Store Reporter

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

Rockville Pike

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

Pizza CS, Corned Beef King, hello Eerkin’s and goodbye Golden Samovar

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Pizza CS: Get it while you can

Sad news for local pizza fans: Pizza CS, the Rockville restaurant known for its authentic Neapolitan-style pies, will only be around for a couple more months. Partners Ankur Rajpara and Jonathan Allen, who opened CS in 2011, had originally planned to relocate after their Rockville Pike shopping center is demolished in 2020. But Rajpara says they have changed their minds and will be taking a break after so many years of working around the clock. He says the partners will keep their New York-style pizzeria, CSNY, which focuses on takeout and “requires less of us.” Pizza CS is one of the last remaining tenants at the Twinbrook Metro Center, which is coming down to make way for a massive new Wegmans-anchored development. More on that in our Sept. 11th edition.

Normandie Farm
The Grilled Oyster

New palace for the Corned Beef King

The Corned Beef King has a new palace in Rockville: The deli counter at Dawson’s Market, where CBK owner Jon Rossler just opened a satellite location. Corned beef, pastrami and brisket sandwiches sell for $11.99, topped with Russian dressing, sauerkraut, coleslaw, cheese and other traditional deli fare. Rossler, who’s best known for his food trucks, says he’ll continue to operate his other Rockville location inside a Liberty gas station.

Wintergreen Plaza
Lisa Nasar

Something new for Rockville Pike

Eerkin’s Uyghur Cuisine opened its doors this week in the former Rolls ‘n Rice space at 1701 Rockville Pike. The name isn’t the only thing that’s unusual: The restaurant blends Asian and Middle Eastern dishes, from shakshuka, baba ganoush, falafel and naan to kebabs, rice bowls, hand-pulled noodles and pot pies. The menu is halal and doesn’t include alcohol, but there are 50 types of tea as well as non-alcoholic beer. This is the third restaurant for Eerkin’s, which has earned excellent reviews for its locations in Fairfax and Washington.

Moda Optic
URBNMarket

Golden Samovar washes away

This week we say goodbye to Golden Samovar, the Russia/Central Asian restaurant that had a three-year run at Rockville Town Square. The eatery closed this week after sustaining flood damage for the second time in two years. Owners say they hope to reopen at a new location.

Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique and Silent Auction

Fall food explosion: French bakery at the mall, Thai food & gumbo in Rockville

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Fresh from the oven

Just in time for holiday shopping at Westfield Montgomery mall, French bakery Patisserie Manuel is about to arrive in the Dining Terrace. Owner Claudia Olea, a graduate of L’Academie de Cuisine, will be serving up pastries, macarons and specialty cakes along with croissants, soups, sandwiches, crepes and a few dishes from her native Chile. And to drink? Illy coffee. You’ll find Patisserie Manuel in the former Wicked Waffle space — possibly as early as next week.

The Grilled Oyster
O'Donnell's Market

Thai cuisine at Wintergreen

Newly open at Rockville’s Wintergreen Plaza: Bangkok Garden Thai Street Eats, a sister to Bangkok Garden in downtown Bethesda. The brightly painted restaurant, in the old Kino Spoon space, serves up a fast-casual menu inspired by the markets of Bangkok and Chiang Mai. What to try first? Owner Nina Laohapant recommends the mussel pancakes, crispy rice with cured pork, grilled squid skewers, mango with sticky rice and pandan buns.

Taff & Levine
Shin Orthodontics

Jambalaya & empanadas

Gumbo Ya Ya, a quick-serve restaurant relocating from Germantown, just opened its doors at Rockville Town Square. The menu reflects the backgrounds of its two chef/owners, featuring New Orleans cuisine alongside traditional Puerto Rican dishes. In other words, you can order jambalaya, po’ boys and Cajun food or go for the empanadas, wings and tostones. Gumbo Ya Ya replaces Lab Cafe at 101C Gibbs Street, across the street from First Watch.

