Store Reporter

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

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Stores & restaurants adapt: Who’s open, who’s busier than ever and who’s never coming back

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The "We're Open!" Guide — a list you'll love

This week, let’s start with the good news. Despite everything that’s been going on — including Gov. Hogan’s mandate to close all non-essential businesses — many of our local restaurants and stores are still ready to serve you with carry-out, delivery and curbside pickup.

 

  • Brooklyn’s Deli, homemade meats, soups & sandwiches at Potomac Woods Plaza. 1089 Seven Locks Road. Phone: 301-340-3354. Open daily for carry-out & catering. Menu: brooklynsdelimd.com.

 

  • Gregorio’s Trattoria, Italian favorites at Cabin John Village. 7745 Tuckerman Lane. Phone: 301-296-6168. Open daily for lunch & dinner. Carry-out, curbside pickup, pay by phone & contact-free delivery available. All wine and beer 1/2 off. Menu: gregoriostrattoria.com.

 

 

  • Hunter’s Bar and Grill, the “Cheers” of Potomac. 10123 River Road. Phone: 301-299-9300. Open daily with menu favorites for phone and online orders. Carry-out or use delivery apps. All wine and beer 1/2 off. Menu: huntersbarandgrill.com.

 

  • Moby Dick Kabobs, Persian cooking on the go. Multiple locations in Maryland and the DMV. Phone: 240-660-2626. Open for carry-out & delivery. Menu: mobyskabob.com.

 

  • Normandie Farm, pop on over for fine cooking in Potomac. 10710 Falls Road. Phone: 301-983-8838. Open for carry-out service. Full menu, popovers & jam to go: popovers.com.

 

  • Playa Bowls, acai and pitaya bowls, smoothies, fresh-squeezed juices & coffee drinks. Cabin John Village, 7919 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac. Phone: 240-403-7456. Full menu available for curbside pickup and multiple delivery apps. Order online: playabowls.com.

 

  • Potomac Pizza, a delicious favorite since 1978. Multiple locations in Maryland and the DMV. Potomac location: 301-299-7700. Traville location: 301-279-2234. Offering contact-free delivery, curbside pickup & takeout. Menu: potomacpizza.com.

 

  • Robeks Rockville, fresh juice & smoothies on the run. Research Row, 1403 Research Blvd. Phone: 240-386-8468. Online ordering, carry-out & delivery. Menu: robeks.com.

 

 

  • St. Veg, 100% plant-based (vegan) cuisine at Fallsgrove Village Center. 14929 Shady Grove Rd., Unit M. Phone: 301-605-7511. Open for carry-out Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 6:30 p.m. Call in your order, pay by phone and pick up near the entrance. stveg.com/menu/

 

 

 

  • The Original Pancake House, the first name in pancakes. Locations in Rockville, Bethesda & Falls Church. Phone: 301-468-0886. Full breakfast and lunch menu for carry-out, curbside and delivery via Grubhub & DoorDash. Menu: ophrestaurants.com.

 

  • Yekta Persian restaurant & market. 1488 Rockville Pike. Restaurant open Wednesday-Saturday for curbside pickup, carry-out & delivery apps; call 301-984-0005. Market open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily with curbside pickup. Email info@yekta.com or call 301-984-1190. Menu: yekta.com.

 

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Lisa Nasar

Chuy's checks out for good

Along with all the temporary coronavirus closings, we also have news about some departures that will be permanent. Chuy’s has closed its doors after a four-year run at Federal Plaza. The Mexican chain shuttered several locations in the past few months, and the Rockville restaurant had been its last in Maryland. This week we also say goodbye to Mynd Spa, the most recent incarnation of the once-iconic Elizabeth Arden Red Door salon chain. Mynd Spa has gone bankrupt and closed all its locations, including the one next to the Canopy hotel at Pike & Rose.

Shin Orthodontics

Meanwhile... some businesses are booming

So who’s doing well right now? Grocery stores and drug stores, of course, and anyone who sells alcohol. The latter category is an important one for Montgomery County restaurants, which are temporarily allowed to sell wine, beer and cocktails along with food orders. Sales also are booming for Target, Walmart and Amazon as they scramble to fulfill orders for cleaning supplies, toilet paper and food. And big-box stores like Best Buy, Lowe’s and Home Depot can hardly keep up with the demand for refrigerators, freezers and other major appliances — not to mention laptops, phones and office equipment for the new work-at-home economy.

