Store Reporter

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

Mexican Food

Thanksgiving shopping, Black Friday specials, new restaurants for the holidays

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Happy Thanksgiving — and let the shopping begin

Just about the time you’re finishing that last piece of pumpkin pie, lots of stores will be opening their doors for the earliest Black Friday shoppers. Westfield Montgomery mall will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight on Thursday — although some of the biggest stores, including Apple and Nordstrom, will be sitting it out until Friday. Most of Rockville’s major retailers will be closed on Thanksgiving, reopening as early as 6 a.m. for Friday morning door-busters. If you prefer a stress-free shopping experience, pay a visit to your local retailers like the ones at Cabin John Village. Many will be offering terrific Black Friday deals, and they’ll even handle the gift-wrapping for you. Scroll down for details.

Toy Castle
Susan Koehn Designs
Occasions
The Grilled Oyster

Last hurrah for Sears and the Macy's Home Store

This will be the last Black Friday for Sears at Westfield Montgomery mall, and likely for the Macy’s Home Store as well. From what we hear, there’s a new Life Time Athletic fitness club and eventually a whole new Macy’s store on the way. More on these plans in our Oct. 25th edition. And stay tuned for next week, when we have some news about a big change happening on Rockville Pike.

Realtor Jacqueline Band-Olinger of Greystone Realty
Eyeland/Luxoptics

New restaurants for the holidays

What’s new on the holiday dining scene? Flower Child, the new fast-casual restaurant at Travilah Square Shopping Center, offers a healthy, veg-heavy menu that makes a great counterpart to all those Thanksgiving calories. Nada, specializing in tacos and cocktails, opened its doors on Monday at Pike & Rose. We haven’t tried it yet, but the interior is lovely. And Julii, a new French/Mediterranean restaurant from the founders of Cava, will be opening down the street in about a week. This week we took a sneak-peek tour with chef Sasha Felikson, who’s supervising every detail from the Moroccan tagine cookware to the chocolate soufflés. Check out our Facebook page for photos of all three places.

Wink Eyecare Boutique
Explorekensington.com
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New eateries for Pike & Rose, Westfield Montgomery and Travilah Square — plus a fabulous holiday boutique show

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New restaurants & more for Pike & Rose

This fall will be a busy one for Pike & Rose, with the Mexican restaurant Nada arriving this month and the much-hyped Julii not far behind. Nada, which calls itself a “taco and cocktail joint,” is set to open Nov. 19th across the street from Pinstripes. We’ll keep you posted on the opening date for Julii, a new venture from the founders of Cava that should be here before the holidays. Meanwhile: Seasons Oil & Vinegar Taproom, one of the first tenants to open at Pike & Rose, will be exiting after four years. Taking its place will be Olive & Loom, a gift shop specializing in Turkish towels and olive oil bath products. Opening is set for next spring.

Wintergreen Plaza
Moda Optic Mykita trunk show
Viva and Urban Plates

Mall restaurant update: From the steakhouse to 7-11

This week we checked in on the dining scene at Westfield Montgomery mall, where Urban Plates and Poke Papa are now under construction in the former Naples space. But what’s up with Viva Japanese Steakhouse, which was supposed to have opened months ago across from the ArcLight Cinema? A peek through the windows reveals that little progress has been made since last summer, and the restaurant’s owner has not returned our messages. The mall says Viva will open around Christmas, but we have our doubts. Moving along to the other side of the Dining Terrace: A 7-11 (of all things) will be opening next to Chick-fil-A, and the gourmet popsicle shop we told you about last month is changing its name from Pop Culture to Frozen Stuff on a Stick. That one should be open in a few weeks.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Explore Kensington

Flower Child blooms at Travilah Square

Flower Child has opened its doors at the Travilah Square shopping center on Darnestown Road, offering a health-conscious menu in a fast-casual setting just across from the new Trader Joe’s. Created by the founder of True Food Kitchen, the restaurant caters to special diets from vegetarian and vegan to paleo, sugar-free, dairy-free and gluten-free. Flower Child will open a second MoCo location next spring at the Wildwood Shops. For a look at the menu, click here.

Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique

Join us for shopping, fun & a chance to win our raffle

The holiday season kicks off in Potomac this week with the annual Holiday Boutique & Silent Auction sponsored by the Women of Washington Hebrew Congregation. The show is just two days this year — Sunday, Nov. 11 and Monday, Nov. 12 — at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center at Falls Road and Tuckerman Lane. We’ll be there both days at the Store Reporter table near the entrance. Stop by, say hello and enter to win one of our fabulous raffle prizes from show vendors. Participants this year include The Boho Eye, Elana Designs, Faye Mendelsohn Cosmetics, R Boutique, Stella M’lia, Susan Koehn Designs, Sweet Charma and Valerie Nahmani Designs. There’s no charge to enter our raffle, just drop your name in our jar at the show.

Adiós Mi Rancho, goodbye Taylor Gourmet, so long Silver Moon… and hello to Sweetgreen & a new boutique

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Here’s your retail & restaurant scoop for the week of Sept. 20, 2018.

Taylor Gourmet out, Sweetgreen in at Pike & Rose

Last week it was speculation, this week it’s a done deal: North Bethesda’s Taylor Gourmet will exit Pike & Rose just four months after it opened. Doors are scheduled to close Sept. 27th, although it could happen sooner. Last week the D.C.-based sandwich chain said it wanted to reduce real estate costs by ditching some of its larger locations, but this week it became clear that the entire chain is shutting down. Meanwhile, salad chain Sweetgreen announced plans to open at Pike & Rose next year on the ground floor of the new Canopy by Hilton/930 Rose hotel/condo complex. The health-oriented chain will provide a welcome counterpoint to its upcoming neighbors, BurgerFi and Sunday Morning Bakehouse. (Details on those in our July 26th and Aug. 30th editions.)

1-800-GOT-JUNK
Second Chance Addiction Care

So long Silver Moon

One of our last remaining local gift shops, Silver Moon Jewelry & Accessories, is closing its doors at Congressional Plaza. Originally known as Tiara Galleries & Gifts, the 60-year-old retailer specialized in housewares and collectibles from the likes of Lladro, Swarovski and Waterford. As figurines and formal place settings fell out of fashion with younger buyers, the store rebooted in 2015 with a new name and a new focus: handbags from Vera Bradley and Spartina, jewelry from Pandora and Alex & Ani. With the recent passing of Irv Losman, son of founder Ruth Losman, Tiara/Silver Moon has run its course. The store will close on or before Nov. 30th.

Eyeland/Luxoptics
My Best Friend's Closet
Gym & Tonic athleisure boutique is now open at Park Potomac

Athleisure boutique opens at Park Potomac

Park Potomac has a new boutique: Gym & Tonic, featuring high-end workout wear and clothes that transition from the barre to the bar. The store opened last week next door to Addie’s, where it’s well-positioned to capture the crowds from Orangetheory Fitness on one side and Life Time Athletic on the other. For more on Gym & Tonic, click here.

Fallsgrove Orthodontic Center
Congregation B'nai Tzedek

Adiós Mi Rancho

Tex-Mex restaurant Mi Rancho has closed its red and green doors after a decade on Rockville Pike, where it sat between Party City and Yekta. Owners said they failed to reach a new lease agreement for the Rockville location, but they have no plans to close their other restaurants in Silver Spring and Germantown.

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Indian food & sushi for Pike & Rose — plus bubble tea and more mall closings

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More new restaurants for Pike & Rose

Pike & Rose is adding two more restaurants to its lineup, filling the empty spots left by the recently departed La Madeleine and Carluccio’s. Moving into the former La Madeleine space on Old Georgetown Road: Commonwealth Indian, serving beer, wine and cocktails along with a selection of Indian dishes. The Carluccio’s space next to Owen’s Ordinary will be home to Kusshi Sushi and Sake Bar, a new venture from the owners of Bethesda’s Hanaro Sushi. What else is scheduled to open at Pike & Rose this year? A ramen bar called Jinya (click here for more); a Mexican restaurant called Nada (click here for more); and Julii, a new concept from the founders of CAVA (click here for more).

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Kung Fu Tea and Tutti Frutti at Pike & Rose

Kung Fu Tea kicks butt

The Tutti Frutti yogurt shop at Pike & Rose is now a Tutti Frutti/Kung Fu Tea combo. That makes three Montgomery County locations for the fast-expanding bubble tea chain, which also can be found in downtown Rockville and Westfield Montgomery Mall. A competitor, Boba Station, closed its doors at the mall last week. But another New York bubble tea chain is coming to test the waters: Gong Cha will open in Rockville this year as part of an all-Asian food court called The Spot. For more on The Spot, click here. For info on other bubble tea stores in our area, click here.

Wintergreen Plaza
M. Gemi shoe bus at Westfield Montgomery Mall

Latest exits at the mall

More changes in store at Westfield Montgomery Mall, where some of the last remaining independent retailers will be among those exiting before summer. Shafa Blends, which opened three years ago under the name Rumi Tea and Spice, has relocated to Gaithersburg. Boba Station also is out (see story above), and other longtime tenants like Solstice and Pen Boutique are getting ready to leave. Hoamgar, an Asian chain that was testing the U.S. market, will close its doors this spring. Some of those empty spaces will likely be filled with attention-getting pop-up shops — like this minivan filled with Italian shoes.

Toy Castle Lego Building Challenge
Vince & Dominic's

Vince & Dominic’s no more

See that empty space to the right of the Bubbles hair salon? That’s where the Vince & Dominic’s pizzeria used to be. Home Depot, which owns that shopping center, has torn down some of the empty storefronts to make room for more parking.

Herbert Hoover Beauty and the Beast
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Thai restaurant for Cabin John, Greek food for Rockville, Gringos & Mariachis arrives

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Another new restaurant for Cabin John

Sisters Thai, a hipster eatery from Fairfax, is the latest addition to the new restaurant lineup at Cabin John. The buzz on this place is quite good — not only for its food, fruit drinks and desserts, but also for its cozy “living room” atmosphere with mismatched furniture and overstuffed bookshelves. (Click here for a preview). Construction is already under way in the parking lot at Tuckerman Lane and Seven Locks Road, where Sisters will join Shake Shack, CAVAand Le Pain Quotidienfor a late 2018 debut. Cabin John, which was sold last year to the Edens development group, also is planning a name change after 50 years. Say goodbye to Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall; it’s now Cabin John Village.

Filicori Zecchini
Gringos & Mariachis

Gringos & Mariachis arrives

This week brought the long-awaited debut of Gringos & Mariachis at Park Potomac. The Mexican restaurant had been under construction seemingly forever (but really about two years) across from MoCo’s Founding Farmers and next to the new Addie’s. This is a sister to the three-year-old Gringos & Mariachis in Bethesda, serving casual food and cocktails amidst striking murals inspired by Mexican street art. Owners Roberto and Riccardo Pietrobono are also behind the popular restaurants Alatri Bros.and Olazzo. More photos on our Facebook page; click here to see them.

Park Potomac Winterwilds Market
Wildwood Shops

Welcome the holidays at Wildwood

Stop by the Wildwood Shops this Saturday (Dec. 9th) for a holiday open house featuring live music, giveaways, strolling entertainment and plenty of gift inspiration. Register to win a $100 gift card to Buredo or Balducci’s, and snag a free copper insulated travel bottle with any $150 purchase. (Redeem your receipts at Belina Boutique, Coco Blanca, Buredo, Irresistibles, Red Orchard, Secrete Fine Jewelry or Yves Delorme.) Shopping hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Wildwood Shopping Center, 10241 Old Georgetown Road. Click here for details.

Norman's Farm Market
JT Interiors

Rediscover your favorites at JT Interiors

JT Interiors closed its doors last summer, but the Potomac Village gift shop is alive and well on the Internet. All those charming holiday gifts that the store was known for –  from embroidered table runners and painted guest towels to festive candles and party accessories — are available all season at www.jtinteriorspotomac.com. Snow globes like the one shown here are $30 and up, silk scarves are available in 10 colors for $40, and lighted glass vases with winter scenes are $12 to $30. Click here to visit the JT website, or email your inquiries to hello@jtinteriorspotomac.com.

New Greek restaurant for Rockville

Gyroland, a casual spinoff of the longtime Greek restaurant Mykonos, opened its doors this week in the former Maria’s Bakeryspace in the Shops at Congressional Village, 1701 Rockville Pike. The menu features gyros, wraps, souvlaki and other Greek specialties, along with salads and the honey donuts known as loukoumades. For a peek at the menu, click here.

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New venture from the Cava team, new closings and our favorite restaurants for 2017

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Cava team cooks up something new for Pike & Rose

Have you been wondering what’s up with that glass-encased building across from the new L.L.Bean store on Rockville Pike? Now we know: It’s the future home of Julii, a new French Mediterranean restaurant from the founders of Cava. This will be a standalone concept created specifically for Pike & Rose, serving an all-day menu that moves from croissants and coffee in the morning to shakshouka, roast chicken and cocktails in the evening. Co-owner Ted Xenohristos tells us he hopes to open the doors by late spring or early summer.

