formal restaurant and rooftop swimming pool. We’re also hearing that the Macy’s Home Store will be next to close. More details on everything in our Oct. 25th edition.

International School of Music at Cabin John
Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster

What's up with Wicked Waffle?

There was some confusion this week about the fate of Wicked Waffle when the five-year-old eatery, a sister to Rockville’s Mosaic Cuisine, suddenly went dark at Westfield Montgomery mall. Despite what it looks like, owners tell us the restaurant will reopen next month with the same name and menu. In fact, they say they’re making plans for a national expansion of the Wicked Waffle brand. (Editor’s note: Wicked Waffle did not end up returning to the mall as planned. Click here for a follow-up story in our March 21st edition.)

Wink Eyecare

More for the men

Fascino, the Italian clothing shop that opened last year at Westfield Montgomery mall, has left the Nordstrom wing for a new space right next to Untuckit. That makes two men’s stores conveniently located right across from Apple. (Editor’s note: Fascino closed its doors just two months after this move. Click here for more in our March 28th edition.)

Five Below is on the go

Five Below, the five-bucks-and-under discount chain, is moving out of its longtime home at Federal Plaza. Doors will close in late February and the store will reopen further north on Rockville Pike, right next to Aldi at the Congressional North shopping center. Five Below caters to kids and teens, but adults can find plenty of bargains — from $5 phone chargers, iPad covers and party supplies to pillows, T-shirts and bath bombs.

Realtor Jacqueline Band Olinger of Long & Foster
The Grilled Oyster

No Justice at Rio

Justice is closing its doors at Rio Washingtonian Center, marking the tween retailer’s exit from Montgomery County. Justice, once known as Limited Too, has been shuttering locations across the country to avoid the fate of bankrupt competitors like Wet Seal, American Apparel and Delia’s. What’s next for Rio? A $30 million upgrade. More details in our Oct. 4th edition; click here.

OneTest
Bender JCC of Greater Washington
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So long Seven Seas and B/Bop/Q, hello Cabin John bakery

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So long Seven Seas

Seven Seas, one of Rockville’s oldest Chinese restaurants, will close its doors at the end of this month. The 31-year-old eatery, on the back side of Federal Plaza near Panera, was a takeout favorite known for its fresh seafood dishes and lobster platters. Management tells us the restaurant’s lease was up and there are no plans to relocate.

Grilled Oyster
Potomac Village Farmers Market
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Sweetly Anchored

Sweet start at Cabin John

The big story in Potomac this week is the debut of Sweetly Anchored, the new bakery and coffee shop inside the Cabin John mini-mall. Doors open on Monday morning (May 7th) with scones, croissants, muffins and quiche along with coffee and espresso drinks. Every afternoon the cases will be filled with cupcakes, cookies, brownies and tarts for eat-in or takeout. Owner Lindsay Miniaci, who is known for her specialty cakes, says new baked goods will be added in the weeks to come. The bakery will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Click here for more photos on the Store Reporter Facebook page.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
URBNmarket
B Bop Q at Westfield Montgomery Mall

Bye B/Bop/Q

Korean fusion eatery B/Bop/Q closed its doors last weekend after less than three years at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Owned by a Rockville-based food service company that had planned to turn B/Bop/Q into a chain, the restaurant had a loyal fan base but had trouble drawing crowds so far from the main Dining Terrace. Another nearby restaurant that opened around the same time, Shanghai Bao Kitchen, had similar issues and closed its doors last winter.

Central Farm Market
Intimissimi

Comings & goings at the mall

This week we have a few more comings and goings to report at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The newest addition is Italian lingerie store Intimissimi, now open in the Nordstrom wing. Infinite Beauty, one of the mall’s longtime tenants, has added a second location offering facials and other spa services. Meanwhile, we say goodbye to Asian clothing chain Hoamgar after a five-year run. As we mentioned in our March 8 issue, this had been the first U.S. location for the high-end chain — but its merchandise failed to catch on.