Power Hour Editing Virtual Workshops
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Goodbye Bobby’s Burger Palace, hello Frank Pepe & Peking duck — plus Quartermaine, Bar Louie and the Corned Beef King

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Heading to the mall: Slurpees, clam pizza & Peking duck

Big changes are ahead for the Westfield Montgomery dining scene. This week, mall management gave us a peek at what’s about to happen.

  • Bobby’s Burger Palace will be closing soon to make way for the New Haven newcomer that everyone’s been buzzing about: Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana. The Connecticut restaurant serves thin-crust pizza with charred edges, including a signature pie featuring littleneck clams, garlic and olive oil. It’ll be awhile before this happens — Bobby’s hasn’t even set a closing date yet — but from what we hear, those pies will be worth the wait. More on Frank Pepe in our Dec. 5th edition. (Editor’s update: Bobby’s closed on Feb. 15th.)
  • Peking Duck, serving Asian-inspired cuisine, will be moving into the former Crave space next to Cheesecake Factory. More on that in an upcoming issue.
  • Ejji Ramen has closed its doors after little more than a year in the mall’s Dining Terrace. Meanwhile, just around the corner, the new 7-Eleven is finally expected to open in March. (Who knew slurpees could take this long?)
  • Soy Chinese Kitchen, successor to the much-missed Fu Shing, is about to open its doors at the mall-adjacent Westlake Crossing.
Lisa Nasar
The Grilled Oyster

Spilling the beans on the Quartermaine closing

Local coffee lovers are mourning the loss of Quartermaine Coffee Roasters, which closed its doors last week after a decade at the Georgetown Square shopping center. “The rent just got too high for the numbers to work for us,” says Quartermaine co-owner Carolyn Weinberg. The downtown Bethesda location will stay in business, Weinberg says, and the company is keeping an eye out for other potential spaces. Meanwhile, Quartermaine fans can order their coffee online or visit the company’s Rockville roastery off Boiling Brook Parkway, where beans will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

International School of Music

Bar Louie & Corned Beef King exit the Square

This week we say goodbye to Bar Louie, which closed its doors at Rockville Town Square after the Texas-based company filed Chapter 11. Corned Beef King is also out of the Square after a brief run inside Dawson’s Market. “It was really stressful having two places,” says owner Jon Rossler, who is once again serving sandwiches at the Liberty gas station on Rockville Pike. Rossler says his food trucks will be back on the road when the weather turns warmer.

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

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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, gift wrap 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.

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

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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
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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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Cabin John Q&A: What’s new, what’s next and what you should know

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What's next for Cabin John Village?

It’s been nearly three years since D.C. developer Edens purchased the ’60s-era Cabin John shopping center and started dragging it into the 21st century. Much has changed since 2016, from the renovated parking lot, updated roofline and crisp white color scheme to the shady new walkways, modernized lighting, outdoor seating areas and fresh dining choices. We know you have questions about what’s ahead, and we’ve been working to get the answers. Read on for our special Cabin John issue.

The Grilled Oyster
California Tortilla

Are they really going to cut through the whole shopping center?

In the next phase of Cabin John construction, likely beginning in 2020, the main strip center will essentially be cut in half. Everything from CVS to Giant will be torn down to create a central thruway for cars and pedestrians. If you enter by car from Tuckerman Lane, you’ll be able to park in the front lot or drive right through to the back lot. On foot, you’ll be able to travel from front to back via sidewalks. Rebuilt storefronts will face out to the new road, much like the thruway in front of Gregorio’s and Lahinch where the string lights were recently installed.

Broadway Pizza

Who's being displaced?

The upcoming cut-through will demolish the homes of four Cabin John tenants — China Gourmet Bistro, The Grilled Oyster Co., Capital One and Breadsmith — along with the empty space that once belonged to BGR. Some of these businesses may end up closing, some may find new homes at other local shopping centers, and some may reopen at Cabin John when construction is complete. The tenants we spoke with have not made their decisions yet.

