Store Reporter

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

Grocery Stores

Slurpees, beer and wine to the mall, Sears’ final weeks, another closing at Rockville Town Square

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7-Eleven moves into the mall

Construction starts next week on the most unexpected tenant at Westfield Montgomery mall: a full-service 7-Eleven, complete with Slurpees, snacks and convenience foods. This will be a big store, stretching all the way from the recently vacated MVP Supreme space to Shilla Bakery just outside the main Dining Terrace. Meanwhile, gourmet popsicle shop Frozen Stuff on a Stick will be closing after a brief run in the former B/Bop/Q space just across the hall. Owner Joel Rogozinski says the location has not been a good fit for his $4 fruit-based pops, kombucha and nitro-brewed coffee. He’s looking for a more outdoor-oriented shopping center and expects to reopen shortly in this area.

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Wintergreen Plaza

Sears on last legs at the mall

Shelves are getting emptier and lines are getting longer at the Westfield Montgomery Sears store, which is entering its final weeks in business. Shoppers are searching for last-minute treasures among merchandise that has been marked down by as much as 75 percent. What’s going to happen after Sears closes? (Hint: It involves dumbbells.) Click here for our Oct. 25th report. Where else can you shop for Lands’ End? Click here.

International School of Music

New beer and wine store on tap

New place to shop and sip: Shuvam Beer and Wine opened Jan. 1 at the Westlake Crossing shopping center just outside Westfield Montgomery mall. Owner Shreejana Ghimire, who operates several similar shops in Montgomery County, says this one will specialize in high-end wines, champagnes and IPAs. “Whatever the customers in this area are looking for, I will special-order it for them,” he says. Friday night tastings are also in the works. Call 301-469-0263 for more.

Breakthrough Test Prep

Another closing at Rockville Town Square

LiquidBlue Denim Boutique, one of the longest-running tenants at Rockville Town Square, is closing its doors after five years on Maryland Avenue. The store originally focused on designer denim, but its merchandise shifted over the years as fashions evolved and shoppers lost interest in $200 jeans. “It’s very sad, but the boutique industry is slowly going away in Maryland,” says owner Jo Akin, who watched several nearby businesses exit last fall as she decided whether to renew her lease. Despite the reopening of Dawson’s Market and the comeback of the flood-damaged Samovar restaurant, Akin decided it was best to move on. “Rockville has had a hard time of it,” she says. “I hope the community reinvests in its local small businesses.”

Shin Orthodontics

Dawson’s returns, bye bye bike stores, vintage market for Potomac and a music school for Cabin John

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The ride is over for Performance Bicycle

Sad news for local cyclists: The Performance Bicycle retail chain is riding off into the sunset. The company is in Chapter 11 and plans to close all stores — including the popular Rockville location at Congressional Plaza. Looking to score some deals? You’d better roll quickly; closing sales are going on now.

Eyeland/Luxoptics
The Grilled Oyster

Vintage vibes on River Road

New place to shop on River Road: The Potomac French Market is open Thursdays through Sundays in the weathered barn that once was home to Flora’s Feathered Nest. With a similar mix of new and vintage gifts, home decor, antique furniture and upcycled goods, the store will please those who have missed Flora’s since it closed in 2016. “We were huge fans,” says co-owner Teri Troxell, who notes that she and partner Rene Redfield Shaw were also inspired by vintage markets in Paris and New Orleans as well as Chartreuse & Co. in Frederick. The pair took over the space from the Sonoran Rose boutique, which moved out last summer. (More on that in our July 19th edition.) You’ll find the Potomac French Market at 12211 River Road. Hours vary, so it’s best to call ahead: 301-807-9945.

Wintergreen Plaza
Wink Eyecare Boutique

Dawson's is back

Dawson’s Market, closed since late October, makes a triumphant return this weekend with a new owner and a new commitment to serving as a “one-stop shop” for Rockville Town Square. Longtime manager Bart Yablonsky has purchased the store from its out-of-town owners and is making changes that he says the community has asked for. “We’re expanding the product mix with more national brands that people will recognize and more convenience items like flashlights and batteries,” he says. “We’ll have freshly sliced meats and cheeses at the deli, and a new selection of conventional produce along with the organics.” Yablonsky says the wider range of products will allow for lower prices on some items — but he promises the store will continue to specialize in local and organic foods.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
The Game Gym

Music school moves to Cabin John

The International School of Music, offering voice and instrument classes for kids and teens, is leaving its longtime location near Bethesda’s Home Depot for a new home at Cabin John Village. Classes will begin Jan. 2nd on the second floor of the mini-mall, where students can learn to play everything from piano, guitar and violin to drums, ukulele and harp. The school also trains ensembles that perform at local venues as well as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. Click here for more.

Breakthrough Test Prep
OneTest

Gifts for the kitchen

As much as we love writing about restaurants, at this time of year we’re spending lots of time in the kitchen with friends and family. So once again, we’re partnering with our favorite cooking stores to bring you some gift inspiration. Up this week: three great picks from Sur La Table.

  • Chilewich Lace Table Runner: These lace textiles from designer Sandy Chilewich add metallic sparkle to any table, but they’re actually made of high-tech plastics. That means they’re easy to wipe clean and can be used indoors or out. Available in gold or silver for $115; click here for more.
  • Moscow Mule Mugs: For the friend who loves a good cocktail, these copper mugs come in a hammered or plain finish for $19.95 apiece. Click here for more.
  • Dual-Action Potato Masher: This clever tool works as both a masher and a ricer, coming in handy for egg salad and guacamole as well as potatoes. $19.95, click here for more.

