Store Reporter

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

Rockville Pike

West Elm on the way to Pike & Rose — plus poke, Vietnamese desserts and a mall steakhouse update

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West Elm on the way

Furniture/home decor store West Elm is joining the lineup at Pike & Rose, taking almost 12,000 square feet next to Pinstripes with plans for a fall debut. West Elm, a sister store to Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma, has a clean-lined, modern aesthetic that’s likely to be a hit with all the millennials and empty nesters setting up new homes in North Bethesda. Can’t wait to check it out? Click here.

Bender JCC of Greater Washington
Eyeland/Luxoptics

Poki DC arrives

Good news for everyone who misses Buredo at Wildwood: After more than a year of construction at the Georgetown Square shopping center, Poki DC is opening this weekend next to Not Your Average Joe’s. What’s on the menu? Hawaiian-style bowls of seasoned raw fish over grains and veggies (click here for a peek). Also: This location will be serving Gong Cha bubble tea.

Wink Eyecare
Shahs of Style

New eats on the Pike

Two new restaurants will open this spring at the Towne Plaza shopping center on Rockville Pike, best known as the former home of Five Guys and Chef Geoff’s. Nature Kitchen is set to arrive next month, followed in April by Bambu Desserts & Drinks. Bambu, based in California, serves Vietnamese-inspired fare from sweet coffees, bean-based chè drinks and fruit smoothies to crêpes and bánh mì sandwiches.

Realtor Margie Halem of Compass
2019 Magnolia Bluebird Party Smarty mitzvah workshiop updated

Is Viva still alive?

It’s been almost a year since Westfield Montgomery mall announced plans for a Japanese steakhouse across from the ArcLight movie theater. Since then, the project has fallen so far behind that the “Opening Summer 2018” signs became something of a joke. This month, someone finally adjusted expectations by papering over the “18” with a “19.” Will Viva really open by summer? The mall says yes. Stay tuned.

Congregation B'nai Tzedek Greenzaid ECC
Shin Orthodontics
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Sears checks out, Five Below is on the go, Justice closes… and what’s up with Wicked Waffle?

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Sears checks out, mall's ready to move on

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

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

What's up with Wicked Waffle?

There was some confusion this week about the fate of Wicked Waffle when the five-year-old eatery, a sister to Rockville’s Mosaic Cuisine, suddenly went dark at Westfield Montgomery mall. Despite what it looks like, owners tell us the restaurant will reopen next month with the same name and menu. In fact, they say they’re making plans for a national expansion of the Wicked Waffle brand. More details in an upcoming issue.

Wink Eyecare

More for the men

Fascino, the Italian clothing shop that opened last year at Westfield Montgomery mall, has left the Nordstrom wing for a new space right next to Untuckit. That makes two men’s stores conveniently located right across from Apple.

Five Below is on the go

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

Realtor Jacqueline Band Olinger of Long & Foster
The Grilled Oyster

No Justice at Rio

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

OneTest
Bender JCC of Greater Washington
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New chapter for Rockville Barnes & Noble, new pizza on the Pike, new gym for Cabin John

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New chapter for Barnes & Noble

Ever since Barnes & Noble closed its doors in downtown Bethesda last winter, we’ve been wondering if the Rockville store would be next. The struggling bookseller has been ditching its big-box format all across the country, closing some stores as their leases expire and relocating others to smaller spaces. So we weren’t really surprised when we started hearing buzz that the Rockville location would be moving and downsizing in 2019. But this month, local book lovers got their holiday miracle: Barnes & Noble changed course and signed a new lease with Montrose Crossing, where it will remain for at least the next five years.

Wintergreen Plaza
The Grilled Oyster

New pizza on the Pike

More good news for the Montrose Crossing shopping center: Seattle-based Mod Pizza is on the way, joining a Rockville Pike restaurant row that now includes Cava, Honeygrow, Slapfish and Five Guys. Mod replaces Pieology, which originally was supposed to open in that space, with a similar menu of personal-sized pizzas and salads that are made to order as you travel down an assembly line. Also on the menu: cheesy garlic bread, milkshakes, house-made iced tea and lemonade, local craft beer and wine. Doors will open this spring next to Five Guys.