Wink Eyecare Boutique

What about the other side of the center?

Reconstruction of the smaller strip center is nearly finished. A modernized white roofline shows off the tenants’ snazzy new signage and provides a shaded walkway with ceiling fans underneath. The sidewalks have been widened, additional seating is on the way, and the new lighting includes string bulbs that visually connect this building to its neighbor. Carpet & Vacuum Expo is expanding its footprint, and several of the empty spaces will soon be filled by new eateries. We’ve heard some buzz about Playa Bowls, which already has a location in College Park, but nothing has been confirmed yet. (Editor’s update: Playa Bowls is indeed on the way. Click here for more.)

Shin Orthodontics

Any word on the dining scene?

With last week’s opening of Sisters Thai (check out our photos on Facebook and  Instagram), Cabin John’s newest restaurant row is now complete. A shared outdoor seating area is still in progress, including some new greenery that was added this summer. The next group of new restaurants will likely be near California Tortilla. We’ll share more as soon as the deals are finalized.

Prep 1on1

What's up with Giant?

Given everything that’s new at Cabin John, have you wondered why the Giant supermarket still looks like it belongs in the 1970s? As an anchor tenant, Giant controls its exterior and has so far opted not to modernize. We’re betting that will change in the next year or two.

Toy Castle

What are these buildings?

This rendering shows potential buildings that may eventually be added in front of the mini-mall. No timetable has been set for this new construction, but it’s likely that Cabin John eventually will add a home and design store.

Occasions
Hanna's Connection

What's happening in the mini-mall?

The mini-mall, a haven for locally owned businesses, is now getting a mini-facelift with new flooring, lighting, furniture and signage. The second-floor offices, quiet for many years, are newly bustling with fashion-oriented businesses, a music school and professional practices.

Say Yes for Less
Susan Koehn Designs

What's the latest on car and bike parking?

The parking lot is sporting new lights and new greenery, and most of its spaces have been widened from eight feet to 8 1/2. That means fewer worries about bumping your car door against your neighbors. (Does it mean fewer spaces overall? We haven’t gotten a straight answer to that question.) New bike lanes and new bike parking are on the way. Eventually, there also will be a bikeshare system.

International School of Music

What about the new townhouses?

Local developer EYA will start construction of 48 new townhouses behind the mall in 2020. The three-story homes with garages in the back will be built on the undeveloped area behind Lahinch. They’ll be priced around $1 million each.

Biker Barre

What else is on the way?

A few other things we haven’t mentioned: An updated Cabin John sign is coming soon for the corner of Seven Locks and Tuckerman. Plans are in the works for more art elements like the hand-painted murals outside the new restaurants. There will be more places to walk, sit and gather. Eventually, the center will host public events. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for the latest.

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

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Cooper's Hawk lands in Rockville

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

The Rooted Studio

New Thai for Wintergreen

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

Wintergreen Plaza

China Garden opens its doors

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

Taff & Levine

Duck Donuts ducks out

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

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

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Your July dining plan

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

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster

What's next for Cabin John

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

Shin Orthodontics

Look what's new at the mall

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

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

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Hello Fogo

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

Norman's Farm & Market
The Grilled Oyster Co.

Next up for Cabin John

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

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
The Game Gym

Is Party City full of hot air?

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

International School of Music

Payless walks out

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

Shin Orthodontics
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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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Urban Plates, Cinnabon, Jersey Mike’s, Amazon Lockers & more

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First look at Urban Plates

This week we had a chance to preview the menu at Urban Plates, which recently opened at Tysons Galleria and will arrive next month at Westfield Montgomery mall. The restaurant manages to gracefully combine a casual atmosphere and cafeteria-line setup with high-end entrées like osso bucco and striped sea bass, all at a price point well below $20. Sandwiches and salads are plentiful here (including a standout chicken club), along with tasty sides like brussels sprouts with turkey bacon, rainbow carrots with golden beets, and miso mushrooms with sweet potatoes. Desserts and juices also are house-made, and the Westfield Montgomery location will offer wine and beer. This one looks like a winner.