For more gift picks from Sur La Table, visit the Pike & Rose store or shop online at surlatable.com.

Explore Kensington
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Lululemon, beer and a new veggie restaurant — plus the return of Dawson’s Market

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New Lulu

Here’s a holiday gift for Lululemon lovers: The company’s newest store will open its doors Dec. 14th at Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown. The spot is strategically located just around the corner from Life Time Athletic and LA Fitness (not that anyone really needs a workout as an excuse to visit). Lululemon joins the recently opened Sephora as Crown begins to mix in some retail with all those restaurants.

Moda Optic
Moda Optic

Comeback for Dawson's Market

Is Dawson’s Market making a comeback at Rockville Town Square? It certainly looks that way. When we stopped by this week, the lights were on and longtime manager Bart Yablonsky could be seen sprucing up inside. No one is talking on the record yet, but we’re hearing that Yablonsky has worked out a deal to reopen the market under a new ownership structure. The uproar over Dawson’s recent closing — and the town meetings and brainstorming sessions that followed — might finally mark a turning point for the long-troubled development. The Russian restaurant Samovar, which faced an uncertain future after sustaining water damage earlier this year, is now expected to reopen. Meanwhile, other tenants tell us they’re starting to feel more optimistic about the Square’s future. (Editor’s note: A day after we published this issue, Dawson’s Market confirmed that they will in fact reopen in mid-December. Watch for a follow-up in next week’s Store Reporter.

Wink Eyecare Boutique
Realtor Jacqueline Olinger of Greystone Realty

Yard House is here

Yard House, a high-end sports bar showcasing craft beer and cocktails, opens its doors this Monday (Dec. 10th) at Rio Washingtonian Center. The restaurant replaces Romano’s Macaroni Grill, which closed last year after its parent company filed Chapter 11. What’s on the menu besides drinks? Burgers, pizzas, fries, nachos, sandwiches and wings plus some fancier entrées. Yard House is a division of Darden Restaurants, which also owns Olive Garden, Seasons 52, LongHorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille among others. For a look at the menu, click here.

Eyeland/Luxoptics

Veggies in Fallsgrove

New place to try at the Fallsgrove shopping center: St. Veg, offering a plant-based menu, is newly open in the corner spot previously occupied by Melt. The restaurant hopes to tempt carnivores as well as vegetarians with specialty dishes like Mom’s Caramel Tofu Bowl, the Flavor Bomb Pho Dip and the Vegball Sub (shown here). St. Veg is open for lunch and dinner, with most meals priced around $10.

The Grilled Oyster

Gifts for the kitchen

As much as we love writing about restaurants, at this time of year we’re spending lots of time in the kitchen with friends and family. So once again, we’re partnering with our favorite cooking stores to bring you some gift inspiration. Up first: three great picks from Williams Sonoma.

  • Instant Pot: This gadget continues to top many wish lists, and it’s no wonder. The new Max version can pressure-cook, slow-cook, steam, sauté, brown and warm your food — not to mention making yogurt, canning, pasteurizing and serving up the perfect pot of rice or hard-boiled eggs. There’s definitely a learning curve involved here, but fans say the results are well worth the time. (Priced from around $70; click here for more.)
  • Thermo-Clad Stainless Steel Cookware: As a gift for someone starting out in a new home or first apartment, you can’t beat Williams Sonoma’s workhorse pots and pans. Made in Italy to the company’s precise specifications, these are among the best we’ve tried — and bonus, they’re dishwasher-safe. (Starting around $75; click here for more.)
  • Peppermint Bark: When you’re guesting rather than hosting, this classic, cheery red-and-white box will be welcome in just about any home. (Starting around $20; click here for more.)

For more gift picks from Williams Sonoma, visit Bethesda Row, Tysons Galleria, Reston Town Center or shop online at williams-sonoma.com.

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What’s next for Cabin John Village, first look at Aldi, virtual reality at the mall

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Here’s your retail & restaurant scoop for the week of Nov. 1, 2018:

What's next for Cabin John Village

If you’ve been wondering what Cabin John Village is going to look like once all the construction is over, here’s a peek into the future. D.C.-based developer Edens, which bought the property two years ago, shared this rendering along with several others that you can find on our Facebook page. Reconstruction of the facades, new lighting and other upgrades will continue all winter, followed by a parking lot renovation next spring. (More details on what’s changing can be found in our Oct. 11th edition). In the meantime, Edens reps tell us they’re on the lookout for new tenants including professional offices, service businesses and yoga/Pilates studios, plus fresh stores and restaurants that are new to the local market. The next phase of Cabin John’s development — timeline still to be determined — will include housing, new retail buildings and a pedestrian cut-through to the back lot. More on that in our May 17th edition.

Explore Kensington

First look at Aldi

Aldi opened its doors this week at the Congressional North shopping center on Rockville Pike, a few doors down from Petco and Bed Bath & Beyond. Having heard mixed reviews about the no-frills German grocery chain, we were eager to check the place out. What we liked: Easy parking, wide aisles, good selection of regular and organic produce, great values on grocery staples (mostly Aldi’s own brands) without the pressure to buy in Costco-sized quantities. What we didn’t like: Some of the fruit looked tired, you have to bag everything yourself, and you won’t find many familiar brand names. What really shocked us: Paying less than $30 for a heaping bag of groceries. We’ll be back.

