Store Reporter

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

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Attman’s relocates, handmade ice cream, bye bye Beefsteak and the Microsoft Store

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Attman's seals the deal at Park Potomac

Say hello to the new home of Attman’s Deli. After three months of negotiations — and just weeks after the closing of Rockville’s Bagel City — the Baltimore-based eatery has signed a lease to take over the onetime Zoës Kitchen space at Park Potomac. Owner Marc Attman, who closed his Cabin John Village location last March, says he’s not concerned about competition from the neighboring Brooklyn’s Deli. “My family has always been surrounded by delis,” Attman says. “Some like vanilla and some like chocolate. I wanted to be near the people who already like us.” Attman is remodeling the Zoës space and adding a generous outdoor seating area, along with an expanded catering operation run by local deli maven Sam Lerner. He says everything will be kicked up a notch at Park Potomac: The sandwiches will be larger, the bagels will be made in-house, the smoked fish will come from New York, and the meats will be brined at the original Attman’s in Baltimore. The menu also will be expanded to include ice cream, gelato and specialty coffees. And Attman says delivery will be handled by his own employees, not third-party apps. “If someone is coming to your door, it will be our people wearing a uniform with gloves. That will give everyone peace of mind.”

Lisa Nasar
Freeman's

Window closes on the Microsoft store

More businesses have returned to Westfield Montgomery since the mall reopened last week, but the Microsoft store won’t be among them. The tech giant has decided to shut down all its retail locations, which offered hands-on demos of Xboxes, Surface tablets and the rest of the Microsoft universe. As we reported last week, a number of stores won’t be returning to the mall; so far, that list include Steve Madden, Bose, Everything But Water and The Art of Shaving. Meanwhile, one new store joined the lineup this week: BeautyBoss, in the old Kneipp space near Macy’s Home, offers permanent makeup and lash extensions. For an update on the mall’s dining scene, read on.

Game Gym

Bye bye Beefsteak

Beefsteak, the veggie-centric restaurant from José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup, will not be reopening at Westfield Montgomery mall. In the continuing fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, the company has decided to permanently shutter all D.C.-area Beefsteak restaurants except the one at Foggy Bottom. This makes two confirmed departures from the Dining Terrace since the mall reopened, following last weekend’s closing of the Indian restaurant Mirch Masala. National chains like Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Cold Stone Creamery and Kung Fu Tea are all back in business at the Dining Terrace, but most of the locally owned restaurants remained closed this week and seating is still off limits. Stay tuned to Store Reporter as we find out who else is coming back… and who isn’t.

Wintergreen Plaza

New scoops for Wildwood

Opening in late summer at the Wildwood shopping center: Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream & Treats, a small-batch scoop shop featuring one-of-a-kind flavors like Lavender Honey, Key West Key Lime Pie, Dark & Stormy Rum Raisin, Cherry Blossom Festival and Black Sesame Snickerdoodle. Also: custom cakes and pies, milkshakes, floats, boozy ice cream and fresh-baked cookie ice cream sandwiches. This will be the second location for Sarah’s, a local business that launched last year at Bethesda’s Kenwood Station shopping center. You’ll find it next to the still-closed Le Pain Quotidien, which might not ever reopen. (More on that in our May 28th edition.)

Grilled Oyster

The Store Reporter Guide

A weekly guide sponsored by some of our favorite locally owned stores, restaurants and service businesses.

 

FOOD, DRINKS & MEAL DEALS

 

  • BROOKLYN’S DELI, homemade meats, soups & sandwiches at Potomac Woods Plaza, 1089 Seven Locks Road. Try our corned beef, hand-carved pastrami, brisket, nova, chopped liver, pancakes from scratch, cheese blintzes & more — plus artisan bagels from Bethesda Bagels. Phone: (301) 340-3354. Open daily for carry-out, catering & patio dining. Menu: brooklynsdelimd.com.

 

  • GREGORIO’S TRATTORIA, Italian favorites at Cabin John Village, 7745 Tuckerman Lane. Outdoor seating & limited indoor seating now open for lunch & dinner, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. We also offer curbside pickup, pay by phone & contact-free delivery. Full menu and weekly specials, plus 1/2 off all wine, beer & cocktails. Phone: (301) 296-6168. Menu: gregoriostrattoria.com.

 

  • GYROLAND casual Greek food, cooked fresh seven days a week. 1701 Rockville Pike in the Shops at Congressional Village, right under the Verizon store. Dine-in service, cashless transactions only. Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 11 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Pork, chicken, beef and lamb gyros, plus mixed grill and vegetarian options. Free delivery in a five-mile radius with $30 minimum. 1/2 off all wine with your order. Call us: (301) 816-7829. Menu: gyroland.com.

 

  • HUNTER’S BAR AND GRILL, the “Cheers” of Potomac. 10123 River Road. Phone: (301) 299-9300. Open for lunch, dinner and gift card sales. Half-priced bottles of wine with food purchase. Delivery through DoorDash and GrubHub, choose no-contact curbside carryout, or enjoy our patio for outdoor dining plus limited seating indoors. Reservations recommended. Check Facebook for daily specials. Menu: huntersbarandgrill.com

 

  • LAHINCH TAVERN AND GRILL, regional American cuisine at Cabin John Village. New menu featuring split grilled bangers, Guinness-battered fish & chips, corned beef & cabbage, shepherd’s pie, chops, steaks & sandwiches. Discounted beer and wine to go. Delivery, carry-out, curbside pickup or enjoy outdoor dining in our new socially distanced patio & have a cocktail at our new outdoor bar. Call: (240) 499-8922. Menu: lahinchtavernandgrill.com.

 

 

  • MOBY DICK KABOBS, Persian cooking on the go. Multiple locations in Maryland & the DMV. Our family platters feed 3-4 people starting at $36.99 or 5-6 people starting at $63. Check out daily specials like khoresht gheymeh (yellow split-pea soup with beef) on Wednesdays & ghormeh sabzi (herb stew) on Fridays. All locations open for carry-out, delivery, curbside pickup & limited indoor seating, plus outdoor dining at Fallsgrove. Potomac phone: (240) 660-2626. Rockville phone: (301) 738-0005. Menu: mobyskabob.com.

 

  • MOSAIC CUISINE, modern French cooking in Rockville. Freshly reopened for curbside pickup at 186 Halpine Road or delivery with Grubhub. Also offering outdoor dining plus limited seating in our newly redesigned dining room. Offering your favorite waffles, beef bourguignon, two-course family meals for four starting at $58, and much more. Order online or by phone: (301) 468-0682. Menu: mosaiccuisine.com.

 

  • MYKONOS GRILL, fine Greek dining in Rockville. 121 Congressional Lane. Outdoor patio, plus limited indoor dining & carry-out from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Reservations strongly recommended. Cashless transactions only. Free delivery in a five-mile radius with $50 minimum, or use the major delivery apps. Try our branzino, octopus, lamb chops & vegetarian platters. Ask about our daily specials. 1/2 off wine bottles with carry-out. Call (301) 770-5999. Menu: mykonosgrill.com.

 

  • NORMANDIE FARM, pop on over for fine cooking in the heart of Potomac, 10710 Falls Road. Outdoor patio now open, plus limited indoor seating. Full menu service, fine wines & spirits, live music Thursday-Sunday evenings, and of course our famous popovers. Also open for carry-out service. Phone: (301) 983-8838. Menu: popovers.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. Chevy Chase location: (301) 951-1127. Offering contact-free delivery, curbside pickup & takeout. Sister company Bagels & Grinds also offering bagels, lox & cream cheese pickup in Potomac on Saturday mornings. Menu: potomacpizza.com.

 

  • QUARTERMAINE COFFEE ROASTERS, locally roasted fresh coffee. Bethesda store open 6 a.m.-3 p.m. daily with drinks, beans & pastries. Use the Quartermaine app or call (301) 718-2853. Also: $5 flat-rate shipping with $30 minimum for beans shipped to your door. Click on the person next to the shopping cart at www.quartermaine.com.

 

  • SISTERS THAI POTOMAC, Asian & Thai cuisine + desserts. Pickup at Cabin John Village, 7995 Tuckerman Lane. Specialties like chicken satay, larb gai, pad thai, drunken noodles, curry dishes & more. Phone: (301)299-4157. Free no-contact delivery with $30 to $40 minimum order. Menu: sistersthaicabinjohn.com.

 

 

SHOP LOCAL

 

  • AUSTYN PARKER, fun jewelry for kids & cute clothes for moms. For kids: Make-your-own jewelry kits & online parties where everyone works on a project together. For moms: We’ve got your favorite brands like LNA, Monrow, Perfect White Tee, Generation Love, Chrldr & Comune. Shop Facebook or Shop Instagram. For gift ideas, party planning & what’s in stock, call us: (301) 706-8122 or email us: randi@austynparker.com.

 

  • GYM & TONIC, luxury athleisure apparel, now in the comfort of your own home. DM us for virtual shopping appointments and delivery in the DMV. Don’t forget to ask about our cute masks with filters. Shop @lovegymandtonic on Instagram. Email us: wendyamy18@gmail.com. Call us: (301) 340-8800. Text us: (202) 744-0169.

 

  • HANNA’S CONNECTION clothing boutique, now open at the Cabin John mini-mall. Fully stocked with new styles to fit your lifestyle, free designer face masks with your purchase. Call for a safe, sanitized one-on-one shopping appointment. We still offer virtual shopping and online orders with free limited delivery. Curbside pickup & shipping on orders over $50. Call us: (301) 704-0264. Shop Facebook or Shop Instagram.

 

  • JOYFUL BATH CO., natural handmade bath and body care products for spa & wellness at home. 5534 Wilkins Ct., North Bethesda. Soaps, shower steamers, bath bombs, hemp ultra therapy, soy candles, Turkish towels & gift sets plus our own citric acid surface cleaner. Open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call (301) 986-5320 or order online for shipping or curbside pickup: joyfulbathco.com.

 

  • KAREN’S ROCKS AND RAGS, new & gently used women’s boutique with on-trend, affordable clothing & accessories. 212 Main Street, Gaithersburg. We’re only accepting gently used Lululemon, Golden Goose & luxury designer bags on consignment for a 50/50 split. Check out our $10 face masks, $10 racks & 20% off racks. Open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Shop Facebook. Shop Instagram. Phone: (240) 631-2565. eBay store: ebay.com/str/karensrocksandrags.

 

  • ON CLOUD 9, trendy boutique for babies, girls and adults. Now open at Potomac Woods Plaza, 1085 Seven Locks Road. We have your favorite brands like Hard Tail, Katie J NYC, Vintage Havana, Ocean Drive, Suzette & Dori, plus masks in stock for ages 3 to adult. We’re still offering virtual shopping, online orders & curbside pickup, plus private shopping appointments. Call (301) 251-1331 or email oncloud9potomac@gmail.com. Shop Facebook or Shop Instagram.