Strathmore Museum Shop Holiday Market
URBNMarket

Alpacas are back

Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too is back for the winter at Westfield Montgomery mall. The seasonal shop snagged a prime location this year: the former Invisalign space between Madewell and Apple. (Wondering what happened to the Invisalign store? Click here.)

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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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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.

Bethesda Bagels at Wildwood, subs & cycling at Fallsgrove, Modern Market moves out

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Bethesda Bagels: Not schmear yet

A bit of bad news on the bagel front: Bethesda Bagels is not going to arrive at Wildwood for another couple of weeks. Owner Danny Fleishman had hoped to get this location open in time for the Jewish High Holidays, one of the busiest times of year in the bagel biz. But Rosh Hashanah begins on Sunday night (Sept. 29th), and construction isn’t done yet. Fleishman is now aiming to open on Oct. 11th.

Wintergreen Plaza
Realtor Eris Norman

Modern Market moves out

Notice something missing between LebTav and Chopt? Modern Market has closed its doors in Rockville after a three-year run at Congressional Plaza, where it served up a health-conscious menu of salads, sandwiches and brick oven pizzas. The Colorado-based chain also shuttered its location on Bethesda Row, but it’s still operating restaurants in D.C. and Columbia, Maryland. What went wrong in Montgomery County? A spokesman declined to comment.

A Smarter You Tutoring Center
Ladies Night Park Potomac

Subs and cycling at Fallsgrove

Jersey Mike’s Subs has opened its doors at the Fallsgrove shopping center, taking over the space that previously belonged to Jerry’s Subs & Pizza. This is the second Rockville restaurant for Jersey Mike’s, which also has a location at Wintergreen Plaza. Up next for Fallsgrove: Senz Yoga, Barre & Cycle. Stay tuned for an opening date.

Potomac Squash Club World Squash Day
International School of Music

Tell your friends about Store Reporter. Here's why.

It’s been almost six years since we launched Store Reporter, and we’re looking to expand our reach even further. The more people who read us, the better job we can do covering news in our community. Love what we do? Want to help us grow? Make sure to subscribe to our weekly emails — and send this link to your friends and family so they can do the same.

Dulles Golf Center Red Cross fundraiser
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The wait for Wegmans, Orangetheory to the Pike and a Potomac Village update

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The wait for Wegmans

For everyone who’s counting the days until Wegmans arrives on Rockville Pike, we have some bad news: It’s not going to happen anytime soon. Things are moving slooooowly for the proposed Twinbrook Quarter development (pictured here), which ultimately will encompass 18 acres with Wegmans at its center. With months of paperwork and lots of planning meetings still ahead, Rockville city officials tell us we won’t be seeing Wegmans until at least 2021. As always, stay with Store Reporter for the latest.

Wink Eyecare Boutique
Mimi Arnold
The Rooted Studio

Three new gyms for Congressional Plaza

Big news on the fitness front for Congressional Plaza in Rockville: CorePower Yoga and Orangetheory Fitness are moving in. The two studios — along with a third that hasn’t been announced yet — will take over the empty Thomasville space next to Last Call by Neiman Marcus. This trio of gyms should provide a steady source of foot traffic for Congressional Plaza — not to mention the Barnes & Noble store that will be opening right nextdoor. FITRow, as Congressional Plaza is calling it, will make its debut in 2020.

Dulles Golf Center Red Cross fundraiser
The Grilled Oyster

Potomac Village update: PureBarre coming, Walgreens staying

The Potomac Village Shopping Center, home to Tally Ho and Hunters Bar & Grill, will welcome two new tenants by the end of this year. Village Nail Studio is weeks away from opening, and the Pure Barre fitness center is aiming for a November/December debut next to Big Wheel Bikes. Meanwhile, it looks like the center’s Walgreens store is going to survive the merger of Walgreens and Rite Aid. Some 200 drugstores will be closing in markets where the two brands overlap, but insiders tell us that both stores are doing quite well in Potomac Village. For now at least, Walgreens and Rite Aid will continue to coexist on either side of River Road.