Shin Orthodontics

Walk the plank at Westfield Montgomery mall

Just opened across from the Apple store at Westfield Montgomery mall: Virtual Insanity, a virtual reality arcade where you can “experience” everything from walking the plank to kickboxing to painting in 3D. Ten minutes costs $10, or you can book a booth for longer sessions and take turns watching your friends make virtual fools of themselves. “Watching someone else do it is almost as entertaining as doing it yourself,” says co-owner Austin Berk. What else is happening at the mall? Lots of big news in last week’s issue; stay tuned next week for an update on the restaurant scene.

Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique

Swimming pool at the mall? Plus Anthropologie and a new Asian food hall

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Here’s your retail & restaurant scoop for the week of Oct. 25, 2018.

The Macy's Home Store is expected to close at Westfield Montgomery mall

Swimming pool at the mall?

Big changes are ahead for Westfield Montgomery mall once the holidays are over. The deal with Life Time Athletic, which we told you about two weeks ago, is all but official — and we hear it’s going to be quite an upscale gym, with a formal restaurant and possibly a rooftop pool. The new Life Time is to be built on the Sears side of the mall after the ailing department store closes early next year. Meanwhile, we’re hearing that the Macy’s Home Store is also going to close this winter and the regular Macy’s store will have to absorb all that furniture, bedding and kitchenware. But it sounds like the squeeze will be temporary: Insiders tell us that Macy’s is planning to build a huge new store on the other side of the mall. None of this has been announced yet, and no one is talking on the record —  but you heard it here first.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
1-800-GOT-JUNK
Pike Kitchen

New Asian food hall for Rockville Pike

Pike Kitchen, Rockville’s second all-Asian food hall, opened its doors this week at the Edmonston Crossing shopping center on Rockville Pike. Inside you’ll find nearly a dozen locally owned eateries serving poke bowls, ramen, scallion pancakes, fried seaweed rolls, popcorn chicken and other Asian delicacies — along with beer, bubble tea and homemade ice cream. The appetite for these Asian food halls seems to be growing: The Spot has been bustling since it opened last July near Rockville Town Square, and Pike & Rose is building one of its own called The Block.

Fall fun at Wintergreen Plaza: http://www.wintergreenplaza.com
Anthropologie store in downtown Bethesda

Anthropologie arrives

We usually don’t cover downtown Bethesda, but this week we couldn’t resist a visit to the new Anthropologie store, which just opened at the former home of Barnes & Noble. Fans of the brand will be thrilled to find all their favorites under one roof, from the boho-chic fashions, Terrain gardening shop and BHLDN wedding boutique to kitchenware, gifts and artfully arranged furniture vignettes. If you spend a couple of hours here — which is easy to do, with three floors to explore — there’s also a cafe on the premises. Lots more photos on our Facebook page; click here to see them.

Explore Kensington
Shin Orthodontics
Bath & Body Works at Westfield Montgomery mall

Clean new look for Bath & Body Works

Bath & Body Works has freshened up its look at Westfield Montgomery mall, reopening after a major renovation with a new focus on the White Barn candle line. Also back for the winter is the Sheepskin Gifts store, which will be operating out of the former Brookstone space until spring.

Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique
Congregation B'nai Tzedek Israel Art Show & Sale
Dawson's Market

Dawson's reaches the end

Dawson’s Market at Rockville Town Square will close its doors this weekend after the failure of a last-minute GoFundMe campaign that had attempted to raise $100,000. Dawson’s is one of three major tenants to exit Rockville Town Square this fall; click here for more in our Oct. 11th edition.

Dawson’s out, Aldi in for Rockville — plus a new look for Rio and new food at the mall

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Here’s your retail & restaurant scoop for the week of Oct. 4, 2018.

Dawson's Market

Dawson's Market exiting Rockville Town Square

Rockville Town Square suffered a major blow this week when longtime anchor tenant Dawson’s Market announced plans to close at the end of October. The natural-foods grocery store had been an integral part of downtown Rockville for the past six years, offering a full schedule of foodie events from beer tastings to cooking classes to Sunday jazz brunches. Dawson’s owners, who operate a similar grocery store in Richmond, VA, said the Rockville location simply wasn’t profitable. Dawson’s joins a long list of failed businesses at Rockville Town Square, including the just-closed Mellow Mushroom. (More on that in our Sept. 27th edition.) 

1-800-GOT-JUNK
Occasions
Aldi in Rockville

Aldi arrives

Just as Dawson’s Market gets ready to move out of Rockville, Aldi is moving in. Nov. 1 is opening day for the German grocer, which has taken over the former H.H. Gregg space near Bed Bath & Beyond on Rockville Pike. Aldi, which plans to open 2,500 new U.S. stores in the next four years, is known for its low prices, private-label brands, intentionally limited product lines and random surprise “treasure hunt” items. Customers bring their own bags, pack their own groceries and even pay a (refundable) 25-cent fee to use the shopping carts. Recently Aldi announced a new focus on organic, vegetarian, takeout and ready-to-cook foods as it tries to do a better job of catering to American palates.

