Store Reporter

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

Rockville Town Square

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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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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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

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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Big summer ahead for Rio, new restaurants for Rockville, new yoga for Park Potomac and a Lord & Taylor update

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Rio's new backyard

This week we checked out the snazzy new boardwork at Rio in Gaithersburg, where a striking outdoor concert stage is nearly complete and a summer’s worth of performances are on the way. Rio is undergoing a $30 million facelift with dramatic changes to its appearance and tenant mix. Shown here: the view from what will soon be a second-floor lounge outside the AMC movie theater and the upcoming Dave & Buster’s (aiming to open July 1st). What’s next for Rio? A huge Silver Diner with indoor/outdoor seating and full bar (tentatively opening in August); an “experiential” Xfinity store (opening date TBD); and a state-of-the-art IMAX cinema that’s almost finished inside the movie theater. Plans for a Baked Bear ice cream shop have fallen through, but local creamery Moorenko’s is coming with a summertime pop-up. For behind-the-scenes photos from our visit this week, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

Wintergreen Plaza
Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster

Latest on Lord & Taylor

Lord & Taylor finally announced plans to close its store at Gaithersburg’s ailing Lakeforest Mall — no surprise, as other tenants have been exiting in droves while the mall’s owners look for a buyer.  Meanwhile, the retailer’s White Flint store remains in business more than four years after the adjoining mall was demolished. On a recent visit, we found the White Flint Lord & Taylor in surprisingly good shape with up-to-date merchandise and plenty of still-loyal shoppers. After years of litigation with White Flint’s owners, it’s unclear how much longer this department store will be around. But for now, there’s plenty of summer merchandise on the shelves.

Wink Eyecare Boutique

New restaurants for Rockville Town Square

Good news on the dining front for Rockville Town Square: Four new Asian restaurants are on the way. Friendship BBQ, featuring skewered meats and seafood dishes, will open this summer across from Sushi Damo. And the former Mellow Mushroom space, empty since last fall, will be divided into three new eateries: Gyuzo Japanese BBQ, offering sake and tabletop grilling; Kyoto Matcha, serving green tea, cakes and other desserts; and Taro Cents Family, specializing in Taiwanese taro balls. Rockville Town Square and the surrounding area are already home to a number of Asian restaurants, from the upscale Peter Chang, Sushi Damo and Thai Pavilion to fast-casual Pearl Lady and busy food hall The Spot. Meanwhile, Little Dipper Hot Pot House and the adjoining Lab Cafe recently closed on Gibbs Street.

Shin Orthodontics

Yoga at Park Potomac

A new yoga studio is heading to Park Potomac. Local yogi Debi Schenk is taking over the long-empty Barre Belle space a few doors down from Kaufmann Jewelers. Plans call for an early September opening, with a price point around $17 per class. Schenk’s studio won’t be the only new fitness option in Potomac this fall; Pure Barre is moving to Potomac Village. More on that in our May 2nd edition.

International School of Music
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Lululemon goes for the guys — plus Robeks, Teamania & pop-up shopping in Rockville

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Lululemon goes for the guys

If you’ve shopped at Lululemon lately, you may have noticed what’s new: lots and lots of menswear. The fitness retailer is turning its attention to the male wallet, offering a greatly expanded assortment of workout and athleisure clothes, stretchy dress pants and wrinkle-free office attire. If you’re looking to spend $38 on boxer shorts or $58 on a T-shirt, this is the place. Lululemon is expecting to double its menswear business over the next five years, with additional revenue coming from new ventures into skin care, deodorant and athletic shoes.

The Grilled Oyster Co.
Wintergreen Plaza

Tea for two

New place to try near Rockville’s Federal Plaza: Teamania Bakery + Cafe, serving fresh-baked breads, desserts, coffee and Asian specialty teas. Doors opened last month at 130 Rollins Ave., and the brightly colored teas and charming decor have been generating buzz on social media. “We actually designed the aesthetic of this place with Instagram in mind,” says partner Arnold Chang. “A ton of money went into the custom-made furniture. The way everything looks is pretty important these days.” To see for yourself, check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram.

Realtor Mimi Arnold of Century 21 Redwood Realty

Robeks at the Row

Robeks makes its debut this weekend at Rockville’s Research Row development, serving up juices, smoothies and acai bowls just off I-270 between Chick-fil-A and One Life Fitness. Meanwhile, another Rockville sweet spot has closed its doors: Ki No Spoon is out at Wintergreen Plaza.

International School of Music

Pop-up shopping in Rockville

New initiative at Rockville Town Square: filling some of those empty storefronts with pop-up shops. At 36 Maryland Ave., once home to LiquidBlue Denim Boutique, four female entrepreneurs will be on site through Memorial Day selling chocolates, lotions, fragrances, dog treats, scarves, purses and jewelry. Just a block away on Gibbs Street, pop-up bookstore Carpe Librum is at the Square through August raising funds for child literacy efforts. More on that in our April 11th edition.