Wintergreen Plaza
Norman's Farm Market
Toy Kingdom at Rockville Town Square

Game over for Toy Kingdom

Toy Kingdom, one of the last original tenants at Rockville Town Square, will close its doors at the end of this month after more than a decade on Maryland Avenue. Toy stores large and small have been struggling to compete with online commerce these past few years; high-end Marbles closed all its stores last winter (including the one at Westfield Montgomery Mall), while Toys R Us filed Chapter 11 this past fall. In our area, Toy Castle in Potomac and Child’s Play in Rockville are now the only two toy stores left standing.

O'Donnell's Market Wednesday Meal Deals
Helen's holiday sign

Trouble for Helen’s

Helen’s, which opened last year in the former Addie’sspace on Rockville Pike, is struggling to stay in business. Owner Helen Wasserman, a longtime D.C. caterer, says it’s been difficult to turn a profit in an aging building that has needed so many repairs. “We’re hoping to stay open if we can work things out with the landlord,” she says. The building’s former tenants, restaurateurs Jeff and Barbara Black, had similar issues that led them to close the original Addie’s in 2013. They recently debuted a new version at Park Potomac — and it’s one of our Store Reporter Favoritesfor 2017. Scroll down to find out who else made the list.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Shanghai Bao Kitchen

Another restaurant closes at the mall

Westfield Montgomery Mall lost another eatery last week with the closing of Shanghai Bao Kitchen, a two-year-old concept from the owners of Bob’s Shanghai 66. The restaurant had made several attempts to revamp its menu in the past few months, adding sushi burritos, poke bowls and other trendy items, but it suffered from its out-of-the-way location plus competition from the neighboring B/Bop/Q.

Park Potomac Winterwilds Market

Our favorite new restaurants of 2017

This has been a tough year for retailers, but a relatively good one for the local dining scene. From Rockville Pike to Potomac to Westfield Montgomery Mall, some terrific new places have opened over the past 12 months. Here’s a look at some of our favorites.

  • Addie’s at Park Potomac: This reincarnation of the beloved Rockville restaurant was one of the most anticipated openings of the year — and many longtime fans say it was worth the wait. Seafood towers are the centerpiece of the high-end menu. Click here for details.
  • Buredo at the Wildwood Shops: This is the first Maryland location for the D.C.-based chain, an early pioneer of the sushi burrito craze. We’re partial to the Beatrix, stuffed with yellowfin tuna and salmon sashimi. Click here for details.
  • CSNY Pizza on Rockville Pike: From the owners of the much-loved Pizza CS, this is about as close as you can get to authentic New York-style pizza in Rockville. Click here for details.
  • Don Pollo at Westlake Crossing: Come for the juicy roasted chicken, stay for the tasty Peruvian dishes. We particularly like the ceviche, yuca and plantains. Click here for more.
  • Filicori Zecchini at Park Potomac: Finally, a neighborhood coffee shop that Potomac can call its own. With sleek European furniture, a stunning copper bar and authentic Italian coffee, it’s worlds away from Starbucks. Click here for more.
  • Honeyfish Poke at Congressional Plaza: Hawaiian-style poke bowls are all the rage, and this place does it right: generous portions, fresh toppings and flavorful sauces. Click here for details.
  • Fresh Baguette on Hungerford Drive: The second location for this popular French bakery is designed to service wholesale clients (think country clubs and ritzy hotels) but is happy to serve you a super-fresh sandwich, a loaf of bread or a single perfect pastry. Click here for more.
  • Gusto Farm to Street at Westfield Montgomery Mall: The pizzas and salads are all very good, but it’s the chewy, gluten-free cauliflower crust that really sets this place apart. Click here for more.
  • Lucky Strike at Westfield Montgomery Mall: The food is surprisingly good at this snazzy bowling alley, where you can sit front-and-center at the sports bar or huddle in a cozy corner for a quiet board game. Click here for more.
  • Mission BBQ at Wintergreen Plaza: This uber-patriotic restaurant has something of a cult following, both for its top-notch barbecue and its dedication to supporting those in uniform. The brisket is a standout. Click here for more.
  • Moby Dick in Potomac Village: A welcome addition to this restaurant-starved neighborhood, offering a reliable Middle Eastern menu that’s well-suited for takeout. Click here for more.
  • Pinstripes at Pike & Rose: Bocce and bowling aren’t the only reasons to visit: The dishes here are among the tastiest we’ve had this year in North Bethesda. Don’t miss the boneless short rib and the crispy calamari. Click here for more.