Potomac Village Farmers Market
Al Ha'esh Israel Grill
Popculture

Gourmet popsicles and ramen at the mall

New food at Westfield Montgomery mall: Ejji Ramen has opened its doors, and a gourmet popsicle stand is on the way this fall. Pop Culture Craft Pops, taking over the former B/Bop/Q space later this month, will offer freshly made frozen treats with intriguing flavors like pumpkin spice latte, honey almond butter banana, pineapple jalapeño and chili papaya lime (shown here). Pop Culture’s owners, Joel Rogozinski and Holly Bagwell, are following a trend that has been… uh… popularized these past few years in hot-weather states like Florida, California and the Carolinas. This winter, they’ll also warm things up with nitro coffee and hot chocolate plus kombucha and fresh-brewed teas. There’s another Pop Culture in Loudon County, and plans are in the works for a third one in Georgetown.  “We’re not just doing this for one store,” Rogozinski says. “We intend to make this a national brand.”

Wink Eyecare Boutique
Fallsgrove Orthodontic Center
Rio Washingtonian lakefront renovation

New look, new Silver Diner for Rio

Rio Washingtonian Center has announced plans for a $30 million upgrade over the next two years, including improvements to the boardwalk and pedestrian bridge, a new performance stage and a redesigned lakefront seating area. An indoor/outdoor Silver Diner will open along the water next summer, joining a list of upcoming tenants that now includes Yard House, Dave & Buster’s, Lanzhou Hand Pulled Noodles, Kung Fu Tea and The Baked Bear. And the AMC movie theater is almost done with a renovation of its own: Snazzy new reclining seats, an expanded menu and a bar are all set to debut next month.

Power Hour Editing
Capital Area Food Bank

Shake Shack and Trader Joe’s open, Fogo de Chão heads to Pike & Rose

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Here’s your retail & restaurant scoop for the week of Sept. 6th, 2018.

Shake Shack shakes up Potomac

Shake Shack made its Montgomery County debut at Cabin John Village this week, ushering in a new era of fast-food fame for the quiet neighborhood shopping center. A radio station was on site Thursday morning when the doors officially opened, and it wasn’t long before Churchill high schoolers were pouring in for lunch. The place seems destined to become the latest hotspot for local teens — especially in the evenings, when we’re told it will stay open until 10 or 11 p.m. All of which means that Silver Diner, Tastee Diner and Sprinkles are about to get a run for their money. Haven’t had a chance to check out Shake Shack yet? Click here for more photos on our Facebook page.

Grilled Oyster
My Best Friend's Closet
Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's grand opening

The long-awaited Trader Joe’s opened on Friday (Sept. 7th) at Travilah Square Shopping Center off Darnestown Road. The store was packed from 8 a.m. on, with live music, tastings and giveaways all day long. This is the second Rockville location for Trader Joe’s, replacing the one in Gaithersburg that closed its doors this week. The look is cleaner, the aisles are wider, and there are tables outside for al fresco dining. The grocery store has been a game-changer for once-dowdy Travilah Square, which is now attracting new tenants like Cafe Rio Mexican Grill and the upcoming Flower Child (more on that in our May 17th edition). For inside photos of the new store, click here.

Wintergreen Plaza
Le Pain Quotidien
2016-izes-break-the-fast-ad-1200
Fogo de Chäo

Fogo de Chão to Pike & Rose

Well, that was fast. Two weeks after the Nike Factory Store moved out of Pike & Rose (details in our Aug. 23rd issue), owner Federal Realty announced a new tenant for the prime corner spot overlooking Old Georgetown Road. Fogo de Chão, a Brazilian steakhouse with locations in D.C., Tysons Corner and Baltimore, is taking over the space with plans to open early next year. The chain specializes in meats cooked on a traditional churrasqueira grill, but it also offers pork, lamb, chicken and seafood dishes plus traditional Brazilian sides like polenta, yuca, black beans and caramelized bananas. At Pike & Rose, Fogo de Chão will sit right across the street from another high-end steakhouse: Del Frisco’s Grille.

Second Chance Addiction Care
Power Hour Editing

Travilah Trader Joe’s is ready to roll, Uniqlo at Pike & Rose and the Home Depot parking lot mystery

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Travilah Trader Joe’s is ready to roll

Trader Joe’s will open its new Rockville store just after Labor Day, wrapping up some 18 months of construction at the newly revamped Travilah Square Shopping Center off Darnestown Road. Barring any last-minute delays, doors are set to open on Friday, Sept. 7. This location replaces an older store in Gaithersburg, which will close when the new one opens. Meanwhile, the Trader Joe’s on Rockville Pike will have some new competition this fall: Aldi is on the way. Click here for more in our July 12th edition.

Taff & Levine D.D.S.
Shin Orthodontics
Life Time Athletic in Rockville
Uniqlo

Hello Uniqlo

Sept. 1 is opening day for the 8,000-square-foot Uniqlo store at Pike & Rose. The Japanese retailer, which also has locations at Tysons Corner and D.C.’s Union Station, is known for selling simple, functional clothing for men, women and kids at very reasonable prices. For example: packable down vests for less than $50, Merino sweaters for less than $40, T-shirts for ten bucks and free alterations for all pants over $20. The Pike & Rose store is Uniqlo’s first location in Maryland. Click here for a preview.