The Game Gym
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Crave checks out, Drybar blows in — plus Korean BBQ, bookstores & something new for Potomac Village

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Crave checks out

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

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

Drybar blows into Pike & Rose

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

Scout & Molly's North Bethesda

New chapter for book lovers at Rockville Town Square

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

The Game Gym

New eatery for Traville Village Center

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

Bullis Summer Programs

Wok's up in Potomac Village

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

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

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Life Time Athletic in Rockville

Latest on Life Time

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

Wintergreen Plaza
Biker Barre

New burgers at Pike & Rose

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

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Women's Seder

Poke at the mall this summer

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

Mimi Arnold
Trio Jr.

Chinese food on the Pike

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

The Game Gym
Power Hour Editing
CASA Voices for Children Montgomery
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Hello Urban Plates and LebTav, goodbye to half The Gap, two more closings at Rockville Town Square

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Urban Plates arrives

The Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery mall looks a whole lot different this week: Urban Plates officially debuts on Monday (March 11th), but crowds started lining up on Thursday with tickets to pre-opening events. The restaurant offers a fresh-cooked cafeteria-style menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches along with more elaborate entrées, baked goods and juices. For a look at the menu, click here. For a look at the interior, check out our photos on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Wink Eyecare Boutique
Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster

New look for Lebanese Taverna

LebTav, the new version of local favorite Lebanese Taverna, opened its doors this week a few doors down from its longtime home at Congressional Plaza. LebTav is smaller than its predecessor, with a pared-down menu of salads, pita sandwiches, falafel, shawarma, hummus and grab-and-go items. For more on the new format — and lots more about all the changes at Congressional Plaza — check out our Feb. 21 and  Feb. 28 editions.

Trio Jr.

Two more closings at Rockville Town Square

The exodus at Rockville Town Square continued this week when two neighboring businesses on Gibbs Street — Lab Cafe and Little Dipper Hot Pot House — closed their doors within days of each other. Lab Cafe, a bubble tea shop that opened in 2017, is the fifth business to fail at the same address since 2007. (Remember Bobby’s Crabcakes, Tippy’s Taco House, 82 Steak Out and Ev & Maddy’s?) Little Dipper also opened two years ago in the corner spot that once housed Noodles & Company. Add these two to the list of recent RTS closings that now includes Pandora Seafood House & Bar, Mellow Mushroom and LiquidBlue Denim Boutique, along with the neighboring Apollo restaurant. Dawson’s Market also closed last October, but it reopened in December under new ownership.

Realtor Jacqueline Band-Olinger of Greystone Realty

Rolling into Park Potomac

Roll by Goodyear has rolled into Park Potomac, opening a new store between Elevation Burger and The Wine Harvest. This is the space that once housed the Emily Grace boutique, most recently home to the pop-up Pooch Portrait Studio. Roll, which installs tires wherever you are, has blanketed Montgomery County with a half-dozen stores in the past few months.

Churchill Blast
Alice in Wonderland at Herbert Hoover Middle School

Big week for The Gap & Gymboree

Gap Inc. made so many announcements this week that even we found it hard to keep up. Number one, the company said it will close about half of its 500ish Gap stores over the next two years. Number two, it will spin off the thriving Old Navy brand into a separate publicly traded company. Number three, it will purchase the Janie and Jack kids’ clothing chain from bankrupt Gymboree Group. Meanwhile, Gymboree Group got some other good news when rival retailer The Children’s Place announced plans to purchase and “revitalize” what’s left of the Gymboree brand. Does that mean the Gymboree stores are no longer going out of business? The answer isn’t clear yet — and all these plans still have to go through bankruptcy court.

Diener Denim Plus Diamonds
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Slurpees, beer and wine to the mall, Sears’ final weeks, another closing at Rockville Town Square

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7-Eleven moves into the mall

Construction starts next week on the most unexpected tenant at Westfield Montgomery mall: a full-service 7-Eleven, complete with Slurpees, snacks and convenience foods. This will be a big store, stretching all the way from the recently vacated MVP Supreme space to Shilla Bakery just outside the main Dining Terrace. Meanwhile, gourmet popsicle shop Frozen Stuff on a Stick will be closing after a brief run in the former B/Bop/Q space just across the hall. Owner Joel Rogozinski says the location has not been a good fit for his $4 fruit-based pops, kombucha and nitro-brewed coffee. He’s looking for a more outdoor-oriented shopping center and expects to reopen shortly in this area.

OneTest
Wintergreen Plaza

Sears on last legs at the mall

Shelves are getting emptier and lines are getting longer at the Westfield Montgomery Sears store, which is entering its final weeks in business. Shoppers are searching for last-minute treasures among merchandise that has been marked down by as much as 75 percent. What’s going to happen after Sears closes? (Hint: It involves dumbbells.) Click here for our Oct. 25th report. Where else can you shop for Lands’ End? Click here.