Realtor Jacqueline Olinger of Greystone Realty

Santa's been busy

Santa was having a rare quiet moment when we stopped by Westfield Montgomery mall this week. But things have been pretty busy overall for the big guy: The mall has been bustling this month even on weekdays, with healthy-looking lines at the checkout counters and plenty of customers browsing at the holiday pop-up shops. For a look at this year’s glittery displays, check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram.

Breakthrough Test Prep
The Game Gym

Biker Barre cycles in

Looking ahead to the post-holiday fitness frenzy: Boutique gym Biker Barre is eyeing a mid-January opening in the mini-mall at Cabin John Village. This week we got a sneak peek behind the scenes, where whitewashed grey floors have been installed in the future barre room and lighting and sound systems are under way in the future bike room. Members will be able to take cycle classes, belly up to the barre or stay for a double-header. More details in the weeks to come. Meanwhile, stay tuned for an official announcement about Life Time Athletic heading to Westfield Montgomery mall. Check out our Oct. 25th issue for the scoop.

Shin Orthodontics
Explorekensington.com

Angry Mama & more at The Container Store

When we’re out of ideas for holiday gifts, we can always count on The Container Store for inspiration. Every year they send us a box of stocking stuffers to review — and once again, their picks did not disappoint. Here are some of our favorites.

  • Umbra Jewelry Storage Systems: A beautiful way to showcase favorite pieces and keep those chains from tangling. $9.99 to $29.99, click here for details.
  • Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner: Fill this lovely lady with water and vinegar, and she’ll loosen up all that gunk on the sides of your microwave. Plus she’s just fun to look at. $9.99, click here for details.
  • NiteHowl LED Safety Necklace: Add this gadget to your dog’s collar, and you’ll both be more visible on nighttime walks. $11.99, click here for more.
  • Kelly Creates Rainbow Brush Pens: Ten colors and two kinds of brush tips adds up to lots of beautiful lettering for your crafty friends. $29.99, click here for more.

For more great gifts from The Container Store, stop by Congressional Plaza or shop online at containerstore.com.

OneTest
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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 this month — including the popular Rockville location at Congressional Plaza. Looking to score some deals? You’d better roll quickly; closing sale 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. Update: 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.

OneTest
mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

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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Julii and faux snow at Pike & Rose, Sugo is sold, Untuckit and tires at the mall

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Julii's almost here

Julii, one of the most anticipated new restaurants of the fall season, is two weeks away from opening at Pike & Rose. The casual bistro is a side venture from the founders of Cava, who plan to offer a French and Mediterranean menu with dishes like roast chicken and duck, crispy trout, tuna nicoise, French onion soup and Moroccan lamb tagine. “We’re going to start with dinner,” says co-owner Ted Xenohristos. “Eventually we’ll start opening in the mornings with coffee, baked goods, bagels and Israeli-style breakfast, then kick in with lunch service: sandwiches, stuffed croissants and grab-and-go meals.” Xenohristos also has some news about one of his other restaurants, Sugo at Park Potomac. Scroll down for more.

Taff & Levine
Wink Eyecare Boutique

Sugo is sold

Sugo at Park Potomac, which opened six years ago as a side project from the team that created Cava, has changed hands as its busy founders move on to new ventures (see the Julii story above). The restaurant’s new owner is Dhvani Vyas, a Subway franchisee and Sugo fan who plans to keep the name and the menu essentially intact. He is, however, experimenting with some new items in the kitchen (bread pudding, Nutella-based desserts, white pizza with sliced peaches and balsamic glaze). Also on the way: new TVs, a new espresso machine, live music and special events showcasing wines and local beers. Eventually Vyas hopes to add an outdoor canopy like the one at neighboring Addie’s. “We’ll be looking for feedback from customers,” he says. “We want to see what else they’d like us to do.”