The Grilled Oyster
Moda Optic

Cinnabon and Amazon Lockers

In other mall news, Cinnabon is moving into the long-empty space next to Popeyes. The Core clothing store, which exited Westfield Montgomery two years ago, is making a comeback in the Nordstrom wing. And here’s a perk for online shoppers: A wall of Amazon Lockers will be installed next month near Forever 21. Not familiar with the concept? Amazon Lockers are self-serve “mailboxes” where you can drop off a package or receive a delivery at the time of your convenience. All you do is schedule the pickup or dropoff online, then Amazon sends you a locker number and a private code to open it. No more waiting for the UPS truck or worrying about porch pirates.

Party Smarty by Magnolia Bluebird

Rooftop skating at Pike & Rose

An ice-skating rink made its debut last weekend on the rooftop terrace of the Canopy Hotel at Pike & Rose. The rink, which features synthetic ice, is open for the rest of this month with lounge seating on one side and a hotel menu on the other. Tickets are $14 to $17 per person and benefit the nonprofit Mel’s Rink Foundation, which is raising money to build an indoor sports facility for kids with special needs.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Wintergreen Plaza

Goodbye Jerry's, hello Jersey Mike's

Jersey Mike’s Subs is on the way to the Fallsgrove shopping center, replacing the recently closed Jerry’s Subs and Pizza. This will be the second Jersey Mike’s in Rockville, following a three-year-old location at Wintergreen Plaza. Opening date TBD.

Eyeland/Luxoptics

Potomac Paddlesports floats out of the Village

Potomac Paddlesports has closed up shop in Potomac Village. After several years selling watersports gear in the mini-mall at the Potomac Promenade shopping center, owner Sunny Pitcher says he wants to focus on his core business of kayak lessons and excursions.

Wink Eyecare
Realtor Jacqueline Band-Olinger of Greystone Realty
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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

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

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Two new restaurants for Rockville

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

1-800-GOT-JUNK
Shin Orthodontics
Lucky Strike Bethesda

FREE bowling at Lucky Strike

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

Pike Kitchen

Make a date for Urban Plates

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

Germantown Moving & Storage

Potomac boutique to close its doors

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

Scout & Molly's
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New restaurant for Westfield Montgomery, Sugo’s secret chef, new picks on the Pike

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New restaurant for Westfield Montgomery

Big news for the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery mall: Urban Plates, a modern take on the classic cafeteria, is taking over the empty Naples space with plans to open next year. The California-based chain offers a variety of chef-driven food stations, allowing customers to choose from freshly tossed salads and bowls, hand-carved sandwiches, side dishes and scratch-made desserts. Foodies should be happy with this place, where the beef is grass-fed, the chicken free-range, the seafood sustainably sourced and the produce mostly local. Want a peek at the menu? Click here or head over to Tysons Galleria, where Urban Plates will open in mid-July. Want to know what other restaurants are on the way to the mall? Click here.

1-800-GOT-JUNK
Wintergreen Plaza
Sugo at Park Potomac

Sugo’s secret chef

New talent in the kitchen this summer at Sugo: Sasha Felikson, a respected young chef who has worked at top D.C.-area restaurants from CityZen to Minibar, has been quietly revamping dishes at the Park Potomac eatery. Felikson, known for his adventurous choices, has been raising the bar at Sugo with new additions like small-batch mozzarella cheese and homemade pastas. (The crab gnocchi is a knockout). He’s now working on recipes for Julii, the new venture from the founders of Sugo and Cava, where he’ll be running the kitchen when doors open this fall at Pike & Rose. The Julii menu will be French-Mediterranean, with a few surprises. (Ever seen ice cream prepared tableside? Felikson tells us he’s working on it. Stay tuned.)

Central Farm Market
Scout & Molly's
CAVA, Honeygrow, Slapfish and Five Guys at Montrose Crossing 2

New picks on the Pike

The summer outdoor dining scene is starting to shape up at Montrose Crossing, with three new restaurants already open and two more nearing completion. Slapfish and Five Guys will soon join Cava and Honeygrow at the center’s new restaurant row, while Honey Pig Korean BBQ is now open near Old Navy. What’s missing from the lineup? Pieology. The make-your-own pizza chain has dropped out of the project, and we’re still waiting to hear who will fill the last few spaces. As soon as we know, you’ll know.