Park Potomac Yoga
Wintergreen Plaza

Tell your friends about Store Reporter! Here's why.

It’s been almost six years since we launched Store Reporter, and we’re looking to expand our reach even further. The more people who read us, the better job we can do covering retail and restaurants in our community. Love what we do? Want to help us grow? Make sure to subscribe to our weekly emails — and send this link to your friends and family so they can do the same.

Park Potomac Fall Ladies' Night
International School of Music
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Lord & Taylor is sold, changes at Cabin John, teen scene at the mall, new restaurant for Rockville

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New owner for Lord & Taylor

A bombshell dropped on the retail world this week when Lord & Taylor, one of America’s oldest and most iconic department store chains, was sold to a little-known clothing rental service. Le Tote, a seven-year-old San Francisco company, is spending $100 million for Lord & Taylor’s website and 38 stores. The previous owner, Hudson’s Bay Company, closed Lord & Taylor’s flagship store in Manhattan this year and has been shuttering other locations including the one in Gaithersburg. Plans call for the remaining Lord & Taylor stores to stay open for at least three years – but it’s unclear how Le Tote’s clothing rental subscription model will be integrated into the business. Also unclear is the fate of the Lord & Taylor store on Rockville Pike, which has been the subject of ongoing litigation with the owners of the former White Flint Mall.

National Foot & Ankle

Teen scene at Westfield Montgomery

The back-to-school teen shopping scene looks a bit different at Westfield Montgomery mall this year. Windsor, a new addition in the Old Navy wing, is drawing high school and college girls with its moderately priced assortment of everyday outfits and formal dresses. Sneaker store KicksUSA has changed hands and changed its name to Snipes. The juniors department at Macy’s has been promoted from a hidden corner on the lower level to a prominent spot on the second floor. But the future is looking rocky for Forever 21, which once dominated the teen scene and now appears to be on the verge of Chapter 11. Forever 21 is practically an anchor at Westfield Montgomery, where it has a massive two-level storefront in what used to be the Sears wing.

Wintergreen Plaza
Realtor Mimi Arnold of Redwood Realty

New look for the Cabin John mini-mall

The mini-mall at Cabin John Village is in mid-renovation, with new flooring, new paint and new lighting on the way in the next few weeks. The main strip center is adding some tenants for fall, most recently Arch Envy (permanent makeup), The Shade Store (custom window treatments, opening soon) and Playa Bowls (more on that in our Aug. 15th issue). What’s next for Cabin John? Click here for the lowdown.

International School of Music
Power Hour Editing

Asian BBQ opens, Five Guys revamps

New restaurant opening this weekend at Rockville Town Square: Friendship BBQ, on Maryland Avenue next to Color Me Mine. The fast-casual Asian eatery offers skewered meats and seafood cooked with wood imported from the Xinjiang region of China. Just around the corner, three more Asian restaurants will be opening soon inside the former Mellow Mushroom space. Meanwhile, there won’t be any burgers at the Square for a bit: Five Guys is temporarily closed for renovation.

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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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Playa Bowls to Cabin John, Bambū Opens, Fuddruckers Closes, Smashburger’s Back

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Playa Bowls rolls into Cabin John

Playa Bowls, a favorite from the Jersey Shore, is heading to Cabin John Village. The healthy-eats chain with a surfer vibe is taking over the long-empty Robeks space, where owner Jeff Giuliani says he hopes to open by late September. On the menu: bowls, juices and smoothies featuring custom blends of acai berries, bananas, dragonfruit, chia seeds, coconut, kale, peanut butter, oatmeal, granola and honey. And for the caffeinated crowd: New Orleans-style cold brew chicory coffee. Giuliani, who owns franchise rights for the D.C. area, says he’s also close to signing a deal in Kensington.

