Store Reporter

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

Pike & Rose

Latest on Lord & Taylor, New Haven pizza, French pastries and a holiday boutique

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The Lord & Taylor lowdown

Lord & Taylor, under new ownership this fall, is closing its stores at Tysons Corner and Dulles Town Center just months after exiting Gaithersburg’s Lakeforest Mall. So what about the North Bethesda store, which stands alone at the site of the former White Flint Mall? Not to worry. A company spokesman assures us that the White Flint store will remain open, along with the one in Chevy Chase. If you happen to stop by, don’t miss the newly expanded second-floor clearance section with a smattering of designer bargains directly from Manhattan. Next year, we’re told, all Lord & Taylor stores will begin integrating merchandise from new owner Le Tote. More on the acquisition in our Aug. 29th edition.

Shin Orthodontics
Moda Optic
Lisa Nasar

New Haven pizza on the way

New Englanders were cheering this week when WTOP reported that Connecticut pizzeria Frank Pepe is heading to Westfield Montgomery mall. This will be the first Maryland location for the family-owned business, which was founded almost a century ago in New Haven. On the menu: Neapolitan-style pizzas with thin crusts and charred edges, including a signature pie featuring littleneck clams, garlic and olive oil. The mall won’t say when or where Frank Pepe will be opening. (We’re betting on the former Crave space, which has been empty since last April.) Hopefully this new arrival will help fill the void left by the upcoming closure of Rockville’s Pizza CS. More on that in our Nov. 14th edition.

Chocolate Moonshine
Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique & Silent Auction

Shopping, fun and a free Store Reporter raffle

Head to Potomac this weekend for the annual Holiday Boutique & Silent Auction sponsored by the Women of Washington Hebrew Congregation. The show will be held Sunday and Monday inside the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center, at the corner of Falls Road and Tuckerman Lane. Stop by the Store Reporter table, say hello and enter to win one of our fabulous raffle prizes from show vendors: gift cards for clothes from Lavaloka and Trio Jr., design services from Elana Designs, home accessories from Crystal Luxe Lighting Plus, fun kitchen tools from Q.D. Foodie, photos from Photos by Freddie and jewelry from Austyn Parker and Sweet Charma. There’s no charge to enter our raffle; just visit the show and drop your name in the Store Reporter jar.

Wintergreen Plaza

French bakery debuts this weekend

Saturday (Dec. 7th) is opening day for French bakery Patisserie Manuel, the newest addition to the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery mall.  Owner Claudia Olea, a Chilean-born chef with classical French training, will be serving croissants, soups, sandwiches and crepes as well as cookies, pastries, macarons, specialty cakes, Illy coffee and a bit of Chilean cuisine. Look for it in the former Wicked Waffle space next to McDonald’s.

Wink Eyecare Boutique

The Block is open

Asian food hall The Block opened its doors Thanksgiving weekend at Pike & Rose. Some of the eateries aren’t up and running yet, but the options so far include a poke bar, Korean barbecue, bubble tea, ice cream and snocream desserts. Also: Peruvian-style chicken. For more photos, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

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Holiday shopping kickoff, Black Friday deals and the end of A.C. Moore

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Let the shopping begin

Just about the time you’re finishing that last piece of pumpkin pie, lots of stores are opening their doors for the earliest Black Friday shoppers. This year, national retailers like Macy’s, Target and Best Buy will be opening at 5 p.m. Thursday and staying open until midnight or later. Westfield Montgomery mall will be back in business at 6 p.m, although some stores (including Nordstrom) do not participate in the Thanksgiving evening shopfest. For those who prefer a stress-free shopping experience, be sure to visit our locally owned retailers for some terrific holiday deals. Scroll down for more.

2019 Hanna's Connection Holiday Shopping
Occasions
Toy Castle

No more A.C. Moore

Sad news for artists and crafters this holiday season: A.C. Moore is going out of business. The New Jersey-based chain, which has been around for 30 years, will be shuttering 105 stores and selling another 40 to Michaels. It’s unclear when the stores will close or what will happen on Rockville Pike, where both retailers have a presence but A.C. Moore has the larger space.

Wink Eyecare Boutique
2019 Scout & Molly's Black Friday

Shooting range at the mall

Surprising new addition to Westfield Montgomery mall: Aim Point, a shooting range game that just opened around the corner from the Dining Terrace. Customers pay $10 for a chance to shoot military-style Airsoft rifles and win prizes for hitting the targets. Is this really a good idea? Our readers are weighing in. Join the conversation on the Store Reporter Facebook page.

Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique & Silent Auction

New at Rockville Town Square

Something new to try this weekend at Rockville Town Square: Kyota Matcha, serving green tea and desserts in the onetime Mellow Mushroom space at 33 Maryland Avenue. Two other restaurants — a Japanese BBQ spot and a Taiwanese sweet shop — also will be opening inside the former pizzeria. Meanwhile, a huge new Asian food hall is about to make its debut at Pike & Rose. More on that in our Nov. 21st edition.

Moda Optic
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Two sneak peeks: Asian food hall at Pike & Rose and Playa Bowls at Cabin John Village

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Check out The Block

Asian food hall The Block is set to make its long-awaited debut next week at Pike & Rose. We got a sneak peek of the expansive space, which will include everything from fried street food and Taiwanese snocream to a noodle bar, a poké bar and a coffee bar — not to mention a huge cocktail bar in the center of it all. The Block, which has a sister location in Annandale, is the third Asian food hall to open in Rockville in the past 18 months. (Click here for more on Pike Kitchen, which opened in October 2018, and here for more on The Spot, which opened the previous June.) For more photos of The Block, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

Wintergreen Plaza
Moda Optic

First look at Playa Bowls

Saturday (Nov. 23rd) is opening day for Playa Bowls at Cabin John Village. The shelves are lined with pineapples, the walls are filled with beachy murals and the blenders are ready to serve up all those bowls, juices and smoothies. You’ll find Playa Bowls in the former Robeks space, right next door to Goldberg’s Bagels. For more photos — and a close-up of the reeeeally big menu — check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

Mimi Arnold
Potomac Physical Therapy

Oh no, Five Below

Discount retailer Five Below made national news this week with the revelation that it can no longer live up to its name. The teen-oriented company is adding sections called “Ten Below” and “Just Wow” — filled mostly with tech products — with prices above five bucks. The reason: increased tariffs on Chinese goods. Rockville’s Five Below store, one of 900 nationwide, relocated last summer from Federal Plaza to the Congressional North shopping center next to Aldi. Will local customers push back on the new pricing? We’ll see how this plays out.

Shin Orthodontics

Playa Bowls, Java Nation, Hank Dietle’s, Fire Wok & Forever 21

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Playa Bowls rolls into Cabin John

After you’ve had your fill of Halloween candy, it’s time to start counting the days until a new sweet treat arrives: Playa Bowls is set to open in mid-November at Cabin John Village. This Jersey Shore favorite is known for its bowls, juices and smoothies featuring custom blends of apples, acai berries, bananas, dragonfruit, chia seeds, coconut, kale, peanut butter, oatmeal, granola and honey. At the Cabin John location, you’ll also find nitro coffee and New Orleans-style cold brew with chicory.

Lisa Nasar
Strathmore Museum Shop Holiday Market

Coffee and a comeback

Coffee lovers, take note: The much-anticipated Java Nation is targeting a Nov. 20th opening in the former Addie’s/Helen’s space on Rockville Pike. This will be the second location for the popular Kensington shop, known for its tasty brews and European-style menu. Meanwhile, right next door, a new group is trying to revive the burned-down Hank Dietle’s Tavern and turn it into a local music venue. Stay tuned.

Normandie Farm

Wok's cooking in Potomac VIllage

Fire Wok, the Chinese restaurant that’s been under construction since last spring in the former Fortune Garden space, just opened its doors next to SunTrust in Potomac Village. The menu features typical Americanized Chinese favorites: beef with broccoli, basil chicken, shrimp with lobster sauce and the like. For a peek inside, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

Toy Castle
Bender JCC of Greater Washington

What's the future of Forever 21?

Forever 21 is looking pretty shabby at Westfield Montgomery mall these days, with racks of clothes in disarray and much of the inventory marked down to $3. The struggling retailer is in Chapter 11 and has announced plans to close 200 stores, but employees insist that this one is going to stay open. We’ll see.

The Game Gym

Escape from Pike & Rose

Just when you thought the escape room craze had run its course, a new one just opened at Pike & Rose. Escapology, an Orlando-based chain, offers four different hour-long adventures: two murder mysteries, a Secret Service mission and a chance to save the world from chemical warfare. You’ll find Escapology on Old Georgetown Road next to BiBiBop.

Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique and Silent Auction
Capital Area Food Bank
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First look at Lands’ End, new boutique for Rockville Pike, skating season starts and a boxing gym punches in

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First look at Lands' End

Here’s a peek at the new Lands’ End store, now open at Congressional Plaza with the most impressive collection of plaids on Rockville Pike. The spacious, brightly lit interior looks a lot like L.L.Bean, with clothes for men, women and kids along with cozy pajamas, slippers, outerwear, tote bags and home goods. Grand opening festivities will be happening all weekend. For a closer look inside the store, check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram.