Potomac Village Farmers Market
ExploreKensington.com
Home Depot

Home Depot’s mystery project

We’ve gotten a lot of questions about construction at the Home Depot shopping center off Westlake Terrace, where rumors started flying after a large section of the parking lot was fenced off a couple of weeks ago. Home Depot tells us the project is simply an extension of the parking lot expansion that began last winter with the demolition of the old Vince & Dominic’s building. The fenced-off area is being flattened out to improve water drainage. Nothing more interesting to report. Sorry.

Bender JCC School of Dance
The Game Gym
Sports Nation

Skins, Caps & Nats at the mall

Just in time for football season, fan shop Sports Nation has opened next to the Vans store at Westfield Montgomery mall. The shop carries pants, shorts, jerseys, bobbleheads, keychains and other gear for all the local professional sports teams. And just down the hall, Old Navy has begun a major facelift that should be done by fall. What else is new at the mall? Click here for our Aug. 9th issue.

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Life Time Athletic in Rockville

Aldi update, ins and outs at the mall, new Starbucks and the Supreme store

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Aldi update

This week we checked on the progress of Rockville’s first Aldi store, now under construction in the former H.H. Gregg space next to Petco at Congressional North. You wouldn’t know it by the empty shell seen here, but the company tells us the store is still on track to open this fall as planned. This is one of six new Maryland stores for Aldi, a German grocer that sells high-quality private-label brands at rock-bottom prices. For more on Aldi’s unique business model, click here. For info on Rockville’s upcoming Wegmans store, click here. And for the latest on the new Trader Joe’s in Travilah, click here.

Wintergreen Plaza
Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Bath & Body Works at Westfield Montgomery Mall

Comings and goings at the mall

If you stopped by Westfield Montgomery mall this week and spotted the empty space where Bath & Body Works used to be, don’t panic: There’s a lot of reshuffling going on this summer. Bath & Body Works is getting a facelift and will be operating out of temporary quarters until the work is finished. The Pandora store and Old Navy are doing the same. Meanwhile, the past few weeks have seen the openings of Invisalign, K&I Salon and a Thai rolled ice cream kiosk. What closed? Pen Boutique, after a very long going-out-of-business sale. What’s next for Westfield Montgomery? A major expansion beginning in 2019. For more on that story, click here.

Norman's Farm Market
Girl Power 3
MVP Supreme at Westfield Montgomery

Making the scene at Supreme

While we’re talking about Westfield Montgomery mall, have you ever wondered what’s up with that MVP Supreme store in the Macy’s Home wing? As any teen can probably tell you, the store is a reseller of Supreme and other popular skatewear brands that produce high-priced goods ($78 T-shirts and $158 track jackets) in very, very small quantities. The scarcity means that most items get snatched up the moment they “drop,” and some Supreme stores have set up ticketing systems to handle the overload of shoppers on “drop days.” As for the lucky buyers, they’re less likely to wear their Supreme clothes than to resell them — at school or online — for a sizable profit. Want to see what the brand is all about? Click here.

Fallsgrove Orthodontic Center
Germantown Moving & Storage
Starbucks at Pike & Rose

New Starbucks for North Bethesda

The new Starbucks at Pike & Rose has finally opened its doors in the prime space between H&M and Sur La Table. This location replaces the older Starbucks just off Rockville Pike, which was more convenient for passing drivers but missed out on all that Pike & Rose foot traffic.

Poke and dim sum, MOM’s Organic Market, Baked Bear heads to Rio

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More poke on the way

Poki D.C., the Hawaiian-inspired restaurant chain that launched last year in Penn Quarter, is expanding throughout the D.C. area with three locations in Montgomery County. Much like Honeyfish Poke at Congressional Plaza (but spelled with an “i” instead of an “e”), Poki D.C. offers custom-made bowls of raw fish, rice and salad greens with various sauces and toppings. A Gaithersburg location at Rio Washingtonian Center will open in the next week or two. After that comes a Rockville location at The Spot, an all-Asian food hall under construction in the ground floor of The Metropolitan (click here for more on that). The third location will be at Georgetown Square Shopping Center off Democracy Boulevard, in the empty space next to Not Your Average Joe’s. Gary Ngo, co-owner of Poki D.C., says he hopes to open there by fall. For a peek at the menu, click here.

Grilled Oyster
The Baked Bear

Another Baked Bear for MoCo

Last week we told you that The Baked Bear was looking to open a second location at Rio Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg. This week it’s official: The bakery/ice cream shop is taking the former 16 Handles space between Muse Paintbar and Starbucks, where it’s expected to open later this year. The Baked Bear, a California chain known for its custom-made ice cream sandwiches, has been generating incredible lines at Pike & Rose every weekend since it opened May 19th. Click here for more in our June 1st issue.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Mom's Organic Market produce section

MOM’s on the move

MOM’S Organic Market opened its doors last weekend at the new Upper Rock center on Shady Grove Road. This is the 19th and largest location for MOM’s — and the first to include an on-site bakery as well as the Naked Lunch organic restaurant. Upper Rock, across from Home Depot and Nordstrom Rack, is already home to CAVAand Firehouse Subs.

Shin Orthodontics
Dim sum

Dim sum on the Pike

Moving into the former Paladar space at North Bethesda Market on Rockville Pike: China Garden, a dim sum restaurant from the owners of Rockville’s Pandora Seafood House & Bar. “This group ran another China Garden in Arlington for many years, and now they’re relocating it here,” says broker Shang Wang, who handled the deal for JGB Companies. Known as a popular place for weddings and other large events, China Garden originally was supposed to move into the former REI space on Rockville Pike. That deal never materialized, but the Paladar space became available when the Latin restaurant closed its doors last winter. The new China Garden is expected to open by the end of this year.