Wintergreen Plaza
Shin Orthodontics

Fuddruckers fizzles, Smashburger back on the grill

Five months after it went dark on Rockville Pike — and two months after the company assured us that it wasn’t coming back — Smashburger reopened this week for a fresh start at the Galvan. Meanwhile, just a bit further north, longtime burger joint Fuddruckers has closed its doors to make way for upcoming redevelopment. (So what’s up with that Wegmans plan anyway? Stay tuned; we’re working on an update.)

The Grilled Oyster

New Bambū

Now open at 12242 Rockville Pike: Bambū Cafe, a sleek-looking snack shop in the strip center that once was home to Chef Geoff’s and Five Guys. The restaurant offers a Vietnamese-inspired menu of sweet coffees, bean-based chè drinks, fruit smoothies and bánh mì sandwiches. A couple of doors down, the Nature Kitchen restaurant that was supposed to open this summer is no longer happening. Its space has been filled by quick-serve Japanese eatery Katsu Go.

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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First look at Cooper’s Hawk, Thai and Chinese on Rockville Pike, Duck Donuts ducks out

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Cooper's Hawk lands in Rockville

This week we got a sneak peek at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, opening July 15th at Rockville’s new Research Row development. Wine is star of the show here, of course, with a Napa-style tasting room and a wine-centered gift shop at the entrance. But Cooper’s Hawk is also serious about its food: We sampled a delicious shrimp and scallop risotto, pan-roasted barramundi and ginger/soy-glazed New York strip steak, each with a complementary wine pairing. The decor is handsome but low-key, with a spacious cocktail bar, private dining areas and a bakery to tempt you on the way out. For your own sneak peek, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

The Rooted Studio

New Thai for Wintergreen

New restaurant on the way to Wintergreen Plaza: Thai Street Eats, a fresh concept from the family that owns Bethesda’s Bangkok Garden. “This will be a fast-casual, quick-eats type of restaurant where you can get a great rice or noodle bowl on the go,” says owner Nina Laohapant, who will continue working at her family’s restaurant while she builds out the former Kino Spoon space at Wintergreen. The menu will center on pad thai, pad see ew, drunken noodles, basil fried rice, green curry rice and tom yum soup, along with mussel pancakes, pork skewers, grilled squid and fish cakes. Doors should open around November.

Wintergreen Plaza

China Garden opens its doors

This week marks the opening of China Garden, the dim sum palace that replaces Paladar at North Bethesda Market on Rockville Pike. The spacious restaurant is from the same team that owned the short-lived Pandora Seafood House and Bar in Rockville, as well as another China Garden that closed two years ago in Arlington. Like its predecessor in Virginia, this new China Garden is expected to become a hub for Asian wedding receptions and other large events.

Taff & Levine

Duck Donuts ducks out

Duck Donuts closed its doors on Rockville Pike this week. A spokesman declined to explain the reason, but promised the store would return with a renewed commitment to “a superior product and customer service.” Duck Donuts made its Montgomery County debut three years ago at Rockville’s Sunshine Square shopping center. Another location in Gaithersburg has remained open for business as usual. Update: Duck Donuts reopened July 17th with no official explanation for the short-lived closing.

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July opening updates: Cooper’s Hawk, China Garden, Sisters Thai, Dave & Buster’s — plus what’s next for Cabin John Village

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Your July dining plan

While you’re enjoying your holiday weekend foodfest, it’s time to start making plans for this month’s restaurant openings. Cooper’s Hawk lands July 15th at Research Row off I-270 in Rockville; we’ll be there a few days early to share some photos. China Garden is planning a July 12th lunchtime opening at North Bethesda Market off Rockville Pike. Sisters Thai is still waiting on final inspections and is thisclose to opening at Cabin John Village. (For a sneak peek, check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram). And just in time for the July 4th movie weekend, Dave & Buster’s has opened its doors next to the AMC theater at Rio. (To see what else is happening at Rio, check out our June 6th edition.)