 

  • R BOUTIQUE, a sophisticated & cute clothing store, soon to reopen inside Art & Chemistry by Diego at Downtown Crown. Fully stocked with clothing, jewelry & stylish masks. Tons of casual wear, tie-dye sets, shorts, tank tops, sandals & sneakers. Now offering curbside pickup and free delivery within a 10-mile radius. Shop Facebook. Shop Instagram. Or call Rayna Badwey Matz for a Facebook shopping appointment, (301) 943-2000. To purchase masks, visit rboutique.shop.

 

 

 

 

FOR THE KIDS

 

 

  • INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC, now offering online music lessons. All ages and levels, multiple platforms including Skype, FaceTime and Zoom. Take the next step on your musical journey. Call (301) 365-5888 or visit our website: ismw.org.

 

  • MY GYM POTOMAC & MY GYM BETHESDA, now offering our awesome fitness & fun classes outdoors in Potomac. Small groups and age-appropriate classes allow us to run around with our friends and still social distance. Also introducing our new dance and yoga classes outside! We are still offering interactive live Zoom classes and Zoom birthday parties. More info: mygym.com/potomac.

 

  • SUNNYDYES AT HOME, mobile tie-dye parties for kids & adults. Let us host an event in your backyard or other open space. You pick the project, we’ll bring the tie-dye and all the supplies. Great for kids’ birthdays, adult happy hours & all kinds of special events. Instagram: @sunnydyesathome. For info, call (301) 461-6400 or email sunnydyesinfo@gmail.com.

 

CELEBRATIONS

 

  • CARD MY YARD POTOMAC is the premier yard greeting sign rental service, specializing in making your BIG day even BIGGER. Birthdays, anniversaries, babies or just because, Card My Yard will make it special! Locally owned and family-operated. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram. Email us: potomac@cardmyyard.com. Call us: (301) 908-3616. Book your greeting at cardmyyard.com.

 

  • CELEBRATIONSTOYOU, a comprehensive suite of services to enhance your next virtual or live event. Great for weddings, b’nai mitzvahs, birthdays & more. We offer everything from graphic design, video production and video call support to milestone keepsakes and larger-than-life yard signs by our Partyscapes division. 100% contact-less service. Instagram: geoffchesmanvisuals/ and partyscapesdc/ Email us: info@geoffchesman.com. Call us: (855) 369-5904. Website: celebrationstoyou.com.

 

  • FLASHBACK FILMS, photo & video montages for your special occasion — whether in-person or virtual. Professional montages at affordable prices for all your important milestones: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, mitzvahs & more. We’re a locally based, student-run company and will work within your budget. Send us your photos and we’ll do the rest. Visit us on Instagram. For video samples & pricing, email flashbackfilms123@gmail.com.

 

  • LILAC, special occasion wear for girls, tweens & teens. We have the perfect outfits for graduations, cotillion, bar & bat mitzvahs (both service & party) and other special occasions. Plan for your fall events now; private shopping appointments are available throughout the summer. We also have fashionable face masks for kids & adults! Find us on Instagram (@lilacgirlshop) and Facebook (@shoplilacgirl). For more info, email sales@shoplilacgirl.com.

 

FURNITURE, ART & COLLECTIBLES

 

  • FREEMAN’S AUCTION, America’s oldest auction house, established in 1805. Potomac-based rep Debrah Dunner will help you consign fine art including modern & contemporary art, jewelry, 20th Century design & more. Virtual appointments, free auction estimates, easy no-contact pickup of your goods. For more info, call (301) 738-0347 or email ddunner@freemansauction.com.

 

  • ISI FURNISH, lightly used furnishings & decor at a fraction of the cost. Our white-glove service makes it easy to sell your fine furniture discreetly & professionally. If you’re looking to buy, we offer a wide range of affordable luxury furnishings to match your design and budget.  Call us: (971) 337-4403. Shop with us for new items every week: isifurnish.com.

 

HOME SERVICES

 

  • ISOLDIT, the easy way to turn your stuff into cash. We do the work, you cash the check. Get top dollar for your unwanted electronics, music equipment, jewelry, collectibles & furniture. Looking to reduce equipment or inventory for your business? We can help. Call us: (301) 990-2040. Email us: info@isolditmd.com. Safety is our priority — no contact, no worries. More info: www.isolditmd.com.

 

  • JIMMY GUSKY HEATING & AIR, one-stop shop for heating, air conditioning, plumbing and ductwork, serving Rockville & the D.C. area. We always give you an honest opinion and transparent pricing, making repairs when we can and helping you decide when replacement is the better option. Have an emergency? We’re available 24/7. Call (301) 327-7306 or click here.

 

  • MIKE’S LOCKSMITH & SECURITY, offering lock repair and replacement, keyless & touchpad systems plus door hardware, high-security keys and mailbox lockdown. All work guaranteed as long as you own your home. For after-hour emergencies or regular appointments, call (240) 506-7500. For more information, email mike@mikes-locksmith.com or click here.

 

  • NORMANDY CARPET, excellence in carpet, rug & upholstery cleaning & installation. We’re essential & here to serve you. Spilled wine on your carpet? Dog peed in the house? Flooding from the rain? We follow CDC safety guidelines, and our cleaning method removes dangerous viruses & bacteria. Call (301) 741-2005 or email info@normandycarpet.com. More info: www.normandycarpet.com.

 

  • TOWN & COUNTRY MOVERS, family-owned moving and storage company, based in Gaithersburg and serving the DMV since 1977. We handle local, long-distance and international relocations, as well as short-term and long-term storage solutions. Our staging division works with local realtors to enhance listings and improve home sales. Call (301) 670-4600 or click here.

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

 

  • SHIN ORTHODONTICS  — Drs. Debra and Richard Shin believe everyone should be able to afford an amazing smile. We offer Invisalign and Invisalign Teen, clear braces or traditional metal braces, and lingual braces. All PPO insurance plans accepted. Free consultations and custom financial plans with no large payments or hidden fees. Cabin John mini-mall and 4701 Randolph Road in Rockville. Call 301-770-7770 or click here.

 

  • TAFF & LEVINE D.D.S. provides state-of-the-art dental treatment in a relaxing atmosphere surrounded by caring doctors and staff. No insurance? No problem! Join our V.I.P. dental plan, pay one monthly fee for free hygiene appointments and 10% off all other dental procedures. 7811 Montrose Road in Potomac. Call 301-530-3717 or click here.
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Latest peek at Sisters Thai, first look at Fogo de Chão, last chance for The Big Greek giveaway

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Sister Thai is looking good

Looks like we’re still a couple of weeks away from the opening of Sisters Thai at Cabin John Village. (Revisions to be made, inspections to be done, yada yada yada.) Anyway, we’ve got up-to-date photos of what’s going on inside. From the marquee-style Magnolia bakery sign to the Instagrammable bathrooms, the whole place is a treat for the eyes. To see for yourself, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

The Grilled Oyster Co.
Realtor Mimi Arnold of Century 21 Redwood Realty

Time to chow at Fogo de Chão

This week we took a preview tour of Fogo de Chão, the Brazilian steakhouse that will open June 24th at Pike & Rose. The showpiece of the menu is the “Fogo Churrasco Experience,” featuring unlimited meats sliced at your table along with cheese bread, polenta, mashed potatoes, caramelized bananas and an all-you-can-eat spread on the center “market table.” (Price: $53.95 at dinner, $37.95 at lunch, $41.95 for weekend brunch.) For a closer look at Fogo’s posh interior, check out our photos on Facebook and Instagram.

Wink Eyecare Boutique
Realtor Eris Norman of Lee Goldstein Group

Time's almost up for The Big Greek giveaway

It’s almost prize time at The Big Greek Cafe, where one lucky customer is about to win a six-day trip for two to Athens, Greece. Brothers Nikos and Simos Marmaras, who opened the original Big Greek in Silver Spring 10 years ago, are celebrating their first decade in business with a trip giveaway. There’s still time to enter: Just visit any of Big Greek’s four locations (Silver Spring, Rockville, Kensington or Bethesda) and drop your name into the prize box before the drawing on June 22nd. For more on The Big Greek and the family that started it all, click here. For directions to all four locations, as well as weekly specials and a preview of the menu, click here.

International School of Music

Mall moves

It’s been a quiet couple of weeks at Westfield Montgomery mall, but change is on the horizon as we roll into summer. Eyebobs, Poke Papa and the Windsor clothing store all will be opening soon. Chevy Chase Acura is moving into the former Kia Stinger space, New York-based Möge Tee is moving into the former B/Bop/Q space, and Shilla Bakery is temporarily closed while a new owner takes the reins. Also: 7-Eleven is on the way. More on all the new food in an upcoming issue.

Bender JCC
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Indian food & sushi for Pike & Rose — plus bubble tea and more mall closings

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More new restaurants for Pike & Rose

Pike & Rose is adding two more restaurants to its lineup, filling the empty spots left by the recently departed La Madeleine and Carluccio’s. Moving into the former La Madeleine space on Old Georgetown Road: Commonwealth Indian, serving beer, wine and cocktails along with a selection of Indian dishes. The Carluccio’s space next to Owen’s Ordinary will be home to Kusshi Sushi and Sake Bar, a new venture from the owners of Bethesda’s Hanaro Sushi. What else is scheduled to open at Pike & Rose this year? A ramen bar called Jinya (click here for more); a Mexican restaurant called Nada (click here for more); and Julii, a new concept from the founders of CAVA (click here for more).

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Kung Fu Tea and Tutti Frutti at Pike & Rose

Kung Fu Tea kicks butt

The Tutti Frutti yogurt shop at Pike & Rose is now a Tutti Frutti/Kung Fu Tea combo. That makes three Montgomery County locations for the fast-expanding bubble tea chain, which also can be found in downtown Rockville and Westfield Montgomery Mall. A competitor, Boba Station, closed its doors at the mall last week. But another New York bubble tea chain is coming to test the waters: Gong Cha will open in Rockville this year as part of an all-Asian food court called The Spot. For more on The Spot, click here. For info on other bubble tea stores in our area, click here.

Wintergreen Plaza
M. Gemi shoe bus at Westfield Montgomery Mall

Latest exits at the mall

More changes in store at Westfield Montgomery Mall, where some of the last remaining independent retailers will be among those exiting before summer. Shafa Blends, which opened three years ago under the name Rumi Tea and Spice, has relocated to Gaithersburg. Boba Station also is out (see story above), and other longtime tenants like Solstice and Pen Boutique are getting ready to leave. Hoamgar, an Asian chain that was testing the U.S. market, will close its doors this spring. Some of those empty spaces will likely be filled with attention-getting pop-up shops — like this minivan filled with Italian shoes.

Toy Castle Lego Building Challenge
Vince & Dominic's

Vince & Dominic’s no more

See that empty space to the right of the Bubbles hair salon? That’s where the Vince & Dominic’s pizzeria used to be. Home Depot, which owns that shopping center, has torn down some of the empty storefronts to make room for more parking.

Herbert Hoover Beauty and the Beast
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Did you miss these issues?

Thai restaurant for Cabin John, Greek food for Rockville, Gringos & Mariachis arrives

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Another new restaurant for Cabin John

Sisters Thai, a hipster eatery from Fairfax, is the latest addition to the new restaurant lineup at Cabin John. The buzz on this place is quite good — not only for its food, fruit drinks and desserts, but also for its cozy “living room” atmosphere with mismatched furniture and overstuffed bookshelves. (Click here for a preview). Construction is already under way in the parking lot at Tuckerman Lane and Seven Locks Road, where Sisters will join Shake Shack, CAVAand Le Pain Quotidienfor a late 2018 debut. Cabin John, which was sold last year to the Edens development group, also is planning a name change after 50 years. Say goodbye to Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall; it’s now Cabin John Village.

Filicori Zecchini
Gringos & Mariachis

Gringos & Mariachis arrives

This week brought the long-awaited debut of Gringos & Mariachis at Park Potomac. The Mexican restaurant had been under construction seemingly forever (but really about two years) across from MoCo’s Founding Farmers and next to the new Addie’s. This is a sister to the three-year-old Gringos & Mariachis in Bethesda, serving casual food and cocktails amidst striking murals inspired by Mexican street art. Owners Roberto and Riccardo Pietrobono are also behind the popular restaurants Alatri Bros.and Olazzo. More photos on our Facebook page; click here to see them.

Park Potomac Winterwilds Market
Wildwood Shops

Welcome the holidays at Wildwood

Stop by the Wildwood Shops this Saturday (Dec. 9th) for a holiday open house featuring live music, giveaways, strolling entertainment and plenty of gift inspiration. Register to win a $100 gift card to Buredo or Balducci’s, and snag a free copper insulated travel bottle with any $150 purchase. (Redeem your receipts at Belina Boutique, Coco Blanca, Buredo, Irresistibles, Red Orchard, Secrete Fine Jewelry or Yves Delorme.) Shopping hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Wildwood Shopping Center, 10241 Old Georgetown Road. Click here for details.

Norman's Farm Market
JT Interiors

Rediscover your favorites at JT Interiors

JT Interiors closed its doors last summer, but the Potomac Village gift shop is alive and well on the Internet. All those charming holiday gifts that the store was known for –  from embroidered table runners and painted guest towels to festive candles and party accessories — are available all season at www.jtinteriorspotomac.com. Snow globes like the one shown here are $30 and up, silk scarves are available in 10 colors for $40, and lighted glass vases with winter scenes are $12 to $30. Click here to visit the JT website, or email your inquiries to hello@jtinteriorspotomac.com.

New Greek restaurant for Rockville

Gyroland, a casual spinoff of the longtime Greek restaurant Mykonos, opened its doors this week in the former Maria’s Bakeryspace in the Shops at Congressional Village, 1701 Rockville Pike. The menu features gyros, wraps, souvlaki and other Greek specialties, along with salads and the honey donuts known as loukoumades. For a peek at the menu, click here.

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Did you miss these issues?

New venture from the Cava team, new closings and our favorite restaurants for 2017

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Cava team cooks up something new for Pike & Rose

Have you been wondering what’s up with that glass-encased building across from the new L.L.Bean store on Rockville Pike? Now we know: It’s the future home of Julii, a new French Mediterranean restaurant from the founders of Cava. This will be a standalone concept created specifically for Pike & Rose, serving an all-day menu that moves from croissants and coffee in the morning to shakshouka, roast chicken and cocktails in the evening. Co-owner Ted Xenohristos tells us he hopes to open the doors by late spring or early summer.

Wintergreen Plaza
Norman's Farm Market
Toy Kingdom at Rockville Town Square

Game over for Toy Kingdom

Toy Kingdom, one of the last original tenants at Rockville Town Square, will close its doors at the end of this month after more than a decade on Maryland Avenue. Toy stores large and small have been struggling to compete with online commerce these past few years; high-end Marbles closed all its stores last winter (including the one at Westfield Montgomery Mall), while Toys R Us filed Chapter 11 this past fall. In our area, Toy Castle in Potomac and Child’s Play in Rockville are now the only two toy stores left standing.

O'Donnell's Market Wednesday Meal Deals
Helen's holiday sign

Trouble for Helen’s

Helen’s, which opened last year in the former Addie’sspace on Rockville Pike, is struggling to stay in business. Owner Helen Wasserman, a longtime D.C. caterer, says it’s been difficult to turn a profit in an aging building that has needed so many repairs. “We’re hoping to stay open if we can work things out with the landlord,” she says. The building’s former tenants, restaurateurs Jeff and Barbara Black, had similar issues that led them to close the original Addie’s in 2013. They recently debuted a new version at Park Potomac — and it’s one of our Store Reporter Favoritesfor 2017. Scroll down to find out who else made the list.

Realtor Lisa Nasar of Long & Foster
Shanghai Bao Kitchen

Another restaurant closes at the mall

Westfield Montgomery Mall lost another eatery last week with the closing of Shanghai Bao Kitchen, a two-year-old concept from the owners of Bob’s Shanghai 66. The restaurant had made several attempts to revamp its menu in the past few months, adding sushi burritos, poke bowls and other trendy items, but it suffered from its out-of-the-way location plus competition from the neighboring B/Bop/Q.

Park Potomac Winterwilds Market

Our favorite new restaurants of 2017

This has been a tough year for retailers, but a relatively good one for the local dining scene. From Rockville Pike to Potomac to Westfield Montgomery Mall, some terrific new places have opened over the past 12 months. Here’s a look at some of our favorites.

  • Addie’s at Park Potomac: This reincarnation of the beloved Rockville restaurant was one of the most anticipated openings of the year — and many longtime fans say it was worth the wait. Seafood towers are the centerpiece of the high-end menu. Click here for details.
  • Buredo at the Wildwood Shops: This is the first Maryland location for the D.C.-based chain, an early pioneer of the sushi burrito craze. We’re partial to the Beatrix, stuffed with yellowfin tuna and salmon sashimi. Click here for details.
  • CSNY Pizza on Rockville Pike: From the owners of the much-loved Pizza CS, this is about as close as you can get to authentic New York-style pizza in Rockville. Click here for details.
  • Don Pollo at Westlake Crossing: Come for the juicy roasted chicken, stay for the tasty Peruvian dishes. We particularly like the ceviche, yuca and plantains. Click here for more.
  • Filicori Zecchini at Park Potomac: Finally, a neighborhood coffee shop that Potomac can call its own. With sleek European furniture, a stunning copper bar and authentic Italian coffee, it’s worlds away from Starbucks. Click here for more.
  • Honeyfish Poke at Congressional Plaza: Hawaiian-style poke bowls are all the rage, and this place does it right: generous portions, fresh toppings and flavorful sauces. Click here for details.
  • Fresh Baguette on Hungerford Drive: The second location for this popular French bakery is designed to service wholesale clients (think country clubs and ritzy hotels) but is happy to serve you a super-fresh sandwich, a loaf of bread or a single perfect pastry. Click here for more.
  • Gusto Farm to Street at Westfield Montgomery Mall: The pizzas and salads are all very good, but it’s the chewy, gluten-free cauliflower crust that really sets this place apart. Click here for more.
  • Lucky Strike at Westfield Montgomery Mall: The food is surprisingly good at this snazzy bowling alley, where you can sit front-and-center at the sports bar or huddle in a cozy corner for a quiet board game. Click here for more.
  • Mission BBQ at Wintergreen Plaza: This uber-patriotic restaurant has something of a cult following, both for its top-notch barbecue and its dedication to supporting those in uniform. The brisket is a standout. Click here for more.
  • Moby Dick in Potomac Village: A welcome addition to this restaurant-starved neighborhood, offering a reliable Middle Eastern menu that’s well-suited for takeout. Click here for more.
  • Pinstripes at Pike & Rose: Bocce and bowling aren’t the only reasons to visit: The dishes here are among the tastiest we’ve had this year in North Bethesda. Don’t miss the boneless short rib and the crispy calamari. Click here for more.

Halal Guys in, Rocklands and Emily Grace out — plus Nordstrom’s latest denim debacle

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Pita platters from The Halal Guys

 

Halal this fall

Opening this fall at Wintergreen Plaza on Rockville Pike: The Halal Guys, a brick-and-mortar version of the New York City food cart business with the crazy-long lines. What’s on the menu? Beef and chicken gyros served with pita or basmati rice, plus sides of hummus, baba ganouj, falafel and fries. “Our secret is our white sauce — not the typical tzatziki with cucumber — which puts everything together really well,” says Maryland franchisee Rabi Ullah. He’s also opening a location in College Park, with plans for further expansion statewide (click here for the menu). The Halal Guys replaces Rocklands Barbecue and Grilling Company, which has exited Wintergreen Plaza now that Mission BBQ is open.

 

 

On Cloud 9 camp show: https://www.facebook.com/On-Cloud-9-252148152907/?ref=br_rs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emily Grace at Park Potomac

 

Goodbye Emily Grace

Emily Grace, one of the original tenants at Park Potomac, closed its doors this week after seven years in business. The boutique specialized in high-end fashions from lines like Vince, Michael Lauren, Joie and AG Jeans. Park Potomac, which will be buzzing this summer with the debut of three new restaurants, is already talking to replacement tenants.

 

 

 

 

 

AMP by Strathmore: https://www.ampbystrathmore.com/?utm_source=Store%20Reporter&utm_medium=Banner&utm_content=AMP%20Come%20Together

 

 

Fire pit from Offenbachers

 

Offenbachers returns to Rockville

Offenbachers, the D.C.-area retail chain that closed its doors last winter, is making a comeback of sorts in Rockville. Home Escapes, a 30-year-old retailer from Virginia, has purchased the Offenbachers name and opened a showroom just around the corner from its former home on Nicholson Lane. The store carries a similar assortment of hot tubs, spas, outdoor furniture, fire pits and pool tables, but the original Offenbachers team is not involved with this venture. Click here to check out the inventory.

 

 

Park Potomac Spring Festival: https://www.facebook.com/events/1799339983727011/

 

 

 

JT Interiors Mother's Day Tea Tasting: https://www.facebook.com/jtinteriorspotomac/

 

 

 

Strathmore in North Bethesda

 

Who won our tickets for Rent stars at Strathmore?

Congratulations to Store Reporter readers Dara Baylinson and Gail Hyman, who each won a pair of tickets to see original Rent stars Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp at Strathmore in North Bethesda. Strathmore’s spring/summer schedule also includes appearances by Tony Bennett, Audra McDonald, Gladys Knight and the creators of the Serial podcast. Click here to check it out.

 

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For information about a discount at Regency Estates Swim Club, email publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

 

"Muddy" jeans at Nordstrom

 

Fashion fails: muddy jeans and washable cashmere

Just a few weeks after we told you about that regrettable “mom jeans with windows” incident (click for details) comes news of yet another Nordstrom denim debacle. This time the retailer has been universally shamed for its $425 “heavily distressed” Barracuda jeans. Apparently, “heavily distressed” in Nordstrom-talk means “covered in fake mud.” In other fashion fails this week, washable cashmere company Kit and Ace announced the closing of all its U.S. stores including the one in downtown Bethesda. Kit and Ace was the brainchild of ousted Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, who once helped kick off the athleisure clothing trend. This time around, Wilson apparently overestimated the public’s appetite for $398 turtlenecks.

 

 

Lavaloka workout clothes: https://lavaloka.com

 

 

 

For news and advertising questions, email publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

 

Modern Market eyes Fallsgrove, new tenant for American Tap Room, goodbye Ten Thousand Villages

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Modern Market at Congressional Plaza

 

Modern Market heading to Fallsgrove?

It’s not a done deal yet, but we’re hearing that Modern Market will soon announce plans for a second Rockville restaurant at the Fallsgrove Village Center off Shady Grove Road. The chain made its D.C.-area debut last summer in downtown Bethesda, followed in December by a second location at Rockville’s Congressional Plaza and just this week by a third location in Washington. Modern Market, based in health-conscious Boulder, CO, has earned an avid following for its super-fresh menu (click here), detailed nutritional information, and willingness to accommodate a variety of specialized diets. (At Fallsgrove, though, we might just be tempted to top off all that healthy eating with a hot Krispy Kreme.)

 

 

Sculpt Studio: http://sculptstudio.com

 

 

 

 

New successor for American Tap Room

Six weeks after the closing of Rockville’s American Tap Room, a new restaurant has leased the space with plans to open this summer. Pandora Seafood Restaurant and Bar is a new venture from the owners of China Garden, a longtime fixture in Rosslyn, VA, that’s known for hosting large events. China Garden recently announced plans to close at the end of July, just when this new restaurant is expected to open.

 

 

Catering at Duck Donuts: https://duckdonuts.com/locations/rockville-md/

 

 

 

 

Goodbye Ten Thousand Villages

Ten Thousand Villages, which sells crafts made by artisans in developing countries, will close its Bethesda and Rockville stores this spring. The company is trimming down “in response to a changing retail environment,” says spokesman Juanita Fox, but will continue to operate stores in Baltimore and Old Town Alexandria. The 11-year-old location at Rockville Town Square is scheduled to exit March 25, followed shortly afterwards by the Bethesda store on Elm Street. If you’re a fan of Ten Thousand Villages and its global mission, you can still shop the website by clicking here.

 

 

Tips on Trips & Camps Summer Opportunities Fair: https://tipsontripsandcamps.com/dc/

 

 

 

Silver Moon Valentine's Day jewelry 2017

 

Valentine’s Day gifts at Silver Moon

Valentine’s Day is approaching fast, and the Silver Moon gift shop at Congressional Plaza (formerly known as Tiara) is brimming with heart-shaped jewelry from Pandora. Shown here: sterling silver earring and necklace set for $125; pavé heart bracelet with love charm and silver clips for $195; and the “Love Struck” charm gift set for $65. All three come complete with lovely red gift boxes. Silver Moon Jewelry & Accessories, Congressional Plaza, 1659 Rockville Pike. Call 301-468-1122 or visit www.silvermoonstyle.com.

 

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Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

More post-holiday closings at the mall

More closings to report this week at Westfield Montgomery Mall, where January always brings a slew of departures but this year was particularly rough. Best Buy Mobile and Wetzel’s Pretzels are the latest tenants to leave, joining a list that now includes Naples Ristorante, The Limited, Peet’s Coffee, R. Riveter, Smart Toys, American Classic Clothes and Freddy. American Apparel, which recently declared bankruptcy, is also on its way out. But February will bring some fresh tenants into the mix, with Lucky Strike Social and Nespresso both expected to open in the next few weeks. For details on all the recent closings, catch up on our past issues at www.storereporter.com.

 

 

Email questions to: publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

New pizza in Rockville, a closing at Pike & Rose, and which stores didn’t survive the holidays

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Pizza from Pizza CS

 

New pizza on the Pike

Pizza CS, the Rockville restaurant known for its authentic Neapolitan-style pies, is venturing into new territory for its upcoming second location at Edmonston Crossing on the Pike. “The menu will focus on 18-inch New York-style pizzas with a thin crust,” says co-owner Ankur Rajpara. “We’ll also do subs, wings, and a pan-baked pizza called Sicilian. And we may do the ‘grandma-style’ pizza, which is a thin-crust Sicilian that’s native to Brooklyn and Long Island.” The new restaurant will offer takeout and delivery only, in contrast with its sit-down older sister at the Twinbrook Metro Center. Both restaurants will have fresh competition from Pie 360, a make-your-own pizza place that just opened on the ground floor of the Galvan at Twinbrook complex.

 

 

Wintergreen Plaza: http://www.wintergreenplaza.com

 

 

 

R. Riveter store at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Three stores out at Westfield Montgomery Mall

This week we say goodbye to three stores at Westfield Montgomery Mall that didn’t survive the holidays. First to exit was The Limited, which is closing stores across the country as it prepares to file for bankruptcy. Also out is Smart Toys, a longtime tenant that doubled as Halloween Adventure every fall. And R. Riveter, a Shark Tank-backed business featuring handbags sewn by military spouses, has closed its doors after a short run in the former Eileen Fisher space. Even though the concept didn’t appear to catch on with shoppers at Westfield Montgomery, R. Riveter tells us it’s looking to open other pop-up stores in the D.C. area.

 

 

Duck Donuts in Gaithersburg and Rockville: https://duckdonuts.com/locations/rockville-md/

 

 

 

Macy's store interior entrance, Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Macy’s, Sears and Aéropostale will stay at the mall

This week Macy’s and Sears released their lists of stores that will be closing nationwide. As you might have guessed, the Macy’s and Macy’s Home stores at Westfield Montgomery Mall will not be among the casualties. Neither will the mall’s Sears store, despite its increasingly incongruent presence as Westfield Montgomery moves in a more upscale direction. Also staying put is the teen store Aéropostale, which survived a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and is finally taking down those “Store Closing” signs that were plastered on its windows for months.

 

 

Potomac Lice Lady: http://www.potomaclicelady.com

 

 

 

Yogaso at Pike & Rose

 

Kids’ boutique exits Pike & Rose

Yogaso, a children’s store that was among the first tenants to open at Pike & Rose, will close its doors next week to focus on Internet sales. “We thought it would be great to have a brick-and-mortar store so people could see, feel and touch our products,” says owner Alem Beshir, who carries clothing, toys and accessories from around the world. But with web traffic outpacing foot traffic in her second year of business, Beshir decided to focus on her website with occasional local pop-up shows. Yogaso fans can continue to shop the line at www.yogaso.com.

 

 

For news and advertising questions, email publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

 

Goodbye Timpano, Sports Authority successor, American Tap Room taps out

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Timpano on Rockville Pike

 

Timpano closes, Sports Authority space is filled

The new year will bring some big changes to the Montrose Crossing shopping center on Rockville Pike. Timpano Italian Chophouse, a fixture in the area for more than two decades, is exiting to make room for some new fast-casual eateries. Timpano will close on New Year’s Eve, with demolition to follow shortly afterwards. Meanwhile, the former Sports Authority space didn’t stay empty for long: Value City Furniture, an Ohio-based chain with a growing presence in Maryland, is now under construction with plans to open early next year. For a look at the company’s merchandise, click here.

 

 

Duck Donuts now open in Gaithersburg and Rockville

 

 

 

American Tap Room at Rockville Town Square

 

American Tap Room taps out

American Tap Room closed its doors over the weekend at Rockville Town Square, joining a growing list of restaurant casualties that now includes Oro Pomodoro, Cosi, Pho & Rolls, Carbon Peruvian Chicken and 82 Steak Out in just the past two years. Execs at American Tap Room say the Rockville location was owned by a franchisee, and its closing won’t affect their other restaurants. Federal Realty, which owns Rockville Town Square, says it already has a new tenant in place but can’t share the name yet. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more.

 

 

Kaufmann Jewelers at Park Potomac: http://www.kaufmannjewelers.com

 

 

 

Kneipp bath oil set

 

German bath and body store opens at the mall

Kneipp, the newest addition at Westfield Montgomery Mall, opens its doors tomorrow (12/16) on the second level near Godiva. This is one of eight new retail stores for the German company (pronounced K-nay-p), which makes plant-based, preservative-free products for bath, body and skin care. “Until now, these products have only been available in the U.S. at little spas and apothecaries,” says regional manager Valerie Curcione. “But the customers who have found this brand are incredibly loyal to it.” For more on Kneipp and its founder, a 19th century pioneer of natural medicines, click here.

 

 

stencil-holiday-gift-pick-banner-narrow-whitePandora charms and earrings at Silver Moon, Congressional Plaza

 

Pandora jewelry at Silver Moon

The Pandora jewelry line is a perennial favorite, and Silver Moon at Congressional Plaza is a great place to shop the whole collection. The Poinsettia charm on the left, adorned with red pavé cubic zirconia, is available in limited quantities this season and priced at $75. Also popular is Pandora’s new Vintage Allure line, featuring sterling silver and pavé cubic zirconia in a striking geometric design. Silver Moon carries a Vintage Allure necklace-and-earring set for $150 and a matching bracelet in a decorative case for $195. See these pieces in person at Silver Moon Jewelry & Accessories, 1659 Rockville Pike. For details, call 301-468-1122 or click here.

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stencil-holiday-gift-pick-banner-narrow-whiteLulu DK jewelry at As Kindred Spirits: https://www.askindredspirits.com

 

A charmed gift at As Kindred Spirits

As Kindred Spirits, now open next to Nordstrom in the lower level of Westfield Montgomery Mall, is a great source for gifts that are both special and unexpected. Take this new line of gold Lulu DK charm necklaces, priced from $68 and up, with hidden messages of love, peace, faith and sisterhood. The hidden part? The charms are etched with decorative markings that reveal their messages only when spun. (Note that Westfield Montgomery Mall is now the only place to find As Kindred Spirits, which has closed its other locations at Congressional Plaza and Reagan Airport.) As Kindred Spirits, Westfield Montgomery Mall, on the lower level next to Nordstrom. For details, call 301-365-1008 or click here.

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For questions email publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

New restaurant on Rockville Pike, Starbucks goes Venti in Potomac Village — plus our raffle winners

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Platter from Honeyfish Poke

 

Two new restaurants for Congressional Plaza

The dining scene at Congressional Plaza is looking way up for 2017. Modern Market, the scratch-made chain from Colorado that’s been earning raves in downtown Bethesda, opened its doors this week next to Chopt. And the center just landed Honeyfish Poke, a West Coast chain featuring Hawaiian-style bowls of raw fish with fresh toppings and Asian sauces. Honeyfish Poke is set for a spring opening a few doors down from Starbucks, near Congressional’s new outdoor seating area. To check out the menu, click here.

 

 

Silver Moon Jewelry & Accessories: http://www.silvermoonstyle.com

 

 

 

starbucks-potomac-village-front

 

Starbucks goes Venti in Potomac Village

Starbucks in Potomac Village is finally nearing the end of a major expansion that has annoyed its customers for months. The tiny store, which never had enough space to meet the demands of its latte-loving neighborhood, will kick off 2017 with more coffee machines, more baristas and lot more seating. The extra room is coming from a frame shop that closed next door; employees say the work should be done before Christmas.

 

 

The Bottle Shop Annual Customer Holiday Show: https://www.facebook.com/TheBottleShopRockville/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

 

 

 

holiday-boutique-promo

 

Who won our biggest raffle ever?

Congratulations to the winners of our latest raffle, featuring fabulous gifts from vendors at the Washington Hebrew Congregation Sisterhood Holiday Boutique & Silent Auction. Here’s a list of who won what:

  • Rori Malech won a PJ Salvage sweater from Barbie B (shopbarbieb.com)
  • Michèle Morgan won a pair of workout leggings from LavaLoka (lavaloka.com)
  • Amy Stolker won a zirconia necklace from Artfully Designed Jewelry (click for more).
  • Betsy Fader Goldstein won a choker necklace from Gemini Jewelry (click for more).
  • Leela Berman won a photo canvas from Photos by Freddi (photosbyfreddi.com).
  • Michael Reiser won a bottle of vintage vinegar from All things Olive (allthingsolive.com).
  • Meredith Wernick won a $25 gift certificate from Bows Etc. (bowsetc.com)
  • Karla Rosenfeld Azachi won a pair of girls’ leggings from Shop Marti (shopmarti.com).
  • Greg Overcamp won a $50 certificate for kids’ clothing from Blue Elephant (shoptheblueelephant.com).

 

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Something dazzling from Kaufman Jewelers

If you’re looking for a gift that really dazzles, Kaufmann Jewelers at Park Potomac is the place to go for gorgeous custom jewelry. Take this stunning 18-karat gold ring with oval tanzanite and diamonds. Not quite what you’re looking for? Third-generation jeweler Corey Kaufman can design something special or find a piece that fits your budget, from diamond and gold jewelry priced in the thousands to silver and gemstone rings, bracelets and earrings for less than $100. Kaufmann Jewelers, 12500 Park Potomac Ave., #107S, 301-978-7778. For more info, click here.

 

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Something sparkly from JT Interiors

The holiday sparkle is in full swing at JT Interiors in Potomac Village, where you’ll find shimmering gifts around just about every corner. We love the tabletop glitter trees ($62 for a set of two), the gold and silver glitter wreath ($70) and the mercury glass lamp ($128), all shown here. The gold leaf tray makes a great hostess gift at $17, as do the candles and illuminaries priced from $10 and up. Visit JT Interiors at 9906 River Road, call 301-299-0485 or click here for details.

 

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Contact publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

Holiday parties, great gifts & our biggest raffle ever — plus Apple and Orangetheory

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Store Reporter raffle items

 

Kicking off the holidays with our biggest raffle ever

This week we’re kicking off gift-giving season with a bounty of fabulous raffle items from vendors at the Washington Hebrew Congregation Sisterhood Holiday Boutique & Silent Auction, opening Sunday Dec. 4 and continuing through Tuesday Dec. 6 at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center in Potomac. Here are some of the gifts you can win:

There are three ways to put your name in our hat: 1) Click here to enter online. 2) Click here to enter via the Store Reporter Facebook page. 3) Visit the boutique show, stop by the Store Reporter table and fill out an entry form. We’ll announce the winners next week.

 

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WHC Sisterhood Holiday Boutique: http://www.whctemple.org/groups-and-activities/adult-groups/sisterhood

 

 

 

Wine glasses and holiday decorations

 

Cocktail party at Nordstrom

Tonight (Dec. 1) is the night for Westfield Montgomery‘s holiday kickoff party at Nordstrom Court. What’s on the menu? Cocktail bites from various Westfield Montgomery restaurants, whimsical entertainment… and from what we hear, some surprises that will be worth your while. The party is happening from 6 to 8 p.m.; there’s a $10 suggested donation to benefit Care for Kids at Children’s National Medical Center. Complimentary valet provided (please park by Tara Thai). Purchase tickets at the door or click here to RSVP.

 

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JT Interiors Ladies Day: https://www.facebook.com/jtinteriorspotomac/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf

 

 

 

Apple Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Apple’s back… and we’re a little disappointed

The newly renovated Apple store reopened just before Thanksgiving at Westfield Montgomery Mall. If you haven’t seen it yet, there’s no need to rush: Frankly, we think the new design is a bit of a snooze. It’s bigger, of course, and just as white and minimalist as you’d imagine. But it seems we missed out on the some of the cooler features that Apple has been adding to its stores in other other cities. There’s no Genius Grove with live trees. No boardroom for private meetings. No designated area for the creative sessions and live concerts that Apple has been planning at other locations. Of course we’re happy to have Apple back. But this new store just doesn’t have the “wow” we were hoping for.

 

 

The Bottle Shop Annual Customer Holiday Show: https://www.facebook.com/TheBottleShopRockville/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

 

 

 

Orangetheory Fitness

 

Orangetheory opens next week

Orangetheory Fitness makes its debut at Park Potomac next week, just across the street from MoCo’s Founding Farmers. This is the second Montgomery County location for the Florida-based fitness chain, which offers heart rate-monitored group workouts with intervals of cardio and strength training. Grand opening party is Dec. 8th from 6 to 8 p.m — with orange crushes to drink, of course. Click here for more.

 

 

R. Riveter

 

 

 

Store Reporter Holiday Gift Pick

Alex and Ani bracelet at Silver Moon

 

Free Alex & Ani bracelet at Congressional’s Silver Moon

Alex and Ani is a name you’ll see on plenty of teens’ wish lists this year. The stackable bangle charm bracelets, priced from just $28, are made in the U.S. from recycled materials with a portion of the proceeds going to charity. This weekend (Friday Dec. 2 through Sunday Dec. 4), Silver Moon Jewelry & Accessories is giving away a Peace & Love bangle with every $75 Alex and Ani purchase. Stop in to see the collection at Silver Moon, 1659 Rockville Pike in Congressional Plaza. For details, call 301-468-1122 or click here.

 

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Store Reporter Holiday Gift Pick

O'Donnell's Market gift cards

 

For your foodie friends: O’Donnell’s Market gift cards

If you’re already a fan of O’Donnell’s Market — or if you haven’t checked it out yet — December is a great time to treat yourself and your friends. Through the end of this month, purchase $100 worth of O’Donnell’s gift cards and get a $20 card of your own. What to try? For first-timers, owner Bill Edelblut recommends the cocktail shrimp, organic salmon, sushi-grade tuna, grass-fed beef tenderloin and signature crab cakes. The holiday tarts and rum buns also make great hostess gifts. Click here, call 301-251-6355 or visit O’Donnell’s Market, 1073 Seven Locks Road next Walgreens at Potomac Woods Plaza.

 

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Email questions to publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

 

BBQ replaces Benjarong, Apple opens early, new mall stores — plus our Pieology winners

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Mission BBQ

 

BBQ replaces Benjarong

Moving into the former Benjarong space at Rockville’s Wintergreen Plaza: Mission BBQ, the Maryland-based chain specializing in brisket, pulled pork and patriotism. The five-year-old company has ties to the military and is known for its generous donations to the USO, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation among others. Oh, and we hear the food’s good too (click here to check out the menu). Mission BBQ plans a spring opening at Wintergreen, part of a new restaurant lineup that includes The Habit Burger Grill and Jersey Mike’s Subs. Also on the way: Wingstop, opening next week.

 

 

JT Interiors at Potomac House: https://www.facebook.com/jtinteriorspotomac/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf

 

 

Apple products

 

Teavana and Apple open for the holidays

Teavana opened its new store at Westfield Montgomery Mall this week, and Apple wasn’t far behind: The company moved up its grand opening from Black Friday to Saturday, Nov. 19th. We’ll have photos in an upcoming issue.

 

 

Toy Castle Potomac Black Friday sale

 

 

 

Pizzas from Pieology

 

Congrats to the winners of our Pieology gift cards

This week four Store Reporter readers won gift cards to Pieology, the new make-your-own pizza restaurant next to Nordstrom Rack in Gaithersburg. The winners of our raffle — Scott Goff, Mark Hamrick, Marilyn Grafman and Amy Wollins — will each get $50 to treat family, friends or coworkers to fresh customized salads and personalized pies. You’ll be seeing more of Pieology in 2017 as the company expands in Montgomery County. In the meantime, check out the Gaithersburg location at 15780 Shady Grove Road — or click here for a quick video tour.

 

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Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique Silent Auction: http://www.whctemple.org/groups-and-activities/adult-groups/sisterhood

 

 

 

 

Gift shop exits Rockville, moves to the mall

The As Kindred Spirits gift shop made a quick switcheroo this week, closing its doors at Congressional Plaza and opening three days later at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Owner Wendy Rukmini Walker, who had run pop-up stores at the mall but was looking for a long-term lease, snagged a space right next to Nordstrom after GameStop relocated across from Old Navy. The move happened so quickly that there wasn’t time for renovations, but Walker says the store will close briefly for a facelift after the holidays. Walker also shuttered her store at Reagan National Airport last month — so for now, the mall is the only place to find As Kindred Spirits. To see what’s in stock, click here.

 

 

Wills Decorating ad: www.decoratemaryland.com

 

 

 

patrizia-luca-furs-and-jackets-at-westfield-montgomery-mall

 

Italian fashions for mothers and daughters

Patrizia Luca Milano, a women’s clothing store carrying Italian-inspired fashions, is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall next to Apple. This is the first Maryland venture for owner Mike Nassaj, who previously ran similar boutiques in D.C. “Our clothes are chic for work but also can transition into evening,” Nassaj says. “We specialize in mother-daughter looks, where the mom will buy it for herself but the daughter will want to wear it as well.” Aside from the fur and outerwear, most items are priced below $100. 