Park Potomac Spring Festival

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Life Time Athletic in Rockville

Trader Joe’s in Travilah, CAVA on Rockville Pike, Dave & Buster’s at Rio

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Trader Joe’s at Travilah? Not just yet

Disappointing news for Trader Joe’sfans in Rockville: The new location at Travilah Square Shopping Centeris really behind schedule. While the store initially was expected to open by early spring, construction has been delayed — and now we hear that it might not even arrive before the holidays. A company spokesman was noncommittal: “Later this year” was all we could get. The Gaithersburg Trader Joe’s will be closing once the new store opens, but the Rockville location is staying put. (Editor’s note: For an update on this story, click here.)

Wintergreen Plaza
Cava Rockville

Another CAVA for Rockville

CAVA opened its newest Montgomery County location this week, joining newcomer Honeygrow at the former Timpano site on Rockville Pike. The two eateries mark the beginning of a new restaurant row that soon will include Five Guys and Slapfish. Never heard of Slapfish? Click here. Wondering when CAVA is going to open at Cabin John? Click here.

Bethesda Central Farm Markets
Rio Washingtonian Center

Dave & Buster’s rolls into Rio

Nine months after we first reported that Dave & Buster’s would be heading to Gaithersburg’s Rio Washingtonian Center, the deal finally became official this week. The gaming chain, which has been seeking a new location in this area since the White Flint Mall was torn down, is moving into the former Sport & Health space near the movie theater. And we hear there are more renovations on the way for Rio. Stay tuned.

My Best Friend's Closet

My Best Friend’s Closet grows up

A lot has changed at My Best Friend’s Closet since the boutique opened nearly a decade ago in Rockville. Once a go-to for tweens in search of gently used clothing and party wear, the store now carries all-new merchandise that takes its customers into their 20s and beyond. Partners Susan Olan and Cheryl Rhodes say the same young women who first came looking for bat mitzvah dresses are now out of college and still shopping at the store — as are their mothers. While My Best Friend’s Closet no longer carries any recycled items, the store has managed to keep prices down by working with vendors whose clothes can’t be found in department stores. My Best Friend’s Closet, 9735 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-340-3233. www.mybffcloset.com.

Wills Decorating
Federal Plaza with Oreck vacuum store

Vacuum store bites the dust

This week we received a lot of reader mail about the unexpected closing of the Oreck store at Federal Plaza on Rockville Pike. Some customers who had dropped off their vacuums for repair are now trying to figure out how to get them back. Oreck is directing people to its next-closest store in Ellicott City, where some of the missing vacuums apparently have shown up. To get in touch with that store, click here.

 

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Life Time Athletic in Rockville

La Limeña and Lucky Strike, game over for Marbles, last chance to win dinner at Chuy’s

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Peruvian on the Pike

La Limeña Grill, a new spinoff of the popular Peruvian restaurant, is set to open next month in the former Potomac Grill space at 1093 Rockville Pike. Owner Emma Perez says the new place will be a bit more formal than its older sister at nearby Ritchie Center, with twice as much indoor seating plus a spacious outdoor patio. Unlike the original La Limeña, this restaurant will focus solely on Peruvian food with no Cuban dishes in the mix. The new menu is still being finalized, but you can see what’s cooking at the original La Limeña by clicking here.

 

 

Wintergreen Plaza: http://www.wintergreenplaza.com

 

 

 

Marbles The Brain Store

 

Game over for Marbles

Another week, another retail bankruptcy to report. This time it’s Marbles: The Brain Store, which has filed Chapter 11 after nearly a decade in business. The Chicago-based company carried a carefully edited selection of games and puzzles, with a hands-on approach that encouraged customers to play before they purchased. All 37 Marbles stores will be closing in the next month or two, including the one in the Nordstrom wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall. To see what’s still for sale, click here.

 

 

Sculpt Studio: http://sculptstudio.com

 

 

 

Lucky Strike bowling alley

 

Bowling alley opening delayed again

The debut of Lucky Strike Social at Westfield Montgomery Mall has been delayed yet again. Grand opening events that were scheduled for February have now been pushed back to early March — about nine months later than originally planned, as the company tinkered with its new bowling alley/game center/party venue concept. For more on Lucky Strike Social, click here for our Jan. 19 edition.

 

 

 

 

 

DXL men's shirts

 

New men’s store on Rockville Pike

DXL, the new incarnation of Casual Male XL, recently moved into the former Ethan Allen space at 12137 Rockville Pike. The store carries big-and-tall men’s apparel and accessories from Polo Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, True Religion, Lacoste, Nautica and other popular brands. Ethan Allen can now be found on the ground floor of Galvan at Twinbrook, the retail/residential complex that opened last year on the Pike at Chapman Avenue.

 

 

Chuy's platters

 

Last chance to win dinner at Chuy’s

Have you weighed in yet in our reader poll about the best new restaurants in the greater Rockville/Potomac area? From burgers and beer to Irish and Russian cuisine, Store Reporter has covered the openings of some two dozen new restaurants in the past 12 months. Tell us which ones you like best, and we’ll enter you into our raffle to win dinner for four at Chuy’s on Rockville Pike. Here are the contenders:

  • Beefsteak at Westfield Montgomery Mall
  • Carluccio’s at Pike & Rose
  • Chopt at Congressional Plaza
  • Chuy’s at Federal Plaza
  • Fish Taco at the Wildwood Shops
  • Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub at Rockville Town Square
  • Habit Burger at Wintergreen Plaza
  • Helen’s on Rockville Pike
  • Jersey Mike’s at Wintergreen Plaza
  • Lahinch at Cabin John Shopping Center
  • Mellow Mushroom at Rockville Town Square
  • Miso Fusion Café at Rockville Town Square
  • Modern Market at Congressional Plaza
  • Owen’s Ordinary at Pike & Rose
  • Pieology on Shady Grove Road
  • Pie 360 on Rockville Pike
  • Samovar at Rockville Town Square
  • Smashburger on Rockville Pike
  • Tara Thai at Westfield Montgomery Mall
  • The Big Greek Cafe on Nicholson Lane
  • Wingstop at Wintergreen Plaza
  • World of Beer in downtown Rockville

Click here to email us with the names of your favorites (choose as many as you want) or click here to comment on our Facebook page. We’ll tally up the votes and draw the winning name in an upcoming issue.

 

 

Please email questions to publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

 

Topshop, Kate Moss, Venus and a farmers market

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Norstrom Topshop Suede Fringe Jacket, Spring 2014

 

Topshop at Nordstrom

Topshop, the trendy British fashion chain, made its Maryland debut last week as a store-within-a-store at Nordstrom in Westfield Montgomery Mall. The POV department moved upstairs to make room on the store’s first floor for Topshop’s fast-changing mix of up-to-the-minute styles. The Nordstrom/Topshop partnership is designed to grab the attention of younger women with tighter budgets who typically shop at cheap-chic stores like H&M and Forever 21. Starting April 30, Topshop also will feature a higher-end clothing line from model Kate Moss with vintage-style pieces like the $420 suede fringed jacket shown here. If you like Kate’s taste, move fast: Her first collection for Topshop, back in 2007, sold out almost instantly.

 

 

Venus_Williams_jamba_juice

 

 

Juicing with Venus

Jamba Juice has finally started up the blenders at its new Rockville store, next to Ruby Tuesday at Federal Plaza on the Pike. In addition to smoothies, the menu includes breakfast foods, sandwiches, wraps and baked pretzels. The Rockville store is a joint venture between the smoothie chain and tennis star Venus Williams, who is working with Jamba Juice as a celebrity spokesperson and D.C.-area franchisee. Williams already has opened two stores in Washington and a third at Westfield Montgomery Mall. She’s expected to make an official appearance at the Rockville store by summer.

 

 

Pike Central Farm Market, Pike & Rose

 

Farm fresh on the Pike

The Pike Central Farm Market makes its spring debut this weekend, featuring 40-plus vendors from Maryland and surrounding states. Participants will be selling everything from hormone-free meats, artisanal cheeses and local produce to live Maine lobsters, Chinese dumplings, New York-style pickles and goat milk soaps. This year the market will be held at a new location — the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Executive Boulevard — due to construction at the nearby Pike & Rose project. When Pike & Rose is finished, developers say the Farm Market will have a permanent home there. For now, it’s open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until late November.