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster

What's next for Cabin John

We know you’ve got questions about construction at Cabin John Village. When will they start cutting through the strip center? Which tenants will be displaced, and which ones will be returning? What’s happening with the mini-mall? What else is on the way? Stay tuned for a special issue of Store Reporter with the answers to your Cabin John questions. (Got a few more? Ask us anything via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.)

Shin Orthodontics

Look what's new at the mall

Checking in at Westfield Montgomery mall for the July 4th weekend: Eyebobs, specializing in hip reading glasses, is now open in the Macy’s wing (more info in our April 25th edition). Crabtree & Evelyn is finally gone after an extended going-out-of-business sale. The new 7-Eleven is not ready to serve up Slurpees just yet, but the former Shilla Bakery is poised for a comeback with a new name and new owner. More info in the next couple of weeks.

So long Saks, hello Lands’ End, yoga at Park Potomac and Fu Shing fades out

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So long Saks

Sad news for all you label-conscious bargain hunters on Rockville Pike: Saks Off 5th is closing its doors after a three-year run at Congressional Plaza. The Rockville location is a victim of cost-cutting at Saks’ parent company, Hudson Bay Co., which also is closing some of its Lord & Taylor stores. (What does that mean for the White Flint and Lakeforest locations? Click here.) The Congressional Plaza Saks store will be open until October, with discounts getting deeper as the months go by. For a look at what’s happening inside, check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram.

Moda Optic

A comeback for Lands' End?

Is Lands’ End on the way to Rockville? That’s the buzz this week after the Washington Business Journal uncovered construction documents for a spacious new store at Congressional Plaza. Plans call for Lands’ End to move into the former Performance Bicycle space, right next door to the departing Saks Off 5th (scroll up for more on that). This location would replace the Lands’ End shop inside Westfield Montgomery’s Sears store, which closed its doors last winter. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for the latest.

Hanna's Connection

Fu Shing fades out

If this counter looks familiar, we have some bad news: Fu Shing, a local favorite for Chinese takeout, is closing its doors after 20 years at the Westlake Crossing shopping center. Owners say their lease was up and they’ve decided to retire. Doors close on July 1st.

Mimi Arnold

Yoga arrives at Park Potomac

Get your yoga mats ready: Park Potomac Yoga is arriving earlier than expected. July 1 is opening day for the new studio, which is taking over the long-empty Barre Belle space next to Love Couture Bridal Salon. Owner Debi Schenk will be teaching many classes herself, with assistance from instructors including Stephanie Rosenblatt, Becca Thomas, Scott Taylor, Meg Goodwin and Kelly Gerrish. Classes will include the new “rocket yoga” format, which incorporates lots of arm balances and inversions. Click here for more info.

Power Hour Editing

The mall has your number

The Sleep Number store raised its profile at Westfield Montgomery mall this week, leaving its modest storefront for a snazzy new space in the Macy’s wing next to Ann Taylor. Meanwhile on the other side of the mall, newcomer Möge Tee is already drawing crowds near Chick-fil-A with an unusual take on bubble tea. More on that in our June 20th edition.

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First look at Flower Child, Möge Tee at the mall, summer menu at Gusto — plus Smashburger’s final flameout

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Flower Child is about to bloom

This week we got a sneak peek at Wildwood’s new Flower Child restaurant, opening July 2 at Democracy Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road. The casual, hippie-chic decor is similar to the seven-month-old Flower Child off Darnestown Road, with rainbow-painted walls, mix-and-match chairs and plenty of indoor/outdoor seating. Flower Child, based in Phoenix, offers a health-conscious, veggie-centric menu that caters to special diets. It’s the first of three new restaurants set to open at Wildwood in the next few months, soon to be followed by Bethesda Bagels and Joe & the Juice. Want a closer look at Flower Child? Check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

Wintergreen Plaza
Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster