Store Reporter

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

Rockville Pike

New Chinese restaurant for Rockville Pike, goodbye Bose & Papyrus, more closings ahead

By Leave a Comment

Hot pot on the Pike

Finally a new tenant for the onetime REI space at 1701 Rockville Pike: Da Yu, a high-end chain of Chinese hot pot restaurants, is moving in this spring. This will be the second U.S. venture for the China-based company, which has hundreds of locations overseas and debuted in New York last fall. Plans call for 190 seats in the former REI space, which has been empty since 2017 when the outdoor retailer moved to Pike & Rose. For more detailed renderings of the future Da Yu, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

Shin Orthodontics
Taff & Levine

Sounds of silence

Audio manufacturer Bose, an early pioneer of “experiential” shopping, is closing all 54 of its U.S. showrooms. Many of these stores have been open since the early 1990s, when Bose made a bet that audiophiles would pay more for its products if they could hear the difference for themselves. These days the company’s speakers, earbuds and noise-canceling headphones are mostly sold online. The Bose store at Westfield Montgomery mall is expected to close in June.

Wintergreen Plaza
Bender JCC

Papyrus signs off

That’s a wrap for paper chain Papyrus, which is closing its 254 retail stores and will exit Westfield Montgomery mall in the next few weeks. The 70-year-old company, known for its elaborate greeting cards, giftwrap and stationery, has faced an ever-shrinking market in the 21st century. Although the stores are closing, Papyrus says its products aren’t going away; they will still be sold online and at other retail outlets.

International School of Music

Color Bar for Congressional

Madison Reed Color Bar, an up-and-coming chain of hair salons, is on the way to Congressional Plaza. The shop will open this spring next to the new Barnes & Noble store, selling its own brand of hair color products and offering on-site coloring services for $30 to $60. (What won’t it offer? Haircuts.) This will be the second Montgomery County location for Madison Reed, which arrived in downtown Bethesda last month. Meanwhile, there may be more shakeups ahead on the hair scene: Hair Cuttery and Bubbles will be closing multiple locations in the next few weeks.

mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

Park Potomac restaurant update, Pier 1 ships out, sneak peek of the new Hank Dietle’s

By Leave a Comment

Time's up for Zoës — is sushi on the way?

Zoës Kitchen, one of the first tenants to open at Park Potomac, will close its doors for good on Jan. 26th. The departure, first reported by The Moco Show, comes a year after the Mediterranean chain was purchased by D.C.-based Cava. What’s next? Rumors are flying about a well-known sushi restaurant, but landlords tell us no leases have been finalized. Meanwhile, we’re also hearing buzz about a possible juice shop in the empty space around the corner. Stay tuned to Store Reporter as these deals get firmed up.

Wink Eyecare Boutique
Lisa Nasar

Sneak peek of Hank Dietle's

Here’s a glimpse of the scene inside Hank Dietle’s, the century-old Rockville Pike dive bar that’s been closed since a 2018 fire. New owners are completely rebuilding the interior with plans to reopen in late spring. Lisa White, who will be booking acts at the venue, says she hopes to draw local and regional bands from rockabilly, roots rock and blues to country, swing, Cajun and zydeco — plus performances by local music students. “We’re doing a lot of work to this place, but the footprint will stay the same,” she says. “It’s still going be a small, really cozy roadhouse.” For more photos of the work in progress, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

Normandie Farm

Pier 1 ships out

Pier 1 Imports, which is shuttering half of its 942 stores amidst rumors of impending bankruptcy, will close up shop in Montgomery County by spring. Markdowns are already in progress at the Rockville Pike and Rio stores, with some of the best deals already gone. Both locations will be out before the end of March.

International School of Music
Power Hour Editing
mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

Coffee, cocktails and a mancave for Rockville Pike; three more stores say goodbye

By Leave a Comment

Java and cocktails on Rockville Pike

Here’s a first look at Java Nation, which arrived on Rockville Pike this week in the former Addie’s/Helen’s space next to Hank Dietle’s. The cafe will open early in the morning and stay that way until 9:30 or 10 most evenings, with a moderately priced menu of sandwiches, salads, soups and crepes plus a few dishes from El Salvador and Peru. Owner Simona Cabana, who also has a location in Kensington, imports her coffee beans from small suppliers and roasts them right behind the bar. Coming soon: a signature menu of caffeine-infused cocktails. For a closer look at Java Nation, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

Bender JCC
Park Potomac Yoga

Mancave at Montrose

Boardroom Salon for Men, a posh barbershop chain from Texas, is heading to Rockville’s Montrose Crossing. It will fill the long-empty space between Slapfish and Five Guys, offering haircuts, shaves and spa services amidst a manly decor complete with chessboards and pool tables. Signature service is the $60 “Benchmark Haircut,” which includes scalp massage, face massage, hand massage and skin-softening paraffin hand dip. Also on the way to Montrose Crossing: a Home Depot Design Center. More on that in our Dec. 19th edition.