Launch Trampoline Park
Up Top Acres at Pike & Rose

Rooftop crops at Pike & Rose

Remember the rooftop farm at Pike & Rose that we told you about last January? The first summer is off to a good start, with 17,000 square feet of crops including greens, root vegetables, herbs, tomatoes and peppers. Up Top Acres is overseeing the farm, which is said to be the largest of its kind in the Washington metro area. The food is being distributed to Pike & Rose restaurants, farm share members (maxed out for this year) and customers at the Saturday farm markets. For more info on Up Top Acres, click here.

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

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Slapfish on the way to Rockville

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

Wintergreen Plaza
1-800-GOT-JUNK
Gym & Tonic

New boutique for Park Potomac

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

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

Revamp for Rio’s movie theater

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

Fallsgrove Orthodontic Center
Wildwood Summer Sidewalk Sale

Summer kickoff at Wildwood this weekend

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

The Halal Guys, lobster grilled cheese, more changes at the mall

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Hello Halal Guys

Feb. 16th is opening day for The Halal Guys at Wintergreen Plaza, the first Maryland location for a business that started on the streets of New York City. The menu features chicken, beef and falafel dishes in platter or gyro form, topped with hot sauce or the restaurant’s signature white sauce. “We’re bringing the original New York food cart inside,” says Tony Pizzola, director of franchise operations. The Halal Guys will be open for lunch and dinner in the former Rocklands Barbecue space, with seating for 20 people and prices around $10. Catering will be added in the weeks to come, as well as delivery via Uber Eats and other services. To check out the menu, click here.

Grilled Oyster

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Clobster Grilled Cheese from Slapfish

Slapfish makes a splash

What’s this, you ask? Meet the Clobster, a crab/lobster mashup squeezed into a grilled cheese sandwich. It’s one of the signature items at Slapfish, the fast-casual restaurant we told you about last week that’s on the way to Montrose Crossing. Pricing is mostly in the $7 to $15 range for items like shrimp ceviche, lobster grinders, baja mahi sandwiches and surf-n-turf lobster burgers; beer and wine will also be served. Jon Friedlander and Mike Burke, local franchisees for the California-based concept, say they’re planning a rapid expansion in the D.C. area. The Rockville location, next to the new Honeygrow along Rockville Pike, is scheduled to open in June. For a preview of the menu, click here.

Wintergreen Plaza
Apple and Macy's wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall

More mall moves

Still more vacancies to report this week in the Macy’s wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Teavana has closed its doors — part of a nationwide shutdown of the Starbucks-owned chain — and the imminent departure of Solstice will leave three empty spaces directly across from the Apple store. The storefront right next door to Apple also emptied out this week as clothing boutique Patrizia Luca Milano relocated to the Nordstrom wing. Who’s taking its spot? An Invisalign dental center. For a look at what else is coming to the mall in the next few months, click here.

2017 Kaufmann Jewelers Valentine's Day ad 1200
Supermarket cart with tomatoes

New market for Rockville

Coming this spring to the Woodley Gardens shopping center in Rockville: Corner Market and Pharmacy, a locally owned grocery featuring on-site medical services and home delivery of your meds. The store is a new venture from the owners of Chevy Chase Supermarket, which is closing its doors after 60 years to make way for new construction in that area. Corner Market is scheduled to open in April at Woodley Gardens, best known as the home of Carmen’s Italian Ice and Hard Times Cafe.

Bethesda Central Farm Markets
Car crashes into Fresh Baguette bakery

Car trouble for Rockville bakery

This past Wednesday morning — one of those snowless snow days for Montgomery County Public Schools — a car apparently slid on the ice and crashed through a window of the Fresh Baguette bakery on Hungerford Drive. There was a similar incident last December at Rockville’s Kielbasa Factory, which is just now getting ready to reopen after nearly two months of repairs. But things went more smoothly at the bakery this week, where the owner offered the unharmed driver a cup of coffee and graciously made some jokes about drive-through service. The damage was patched temporarily, and Fresh Baguette was back in business a few hours later. For a video of the incident, click here for a report from Fox 5.

Lolly's Locks
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