California Tortilla

Untucked shirts and spare tires at the mall

Untuckit will open its doors next week in the Macy’s wing at Westfield Montgomery mall, right across from the Apple store. The retailer is known for its $80-ish button-down and polo shirts with hems that are intended to fall mid-fly, showing off its triangle logo and covering any spare tires. And speaking of spare tires: Goodyear is heading to the mall with its new tire store, Roll, which makes life easy by picking up your car or sending a mobile technician to handle the installation right at your home or workplace. The chain recently opened in downtown Bethesda and will be rolling into the former Pen Boutique space at Westfield Montgomery; opening date TBD.

Shin Orthodontics

Faux snow at Pike & Rose

After the success of its popular “Beach” installation this past summer, Pike & Rose is launching a wintertime counterpart: faux snow. In case you didn’t get enough of the real stuff this week, visit Pike & Rose any Friday or Saturday through the holidays for a manmade snowfall — complete with holiday music — every night at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

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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.

Sushi at Pike & Rose, construction at Cabin John, a closing on Rockville Pike and the fight to save Dawson’s

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Here’s your retail & restaurant scoop for the week of Oct. 18th, 2018.

Kusshi Sushi & Sake

What's next for Pike & Rose

The first of the new fall restaurant lineup arrives next week at Pike & Rose. Say hello to Kusshi Sushi & Sake, a new venture from the owners of Hanaro Sushi in Bethesda, opening in the former Carluccio’s space next to Owen’s Ordinary. Next up for the neighborhood: the Mexican restaurant Nada, the Indian restaurant Commonwealth, and the new Julii restaurant from the founders of Cava. In other Pike & Rose news, blowout salon Drybar has inked a deal to open next spring alongside the upcoming Sweetgreen, BurgerFi and Sunday Morning Bakehouse.

1-800-GOT-JUNK
Wink Eyecare Boutique
Construction at Cabin John Village

Cabin John facelift begins

Here’s a look at the start of construction at Cabin John Village, which began this week and will continue through next spring. A new roofline, wider walkways, better lighting and improved parking are all on the way. And although it may not look like it, all businesses will remain open through the whole thing. For more details on this project, click here for our Oct. 11 edition.

Realty Jacqueline Band-Olinger of Greystone Realty
Al Ha'esh Israel Grill
Sofa from Thomasville Furniture

Thomasville furniture store moving out

The Thomasville furniture store, a longtime tenant at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike, will close its doors this fall after the bankruptcy of its parent company, Heritage Home Group. Two dozen Thomasville stores are closing across the country as bidders vie for what’s left of the century-old furniture brand and and its sister lines, Drexel, Henredon and Broyhill. Also exiting Congressional this fall is the longtime gift shop Silver Moon, formerly known as Tiara. Click here for more in our Sept. 20th edition.

Explore Kensington
Potomac Village Farmers Market
Dawson's Market

Can Dawson's be saved?

Dawson’s Market at Rockville Town Square launched a GoFundMe campaign this week in hopes of raising $100,000 to stay in business. Earlier this month, the six-year-old grocer said it couldn’t make enough money in Rockville and announced plans to close on Oct. 27th. In a post on the market’s GoFundMe page, owner Bart Yablonsky says he is “working on an arrangement that will keep Dawson’s alive.”

Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique
Capital Area Food Bank
Sears at Westfield Montgomery mall

Chapter 11 for Sears

To no one’s surprise, Sears filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week and announced it will close another 142 stores this year. That will leave the once-iconic retailer with fewer than 500 stores as it tries one more time to reorganize. The bankruptcy won’t have much impact in our area, as the Sears store at Westfield Montgomery mall already was expected to close next March. What’s going to take its place? Likely a brand new Life Time gym. Click here for more in our Oct. 11th issue.

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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.

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Capital Area Food Bank

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.)