Mimi Arnold
Wintergreen Plaza

Two stores out at the mall

Closing soon at Westfield Montgomery mall: Destination Maternity, home to the Pea in the Pod and Motherhood Maternity clothing brands. The New Jersey-based retailer, which filed for bankruptcy last fall, had dominated its niche for decades until chains like The Gap, Old Navy and Target started moving in on moms-to-be. Also out at the mall is Yvonne Ex, which opened last summer with a colorful array of clothes and accessories from Ghana. More info on post-holiday closings in our Jan. 2nd edition.

Potomac Physical Therapy
Wink Eyecare Boutique

Boutique closes at Congressional Plaza

The pop-up boutique Sheyla closed up shop this week after a three-month run next to Chico’s at Congressional Plaza. Owner Sheyla Difo Voye, who opened a second location in Arlington at the same time, says the northern Virginia market was a better fit for her merchandise. Wondering what else has been happening at Congressional Plaza? Click here.

International School of Music
mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

First closings of 2020: a gym, a jewelry store, A.C. Moore & more

By 2 Comments

Who didn't survive the holidays?

They say January is the cruelest month — and that’s certainly true in the world of retail and restaurants. Every year, longtime businesses start disappearing as soon as the holiday rush is over. In this week’s issue: three stores, a gym and a burger joint that won’t be joining us in 2020.

Shin Orthodontics

A.C. Moore is out the door

The next few weeks will be the last for A.C. Moore. The New Jersey-based chain, a haven for artists and crafters, is going out of business after 30 years. At the Montrose Crossing location in Rockville, doors will close in February unless the merchandise sells out faster. If you’re planning a visit, don’t wait too long: Shelves are emptying fast.

Lisa Nasar

Bye bye Blanca Flor

Jewelry store Blanca Flor, which specialized in fine silver, will exit this weekend after 22 years at the Wildwood shopping center. Owners say they’re retiring and have no plans to open elsewhere. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for news about who may be moving in.

OTGbaby

Gold's Gym throws in the towel

Gold’s Gym on Randolph Road closed its doors at the end of December. The club had been under pressure these past few years as competitors like Soldierfit, Club Pilates, Fit Body Boot Camp and Title Boxing Club moved into the surrounding neighborhood. Gold’s Gym still has locations at Wintergreen Plaza and Rockville Town Square.

Bender JCC

So long Shoppers

Shoppers Food Warehouse has been retreating from the D.C. area, selling some of its stores to rival grocers and shuttering others for good. The store at White Flint Plaza falls into the latter category. It will be empty by mid-January.

International School of Music

Bye bye burgers at Fallsgrove

Retro diner Cheeburger Cheeburger has closed its doors at the Fallsgrove shopping center. The Rockville location was the last Cheeburger Cheeburger in Montgomery County; another one in Olney closed two years ago.

Power Hour Editing

Congrats to our raffle winners

Congratulations to Carolyn Kolben, Charlene Disler, Daphne Bloomberg, Jennifer Okun, Lauren August, Lawrence Green, Michael Reiser, Sari Britz, Shoshana Rosenthal and Tracy Rezvani. They are our raffle winners from last month’s Holiday Boutique & Silent Auction sponsored by the Women of Washington Hebrew Congregation. Their winnings include: gift cards from Lavaloka and Trio Jr., design services from Elana Designs, home accessories from Crystal Luxe Lighting Plus, fun kitchen tools from Q.D. Foodie, kids’ books from Barefoot Books, photos from Photos by Freddie and jewelry from Austyn Parker and Sweet Charma.

mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

New Home Depot for Rockville, Quincy’s heads to Potomac, shooting range closing at the mall

By 2 Comments

Home Depot has designs on Rockville Pike

A Home Depot Design Center, second of its kind in the country, is on the way to Rockville’s Montrose Crossing shopping center. The Washington Business Journal reports that the store will take over the onetime Golf Galaxy space, which has been sitting empty for two years next to Barnes & Noble. The interior will feature kitchen and bath showrooms, high-end appliances and flooring, and an army of designers to plan and execute your project. It’s not clear whether this store will encompass part of the Barnes & Noble space after the bookstore moves out next year. (More on that in our Dec. 12th edition.)

Wintergreen Plaza
The Grilled Oyster

Quincy's expands to Potomac

Quincy’s is heading to Potomac Woods Plaza, opening next year in the former Amici Miei space between Wink Eyecare Boutique and Brooklyn’s Deli. The new sports bar/restaurant, first announced by Bethesda Beat, will join three other Quincy’s locations in Gaithersburg, Damascus and North Bethesda. (Another Quincy’s, owned by a separate group of investors, had a short-lived run in downtown Bethesda.) Co-owner John Sahakian, who also operates the Title Boxing Clubs in Rockville and Kensington, says he hopes to open at Potomac Woods Plaza by next fall.

Shin Orthodontics
Mimi Arnold

New shooting range gets the boot

Well, that was fast. The Aim Point shooting range, which opened just before Thanksgiving at Westfield Montgomery mall, is making a hasty exit after numerous complaints from mall shoppers. The storefront was largely empty for much of its brief run. Westfield management declined to comment on the closing.

Taff & Levine
International School of Music

Travel gifts from The Container Store

At this time of year, we always rely on The Container Store for last-minute gift inspiration. The store sent over a boxful of products, and we chose three favorites for the travelers on your list. At press time, these were all in stock at The Container Store’s Congressional Plaza location.

  • Eagle Creek Packing Cubes. These collapsible mesh cubes, starting around $9, keep your travel outfits organized and can be tossed right into the laundry when you get home.
  • Lug Porter Wheelie Luggage: We love the smooth rollability of this lightweight bag, with a sleek grey exterior and extra-roomy side pockets for all your gadgets.
  • Diamond Dazzle Stik: This pen-sized cleaner is perfect for touching up your jewels on the way out the door. Slip it into your travel bag, or keep it in your purse for some extra sparkle.

Find these gifts and more at The Container Store at Congressional Plaza, or click here to shop online.

mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

Barnes & Noble update, more changes at Congressional Plaza, Red Door rebrands at Pike & Rose

By 1 Comment

Barnes & Noble & more at Congressional Plaza

Wondering what’s happening with the new Barnes & Noble store at Congressional Plaza? From what we hear, it’s not going to be ready until next summer at the earliest. That timing should coincide with the opening of the two new gyms — CorePower Yoga and Orangetheory Fitness —  that are now under construction in the former Thomasville space right next door. The north side of Congressional Plaza has seen plenty of upheaval this year: White House Black Market, Modern Market and Baja Fresh all closed their doors in that section, while Chico’s and Lebanese Taverna (now LebTav) relocated to smaller spaces. And Baskin Robbins, one of Congressional’s oldest tenants, will serve its final scoops this Sunday (Dec. 15th). Owners say they could no longer afford the rent.

Wink Eyecare Boutique
Lisa Nasar
Dawson's Market

Makeover for the Red Door

If you’ve been to Pike & Rose this holiday season, you may have noticed something new next to the Canopy Hotel. The Elizabeth Arden Red Door spa, which relocated from Wildwood in 2018, has replaced its iconic red door and changed its name to Mynd Spa & Salon. All 26 Red Door locations are converting to the new Mynd brand, which is dropping its image of old-school glamour in favor of millennial buzzwords like “mindfulness,” “wellness” and “self-care.”

FiberArt Studio
Chocolate Moonshine

Feeling gifty?

This year we’re doing some holiday shopping at two of our area’s newest stores: West Elm at Pike & Rose and Lands’ End at Congressional Plaza. Both retailers sent us a selection of gifts to review and recommend to our readers. Below are four of our top picks.

Sleek and modern at West Elm

  • This Mid-Century Jewelry Box is an Art Deco stunner. From the champagne lacquer finish to the soft canvas interior, it’s spacious enough for all your favorite pieces and looks great on any dresser. The box seen here is $199, but holiday sales are frequent and smaller sizes are available. See it in person at the Pike & Rose store, or click here to find it on the West Elm website.
  • The milky-white wave makes this Wood + Resin Tray a standout, perfect for displaying a few items or adding some interest to your table. Regular price is $69 — and for $29 more, you can throw in a set of matching coasters. Check it out in person at the Pike & Rose store, or click here to find it on the West Elm website.

Ready for the road at Lands' End

  • This Waxed Canvas Travel Duffle Bag gets the thumbs-up from our frequent flyers, who appreciate details like the padded shoulder strap, mesh pockets and snazzy zipper pulls. Regular price is $159.95, but 50%-off sales are common. See the bag in person at Congressional Plaza, or click here to find it on the Lands’ End website.
  • We also love this company’s flannel Plaid Totes, which are roomy enough for all your winter essentials and pack a special pocket for your cell phone. $59.95 and up in red/brown or blue/green (but again, watch for sales). See the bags in person at Congressional Plaza, or click here to find them on the Lands’ End website.

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

By Leave a Comment

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.

mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

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

By Leave a Comment

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
mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

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

By Leave a Comment

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

By 1 Comment

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

By Leave a Comment

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.)

mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

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

By 2 Comments

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
mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

First look at Lands’ End, new boutique for Rockville Pike, skating season starts and a boxing gym punches in

By 1 Comment

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

By 4 Comments

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
mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

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

By Leave a Comment

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

By Leave a Comment

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
mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

The wait for Wegmans, Orangetheory to the Pike and a Potomac Village update

By Leave a Comment

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
mailto:publisher@storereporter.com

Lord & Taylor is sold, changes at Cabin John, teen scene at the mall, new restaurant for Rockville

By Leave a Comment

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.

mailto:publisher@storereporter.com