 

 

For questions, email publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

 

Nespresso, Teavana, Congressional Plaza and a pizza giveaway

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iPhones and Nespresso machine

 

Nespresso, Teavana and Apple will be here for the holidays

The Macy’s wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall is nearing the end of its six-month-long renovation, with Teavana and Apple almost ready to open and the nearby Nespresso store not far behind. Teavana, which closed its original store last spring to make way for Apple’s expansion, is set to return Nov. 15th in its new space across the hall. Apple will be back ten days later, on Black Friday. And just around the corner, Nespresso is hoping to open Dec. 1.

 

 

Wintergreen Plaza: http://www.wintergreenplaza.com

 

 

 

Pieology pizza

 

Win $50 for pizza at Pieology

Have you checked out Pieology on Shady Grove Road? The make-your-own pizza chain, which opened this summer a few doors down from Nordstrom Rack, is planning a major expansion into Montgomery County. What’s on the menu? Forty choices of unlimited fresh toppings over three types of crusts (including gluten-free) plus customizable salads, all at a price point below $10. Click here for a quick video to see what Pieology’s all about. And click here to enter your name for a chance to win one of four $50 Pieology gift cards. That’s enough to treat your family — or your favorite coworkers — to some great personalized pies. Update: Congratulations to our four winners: Scott Goff, Mark Hamrick, Marilyn Grafman and Amy Wollins.

 

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Have a seat at Congressional Plaza

Congressional Plaza in Rockville is putting the final touches on its new outdoor seating area, offering comfy chairs and couches at the corner of Chopt and Starbucks. The project is part of a general spruce-up as the shopping center adds new stores and restaurants, including last month’s debut of Saks Off 5th. Next up: Modern Market, a Colorado-based restaurant chain that caters to both paleo and vegetarian diners. Click here for more in our June 9th edition.

 

 

 

 

 

Turkey and sides from O'Donnell's Market

 

Turkey with all the trimmings at O’Donnell’s Market

If you thought O’Donnell’s was all about seafood, think again: The gourmet market, which celebrates its first anniversary next month, is rolling out a complete Thanksgiving menu. Along with the traditional turkey and sides, you’ll find specialty items like lobster mashed potatoes, cornbread sausage stuffing, seafood bisque and mini versions of the market’s famous crab cakes — not to mention those classic O’Donnell’s rum buns. Click here to check out the menu, and be sure to place your order by Saturday, Nov. 19. For details, call 301-251-6355 or stop by O’Donnell’s, 1073 Seven Locks Road next to Walgreens at Potomac Woods Plaza.

 

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Dental office of Taff & Levine: http://www.taffandlevine.com

 

 

 

Latte from Coffee Republic

 

New coffee spot in Rockville

Now open at Rockville’s King Farm Village Center: Coffee Republic, a locally owned shop in the former Mayorga space at 801 Pleasant Drive. Besides the usual lattes, mochas and espressos, you’ll also find a selection of baked goods and specialty drinks like cortados and Nutella chais. Coffee Republic is the second venture for a group of friends who also operate the BeanGood coffee shop in Arlington. To see what’s pouring, click here.

 

 

For questions or tips, email publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

 

Lord & Taylor at White Flint, goodbye Benjarong, new boutique for Potomac

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Lord & Taylor fall mannequins

 

Inside Lord & Taylor: It’s not what you think

This week we made a long-overdue visit to Lord & Taylor on Rockville Pike, the sole survivor of last year’s teardown of the White Flint Mall. Half expecting a sad scene with barren shelves, peeling paint and bored salespeople, we instead found a bustling store filled with customers and fully stocked with great-looking fall merchandise. Also: zero parking hassles. Shoppers told us they still love Lord & Taylor and don’t much care about the missing mall. Which is a good thing, since there’s no telling when the rest of that property will be redeveloped. White Flint’s owners, Lerner Enterprises and the Tower Cos., are still in the process of appealing last year’s U.S. District Court verdict that they owe Lord & Taylor $31 million in damages and lost profits.

 

 

JT Interiors Holiday Open House ad: https://www.facebook.com/jtinteriorspotomac/

 

 

 

benjarong-pad-thai

 

Goodbye Benjarong

This week we say goodbye to the Thai restaurant Benjarong, which closed its doors on Halloween after two decades at Wintergreen Plaza. The restaurant’s owners, who took over several years ago, left a note on the door thanking customers for their patronage. So what will become of the Benjarong space? Stay tuned to Store Reporter; we’ll have the answer in an upcoming issue.

 

 

Jenny Camps Personal Training ad: http://www.jocpersonaltraining.com

 

 

 

sonoran-rose-goods

 

New boutique moves into Flora’s

Flora’s Feathered Nest didn’t stay empty for long. Sonoran Rose, a boutique offering clothing, accessories and home decor, opens next Thursday (Nov. 10th) inside the quaint little farmhouse at 12211 River Road. Owner Isabel Chiotti, a retail industry veteran, says she jumped at the chance to take over the space after Flora’s closed last summer. Her specialty: international goods with a “boho-chic” vibe. “We carry espadrilles from the south of France, gorgeous cards and writing papers from England, guest towels from South Africa, candles from northern Ireland, leather bags from Argentina,” says Chiotti, a Brazilian native who will run the boutique with her daughters. “Competition is fierce. We look for different.” The Sonoran Rose website is still a work in progress; click here for a peek at what the store will carry.

 

 

Fall Back to Bethesda: http://www.backtobethesda.com

 

 

 

aeropostale-store-closing-sale

 

Aéropostale store may not close after all

Aéropostale fans can take heart from this week’s news that the teen retailer is doing better than expected after its recent Chapter 11 filing. About 500 of Aéropostale’s 700 stores are making money, the company says, and those will likely remain open despite the “going-out-of-business” signs plastered across their windows. That’s good news for the Aéropostale store at Westfield Montgomery Mall, which is said to be one of the solid performers.

 

 

Email Store Reporter at publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

Apple store opening, goodbye Offenbachers, new outlet shops, chocolate truffles and a bad week for ShopHouse

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Closed Apple Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Apple store’s back next month

The Apple store at Westfield Montgomery Mall is set to reopen on Black Friday, revealing the results of a months-long renovation that has both annoyed and intrigued local Apple fans. What we know for sure: The new store will be about twice its previous size, encompassing the neighboring spaces that formerly belonged to BCBG, Teavana and Sephora. What we’re expecting, based on Apple’s new direction: A “town square” vibe with generous seating, free Wi-Fi and occasional concerts; a “Genius Grove” lined with live indoor trees; a giant video wall showcasing the latest and greatest; and a business boardroom for private meetings with Apple experts. To see what the new Apple stores look like in other markets, click here.

 

 

Wintergreen Plaza: http://www.wintergreenplaza.com

 

 

 

Outdoor furniture from Offenbachers

 

Goodbye Offenbachers

Offenbachers, the outdoor furniture and fireplace chain, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week after 44 years in the D.C. area. Going-out-of-business sales began today (Oct. 27th) at the company’s eight locations in Virginia and Maryland, including the one on Randolph Road in Rockville. Some $9 million worth of inventory will be priced to move, including Hanamint and OW Lee patio furniture, Coyote and Legacy billiards tables, Kozy Heat fireplaces, and grills from Traeger and Big Green Egg. To see what else is up for grabs at Offenbachers, click here.

 

 

Orangetheory Fitness Potomac: http://potomac.orangetheoryfitness.com

 

 

 

Food from ShopHouse Asian Kitchen

 

The end of ShopHouse?

This week Chipotle said it will discontinue expansion of its ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen chain, which opened at Pike & Rose just last year. The D.C. area was one of three test markets for ShopHouse, but Chipotle says sales weren’t impressive enough to continue the experiment. Now the company is turning its attention to two newer concepts: Pizzeria Locale, which currently has a handful of locations in four states, and Tasty Made, a Shake Shack-style burger chain that launches this week in Ohio. As for ShopHouse, the existing locations will remain open for now while Chipotle tries to sell them off.

 

 

JT Interiors Holiday Open House: https://www.facebook.com/jtinteriorspotomac/#

 

 

 

Chocolate Moonshine

 

New sweet treats at the mall

In case you don’t have enough Halloween candy around the house this week, Westfield Montgomery Mall has a new place to satisfy your sweet tooth. Chocolate Moonshine, now open in the former Chloe’s Deli space next to Chick-fil-A, offers handmade fudge and giftable decorative truffle bars that are gluten-free and relatively low in sugar. “We get everything fresh from our factory in Pennsylvania,” says local distributor Edward Heller, a former executive with Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. “It’s all natural and organic, but it’s the attention to detail and beautiful craftsmanship that really makes our product special.” To check it out for yourself, click here.

 

 

Capital Area Food Bank fundraiser: https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/empty-bowls/

 

 

 

clarksburg-premium-outlets-960

 

New outlet mall opens this weekend

This weekend marks the grand opening of Clarksburg Premium Outlets, less than 30 minutes from the Rockville/Potomac area off I-270 at Exit 18. The 90-store tenant list has something for everyone, from Adidas, Ann Taylor and Armani Exchange to Theory, Tommy Hilfiger, Ugg and Under Armour. Grand opening festivities will be happening all weekend with live music, DJs, kids’ activities, giveaways and Halloween events. To view the full list of new places to shop, click here.

 

 

Fall Back to Bethesda: http://www.backtobethesda.com

 

 

 

As Kindred Spirits at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

As Kindred Spirits departs from Reagan Airport

As Kindred Spirits, which exited Westfield Montgomery Mall last summer, is also closing its D.C. store at Reagan National Airport. The Congressional Plaza location in Rockville will remain open, says owner Wendy “Rukmini” Walker, who’s still working on plans to return to Montgomery Mall. As Kindred Spirits is one of seven gift shops that made our list of Store Reporter Favorites for 2016. To see who else got our vote, click here for our Oct. 13th edition.

 

 

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Saks Off 5th, beer & coffee, holiday shopping in Potomac Village

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Saks Off 5th at Congressional Plaza

 

Opening week for Saks Off 5th

The long-awaited Saks Off 5th store opened its doors this week at Rockville’s Congressional Plaza, joining Last Call Studio by Neiman Marcus as the upscale shopping center targets label-conscious bargain hunters. Grand opening festivities are happening this Saturday (Oct. 22nd) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with music, wine, snacks and swag bags for the first 200 shoppers. On-trend footwear — especially over-the-knee boots — will be a centerpiece of the store this fall, says Off 5th spokesman Meghan Biango. 