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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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Life Time Athletic in Rockville

The latest on Spice 6, Shake Shack & Cava — plus Brookstone’s bankruptcy & goodbye C9

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New Indian food at the mall

Spice 6, the “modern Indian” restaurant that’s been under construction since last winter in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery mall, is finally set to open in mid-August. The chain specializes in pizza and wraps made from naan bread, plus kabobs and rice bowls that can be customized with your choice of proteins and topped with Indian curries and chutneys. There’s also a full catering menu with traditional Indian dishes, from biryani to samosas to dosas. This will be the third location for Spice 6, which also has restaurants in D.C., Hyattsville and Vienna. To check out the menu, click here.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Shake Shack

Shake Shack and Cava almost here

Lots of progress this week at Cabin John Village, where Montgomery County’s first Shake Shack is expected to open next month and Cava is shooting for Wednesday, Aug. 8. We don’t have a ballpark date yet for Le Pain Quotidien, but the owners of Sisters Thai tell us they’re aiming for late fall. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for the latest.

Grilled Oyster
Pearl Lady teas

More bubble tea for Rockville

Downtown Rockville has yet another new option for ramen and bubble tea: Side-by-side restaurants Yamachan Ramen and Pearl Lady opened their doors last week at 201 E. Middle Lane. This marks the first U.S. location for Pearl Lady, a popular Japanese chain offering milk teas, matcha teas, green teas and frappés. There’s no shortage of the bubbly stuff in downtown Rockville, which already is home to Lab Cafe on Gibbs Street, Kung Fu Tea on North Washington Street and Gong Cha inside the new Asian food hall. Can one neighborhood really sustain all that slurping? We expect some fallout in the next 12 months.

Pike Kitchen
Brookstone closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall

Bye bye Brookstone (again)

Brookstone, which shuttered its Westfield Montgomery mall store last January, filed Chapter 11 this week and anounced the closing of its 101 remaining mall locations. The company plans to keep its 35 airport stores open in hopes of selling them to another retailer. This is the second (and likely final) bankruptcy filing for Brookstone, which was bailed out in 2014 by a last-minute buyer.

Eyeland/Luxoptics
Targer C-9

Goodbye to C9 at Target

Target and Champion just announced the end of their 15-year partnership, which means you won’t be seeing the C9 activewear brand at Target for too much longer. Like many national retailers looking to fatten their profit margins, Target has been expanding its selection of private-label merchandise for the past few years. The company has launched its own activewear brand, JoyLab, which will completely replace C9 by 2020. Meanwhile, Champion’s parent company, Hanesbrands, says it may look for another retailer to carry the C9 line.

Ramen & burgers for Pike & Rose, new Chick-fil-A for Rockville

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Ramen's almost ready

Aug. 7th is opening day for Jinya Ramen Bar at Pike & Rose, the first of several new restaurants expected to debut there in the next few months. The menu features hand-made noodles in five kinds of slow-simmered broth, customized with your choice of 25 toppings. Other offerings include salmon poke mini-tacos, Brussels sprouts tempura, quinoa salad, rice bowls and mochi ice cream. The drink menu ranges from sake, cocktails and Japanese beers to non-alcoholic seasonal and tea-based beverages. This is the third D.C.-area location for California-based Jinya. For some sneak-peek photos on our Facebook page, click here.

Wintergreen Plaza
BurgerFi

Burgers this winter at Pike & Rose

Also joining the dining scene at Pike & Rose is BurgerFi, a Florida-based chain known for its tasty food and eye-catching branded buns. In the tradition of fast-casual competitors Shake Shack and Five Guys, BurgerFi features a simple, calorie-busting menu: beef and veggie burgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches, fries and onion rings, shakes and custards, beer and wine. It’s scheduled to open at Pike & Rose this winter next to Bluemercury.

Pike Kitchen

Chick-fil-A on the way

Every week we get questions about the new Chick-fil-A sign that appeared this summer off I-270 in Rockville. The fast-food favorite will be part of the upcoming Research Row office park, which also includes a OneLife Fitness gym. So when is this new Chick-Fil-A going to open? The company tells us it’s shooting for September.