Mexican restaurant for Pike & Rose, new look and new bakery for Cabin John

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Cocktail from Nada

 

New Mexican restaurant for Pike & Rose

Nada, an up-and-coming gourmet Mexican restaurant chain, will make its Maryland debut this winter at Pike & Rose. This will be the fifth location for the Ohio-based company, which also has restaurants in Cincinatti, Columbus, Indianapolis and Nashville. The menu strays a bit from the usual Mexican fare, featuring quirky taco fillings like pot roast, fried avocados and mushu pork — plus a bounty of signature cocktails. For a preview of what’s on the way, click here.

 

 

Wednesday Meal Deals at O'Donnell's Market: https://odonnellsmarket.com

 

 

 

Occasions Anniversary Sale: https://www.occasionsgiftstore.com

 

 

 

Specialty cakes from Sweetly Anchored Patisserie

 

Sweet news for Potomac

A new bakery and coffee shop is joining the lineup of fresh dining options heading to Cabin John Shopping Center. Sweetly Anchored Patisserie will start construction this fall in the former Orange Leaf space near the mini-mall entrance, with an opening planned for early 2018. Baker Lindsay Miniaci, who’s been selling custom cakes online for the past two years, says she’ll offer much more at the new store  — from brownies and cookies to pies and seasonal tarts, as well as teas, coffees and espresso drinks. “This will be a place where you can come in for a yogurt and coffee in the morning, then come back later for a box of pastries to take to a dinner party,” she says. For a peek at what Sweetly Anchored has to offer, click here.

 

 

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

 

 

 

Cabin John Mall with newly painted exterior

 

New look for Cabin John’s mini-mall

A makeover was in progress at the Cabin John mini-mall this week as painters began covering the dated facade with a fresh coat of white paint and sprucing up details like the M’s on the McDonald’s windows. This is just the beginning for what’s to come at Cabin John: Scroll down through our September issues for reports on the upcoming additions of Cava and Shake Shack. More info in the next few weeks.

 

 

Potomac Village Farmers Market: https://www.facebook.com/PVFM20854

 

 

 

Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks

 

Starbucks syrups off the market

One bit of unexpected fallout from last week’s shutdown of the online Starbucks store: Although the company’s mugs and tumblers will still be available at its brick-and-mortar locations, Starbucks has entirely discontinued sales of its bottled flavored syrups. Fans have been complaining, but the company says it wants customers to pick up their pumpkin spice lattes in person instead of making them at home. “Every retailer that is going to win in this new environment must become a experiential destination,” CEO Howard Schultz told investors last spring. “Your product or services, for the most part, cannot be available online and cannot be available on Amazon.”

 

 

Capital Area Food Bank Empty Bowls Event: https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org

 

 

 

Email news and advertising questions to: publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

 

Lucky Strike opens, White Flint update and our restaurant contest winners

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Lucky Strike Social at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Time to get Lucky

This weekend brings the long-awaited debut of Lucky Strike Social, opening Saturday underneath the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall. At a sneak peek this week, we found an inviting space for bowlers and non-bowlers alike: plush leather couches at each of the 12 lanes, comfy seating areas for pre-and post-game socializing, and a lively bar that’s likely to become a gathering spot for shopped-out sports fans. Lanes can be rented by the hour on weekend evenings for $65 a pop; at other times, the price will be $5 to $6 per person per game (plus shoe rental). We have more photos on the Store Reporter Facebook page; click here for look.

 

 

JT Interiors at Potomac House: https://www.facebook.com/jtinteriorspotomac/

 

 

 

Menchie's Frozen Yogurt and Stride Rite at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Who’s in, who’s out at the mall

Lots of comings and goings at Westfield Montgomery Mall since our last edition. On the food side, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt finally opened across from Build-a-Bear Workshop; meanwhile, Bistro Sensations has vanished from the Dining Terrace and Chocolate Moonshine has closed its seasonal pop-up shop. Also gone is American Apparel, which finally completed its extended bankruptcy sale, and Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too, whose owners say they’ll be back again next fall. Exiting soon: the Marbles game store (going bankrupt) and the Stride Rite kids’ shoe store, which will close at the end of March.

 

 

Bethesda Salt Cave: http://www.bethesdasaltcave.com

 

 

 

Lord & Taylor on Rockville Pike

 

White Flint update

This week there was a new development in the longstanding battle between Lord & Taylor and the owners of the former White Flint Mall. A U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a 2015 verdict that Lord & Taylor, which is still doing business on the property, is entitled to $31 million in damages resulting from the mall’s demolition. The mall’s owners, Lerner Enterprises and The Tower Cos., have said they might not follow through with redevelopment plans if the verdict didn’t go their way. Bethesda Beat reports that their lawyers are now deciding whether to appeal yet again.