 

 

Pure Barre Twinbrook and Rockville: http://purebarre.com/md-twinbrook/

 

 

 

Owen's Ordinary at Pike & Rose

 

New place for beer lovers

This is a very good year for local beer lovers: Five months after the opening of World of Beer in Rockville, Owen’s Ordinary made its debut this week at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda. The restaurant/beer garden is already drawing kudos for its menu of 200 craft beers with a focus on Maryland breweries. Owen’s Ordinary is the newest venture from Neighborhood Restaurant Group, which handles the menu at AMP as well as such beer-centric D.C. restaurants as Bluejacket, Churchkey and Birch & Barley. There’s no lunch service just yet, nor is there a website or even an online menu. But you can click here to check out the Owen’s Ordinary Facebook page.

 

 

Orangetheory Fitness at Park Potomac: https://www.facebook.com/owensordinarymd/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf

 

 

 

 

New Nespresso store is brewing

The Nespresso store at Westfield Montgomery Mall is now official. As we predicted last August, the coffee company has posted signs for its new store at the former home of Kay Jewelers, which relocated next to Swarovski. But Nespresso isn’t taking Kay’s entire space: There’s still an open corner spot right across from the under-construction Apple store. Who’s moving in? And when will all this construction be finished? Stay tuned to Store Reporter for some answers in the weeks to come.

 

 

jt-interiors-holiday-vignette

 

Kick off your holiday shopping at JT Interiors

Looking for some new ideas for holiday gifts and decor? Mark your calendar for Nov. 12th and 13th, when JT Interiors hosts its fourth annual holiday open house at 9906 River Road in Potomac Village. “This will be the first look at everything we have to offer for the holiday season,” says marketing director Lauren Gregory. “We’ll have champagne and chocolate, cookies and cider, lots of things that smell great, and new ideas for what to buy and how to decorate your home for the holidays.” Our favorite from a sneak peek: The wine bottle apron that declares, “It’s always happy hour in Potomac.” (Also available for Darnestown and Bethesda). For your own sneak peek, click here to visit the JT Interiors Facebook page.

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Capital Area Food Bank fundraiser: https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/empty-bowls/

 

 

 

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Trader Joe’s says hello Travilah, goodbye Gaithersburg — plus sushi burritos and our favorite gift shops

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Trader Joe's foods

 

Trader Joe’s update: Hello Travilah, Goodbye Gaithersburg

After months of speculation about a new Trader Joe’s at Travilah Square Shopping Center, the California-based grocer has signed on the dotted line. A 13,000-square-foot store will open in late 2017 or early 2018 at the intersection of Travilah and Darnestown roads. This is good news for North Potomac but bad news for Gaithersburg: A Trader Joe’s spokesman tells us the company will be closing its store on Contour Road in Montgomery Village on the same day the Travilah store opens. No need to worry about the other Rockville store at Federal Plaza: That location isn’t going anywhere. (Editor’s note: For an update on this story, click here.)

 

 

Orangetheory Fitness at Park Potomac: http://potomac.orangetheoryfitness.com

 

 

 

 

Sushi burritos at Wildwood

Buredo, the two-year-old D.C. eatery known for its burrito-sized sushi rolls, is heading to Wildwood Shopping Center on Old Georgetown Road. Plans call for a spring opening in the space that previously belonged to Fraîche Cupcakery. This will be the first Maryland location for Buredo, which has earned an avid fan following for its generously sized seaweed wraps with a surprising mix of ingredients. (Sample roll: the Pai Mei with salmon sashimi, asparagus, pea shoot leaves, pickled red onion, daikon, katsuo mirin crunch and toasted sesame mayo.) Click here to check out the menu. And click here to read last week’s report on another D.C. sushi restaurant that’s opening right across the street.

 

 

Leila Fine Gifts & Jewels: http://leilajewels.com

 

 

 

Chili's sign

 

Goodbye Chili’s

This week we say goodbye to Chili’s in North Bethesda, which has closed its doors after 25 years on Rockville Pike. Although the exit was blamed on plans to demolish the building, we think there’s more to that story: Chili’s has been quietly reducing its presence in the D.C. area for several years, including recent closings in Tysons Corner and Crystal City. The good news for Tex-Mex fans: Chuy’s is now open at Federal Plaza. Click here to check it out.

 

 

Cabin John Shopping Center mailing list: http://shopcabinjohn.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8944a71ff48e2ec948a748b4c&id=df4eb12359

 

 

 

Gifts from Appalachian Spring, JT Interiors and Leila Fine Gifts & Jewels

 

Gifts from Red Orchard, Occasions and As Kindred Spirits

 

Our picks for great gifts

With colder weather just around the corner, it’s not too early to start thinking about holiday shopping. In the next few weeks we’ll have news about craft markets, gift boutiques and holiday open houses. In the meantime, here’s a quick guide to our favorite locally owned gift shops.

  • Appalachian Spring: The Congressional Plaza location is part of a four-store chain focusing on handmade products by American artists, most of which are functional as well as beautiful. Wood and glass are the primary materials here, from jewelry boxes and cutting boards to hand-blown vases and luminous dinnerware — plus a large collection of kaleidoscopes. “That’s my favorite part of the store,” says co-owner David Brooks. Details at appalachianspring.com.
  • As Kindred Spirits: Owner Wendy “Rukmini” Walker travels the world for handmade clothing, accessories and jewelry, as well as decorative household objects from clocks to frames to wine bottle holders. If you’re looking for Roman glass pendants, men’s silk ties or scarves from India, you’ll find them here. The Congressional Plaza location is the flagship, and Walker is in talks to open a new store at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Details at askindredspirits.com.
  • JT Interiors: The go-to place for gifts in Potomac Village, JT Interiors makes the most of its charming setting inside a house at 9906 River Road. From guest towels, pillows and stylish handbags to serving platters, bowls and baskets, decorative objects are displayed in a way that makes it easy to imagine them in your own home. And for those who can’t get enough of the whole look, the store also offers interior design services. Details at the JT Interiors Facebook page.
  • Leila Fine Gifts & Jewels: At Cabin John Shopping Center near California Tortilla, Leila is the place for unique hostess gifts, decorative kitchenware, colorful glass and crystal, and a wide variety of affordable jewelry. If you’re looking for a mitzvah gift or a lovely piece of Judaica, you’ll find plenty of choices here. Owner Deb Shalom says she’s always on the lookout for gifts that are “fun, beautiful and functional — all at a comfortable price point.” Details at leilajewels.com.
  • Occasions: Inside Cabin John Mall across from McDonald’s, Occasions carries gifts from Scout, Kate Spade and Lilly Pulitzer as well as paper goods, jewelry, decorative wooden signs and items for babies, teens and tweens. The store also specializes in monogrammed and personalized items, from notepads to cocktail napkins. Details at occasionsgiftstore.com.
  • Red Orchard: A longtime fixture at Wildwood Shopping Center, Red Orchard has moved away from its original focus on American-made furniture to specialize in artisan-produced home accessories that are “interesting, funky and functional,” says co-owner Caroline Liberty. Here you’ll find a unique and modern selection of decorative kitchenware, wall art, kids’ gifts, bath and body items, handmade jewelry and local gourmet foods. Details at redorchard.com.
  • Silver Moon Jewelry & Accessories: This is the new incarnation of the former Tiara Galleries & Gifts, still at Congressional Plaza but now focused primarily on jewelry and handbags. Figurines and ceramic pieces have largely disappeared to make way for Pandora and Alex and Ani, plus a variety of lesser-known jewelry lines and handbags by Vera Bradley and Spartina. Details at silvermoonstyle.com.

 

 

Store Reporter advertising: sales@storereporter.com

 

 

 

Salad and appetizers

 

Tell us about your favorites

We’re working on more Store Reporter Favorites for upcoming issues, and we’d love to hear about your go-to places in the greater Rockville/Potomac area. Tell us your picks for date night, fast casual meals, fabulous desserts and party venues. And if you know of any hidden gems — either stores or restaurants that our readers should hear about — please tell us about those too. Email your favorites to editor@storereporter.com.

 

 

Capital Area Food Bank fundraiser: https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/empty-bowls/

 

 

 

 

 

Park Potomac update, new sushi and souvlaki, new Life Time Athletic is ready to roll

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 Filicori Zecchini "Coming Soon" sign at Park Potomac

 

The latest on Park Potomac

Coffee and margaritas will be flowing at Park Potomac this winter as two new tenants look to open in the next few months. Filicori Zecchini, an Italian coffee house known for its rich espressos and cappuccinos, is on track to launch by early December. A tasting tent at the Park Potomac Fall Festival “got amazing feedback and really got us excited to open,” says owner Laila Asmar. Gringos & Mariachis, the second location for the popular Bethesda restaurant, will arrive sometime after the holidays. For more on Park Potomac’s new lineup, click here.

 

 

Orangetheory Fitness Park Potomac: http://potomac.orangetheoryfitness.com

 

 

 

The Big Greek Cafe

 

Get your Greek on

The Big Greek Cafe, a family-owned restaurant known for its generous portions and home-style cooking, opens its third location this week at 5268 Nicholson Lane. “My family has always been in the restaurant business,” says co-owner Simos Marmaras, whose father Vassilios “Bill” Marmaras once ran the Golden Flame restaurant in Silver Spring. “It was always my mother’s dream to open a more casual restaurant that would use all of her recipes that we grew up with,” Marmaras says. “After she died, my brother and I decided to do it.” The Big Greek Cafe is open for lunch, dinner and takeout service; click here to check out the menu.

 

 

Ize's Deli & Bagelry: http://izesdeli.com

 

 

 

Maki Shop hand roll

 

New sushi at Georgetown Square

Maki Shop, a D.C. sushi restaurant known for its creatively stuffed hand rolls, is heading to Bethesda’s Georgetown Square Shopping Center. Broker Rich Amsellem of Streetsense, who also handled the lease for neighbor Not Your Average Joe’s, says Maki Shop should open early next year. To see what’s on the menu, click here.

 

 

Pure Barre Twinbrook New Client Special: http://purebarre.com/md-twinbrook/

 

 

 

Life Time Athletic Gaithersburg spin bikes

 

Life Time Gaithersburg is ready to roll

Oct. 20th is opening day for the new Life Time Athletic club in Gaithersburg, just off I-370 at Washingtonian Boulevard. The three-story center will have far more amenities than its smaller sister in Rockville, including a boxing studio, two basketball courts, kids’ classes, and indoor and outdoor pools with water slides. Click here for a sneak peek.