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Rockville restaurants open, Potomac boutique closes — plus free bowling at Lucky Strike

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Two new restaurants for Rockville

Now open at Montrose Crossing: a brand new Five Guys restaurant (relocating from the other side of Rockville Pike) and Slapfish, a California-based chain that’s making its first move into the D.C. area. The two eateries join CAVA and Honeygrow, rounding out the new restaurant row that replaced Timpano at that site. (Not familiar with Slapfish? Want to know what a Clobster is? Click here.)

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Shin Orthodontics
Lucky Strike Bethesda

FREE bowling at Lucky Strike

This week we have a special offer for Store Reporter readers from Lucky Strike Bethesda at Westfield Montgomery mall. Visit any Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and mention Store Reporter for one FREE game of bowling (shoes included). What will you find at Lucky Strike? Seasonal craft beer and handcrafted cocktails, chef-driven gastropub cuisine, sports games on two dozen 60-inch LED screens, and 12 full-sized bowling lanes with an edgy steampunk decor. Planning a special event? Don’t forget to ask about the fully customizable party packages with integrated audiovisuals and private lane-side suites (click here or email bethesdaparties@luckystrikesocial.com for details). One offer per visit, good through Sept. 30, 2018. To claim your free game, be sure to mention Store Reporter when you walk in.

Pike Kitchen

Make a date for Urban Plates

If you’re curious about Urban Plates, the restaurant that’s moving into the Naples space at Westfield Montgomery mall, then it’s time to pay a visit to Tysons Galleria. The California-based chain just opened its first D.C.-area location at Tysons, offering freshly prepared foods in a modern cafeteria-style setting. Plans call for a 2019 debut at Westfield Montgomery. For more info and a look at the Urban Plates menu, click here.

Germantown Moving & Storage

Potomac boutique to close its doors

Say sayonara to Sonoran Rose, the boho-chic Potomac boutique at 12211 River Road. After two years in the roadside barn that once housed local favorite Flora’s Feathered Nest, owner Isabel Chiotti says the out-of-the-way location simply didn’t generate enough foot traffic to pay the bills. “We had an enormous amount of great customers who really appreciated our fine tuning of merchandise, but it just wasn’t enough,” she says. “Everyone in this area is so busy, and the way people shop has changed a lot from the days when Flora’s was there. In the end, we just couldn’t compete with the big-box stores.” For info on the store’s closing sale, call 301-983-0231.

Scout & Molly's
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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.

Big plans for Westfield Montgomery mall, Chico’s checks out of Potomac Village — plus Mexican at Travilah & Korean BBQ on the Pike

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Major makeover for Montgomery Mall

This week we finally got a peek at the master plan for redeveloping Westfield Montgomery Mall into a living, working, shopping and dining community a la Pike & Rose. Most of the mall will remain intact — with the exception of Sears, which finally will close its doors next March — but plans calls for extensive additions including office space, apartments, a hotel, pedestrian walkways, and outdoor promenades lined with upscale stores and restaurants. Also on the way: a large fitness center with a dedicated parking lot. (No names have been revealed yet, but we’re hearing it’s Equinox.) The entire expansion plan will take about four years, beginning in spring 2019 after Sears is torn down. Additional renderings and a site plan can be found on our Facebook page; click here to check them out.

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Potomac Village Farmers Market
Chico's in Potomac Village

Chico’s checks out of the Village

Say goodbye to Chico’s in Potomac Village, which is closing its doors after a two-decade run next to Hunter’s Bar and Grill. The exit is part of a national downsizing for the women’s retailer, whose next-closest location is at Rockville’s Congressional Plaza. The Potomac Village store will be open until Monday (June 25th), but there’s not much left on the racks.

Shin Orthodontics
Launch Trampoline Park
Cafe Rio taco platter

Mexican fare at Travilah Square

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill will open its third Montgomery County location next week at Travilah Square Shopping Center off Darnestown Road. In addition to the usual crowd-pleasing Mexican dishes (tacos, enchiladas, salads, etc.), the restaurant is known for its fresh-made lemonades and specialty drinks like horchata, a traditional sweet beverage made with milk, rice and cinnamon. (Click here for a peek at the menu.) Cafe Rio is the first of a new wave of tenants for the revamped Travilah Square, which soon will include the True Food Kitchen spinoff Flower Child (click here for more in our May 17th issue) — and of course Trader Joe’s (click here for the latest).