 

 

East Gate Swim & Tennis Club: https://www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp?team=recpveggstmd

 

 

 

Fish Taco platter

 

And the restaurant winners are…

Last month we asked our readers to vote for their favorite new restaurants in the Rockville/Potomac area, drawing from a list of two dozen eateries that have opened over the past year. The results made one thing abundantly clear: The fast-casual segment is where it’s at. Most of the votes went to places where you can take the kids, wear something comfortable, and get a good meal for less than $15 per person.

And the winners are:

  • Fish Taco at Wildwood, the runaway winner of our poll, has earned a loyal following for its distinctive menu, tasty margaritas, striking decor and casual atmosphere that works equally well for couple meet-ups and family dinners.
  • Chuy’s on Rockville Pike is another favorite for its generous portions of Tex-Mex food and drinks, not to mention the excellent service and quirky Elvis-themed decor.
  • The Big Greek Café, a family-owned restaurant that recently added a location off Rockville Pike at Nicholson Lane, is beloved for its delicious home-cooked food and exceptionally warm staff.
  • Chopt and Modern Market, the two newest eateries at Congressional Plaza, both earn high praise for their winning combination of healthy food that tastes great. 
  • The Habit Burger Grill and Jersey Mike’s Subs, both at Wintergreen Plaza, offer an updated take on fast food that’s resonating with many of our readers.

In the fine-dining arena, two restaurants earned the most votes:

  • Helen’s, which took over the former Addie’s space on Rockville Pike, is a favorite for its top-notch cooking and welcoming, intimate atmosphere.
  • Lahinch, in the former Benny’s space at Cabin John Shopping Center, earned high marks for its Irish/American menu and lively ambience.

Other popular choices in our poll were Owen’s Ordinary at Pike & Rose, Mellow Mushroom at Rockville Town Square, and Beefsteak at Westfield Montgomery Mall. And the winner of dinner for four at Chuy’s? Hillary Benson of Potomac.

 

 

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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

 

 

 

Moby Dick in Potomac Village, more changes at Rockville Town Square, new restaurants we love

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Moby Dick kabobs

 

Moby Dick update

Moby Dick expects a mid-March opening for its new location in Potomac Village, where it’s nearing the end of construction at the Falls Road storefront that once housed Toys Unique. This will be the 21st restaurant for the fast-casual chain, which has been serving Persian food in the D.C. area for almost 30 years. To see what’s on the menu, click here.

 

 

Kaufmann Jewelers: http://www.kaufmannjewelers.com/aboutus/

 

 

 

Ev & Maddy's and Little Dipper Hot Pot House at Rockville Town Square

 

Who’s in, who’s out at Rockville Town Square

Lots of changes this winter on Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square, where Little Dipper Hot Pot House is set to open next week while the neighboring Ev & Maddy’s appears to have closed. Little Dipper, which is taking over the corner spot that once housed Noodles & Company, offers flavored broths with noodles, vegetables and meats that you cook right at your table. Ev & Maddy’s, which earned good reviews for its European bistro-style menu, had been open for just two years in the space next door. It’s the fourth restaurant to fail at that address since 2007, following Bobby’s Crabcakes, Tippy’s Taco House and the short-lived 82 Steak Out. Also exiting Gibbs Street is the Ten Thousand Villages gift shop; more on that in our Feb. 2 edition.

 

 

 

 

 

Want to win dinner for four at Chuy's? Scroll down to find out how.

 

 

 

Macy's sign at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Amazon to buy Macy’s?

This week brought the news that Macy’s, which has been closing stores across the country, is entertaining acquisition offers from several potential suitors. The interested parties are said to include Amazon, which is looking to expand into physical stores, and Hudson’s Bay Company, which already owns Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor. Stay tuned.

 

 

 

 

 

Purse from BCBG Max Azria

 

Bye bye BCBG

BCBG Max Azria, which exited Westfield Montgomery Mall last year, plans to close 120 locations across the country in the next two months. The retailer says it will continue to operate some freestanding stores, but will focus primarily on its Internet sales, licensing deals and boutiques inside department stores. The BCBG store in Chevy Chase will be closing in the next few weeks, but staffers tell us the Georgetown and Tysons stores will remain open — at least for now. Like so many clothing retailers these days, BCBG is rumored to be on the verge of bankruptcy.