 

 

Taff & Levine ad: http://www.taffandlevine.com

 

 

 

FAO Schwartz entrance

 

FAO Schwarz to rise again

The FAO Schwarz brand, which was sold to Toys ‘R’ Us eight years ago, changed hands again this week when the name was purchased by a California toy manufacturer. The new owner, ThreeSixty Group, makes licensed toys for Discovery Kids, Animal Planet, Sharper Image and other retailers. Plans call for a new line of FAO Schwarz toys to debut at “select retailers” next fall, with a possible brick-and-mortar store to replace the iconic Manhattan location that closed last year. For more on ThreeSixty Group’s plans for FAO Schwarz, click here.

 

 

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Send inquiries to publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

Latest on Lucky Strike, Potomac Day Spa closes, trendy Thai ice cream

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Lucky Strike Social

 

No bowling at the mall this fall

Remember the bowling alley that was supposed to open this summer at Westfield Montgomery Mall? As we move into fall with construction barely under way, we thought it was time for a check-in with California-based Lucky Strike. “We’re now looking at the first quarter of 2017,” says company spokesman Brandon Thomsen. “We’re excited to come to Bethesda, but some details of the project are still evolving.” This will be the second location for the company’s new Lucky Strike Social concept, which recently launched in Albany with 18 bowling lanes, a full kitchen and bar, a concert hall/party room, and a variety of games from billiards to old-school arcades. For a preview of what’s on the way, click here.

 

 

Ize's Dei & Bagelry: http://izesdeli.com

 

 

 

Potomac Day Spa

 

Potomac Day Spa closes

Potomac Day Spa, operating out of a cute little house in Potomac Village for more than two decades, has quietly closed its doors. “The rent here is just crazy expensive, and we had been struggling for a long time,” says owner Angela Hay, who bought the spa four years ago and shut it down last Saturday. The business had little walk-in traffic, Hay says, and it’s been increasingly difficult to compete with larger operations like Red Door and the new Woodhouse Day Spa on Rockville Pike. “The older people liked our quaintness, but the younger people like to go to places that are trendy,” Hay says. “I just couldn’t keep pouring money into something that wasn’t going to survive.”

 

 

Marmi Shoes: https://marmishoes.com

 

 

 

thai-rolled-ice-cream

 

Rolling out a new ice cream trend

Thai rolled ice cream, a Southeast Asian street food that’s trending across the country, has arrived in downtown Rockville. Class 520 (the name is a play on the Chinese phrase for “I love you”) opens Saturday on Dawson Avenue just off North Washington Street. Each dessert is made fresh when you order, starting with a liquid ice cream base that’s poured over a cold grill until it freezes over. “Then we add the mix-ins and run it over with a spatula to shape it into curls, so you wind up with a hard texture that slowly melts,” says manager Adam Shi. Virtually unknown in the U.S. until recently, Thai-style ice cream has popped up in foodie cities from Los Angeles to New York to Philadelphia in the past 12 months. “We believe that ours is the first one in Maryland,” Shi says. “It’s a trendy food that’s familiar to the Asian population, so we think it will do very well in this area.” Want to see how it works? Click here for a video demo.

 

 

Empty Bowls Bethesda event: https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/empty-bowls/

 

 

 

Root vegetables

 

Ready for Rosh Hashanah?

If you’re hosting a crowd for the Jewish holidays this year, there’s still time to order from Potomac Grocer. On the menu for Rosh Hashanah: onion-braised brisket, pomegranate molasses-glazed salmon, lemon honey roasted chicken, sweet potato-carrot tzimmes, noodle pudding and much more. Pre-ordering is recommended, but some dishes will be available à la carte while they last. Potomac Grocer, 10107 River Road, 301-299-4200. For the catering menu, click here.

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Here’s a product that takes balls

Look out Nike and Under Armour: Lululemon is going after the men. In an interview this week with Bloomberg.com, Lululemon CEO Laurent Potdevin says he hopes to double the company’s male customer base from 20 percent to 40 percent of its sales. Potdevin has a pretty good track record in this arena, having previously helped drive more male customers to Tom’s Shoes and more females to Burton Snowboards. This fall Lululemon is showcasing a new line of men’s pants called “ABC” — as in Anti-Ball Crushing. Wondering just how they’re going to promote this product? We did too. Click here.

 

 

Cosi sandwich

 

Bad week for Cosi

The Cosi restaurant chain, which exited downtown Rockville two years ago, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Almost half of the company’s corporate-owned locations, including the one in downtown Bethesda, closed their doors this week. Thirty-one locations owned by franchisees, including one on Wisconsin Avenue, are expected to remain open. For more on Cosi’s bankruptcy, click here.

 

 

For inquiries, contact publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

New spa and Tex-Mex on Rockville Pike; Two restaurant closings in one week

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New spa opens on Rockville Pike

The Woodhouse Day Spa, under construction for more than a year at North Bethesda Market on Rockville Pike, is officially open for business. This is the first Maryland location for the Texas-based chain, which offers massage, skin care and mani/pedis as well as specialty services like warm spiced mud wraps and aromatherapy sleep treatments. Not on the spa menu: Anything to do with hair. “We didn’t want any whir of hair dryers or smell of hair chemicals to take away from the experience at our spa,” says franchise owner Peter Dychkewich, a former investment banker. “We paid great attention to design details, right down to the eight-foot mahogany doors. We want this place to feel like you’re in an old European manor house.” The grand opening party is happening this Saturday (Sept. 24th); click here for details.

 

 

PureBarre Twinbrook ad: http://purebarre.com/md-twinbrook/

 

 

 

chuys-mexican-restaurant-meal-and-strawberry-margarita

 

Almost time for Tex-Mex on the Pike

Chuy’s is set to open its doors Oct. 4 at Federal Plaza on Rockville Pike, where construction crews have been working all summer to renovate the former Ruby Tuesday space. This is the first Maryland location for the Tex-Mex chain, known for its made-from-scratch menu, fresh margaritas and kitschy decor. We’ve been hearing good buzz from readers who have tried Chuy’s in Virginia. For a preview of the menu, click here.

 

 

Park Potomac Fall Festival: http://www.parkpotomac.com/#/

 

 

 

MET Bethesda

 

Goodbye MET Bethesda & Hooters

In case you missed our special edition earlier this week: MET Bethesda, the upscale restaurant across from the ArcLight Cinema at Westfield Montgomery Mall, made an unexpected exit last weekend after less than two years in business. Click here for more on the demise of MET, the fifth restaurant to close at Montgomery Mall since May. Hooters on Rockville Pike also closed its doors last weekend after losing its liquor license in the wake of a fatal drunk driving accident.

 

 

Toy Castle Annual Sale ad: https://www.facebook.com/toycastlepotomac/?fref=ts

 

 

 

 roast-chicken

 

Ready for Rosh Hashanah?

If you’re hosting a crowd for the Jewish holidays this year, Potomac Grocer makes it easy. On the menu for Rosh Hashanah: onion-braised brisket, pomegranate molasses-glazed salmon, lemon honey roasted chicken, sweet potato-carrot tzimmes, noodle pudding and much more. Pre-ordering is recommended, but some dishes will be available à la carte while they last. Potomac Grocer, 10107 River Road, 301-299-4200. For the catering menu, click here. 

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Softest store at the mall

Here’s a sure sign that cooler weather is on the way: Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too, a seasonal tenant at Westfield Montgomery Mall, has returned for the winter in a new space next to Brookstone. The store carries a surprising variety of gifts and clothing, from sweaters, shawls and coats to hats, gloves and boots for adults and kids. (Biggest draw for men: the sheepskin moccasins with gel soles, priced at $69.99). The store’s owners manufacture many of their own products; click here to see what else they carry.

 

 

 

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Breaking news: MET Bethesda out at Westfield Montgomery Mall

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MET Bethesda

 

MET Bethesda closes its doors

MET Bethesda, the upscale restaurant on the third floor of Westfield Montgomery Mall, closed its doors over the weekend after less than two years in business. MET had earned a loyal following for its classic American menu, quiet atmosphere and sharp-looking martini bar. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the restaurant’s lack of an exterior entrance, which made it too dependent on traffic from the ArcLight Cinema across the hall. “We were on the third floor of a two-story mall,” one employee tells us. “Our food was great, but people only came on Friday and Saturday nights when they were going to the movies.” MET Bethesda’s parent company, which owns four other restaurants in Massachusetts, could not be reached at press time. This is the fifth restaurant to close at Westfield Montgomery Mall since May, following the departures of Blaze Pizza, Lobster ME, Jamaican Mi Crazy and Chloe’s Deli. See more in our May 23 and June 2 editions.

 

 

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Sports stores at Wintergreen Plaza, Moby Dick in Potomac Village, Aéropostale update

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sports equipment

 

Sports stores score at Wintergreen Plaza

Wintergreen Plaza is reinventing itself as a one-stop shopping center for sporting goods. TennisTopia is the latest addition to a lineup that already includes Total Hockey, Aardvark Swim & Sport, Capital Martial Arts, Gold’s Gym and Rockville Soccer. Darrell Haines, co-owner of TennisTopia, says he and wife Amy had been looking for a larger home on Rockville Pike after a decade at Congressional Village Shopping Center. “With the closing of Sports Authority and City Sports before that, we thought this was the right time to expand our business,” he says. “We liked the fact that Wintergreen Plaza is really becoming a mecca for sports.” It’s also becoming a mecca for post-sports meal breaks: The Habit Burger Grill and Jersey Mike’s Subs opened at Wintergreen this summer, and Wingstop is on the way.

 

 

2016 Toy Castle Fall Sale ad with boy and teddy bear 1200

 

 

 

Aerpostale store closing sale at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Goodbye Aéropostale?

Just as teen retailer PacSun emerged from bankruptcy court last week, Aéropostale announced “store closing” sales at all of its 800 locations across the country. But we’re not predicting Aéropostale’s exit from Westfield Montgomery Mall just yet: Staffers say they’re still expecting large shipments of winter merchandise — enough to last at least through the holidays — and no specific closing date has been set. Aéropostale, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy last May, has proposed a reorganization plan that would save more than 200 of its best-performing stores. No word yet on which will be the survivors. Meanwhile, click here for a look at the bargains to be found right now.

 

 

2016 On Cloud 9 Fall Back-to-School ad 1200

 

 

 

Moby Dick tomato and chicken kabob

 

Is Moby Dick still opening in Potomac Village?

Remember last April when we told you that Moby Dick House of Kabob was heading to Potomac Village? Nearly five months later, the Falls Road storefront that once housed Toys Unique is still sitting empty as ever. The project has been held up by permitting issues, we’re told, and the restaurant’s owners don’t want to open in the middle of winter. Bottom line: If they don’t start construction in the next few weeks, we probably won’t be ordering kabobs in the Village until next March. In the meantime, you can check out the Moby Dick menu here.

 

 

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