Baked Bear, BBQ, Trader Joe’s and a Wildwood Update

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Hitting the sweet spot

Hottest ticket in town for a sweet treat: The Baked Bear at Pike & Rose, where lines have snaked around the block every weekend since the ice cream shop opened on May 19th. Everyone is waiting to try those instantly Instagrammable ice cream sandwiches, which are made to order with customized combinations of brownies, cookies and donuts. We tried them. We liked them. And it looks like we’ll be seeing more of them: Baked Bear owners tell us they’re already eyeing another location at Rio Washingtonian Center.

Truebody Fitness
Trader Joe's rendering

Summer opening for Trader Joe’s?

Update on the new Trader Joe’s at Travilah Square Shopping Center: The company tells us it’s shooting to open sometime this summer. Trader Joe’s fans have been waiting impatiently for this store since it was first announced in the fall of 2016. It will be the company’s second location in Rockville, replacing a Gaithersburg store in Montgomery Village that will close when the new one opens. Trader Joe’s has been a game-changer for the newly revitalized Travilah Square, helping the center attract new tenants like Cafe Rio Mexican Grill and the True Food Kitchen spinoff Flower Child. (For more on Flower Child in our May 17th edition, click here.)

The Game Gym
Buredo, Le Pain Quotidien, Belina and Red Door at Wildwood

A summer of change for Wildwood

This summer will be a busy one at the Wildwood Shops, where a portion of the parking lot has been blocked off to accommodate construction in and around the now-closed Red Door Spa. The entire space is being reconfigured to make room for the new Flower Child restaurant (same as the one coming to Travilah Square — details in our May 17th edition) as well as a relocating Salon Nader. There’s still room one more tenant on that end of the shopping center — and we hear it will be another restaurant. More details soon.

Bender JCC of Greater Washington
Crossroads BBQ exterior

All new BBQ in Rockville

Branded 72, a longtime fixture on Gude Drive, is under new ownership with a new menu and a new name: Crossroads BBQ and Grill. Co-owner Paul Poto, who purchased the restaurant with a partner earlier this year, says many of the new recipes are actually throwbacks to the restaurant’s original identity as O’Brien’s Pit BBQ. “Ken O’Brien was an American Airlines pilot who sampled the barbecue in Texas and brought it here in 1972,” Poto says. “We’re extending his idea to include barbecue from St. Louis, Memphis and the Carolinas — an intersection of where four great barbecues meet.” To check out the restaurant’s new menu, click here.

Potomac Village Farmers Market
Sears at Westfield Montgomery Mall -- long shot

More Sears closings

This week brought another announcement of closings for the struggling Sears chain. Once again, the Westfield Montgomery Mall location is not on the list of stores that are slated to close. But it’s only a matter of time.

Untuckit and Dormify to the mall — plus a new Rockville grocer and an Upper Rock update

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This one’s for the guys

Coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall: Untuckit, the New York-based retailer whose shirts are meant to be worn… well, you know. The company is best known for its $80-ish men’s button-downs and polos, with hems that are intended to fall mid-fly and showcase Untuckit’s triangle logo. Plans call for 100 Untuckit stores by 2022, with expanded clothing lines for women and kids. At Westfield Montgomery, the retailer is moving into the former Solstice space near Macy’s. Meanwhile, another new menswear store opened at the mall this week: Fascino, specializing in Italian fashions, has taken over the Hoamgar space near Nordstrom.

Potomac Village Farmers Market
Dormify showroom

Dorm destination

Online retailer Dormify is opening a summertime pop-up shop at Westfield Montgomery Mall. This is a first for the six-year-old company, which was founded by a Churchill High School grad in search of more glamorous dorm decor. It’s one of three new brick-and-mortar locations (the others are in Chicago and New York) that will give shoppers a chance to check out all those plush duvets and furry throw pillows in person. The best part for parents: No schlepping heavy bags through the mall. Once you decide what to buy, the store will place your order online and ship directly to your home or campus. Dormify is set to open May 15th in the Nordstrom wing, where it will remain until late August.

Shin Orthodontics
Woodley Gardens with Hard Times and Corner Market

New Rockville grocery store opens next week

Corner Market and Pharmacy, a new venture from the owners of Chevy Chase Supermarket, opens May 16th at the Woodley Gardens Shopping Center in Rockville. “We’re going to be a real neighborhood grocer with excellent customer service and employees who actually care,” says co-owner Kevin Kirsch. Not to mention top-notch baked goods: Kirsch tells us the store will carry freshly made bread, rolls, churros and cakes from the Canela Bakery in Gaithersburg. (Did you know that Wegmans and Aldi also are heading to Rockville? Click here  and here for details on where and when.)

Park Potomac Spring Festival
Firehouse Subs at Upper Rock

Upper Rock update

Firehouse Subs has opened its first Rockville location at the Upper Rock development on Shady Grove Road, across from Home Depot and Nordstrom Rack. CAVA and CVS have been open there for several months, but many Store Reporter readers have asked us about the slow progress at MOM’s Organic Market. Not to worry: MOM’s owners tell us that construction is finally moving forward and the store should open early this summer. This will be the first freestanding location for MOM’s, with a bakery and a vegetarian organic eatery on the premises.