Buredo
Honey Pig BBQ

Honey Pig on the Pike

Honey Pig Korean BBQ has opened its doors at Montrose Crossing; you’ll find it in the strip mall behind Old Navy. This is the fifth D.C.-area location for Honey Pig, which offers a wide-ranging menu that includes bulgogi, dumplings, bibimbap, noodle soups and stews. Click here to check it out.

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New seafood on Rockville Pike, new boutique for Park Potomac, Rio movie theater revamp

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Slapfish on the way to Rockville

Opening next month at Montrose Crossing on Rockville Pike: Slapfish, the fast-casual seafood restaurant that’s expanding to the D.C. area. The California-based chain offers a moderately priced menu ranging from fish tacos to shrimp salad to a seafood/grilled cheese mashup called the Clobster. Slapfish is set to open July 13th next to CAVA and newcomer Honeygrow, part of the new restaurant row that’s rising where Timpano once stood. Also on the way: Five Guys , relocating from its longtime home on the other side of Rockville Pike. For more on Slapfish in our Feb. 8th edition, click here.

Wintergreen Plaza
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Gym & Tonic

New boutique for Park Potomac

New boutique on the way to Park Potomac: Gym & Tonic, featuring high-end workout wear plus blazers, sweaters and cute tank tops that can transition from day to night. The store is a new venture from longtime local retailer Wendy Abelman, who previously worked for Lucky Brand and My Best Friend’s Closet, and business partner Amy Morgan Block, who once ran a similar store in Miami. The duo are hoping to open by early fall next to Addie’s — right in the sweet spot between Life Time Athletic and Orangetheory Fitness.

Grilled Oyster
Norman's Farm Market
AMC Loews movie theater at Rio Washingtonian Center

Revamp for Rio’s movie theater

The AMC Loews theater at Rio Washingtonian Center will be fully renovated by fall, the company tells us, with reclining seats, improved lighting and sound equipment, and an upgraded food and beverage menu. AMC is freshening up its properties across the country to meet the expectations of today’s audiences, who have grown accustomed to posh competitors like iPicand ArcLight.  No word yet on how all these changes will affect ticket prices. For more on what’s happening at Rio Washingtonian, click here for our June 7th edition.

Fallsgrove Orthodontic Center
Wildwood Summer Sidewalk Sale

Summer kickoff at Wildwood this weekend

What’s happening this weekend? The annual Summer Sidewalk Sale at Wildwood Shopping Center. Stop by for great summertime deals at many of your favorite stores and restaurants: Belina Boutique, Blanca Flor, Coco Blanca, Hadlee, Irresistibles, Oakville Grille and Wine Bar, Red Orchard, Salon Nader, Sanctuary Interior Designs, Sandy Springs Bank, Secrete Jewelry, Sequel, [SOLIDCORE], South Moon Under, Voorthuis Opticians, Wildwood Italian Cuisine and Yves Delorme. The fun kicks into high gear on Saturday (June 16th) with live music and giveaways from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — including a chance to win $500 in gift cards to Wildwood merchants. Wildwood Shopping Center, 10241 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, 301-998-8100.

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 herefor 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.

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
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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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Mix closes in Potomac Village — plus more mall exits and a sad end for Hank Dietle’s

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Mix closes in Potomac Village

There were some broken hearts in Potomac Villagethis week when Mix Bar & Grille closed its doors just ahead of Valentine’s Day. The tables were set for dinner and there was no “closed” sign on the door when we stopped by, but the restaurant’s voicemail was full with no sign of activity inside. A sister restaurant in Silver Spring also wasn’t answering the phones this week. If Mix is gone for good, it will be the second eatery to close in the past two months at the Potomac Promenade shopping center on Falls Road. Fortune Garden departed in December, and the search is on for a new tenant. Click here for more.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster

Playtime’s over for Land of Nod

This week brought some bad news for Land of Nod, the kids’ home decor company known for its colorful, whimsical styles. Parent company Crate & Barrel plans to close all the brick-and-mortar Land of Nod stores and discontinue the adorable Land of Nod catalog, reducing the company to a website with a limited selection of products. The good news is that some Crate & Barrel stores — including the ones in D.C. and Tysons Corner — will start carrying Land of Nod merchandise on the sales floor. Look for that to happen this spring.