Wintergreen Plaza
Hanna's Connection

New boutique on the Pike

Also new at Congressional Plaza is Sheyla, a pop-up boutique that just moved into the empty space between Child’s Play and Chico’s. The shop specializes in dressy suits and partywear from brands like Elie Tahari, Jones New York and Worth, including a deep selection of petite sizes. Another new boutique, Chaliskan, made its debut last week at Westfield Montgomery mall — and a third is on the way to Pike & Rose. Click here for more in our Oct. 17th edition.

Shin Orthodontics

Boxing in, sushi out at White Flint Plaza

Title Boxing Club, a popular workout spot at the Travilah Square Shopping Center, is about to open its second Montgomery County location. You’ll find it at the White Flint Plaza, two doors down from The Big Greek Cafe. In between: an empty space left by the recent departure of longtime tenant Hiro Sushi. No word yet on who’s going to fill it.

Bender JCC of Greater Washington
Power Hour Editing

Get your skates on

Ice skating is back for the season at Rockville Town Square. The outdoor rink opened last weekend, priced at $13 for kids and $14 for adults including skate rental. Meanwhile, we’re still waiting for the three new Asian restaurants that are supposed to 0pen across the way in the former Mellow Mushroom space. More in that in our June 6th edition.

Capital Area Food Bank

Three new boutiques and a Russian flight simulator

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Clothes call

Good news for everyone who’s had their fill of online shopping: Three new boutiques are heading our way. Chaliskan, specializing in clothes and gifts from Turkey, just made its debut next to Pandora at Westfield Montgomery mall. Next up is Sheyla, opening beside Chico’s at Congressional Plaza with styles from Elie Tahari, Worth, Jones New York and the like. Lastly, posh boutique Evoluxxy will be taking over the Francesca’s space at Pike & Rose. Plans call for a February opening with brands like Vince, Max Mara and Mother. (Wondering why Francesca’s is closing? Get the scoop in our Oct. 10th edition.)

Lisa Nasar
The Grilled Oyster

Taking flight at the mall

The Dream Aero flight simulator is finally ready for takeoff at Westfield Montgomery mall. You’ll find it above Gusto on the mall’s upper level, visible from the Dining Terrace and accessible via a hallway next to the ArcLight Cinema. For a couple hundred bucks ($195 for a 30-minute session, $325 for an hour), you and two friends can pretend to pilot a Boeing 737 all the way from takeoff to landing. Westfield Montgomery is the first U.S. location for Dream Aero, a Russian company that has operated similar rides in St. Petersburg, Moscow and Dubai. For more photos, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

Wink Eyecare Boutique
Taff & Levine D.D.S.

Dessert spots go dark

This week we say goodbye to Cookie Dough & Co., which has closed up shop on the lower level of Westfield Montgomery mall. The business opened two years ago at the height of the edible cookie dough craze, taking over the kiosk that originally was built for Peet’s Coffee. It also looks like we’ve seen the last of  Syd’s bakery, which briefly replaced Shilla next to Chick-fil-A but never seemed to get fully up and running. Shoppers with a sweet tooth shouldn’t worry, though: Patisserie Manuel, offering Illy coffee and fresh-baked French pastries, is scheduled to open next month in the Dining Terrace. More on that in our Sept. 19th edition.

Capital Area Food Bank
Power Hour Editing
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Hello Lands’ End, so long Saks, Bethesda Bagels arrives, closings at Pike & Rose

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Hello Lands' End, so long Saks

Oct. 17th is opening day for Lands’ End at Congressional Plaza, one of the first stand-alone stores for the Wisconsin-based company. In addition to the usual assortment of clothing, you’ll also find a selection of cozy home goods: flannel sheets, quilted comforters, sleeping bags, cashmere throws and the like. Next week also marks the end for the neighboring Saks Off 5th store; doors close for the last time on Oct. 20th.

The Rooted Studio

Bethesda Bagels arrives

The Jewish New Year is off to a good start at Wildwood, where Bethesda Bagels finally makes its debut this weekend. This is the fifth location for the family-owned chain and the first to serve the Rockville/Potomac area. Also new at Wildwood: Joe & the Juice, which opened last week with juices, smoothies, coffees and more. Catch up on that in our Oct. 3rd edition.

The Grilled Oyster

Two closings at Pike & Rose

Two of the original tenants to open at Pike & Rose are closing this month after a five-year run. Del Frisco’s Grille, which is shuttering multiple locations after the sale of its parent company, will serve its last steaks on Oct. 20th. The closing, first reported by The Moco Show, comes just months after the arrival of Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão right across the street. The second departure is more surprising: Francesca’s, which survived the early days when few people shopped at Pike & Rose, is exiting now after a company-wide downsizing. The women’s boutique chain has three other nearby stores at Rio, Bethesda Row and Westfield Montgomery mall. “There simply wasn’t enough foot traffic at this location,” an employee tells us.

Potomac Squash Club World Squash Day

Made in the shade at Cabin John

The Shade Store has opened its doors at Cabin John Village, offering a wide assortment of window coverings in the storefront next to Carpet & Vacuum Expo. Next up for Cabin John: Playa Bowls, tentatively opening in late October. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for the official date.

Wink Eyecare Boutique

The write move

Bertram’s Inkwell, a gathering place for lovers of the handwritten word, has moved to a new location on Rockville Pike. You’ll find the specialty pen store at the Metro Pike Shopping Center, home of Palm Beach Tan and the Champion boxing gym. Owner Bert Oser, a longtime tenant at the White Flint Mall who spent the past few years inside an office building, says he’s happy to be returning to a retail setting. “I do a lot of sales online, and I thought my business would end up entirely on the internet,” Oser says. “But as it turns out, 80 percent of our sales are from people coming through the door.”

Wintergreen Plaza

West Elm, Sunday Morning Bakehouse, Joe & the Juice and the future of Forever 21

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Mod furniture arrives at Pike & Rose

West Elm made its debut at Pike & Rose this week, kicking off a wave of autumn openings at the North Bethesda city center. The store will please fans of Crate & Barrel and Anthropologie with its modern mix of furniture, home accessories, dishware and decor. The merchandise is displayed in a wonderland of aspirational room vignettes, with tables already set for the holidays and plush velvet couches casually draped in cozy pillows and throws. For more photos, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

Lisa Nasar
Pike Central Farm Market

New bakery and the return of Taylor Gourmet

Fall is in full swing at Pike & Rose, where West Elm‘s opening was one of three in the same week. Sandwich shop Taylor Gourmet, which shut down last year when the entire company folded, has reopened under new ownership. And say hello to Sunday Morning Bakehouse, a sleek new space filled with coffee, croissants, sandwiches, sourdough bread and sweets. Owner Caroline Yi, who developed an avid following at the Pike Central Farm Market these past few years, says she’s starting with breakfast and lunch but hopes to expand into the evening hours with wine and cheese. Check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram.

Shin Orthodontics
A Smarter You Tutoring Center

Juicy news for Wildwood

Here’s a peek at Joe & the Juice, newly open at Wildwood with coffee, sandwiches, yogurt and of course an array of juices. Specialties include the Pick Me Up (raspberry, banana and apple); the Prince of Green (cucumber, lemon and pineapple); the Avo Shake (avocado, banana and vanilla milk) and the Choco Shake (raw cacao, banana, chocolate almond milk and vanilla milk). What’s next for Wildwood? Bethesda Bagels. More on that in our Sept. 26th edition.

Power Hour Editing

Fast fashion flames out

Forever 21 finally filed Chapter 11 this week after months of rumors and lots of talk about the fickle teen market and the demise of fast fashion. The massive store at Westfield Montgomery mall,  which occupies two levels near the former Sears building, is among those potentially slated to close. But its fate isn’t certain, as Forever 21 says it’s trying to renegotiate leases in major markets. For now at least, the stores are all staying open and gift cards are still being accepted. Don’t wait too long to use them.

Busy season ahead for Pike & Rose, Bethesda Bagels rolls into Wildwood and more

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What's about to open at Pike & Rose

Busy season ahead for Pike & Rose, with three big openings in the next three months. West Elm, offering modern furniture and home decor, will arrive the week of Sept. 30th. Sunday Morning Bakehouse, the first brick-and-mortar store for the popular farm market vendor, will debut in the next few weeks. And The Block, a new Asian food hall, will open its doors in November with a whole new assortment of quick-serve eateries and snack spots. Stay tuned to Store Reporter as these opening dates firm up.

Central Farm Market
Shin Orthodontics

Bethesda Bagels on the way

Bethesda Bagels is planning a late September opening at Wildwood, where it’s been under construction since last winter in the former Coco Blanca space near CVS. Owner Danny Fleishman says he hopes to open in time for the Jewish High Holidays, which begin on Sept. 30th this year. This will be the fifth restaurant for Bethesda Bagels, a family-owned enterprise that’s approaching its 40th year in business.

Prep 1on1
Le Pain Quotidien

Kneipp checks out

This week we say goodbye to Kneipp, the bath and body shop that closed its doors after a three-year run at Westfield Montgomery mall. Kneipp (pronounced K-nay-p) is a German company that opened eight U.S. retail stores in 2016, going head-to-head with big players like Kiehl’s, Lush and Bath & Body Works. All eight stores, including the one in Pentagon City, will be closed by the end of October. Kneipp products will continue to be sold online and in specialty shops.

National Foot & Ankle
International School of Music

Grim year for Gamestop

GameStop, a mall favorite in the early 2000s, is having a hard time these days as gamers increasingly abandon physical platforms in favor of digital downloads and subscription services. This summer, GameStop’s CEO told investors that a turnaround will require an “ongoing sense of urgency that is off the chart.” The company recently shut down ThinkGeek.com, the nerdtastic gift site that it acquired four years ago. But inside GameStop’s stores, the shelves are increasingly stocked with figurines, toys and quirky fan merchandise. Watch for much more of that this holiday season.

Power Hour Editing
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Mod Pizza moves in, Silver Diner makes its debut — plus, is the curtain coming down for iPic?

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Mod Pizza moves in

Opening next week on Rockville Pike: Mod Pizza, offering quick-serve personal pies with 30 customizable toppings – not to mention gluten-free and cauliflower crusts, salads, milkshakes, draft beer and wine. Mod is the latest addition to the new restaurant row at Montrose Crossing, joining neighbors Cava, Honeygrow, Slapfish and Five Guys. You’ll find them all in the spot where Timpano once stood.

Wink Eyecare Boutique
Taff & Levine

Is the curtain coming down for iPic?

The iPic movie theater chain filed Chapter 11 this month, announcing plans to restructure its debt and seek a potential buyer. It’s unclear what this means for Pike & Rose, where iPic and its adjoining City Perch restaurant were among the first tenants to open in 2014. iPic says its 16 theaters will operate as usual despite the bankruptcy filing. (But if you happen to be holding onto any movie passes, now would be a good time to use them.) iPic made a splash a decade ago with its ultra-posh theaters featuring cushy recliners, cocktails and fancy food delivered right to your seat. But other movie chains soon upped their game, and many theaters now offer similar perks at a considerably lower price point. At Pike & Rose, a pair of iPic’s “premium plus” seats will set you back $56.

International School of Music
TGIF

Diner debut

The new Silver Diner has opened its doors at Rio — the latest piece of the center’s $30 million renovation project. This is the 16th restaurant for the D.C.-area chain, and the first to include an indoor/outdoor patio and bar. (Check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram.) This has been a busy summer for Rio, with the recent opening of Dave & Buster’s and the unveiling of a snazzy new boardwalk and performance stage. Grand opening events are planned for September.

Power Hour Editing
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New restaurant for Wildwood, Lands’ End seals the deal — plus an opening, a closing and a comeback

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New restaurant for Wildwood

Promising new restaurant on the way to the Wildwood shopping center: Piccoli Piatti, a fresh concept from Fish Taco founder Francis Namin. The fast-casual eatery will take over the Oakville Grille space with a family-friendly atmosphere and a moderately priced menu of thin-crust pizzas and Mediterranean-inspired small plates. Namin is no stranger to pizza restaurants: His family once ran Bethesda’s much-missed Red Tomato Café. Tentative opening date for this one: March 2020.

Wintergreen Plaza

Lands' End in, Baja Fresh out at Congressional Plaza

Congressional Plaza gained a store and lost a restaurant this week, as Lands’ End confirmed rumors that it’s joining the lineup while Baja Fresh made a quiet exit. This will be the second full-sized Lands’ End store in Maryland, part of the retailer’s ambitious plan to forge into the brick-and-mortar world while cutting ties with the failing Sears chain. At Congressional, doors will open this fall in the old Performance Bicycle space — just about the time that next-door neighbor Saks Off 5th closes its doors. (More on that in our June 27th edition.)

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster

New at the mall

Interesting new addition to Westfield Montgomery mall this week: Yvonne Ex, now open next to Lenscrafters with a dazzling array of clothing and accessories from Ghana. This is the first U.S. venture for owner Yvonne Tawiah, who produces her own tie-dyes and batiks for men and women. What else is new at the mall this week? Clothing store Windsor has opened its doors in the Old Navy wing, Kicks USA has changed its names to Snipes, and Shilla Bakery will now be known as Syd’s. More on that in an upcoming issue.

Wink Eyecare Boutique

Comeback for Taylor Gourmet

Sandwich chain Taylor Gourmet, on the comeback trail after a 2018 bankruptcy, has announced plans to reopen three locations including the one at Pike & Rose. The North Bethesda restaurant was just four months old when Taylor Gourmet filed Chapter 11 last September. Its new owners, who bought the company’s assets in bankruptcy court, plan to bring back all three locations by the end of the summer.

Shin Orthodontics
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Latest peek at Sisters Thai, first look at Fogo de Chão, last chance for The Big Greek giveaway

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Sister Thai is looking good

Looks like we’re still a couple of weeks away from the opening of Sisters Thai at Cabin John Village. (Revisions to be made, inspections to be done, yada yada yada.) Anyway, we’ve got up-to-date photos of what’s going on inside. From the marquee-style Magnolia bakery sign to the Instagrammable bathrooms, the whole place is a treat for the eyes. To see for yourself, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

The Grilled Oyster Co.
Realtor Mimi Arnold of Century 21 Redwood Realty

Time to chow at Fogo de Chão

This week we took a preview tour of Fogo de Chão, the Brazilian steakhouse that will open June 24th at Pike & Rose. The showpiece of the menu is the “Fogo Churrasco Experience,” featuring unlimited meats sliced at your table along with cheese bread, polenta, mashed potatoes, caramelized bananas and an all-you-can-eat spread on the center “market table.” (Price: $53.95 at dinner, $37.95 at lunch, $41.95 for weekend brunch.) For a closer look at Fogo’s posh interior, check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram.

Wink Eyecare Boutique
Realtor Eris Norman of Lee Goldstein Group

Time's almost up for The Big Greek giveaway

It’s almost prize time at The Big Greek Cafe, where one lucky customer is about to win a six-day trip for two to Athens, Greece. Brothers Nikos and Simos Marmaras, who opened the original Big Greek in Silver Spring 10 years ago, are celebrating their first decade in business with a trip giveaway. There’s still time to enter: Just visit any of Big Greek’s four locations (Silver Spring, Rockville, Kensington or Bethesda) and drop your name into the prize box before the drawing on June 22nd. For more on The Big Greek and the family that started it all, click here. For directions to all four locations, as well as weekly specials and a preview of the menu, click here.

International School of Music

Mall moves

It’s been a quiet couple of weeks at Westfield Montgomery mall, but change is on the horizon as we roll into summer. Eyebobs, Poke Papa and the Windsor clothing store all will be opening soon. Chevy Chase Acura is moving into the former Kia Stinger space, New York-based Möge Tee is moving into the former B/Bop/Q space, and Shilla Bakery is temporarily closed while a new owner takes the reins. Also: 7-Eleven is on the way. More on all the new food in an upcoming issue.

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

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Curry on over to Pike & Rose

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

The Big Greek Cafe
Mimi Arnold

Five Below is on the go

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

California Tortilla

Rolling out of Rockville

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

2019 Norman's We're Back May ad

The dish on delivery

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

International School of Music
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Fogo de Chão at Pike & Rose, more construction at Cabin John, goodbye Payless and trouble for Party City

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Hello Fogo

Next big opening for Pike & Rose: Fogo de Chão Brazilian steakhouse. Plans call for a June 24th debut in the prime corner spot across from Del Frisco’s Grille, formerly home to the Nike Factory Store. This will be the fourth D.C.-area location for the posh restaurant chain, where meats are roasted over an open flame and carved right at your table. The menu also features seafood, soups, charcuterie and Brazilian cocktails — and plans are in the works for weekend brunch and nightly happy hour. For sneak-peek photos of the restaurant’s interior, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

Norman's Farm & Market
The Grilled Oyster Co.

Next up for Cabin John

Construction at Cabin John Village has moved from the front parking lot to the area around California Tortilla. New signs have been installed, the second floor offices have gained a balcony, and new lighting is on the way — including decorative string lights that will add some charm to the cross-through between the buildings. What’s next for Cabin John? We’ll have details in a couple of weeks.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
The Game Gym

Is Party City full of hot air?

Have you heard about the global helium shortage? That’s the excuse Party City offered this month to explain its plans to shutter 45 underperforming locations. Lack of helium — and presumably, the inability to fulfill balloon orders — was initially blamed for the company’s deflated profits. Execs later walked back from that story, noting that they’ve found new helium suppliers and all is well in balloon land. But those 45 stores? They’re still going to close. No word yet on whether the Rockville location will be among them.

International School of Music

Payless walks out

After a months-long going-out-of-business sale, this weekend marks the end for the Payless shoe store at Westfield Montgomery mall. The company filed Chapter 11 for the second time last winter, but its stores have stayed open to sell through remaining inventory. At Westfield Montgomery, doors close for the last time on Saturday, May 27th.

Shin Orthodontics
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Pure Barre in Potomac, pet stores in Rockville, straighter teeth at CVS and a comeback for Taylor Gourmet

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Pure Barre in Potomac

Good news on the fitness front in Potomac Village: Pure Barre is on the way. The popular barre fitness chain is moving into the old Verizon space at 9935 Falls Road, in the same shopping center as Tally-Ho. Erin McNeill, a new franchisee for the Potomac area, says she fell in love with the Pure Barre format after trying every fitness craze during her nine years as a fashion buyer in New York City. “These classes were transformative for my physical fitness, my mental health and my overall well-being,” she says. McNeill hopes to open Pure Barre in the Village around October.

Mimi Arnold
The Grilled Oyster

New pet store on the Pike

Say hello to Loyal Companion, a newly formed pet store chain that’s making a big move into the D.C. area. The company has spent several years acquiring regional businesses like Bark!, Whole Pet Central, Dogma and Kriser’s, all of which will now operate under the Loyal Companion umbrella. Fifty-two stores in Maryland, Virginia, D.C. and New England will hold grand reopening parties this weekend. In Rockville, that includes the former Bark! at Congressional Plaza and the former Whole Pet Central on East Gude Drive.

Realtor Jacqueline Band-Olinger of Greystone Realty
Wink Eyecare Boutique

A comeback for Taylor Gourmet?

Taylor Gourmet, the sandwich chain that went out of business last fall, may be poised for an unexpected comeback. Washingtonian reports that a newly formed company has purchased the assets of Taylor Gourmet and is negotiating to reopen some locations. That could be good news for Pike & Rose, where Taylor Gourmet closed its doors last September after just four months in business. Stay tuned to Store Reporter as this story develops.

Taff & Levine

Straighter teeth at CVS

Weeks after the closing of a dozen Invisalign stores across the country, upstart competitor SmileDirectClub announced plans to open hundreds of shops inside CVS locations. SmileDirectClub offers a lower-cost orthodontia system in which patients receive their aligners by mail and doctors supervise their progress remotely. Invisalign closed all its stores, including the one at Westfield Montgomery mall, after arbitrators found that they were violating a noncompete agreement with SmileDirectClub.

Hanna's Connection
Wintergreen Plaza

Popsicle shop is frozen out of Maryland

Remember Frozen Stuff on a Stick, the gourmet popsicle shop that had a brief run last winter at Westfield Montgomery mall? Owner Joel Rogozinski, who had hoped to open elsewhere in this area, says his plans melted away once he realized the price of doing business here vs. his original location in northern Virginia. “The costs on anything from Pepco, minimum wage, business license, insurance, everything is much higher,”  he says. “Although we love Maryland… it is financially too straining for a small business like ours.”

International School of Music
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Crave checks out, Drybar blows in — plus Korean BBQ, bookstores & something new for Potomac Village

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Crave checks out

This week we say goodbye to Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar, which closed its doors Wednesday night even as next-door neighbor Cheesecake Factory continued to pack in the crowds. Crave had its fans, especially among sushi aficionados, but its four-year run at Westfield Montgomery mall was plagued by spotty service and perpetually empty tables. The Minneapolis-based chain was in the midst of a national expansion when it opened here in 2015. Recently, though, it has shuttered locations in Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando and most other markets outside of Minnesota.

Jacqueline Band-Olinger of Greystone Realty
Jacqueline Band-Olinger of Greystone Realty

Drybar blows into Pike & Rose

This week’s opening at Pike & Rose: Drybar, offering wash-and-blowout hairstyles from $49. It’s the third new business to open in the past few weeks between Uniqlo and Bluemercury, following the arrivals of Sweetgreen and BurgerFi. (Not to mention brand new gift shop Olive & Loom, just a block away next to Stella Barra.) What’s next for this new section of Pike & Rose? Sunday Morning Bakehouse. Click here for details in our Aug. 30th edition.

Scout & Molly's North Bethesda

New chapter for book lovers at Rockville Town Square

All of a sudden, two new bookstores have popped up at Rockville Town Square. The Story House, a mobile store for kids, has taken over a corner of Dawson’s Market with a charming and well-curated selection of recent titles. And just a block away, between Lebanese Taverna and Bonchon, local nonprofit Turning the Page has opened a popup shop to benefit its literacy efforts in D.C. The store, called Carpe Librum, will be open through August selling used books, CDs and DVDs. For more on Rockville’s literary scene, check out our March 28th story on Barnes & Noble’s upcoming move.

The Game Gym

New eatery for Traville Village Center

Korean chain BB.Q Chicken has opened its doors at Rockville’s Traville Village Center, taking over the former Quench space across from Cava Mezze. The restaurant is affiliated with the Virginia chain BBQ Chicken and Beer, which recently rebranded with the tagline “Best of the Best Quality Chicken.” What’s on the menu? Honey garlic wings, kimchi ramen, fried dumplings, bulgogi rice bowls and a variety of shareable platters fried in olive oil. Click here to check  it out.

Bullis Summer Programs

Wok's up in Potomac Village

New restaurant on the way to Potomac Village: Fire Wok, presumably serving Chinese cuisine, is moving into the old Fortune Garden space next to SunTrust at Potomac Promenade. This one is a bit of a mystery: There’s a restaurant with the same name in Baltimore County, but it appears the two eateries are not related. We’ll report back when we have more details.

Shin Orthodontics
CASA Voices for Children Montgomery
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Latest on the new Life Time club — plus burgers at Pike & Rose, poke at the mall & Chinese at NoBe Market

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Life Time Athletic in Rockville

Latest on Life Time

Latest twist on the plan for a new Life Time Athletic club at Westfield Montgomery mall: The Rockville location off Montrose and Seven Locks Road had been expected to close once the new one is built — a process that will likely take about two years. But insiders tell us that the existing location has such a loyal membership base that it may end up staying in business after all. Officially, Life Time execs are as tight-lipped now as they were when we first reported on the mall plan back in October. But unofficially, we’re told the existing location is preferable for many of its longtime members and could likely coexist with a larger, fancier club just a few miles away. In fact, we’re hearing that the Rockville club may end up gaining square footage via an expansion to the building next door. But alas, there probably won’t be a rooftop swimming pool like the one planned for the mall. (For more on that, click here.)

Wintergreen Plaza
Biker Barre

New burgers at Pike & Rose

BurgerFi, the latest addition to the Pike & Rose dining scene, opens its doors on Monday, April 8th next to fellow newcomer Sweetgreen. This is the fourth D.C.-area restaurant for the South Florida-based chain, which offers a simple menu of meat and veggie burgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings, custard, shakes and craft beers. (Click here for a closer look.) Orders are placed through self-service kiosks that use facial recognition to match you to your burger. Supposedly, those kiosks will remember your preferences the next time you visit.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Women's Seder

Poke at the mall this summer

D.C. restaurant chain Poke Papa is eyeing a June debut in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery mall. The restaurant will offer its own versions of the Hawaiian-style raw fish dish, like the Onolicious (marinated ahi tuna with seaweed, lotus root, ginger, sesame, scallion and onion) and the Lomi Homie (marinated salmon with red onion, tomato, scallion, sea salt and lime juice). Poke Papa is taking a prime spot next the newly open Urban Plates.

Mimi Arnold
Trio Jr.

Chinese food on the Pike

Opening soon at North Bethesda Market on Rockville Pike: China Garden, under construction since last summer in the former Paladar space across from Whole Foods. The restaurant is a new venture from the team behind Pandora Seafood House & Bar at Rockville Town Square, which closed last fall after just a year in business. Owner Chris Zu says she’s hoping for a May debut.

The Game Gym
Power Hour Editing
CASA Voices for Children Montgomery
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Sweetgreen & more at Pike & Rose — plus Cinnabon, Wicked Waffle and a 737 at the mall

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Sweetgreen arrives, BurgerFi on the way

Sweetgreen, the fast-casual salad chain with D.C. roots, opened its doors this week at Pike & Rose. (Check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram.) This is the third Montgomery County location for the 12-year-old chain, which was founded by three undergraduate business students from Georgetown University. What’s next for the Pike & Rose food scene? BurgerFi should be open in a couple of weeks, followed by Sunday Morning Bakehouse sometime this summer. Meanwhile, there’s another new business just down the block. Read on for more.

The Grllled Oyster Co.
Wink Eyecare Boutique

New gift shop at Pike & Rose

A locally owned gift shop — something we don’t see much of these days — just opened its doors at Pike & Rose. Olive & Loom, which replaces the Seasons oil and vinegar shop next to Stella Barra, specializes in artisan-made goods from Turkey and the U.S. The store is already set up for summer with brightly colored towels, cover-ups, beach bags and kimonos, plus soaps, bath products, pillows and kitchenware. Owner Ferzan Jaeger has another shop, Sabun Home in downtown Bethesda, but she’s closing that down to focus on Olive & Loom. For a closer look at the new store, check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Washington Hebrew Congregation

What's up with Cinnabon & Wicked Waffle

Here come the calories: Cinnabon is fast-tracking its buildout at Westfield Montgomery mall, where it’s scheduled to open at the beginning of April next to Popeyes. Meanwhile, bad news for Wicked Waffle fans: Plans for a comeback have fallen through. The restaurant closed in January and was supposed to reopen the following month, but its new owner wasn’t able to work out a lease agreement with the mall. If you miss Wicked Waffle, you’ll have to visit the D.C. location.

Toy Castle
Alice in Wonderland at Herbert Hoover Middle School

Fly me to the mall

In an unfortunate bit of timing given events of the past few weeks, a Dubai-based company just agreed to install a Boeing 737 flight simulator at Westfield Montgomery mall. The Dream Aero machine, which looks like a spaceship on the outside and a jet cockpit on the inside, will hover above Cava and Gusto in a still-undeveloped space on the mall’s third level. Timing is TBD, but we’re told construction is going to take awhile.

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