Wintergreen Plaza
Kitchen

Need some help with a house project?

Our new Store Reporter Local Services Guide has recommendations for everything from flooring to locksmiths to home inspectors, movers, organizing specialists and vintage furniture. The advertisers on this list have been crowd-sourced and vetted by our editors, your neighbors and Store Reporter readers. In other words: These are names you can trust. Click here to take a look.

Your Wegmans questions answered — plus a new food hall for Pike & Rose and an update on the Corned Beef King

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Wegmans in Rockville: Your questions answered

Who knew a grocery store could create so much excitement? Our Facebook page and mailbag have been overflowing with messages since last Tuesday, when we happily delivered the news that Wegmans is finally coming to Rockville. Here are some answers to the questions we’ve been hearing all week.

Opening date? We don’t know yet, but it’s going to be awhile. The deal was just signed, and Wegmans tells us it’s too soon to establish a timeline for the project. The popular grocer is to be the anchor and primary draw for an expansive pedestrian-friendly development that’s planned for the Twinbrook Metro area. There are still a lot of hoops to jump through before construction can begin.

What about parking? Plans call for an underground parking lot that will serve Wegmans customers as well as the other surrounding businesses.

What will happen to the existing tenants at the corner of Halpine Road and Rockville Pike? Eventually, most of the businesses in and around that site will either have to close or relocate.

So what does this mean for Pizza CS? Our readers have been particularly concerned about the fate of the beloved pizzeria, known for its authentic Neapolitan-style pies. “We appreciate the community support,” says co-owner Ankur Rajpara. He and partner Jonathan Allen tell us their lease is good through 2020, but they’ve been scouting potential new locations in case they’re asked to make an early exit.

Can Rockville Pike really support this many grocery stores? The Pike already is home to Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, Food Lion, Fresh Market and Trader Joe’s, among others. Not to mention that Aldi will soon be opening there as well. (Click here for more on that).  Will local food shoppers actually be able to keep all these stores in business? This is one question to which even we don’t know the answer.

Pike Central Farm Market Grand Opening
The Block

New food hall for Pike & Rose

In another case of how much is too much: This week Pike & Rose announced plans for The Block, a dining hall featuring 8,500 square feet of Asian street food that’s set to debut next year. Like its sister location in Annandale, The Block will have communal seating where everyone can order exactly what they want, from Taiwanese snocream to Hawaiian-style poké bowls. This is the third all-Asian food hall planned for the Rockville/North Bethesda area, following The Spot in downtown Rockville (click here for more) and Pike Kitchen on Edmonston Drive (click here for more). Food halls are trending all over the U.S., including themed ones like the new collection of  Mike Isabella eateries at Tysons Galleria. But three Asian food halls within a short drive of each other? That’s going to be interesting.

Wintergreen Plaza
Grilled Oyster
Corned Beef King food truck

Latest on the Corned Beef King

Next week marks the grand opening of a Corned Beef King restaurant that isn’t on wheels: The popular food truck has completed its buildout inside the Liberty gas station at Rockville Pike and Twinbrook Parkway. Owner Jon Rossler had been running a similar gas station restaurant in Olney for several years, but he closed it a few weeks ago when the rent got too high. He says he’s happy to have a brick-and-mortar location in Rockville, where many fans follow his food truck around and some have even been known to drive to Olney for a sandwich. Meanwhile, the former Corned Beef King truck that’s recently been seen outside Hank Dietle’s is now owned by a separate operator serving Latin food.

The Game Gym
Store Reporter Local Services Guide

Check out our new Services Guide

This week we’re proud to debut our new Store Reporter Local Services Guide, a go-to list of recommendations for everything from home repairs to custom gifts to professional services to pet care. We’ve done our homework to vet the advertisers in this guide, asking friends and neighbors for referrals to make sure this is a list you can count on. We’ll be adding more categories in the weeks and months to come. Interested in being part of it? Click here to send us an email. Want to check out the guide right now? Click here.

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Breaking News: Wegmans on the way to Rockville

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Wegmans storefront

Wegmans on the way

We’ve been hearing this rumor for months, and apparently the buzz was true: Wegmans, one of the nation’s best-loved grocers, is coming to Rockville. Developer B.F. Saul Co., which is planning a walkable transit-oriented community around the Twinbrook Metro Station, says it has signed a lease with the uber-popular grocery chain for a store at the corner of Halpine Road and Rockville Pike. Local shoppers have been waiting for Wegmans since at least 2014, when it was rumored to have been part of the long-stalled redevelopment plan for White Flint. This time, it looks like it’s really happening. More details in this Thursday’s issue of Store Reporter. For answers to your questions, click here.

Aldi on the way, new throne for the Corned Beef King, Italian fashions and a new Bethesda gym

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Aldi on the way

Aldi, the German grocer known for its high-quality products and ultra-low prices, is heading to Rockville Pike. Plans call for a fall opening in the former H.H. Gregg space at Congressional North shopping center, a few doors down from Bed Bath & Beyond. This is one of six new Aldi stores scheduled to open in Maryland this year, but the company tells us it’s the only one planned for Montgomery County at this time. Aldi is something of a corporate cousin to Trader Joe’s — they both originated from the same parent company — and the two chains have a similar business model: small stores, limited product selection and mostly private-label brands. But Aldi cuts prices even further by dispensing with every frill — meaning that you’ll have to bring your own bags, pack your own groceries, even put down a refundable deposit on your shopping cart. (If you’d rather just stick with Trader Joe’s, there’s also a new one of those coming to Rockville this year. Click here for details. And did you hear about the Wegmans store planned for Rockville Pike? Click here for more on that.)