International School of Music

New beer and wine store on tap

New place to shop and sip: Shuvam Beer and Wine opened Jan. 1 at the Westlake Crossing shopping center just outside Westfield Montgomery mall. Owner Shreejana Ghimire, who operates several similar shops in Montgomery County, says this one will specialize in high-end wines, champagnes and IPAs. “Whatever the customers in this area are looking for, I will special-order it for them,” he says. Friday night tastings are also in the works. Call 301-469-0263 for more.

Breakthrough Test Prep

Another closing at Rockville Town Square

LiquidBlue Denim Boutique, one of the longest-running tenants at Rockville Town Square, is closing its doors after five years on Maryland Avenue. The store originally focused on designer denim, but its merchandise shifted over the years as fashions evolved and shoppers lost interest in $200 jeans. “It’s very sad, but the boutique industry is slowly going away in Maryland,” says owner Jo Akin, who watched several nearby businesses exit last fall as she decided whether to renew her lease. Despite the reopening of Dawson’s Market and the comeback of the flood-damaged Samovar restaurant, Akin decided it was best to move on. “Rockville has had a hard time of it,” she says. “I hope the community reinvests in its local small businesses.”

Shin Orthodontics

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 — including the popular Rockville location at Congressional Plaza. Looking to score some deals? You’d better roll quickly; closing sales 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. (Editor’s note: 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

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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Life Time Athletic eyeing the mall — plus the latest on Cabin John, Wildwood & Rockville Town Square

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Here’s your retail & restaurant scoop for the week of Oct. 11, 2018.

Life Time Athletic in Rockville

Life Time Athletic eyeing the mall

Big news on the fitness front: We’re hearing that Life Time Athletic is making plans for a posh new location at Westfield Montgomery mall. The club would offer similar amenities to Life Time’s two-year-old location in Gaithersburg, including a restaurant, a spa and possibly a swimming pool. Mall-based clubs are a new initiative for Life Time, which opened a massive one just this week in Oklahoma City. At Westfield Montgomery, construction would take about two years and would likely start after the Sears store is demolished next winter. The new gym would be part of a major upcoming expansion for Westfield Montgomery; click here for more in our June 21st issue. (Editor’s note: For an update on this story, click here for our Oct. 25th edition.)

1-800-GOT-JUNK
Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Cabin John Shopping Center

Construction begins at Cabin John

Cabin John Village will begin a new round of construction on Monday (Oct. 15th), kicking off a nine-month project that will transform the center’s outdated facade and front parking lot. It’s the next phase of a long-term master plan from D.C. developer Edens, which has been studying the community’s needs since it bought Cabin John two years ago. “We heard you, we watched, we observed, we listened,” says spokesman Meghann Klein. The ’70s-style maroon roofline is going away, to be replaced by a clean, contemporary design with a wood under-canopy and updated lighting. New landscaping, benches and tables will be added throughout the property, especially in the area outside Goldberg’s Bagels. The front parking lot will be re-paved and reconfigured, with brighter lights, wider spaces and curbside parking for quick trips. Also on the way: decorative string lights and better signage. “The property is going to feel more homey, more like a neighborhood,” Klein says. All businesses will remain open during construction, which should be done by next spring.

Taff & Levine D.D.S.
Shin Orthodontics
Pandora Seafood House & Bar

More closings in downtown Rockville

Rockville Town Square took another hit this week with the closing of Pandora Seafood House & Bar, which replaced the failed American Tap Room just a year ago. The glitzy restaurant, which is exiting amidst legal battles over its rent and lease agreement, joins Mellow Mushroom and Dawson’s Market in a fall exodus that may not be over yet. The nearby Apollo restaurant also is planning to leave, Samovar has been closed for several weeks due to water damage, and some other Town Square tenants say they may not stay much longer. At a jam-packed community meeting this week, two types of complaints were voiced repeatedly: Rents are too high for tenants to make a profit, and visitors resent paying for parking when it’s free at almost every other shopping center in Rockville.

Wintergreen Plaza
Wink Eyecare Boutique
Wildwood Shops parking lot

Parking is back at Wildwood

Parking at Wildwood got a whole lot easier this week as the Bethesda shopping center wrapped up construction in its front lot. When the second phase of the buildout is completed next spring, the center will have gained 42 new parking spaces plus a new outdoor common area with tables, chairs and lounges. Also: In case you’ve been hearing some buzz that parking meters are on the way, owner Federal Realty tells us those rumors are not true. Parking at Wildwood will continue to be free.

Explore Kensington
Coco Blanca at the Wildwood Shops

Coco Blanca on the way out

On a sadder note for the Shops at Wildwood, the charming Coco Blanca boutique is closing its doors after a three-year run. This was the third and last location for Coco Blanca, which started at National Harbor and also had a store in Old Town Alexandria. The chain had an avid following for its tone-on-tone mix of clothing, accessories and home goods, but owners say they’re ready to move on. Doors will remain open until Thanksgiving weekend, unless the inventory sells out sooner.

Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique

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.

Power Hour Editing
Capital Area Food Bank