Herbert Hoover Beauty and the Beast
Hank Dietle's on fire

Sad end for Hank Dietle’s

For those who haven’t heard yet, the historic Hank Dietle’s Tavern was destroyed this week in a fire caused by “discarded smoking materials” on the front porch. It’s unclear what will happen to the remains of the century-old dive bar, a Rockville Pike landmark that held the first liquor license in Montgomery County. The fire came just weeks after the closing of Helen’s, the neighboring restaurant that had been struggling to stay in business this past year. Owner Helen Wasserman had told Store Reporter that business was slow and she came close to closing several times before it finally happened. More in our Nov. 30th issue.

VIP at Westfield Montgomery Mall

More exits at the mall

Yet another round of exits to report at Westfield Montgomery Mall this week. The V*I*P clothing store will be closing in the next few weeks after a disappointing holiday season. Pen Boutique, which has been selling fine writing instruments at the mall for a decade, is also on the way out. And we’ve seen the last of two short-lived tenants, the Euphrasie dress shop and the Flexy custom printing store. Last week brought the departure of several stores in the Macy’s wing (click here for more). So who’s moving in this spring? Find our most recent info here — and watch Store Reporter for updates.

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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.

2017 Kaufmann Jewelers Valentine's Day ad 1200
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.

Lolly's Locks
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Life Time Athletic in Rockville

Cabin John & Montrose Crossing updates, Bye Bye Brookstone & Golf Galaxy

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What’s going up at Cabin John

Construction is really moving along now at the corner of Tuckerman Lane and Seven Locks Road in Potomac, where four new restaurants will open later this year. The fast-casual eateries — Shake Shack, CAVA, Le Pain Quotidienand Sisters Thai — mark the beginning of a new era for the 50-year-old shopping center, soon to be known as Cabin John Village. Other new tenants include Georgetown Valet, which replaces the departed Fashion Flairdry cleaner, and the Sweetly Anchoredbakery, which is on track to open next month. And since the Long & Foster real estate office departed for Park Potomac, we’ve been hearing some really interesting rumors about who’s moving into that space. As always, Store Reporter will be the first to let you know. In the meantime, click here to read up on Cabin John’s new restaurants.

Norman's Farm Market
Brookstone closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall

Bye Bye Brookstone

This week we say goodbye to Brookstone, the gadget store where most of us spent more time testing out the massage chairs than actually, you know, buying stuff. The struggling retailer, which has been shuttering stores across the country, has closed its doors at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The mall’s Solstice sunglass store is also on the way out, but competitor Specs New York is unexpectedly back in business after going dark for several weeks. So who’s actually moving in to Westfield Montgomery? Click here for the latest.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Montrose Crossing shopping center

In and out at Montrose Crossing

Good news and bad news for the Montrose Crossing shopping center on Rockville Pike. Eater DC reports that Slapfish, a California-based chain of fast-casual seafood eateries, will be joining the new restaurant lineup. Meanwhile: Golf Galaxy, a division of Dick’s, has become the third sporting goods store to close its doors at Montrose Crossing in the past three years. Hudson Trail Outfitters went out of business in 2015, and Sports Authority (pictured here) went bankrupt the following year. For the scoop on Honeygrow, which opened at Montrose Crossing this month, click here for our Jan. 18 edition.

Wintergreen Plaza
Vince & Dominic's Westlake Crossing

The end for Vince & Dominic’s

Bulldozers have been busy at the former Vince & Dominic’s space in the strip center across from Westfield Montgomery Mall. Unfortunately, nothing too exciting is in the works: Home Depot, which owns the whole property, tells us it’s demolishing several storefronts to make room for additional parking.

Pooch Portrait Studio
Lolly's Locks