Wills Decorating
Corned Beef King food truck

New throne for the Corned Beef King

One bit of fallout from last month’s fire at the historic Hank Dietle’s Tavern: The Corned Beef Kingfood truck, which had been serving meals on the property for several years, was left without a home on Rockville Pike. But it didn’t take long for owner Jon Rossler to cook up a new plan: His truck can now be found outside the Liberty gas station off Twinbrook Parkway, and Rossler is in the process of taking over a little-used kitchen inside the building. The idea came from the station’s owner, Bobby Wheeler, who’s been a fan since the days when Rossler’s family ran Potomac’s Celebrity Delly. “Jon serves a high-quality product that’s just like his father used to make,” Wheeler says. “Once people find out we’re serving his corned beef, they’ll be back for more.” The gas station/deli combo will be the second such venture for Rossler, who runs a similar operation in Olney. Click here to check out the menu.

Patrizia Luca Milano mannequins

Italian boutique is back

Good news for fans of Patrizia Luca Milano, the two-year-old Italian clothing store at Westfield Montgomery Mall. After losing its home in the Macy’s wing last month, the store reopened this week in larger quarters across from Michael Kors. The high-profile spot, which once belonged to Bebe, is a big move for owner Mahmoud Nassaj at a time when many independently owned stores are closing their doors. What’s his secret? “Our niche is that we’re different,” he says. “We’re more like a boutique than a typical department store where you see the same thing around every corner. When new customers come in, 90 percent of them say, ‘Finally, something different.’” Click here to check out it out.

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Truebody Fit Outside Yoga

Namaste in Bethesda

Truebody, a new gym from local fitness guru Robert Sherman, had its long-awaited opening last week near the Bethesda Metro Station on Wisconsin Avenue. Sherman, who is well known in the Rockville/Potomac area from his years at Life Time Athletic, offers a full schedule of cardio and strength classes with an eye toward mindfulness. Cool features include a fire pit, a meditation labyrinth and a snazzy rooftop yoga space. Click herefor more.

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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

The Halal Guys, lobster grilled cheese, more changes at the mall

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Hello Halal Guys

Feb. 16th is opening day for The Halal Guys at Wintergreen Plaza, the first Maryland location for a business that started on the streets of New York City. The menu features chicken, beef and falafel dishes in platter or gyro form, topped with hot sauce or the restaurant’s signature white sauce. “We’re bringing the original New York food cart inside,” says Tony Pizzola, director of franchise operations. The Halal Guys will be open for lunch and dinner in the former Rocklands Barbecue space, with seating for 20 people and prices around $10. Catering will be added in the weeks to come, as well as delivery via Uber Eats and other services. To check out the menu, click here.

Grilled Oyster

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Clobster Grilled Cheese from Slapfish

Slapfish makes a splash

What’s this, you ask? Meet the Clobster, a crab/lobster mashup squeezed into a grilled cheese sandwich. It’s one of the signature items at Slapfish, the fast-casual restaurant we told you about last week that’s on the way to Montrose Crossing. Pricing is mostly in the $7 to $15 range for items like shrimp ceviche, lobster grinders, baja mahi sandwiches and surf-n-turf lobster burgers; beer and wine will also be served. Jon Friedlander and Mike Burke, local franchisees for the California-based concept, say they’re planning a rapid expansion in the D.C. area. The Rockville location, next to the new Honeygrow along Rockville Pike, is scheduled to open in June. For a preview of the menu, click here.

Wintergreen Plaza
Apple and Macy's wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall

More mall moves

Still more vacancies to report this week in the Macy’s wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Teavana has closed its doors — part of a nationwide shutdown of the Starbucks-owned chain — and the imminent departure of Solstice will leave three empty spaces directly across from the Apple store. The storefront right next door to Apple also emptied out this week as clothing boutique Patrizia Luca Milano relocated to the Nordstrom wing. Who’s taking its spot? An Invisalign dental center. For a look at what else is coming to the mall in the next few months, click here.

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Supermarket cart with tomatoes

New market for Rockville

Coming this spring to the Woodley Gardens shopping center in Rockville: Corner Market and Pharmacy, a locally owned grocery featuring on-site medical services and home delivery of your meds. The store is a new venture from the owners of Chevy Chase Supermarket, which is closing its doors after 60 years to make way for new construction in that area. Corner Market is scheduled to open in April at Woodley Gardens, best known as the home of Carmen’s Italian Ice and Hard Times Cafe.

Bethesda Central Farm Markets
Car crashes into Fresh Baguette bakery

Car trouble for Rockville bakery

This past Wednesday morning — one of those snowless snow days for Montgomery County Public Schools — a car apparently slid on the ice and crashed through a window of the Fresh Baguette bakery on Hungerford Drive. There was a similar incident last December at Rockville’s Kielbasa Factory, which is just now getting ready to reopen after nearly two months of repairs. But things went more smoothly at the bakery this week, where the owner offered the unharmed driver a cup of coffee and graciously made some jokes about drive-through service. The damage was patched temporarily, and Fresh Baguette was back in business a few hours later. For a video of the incident, click here for a report from Fox 5.

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Life Time Athletic in Rockville