 

 

2017 Tips on Trips & Camps Summer Opportunities Fair: https://tipsontripsandcamps.com/dc/

 

 

 

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster: http://www.lisanasarhomes.com/single-post/2016/12/05/The-10-Dumbest-Mistakes-Smart-People-Make-When-Buying-or-Selling-a-Home-–-and-How-to-Avoid-Them

 

 

 

Dinner and margarita at Chuy's

 

Tell us where you love to eat — and win dinner at Chuy’s

From burgers and beer to Irish and Russian cuisine, the Rockville/Potomac area has welcomed some two dozen new restaurants in the past 12 months. As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’d like to know which ones have won a place in your heart. Tell us your favorites, 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

To enter, just click here to fill out our survey favorites (choose as many favorites as you want) or click here to comment on our Facebook page. We’ll tally up the votes and draw the winning name later this month.

 

 

LavaLoka workout clothes: https://lavaloka.com

 

 

 

Email advertising and editorial questions to publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

 

Changes for Cabin John, Park Potomac restaurant update, Goodbye Jerry’s and The Limited

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Cabin John Shopping Center

 

Changes ahead for Cabin John

Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall has a new owner for the first time in its 48-year history. Carl M. Freeman Cos., which developed the center in the 1960s and ’70s, has sold it for $165 million to Edens, a national firm with extensive holdings in the D.C. area. The likely result: a new look and hopefully some new tenants to fill the center’s empty spaces. Stay tuned for more after the holidays.

 

 

Silver Moon Jewelry & Accessories

 

 

 

Coming Soon signs for Gringos & Mariachis and Addie's at Park Potomac

 

Park Potomac restaurants: Who’s opening when?

Restaurant construction has been moving along s-l-o-w-l-y at Park Potomac, where two new eateries that were supposed to arrive before the holidays have been delayed until next year. Filicori Zecchini, the Italian coffee house and cafe, is now looking to open in January or February. Gringos & Mariachis, a Mexican concept from the owners of Bethesda’s Olazzo, is tentatively set for March. And Addie’s, the new incarnation of the beloved Rockville Pike restaurant, should follow sometime this spring.

 

 

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

 

 

Jerry's Subs & Pizza logo

 

Goodbye Jerry’s and The Limited

If you were planning to order takeout from Jerry’s Subs & Pizza this winter, you’re out of luck: The restaurant closed its doors inside Cabin John Mall at the end of last week. And we’ll soon say goodbye to The Limited at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The retailer is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and our local store is expected to close shortly after Christmas.

 

 

Store Reporter Holiday Gift Pick

 

The gold standard at Kaufmann Jewelers

The gift of gold is always welcome, and Kaufmann Jewelers at Park Potomac has some great selections in stock for the holidays. The store carries gifts in every price range (including some lovely pieces under $100) as well as custom designs by third-generation jeweler Corey Kaufmann, who runs the business with father George. Shown here: a cable-chain ring for $225 (or $295 with pavé diamonds) and a triple-band ring with two-tone gold for $750. Kaufmann Jewelers, 12500 Park Potomac Ave., #107-S, open through 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Call 301-978-7778 or click here.

 

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Stocking stuffers from The Container Store

When we’re in a holiday rush, we always count on The Container Store for last-minute gifts. We tested a box of stocking stuffers and chose our favorites. The U-Dock by Umbra (currently on sale for $8.99) is a sturdy tablet holder with a minimalist design that collapses flat for easy storage. The Scoop That ($19.99) uses your hand’s own body heat to dish out some Ben & Jerry’s in a hurry. And then there’s the Chipolo Item Finder ($24.99), which uses your phone to find your keys or your keys to find your phone. Every year we try these “find-your-keys” gadgets in search of one that works. This year, for the first time, we were not disappointed. Click here to check it out.

 

Sponsored Content

 

 

 

We’re taking a winter break

This is the last issue of Store Reporter for 2016. We’ll be back in January with news about who’s coming, who’s going, and which stores and restaurants didn’t make it through the holidays. (In case you missed last week’s issue: Rockville’s American Tap Room is already out, and Timpano is closing on New Year’s Eve.) Want to find out what else you might have missed? While we’re taking a winter break, catch up on back issues at www.storereporter.com.

 

 

For questions, please email publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

Chipotle and sushi to the mall; New teas at Starbucks; RadioShack and Brookstone updates

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Sushi RollChipotle and sushi to Montgomery Mall

Westfield Montgomery Mall has added two more restaurants to its fall lineup. Chipotle, which made its debut in Potomac Village this week, will soon be joining the party at the mall’s newly renovated food court. And CRAVE, an upscale eatery with an elaborate sushi bar and wine list, will open on the mall’s lower level near Bobby’s Burger Palace and Cheesecake Factory. This will be CRAVE’s tenth restaurant. To catch up on news about other new eateries coming to the mall, see our Feb. 20 edition (Blaze Pizza), May 8 edition (Cava Grill) and May 29 edition (MET Restaurant Group).

 

Teavana Shaken Teavana Shaken Iced Blackberry Mojito Tea LemonadeNew at Starbucks

Now that the hot weather is officially here, Starbucks has rolled out two summertime drinks from its Teavana line: Blackberry Mojito Tea Lemonade and Peach Green Tea Lemonade. Soon the menu will also include hand-crafted sodas mixed to order in snazzy new Fizzio machines, which arrived in Starbucks’ southern stores this week. It’s all part of the chain’s plan to diversify its drink menu beyond coffee. Reception to the Teavana line has been largely positive, local baristas tell us — except for the Oprah Chai Teas, which don’t seem to be doing much business. Of course, drink trends can vary quite a bit from store to store. At the Starbucks in Congressional Plaza, for example, iced coffee is king. But at Westfield Montgomery Mall — home to roving mobs of teen girls — it’s all about the Frappuccino.

 

iPhone Cracked ScreenRadioShack looks for a fix

RadioShack, which is struggling to stay in business in the wake of rapidly declining foot traffic, is trying something new to lure customers into its stores: “Fix It Here” repair stations for Apple and Samsung mobile devices. The Westfield Montgomery Mall store is among the first to offer repairs for cracked screens, broken buttons, water damage and battery issues; cost ranges from $80 to $199.99. “People can go shopping, come back and have virtually a brand new phone,” says repair tech David Flores. Repair services are not yet available at the RadioShack stores in Rockville or the Cabin John Shopping Center, but there are plans to expand the program later this year. They’d better move quickly: RadioShack’s stock, which once traded for $76 per share, dipped below $1 this week as bankruptcy rumors swirled.

 

Brookstone Massage ChairBrookstone bankruptcy update

Speaking of bankruptcies, Brookstone is expected to emerge from Chapter 11 after this week’s sale to a Chinese retail conglomerate. The upscale gadget chain was supposed to be sold to the parent company of Spencer’s gift shops, but the Chinese buyers offered more money and are planning an international expansion. Only one or two Brookstone stores are expected to close nationwide. The Montgomery Mall store is not on that list.

 

Goodbye Vince & Dominic’s, hello Chipotle; B Scene’s teen scene

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Pizza

Goodbye Vince & Dominic’s

Many Store Reporter readers were saddened by the May 30 closing of Vince & Dominic’s Pizzeria, site of countless sports team parties and family outings for more than three decades. Home Depot, which owns the shopping center across from Westfield Montgomery Mall, took some heat when the restaurant’s owners publicly blamed the company for not renewing their lease. But Home Depot spent a year trying to work with the owners after they fell behind in their rent, says company spokesman Stephen Holmes. The departure of Vince & Dominic’s leaves the property with several vacant storefronts. Holmes says no decisions have been made about what to do with all the empty space.

 

 

Chipotle BurritoHello Chipotle

We were the first to tell you that Chipotle was coming to Potomac Village. (See our Feb. 6 and April 3 editions.) Now we’re here to tell you when you can get in line for your first burrito. Mark your calendars for June 23.

 

 

talbot red doorsWelcome back Talbots and Konplott

Talbots, the classic women’s clothing chain that joined the mass exodus from White Flint Mall several months ago, opened its big red doors last week on the lower level of Westfield Montgomery Mall. And Konplott, the European jewelry store that vacated its space near Macy’s last month, has returned in the form of a kiosk outside Nordstrom.

 

 

Living Royal Jellybean Socks

Teen Scene at B Scene

B Scene, the trendy clothing boutique at Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall, is expanding its product line to appeal to kids and teens. “We have a lot of customers who have been with us since the time they had babies, and now those babies are 10, 12, 14 years old — so it’s fun for them to come in with mom and get something for themselves,” says Ilana Kashdin, who runs the store with her own mom, Robin Greger. The change is also a natural result of the store’s relocation two years ago from an outside storefront to an inside space near Shoe Train, Toy Castle, My Gym and other child-focused businesses. “There are a lot more kids now walking by and looking through our windows,” Kashdin says. So she makes sure they’ll spot something they like: boys’ lacrosse shorts from Flow Society, for example, and girls’ clothes from companies like Malibu Sugar, Dori Creations and Les Tout Petites. Not to mention the kitschy socks of the season from Living Royal ($8 a pair), featuring photo-realistic images like the jellybeans shown here.