Store Reporter

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

Addie's

New gym and outdoor market to Potomac — plus Trader Joe’s, dance classes & donuts

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Orange Theory Fitness

 

New gym for Park Potomac

Orangetheory Fitness, a group-training gym that opened in The Kentlands two years ago, will head to Park Potomac this summer with a new location across from MoCo’s Founding Farmers. The fast-expanding chain, which offers heart rate-monitored workouts with intervals of cardio and strength training, will provide new competition for the eight-year-old Life Time Athletic club just around the corner. Orangetheory is the latest addition to Park Potomac’s growing list of upcoming tenants, which now includes a revamped Addie’s, Gringos & Mariachis, and the Italian coffee house Filicori Zecchini. Click here for more in our April 28th edition.

 

 

 Hen House Fabrics from URBNmarket

 

Outdoor craft market pops up in Potomac

Also on the way to Park Potomac this summer: URBNmarket, a pop-up showcase for vintage and locally made goods that’s making its first move outside downtown Bethesda. Modeled after similar shows in Philadelphia and Atlanta, URBNmarket features one-of-a-kind jewelry and accessories, vintage and handmade clothing, beauty and pet products, gourmet foods, and home decor like these colorful table runners from Hen House Linens. “We’re really excited about this new location,” says co-founder Julie Greenstein, who created URBNmarket in 2014 with business partner Debbie Sonnenreich. Forty-plus vendors have signed on for the Park Potomac event; they’ll set up shop on the grassy area near Harris Teeter on Friday, June 3rd and Saturday, June 4th, accompanied by live music and a beer garden. A second show is slated for mid-July. For more info, click here.

 

 

2016 JT Interiors Sale Ad 1200

 

 

 

Trader Joe's food assortment

 

New Trader Joe’s for Travilah?

Is Trader Joe’s heading to Darnestown Road? The Washington Business Journal says plans are in place for the grocery store to open at Travilah Square Shopping Center, where it would replace an existing Burger King and a small office building. This would be the second Rockville location for Trader Joe’s — hopefully with easier parking than the always-crowded lot at Federal Plaza on the Pike. When we spoke with Trader Joe’s this week, a spokesperson said the company wasn’t ready to disclose plans for Travilah just yet. We’ll keep you posted as things develop.

 

 

 

 

 

Dawn Crafton Dance Connection logo

 

Dance company heading to Rockville Town Square

Opening next month at Rockville Town Square: A second home for Dawn Crafton Dance Connection, the Gaithersburg company that’s building out four new studios on Gibbs Street next to Bar Louie. Crafton, who’s been teaching dance since 1954, says she’s been eyeing downtown Rockville since her students started performing holiday shows there several years ago. The new space “has a real small-town community feel” that will allow parents to run errands while their kids are in class — something they never could do at her other space on Airpark Avenue, Crafton says. “It’s a big move for us, but there’s so much more for people to do here and I think it’s going to be fabulous.”

 

 

Dawn Crafton Dancers in Concert ad

 

 

 

Sugo Interior

 

Share your favorites and win dinner at Sugo

For our next Store Reporter Favorites section, we’re asking our readers to tell us who has the best appetizers in town. From deviled eggs and roasted beets to fried calamari and tuna tartare, which restaurants do you recommend for the best light bites in greater Rockville and Potomac? Click here to comment on our Facebook page, or click here to email our editors directly. Everyone who weighs in will be entered to win a $60 gift card for one of our favorites: Sugo at Park Potomac.

 

 

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

 

 

 

Krispy Kreme donuts

 

Krispy Kreme deal is hot off the fryer

Krispy Kreme changed hands this week in a $1.35 billion deal that could turn the donut chain into a major player in the coffee market. The company’s new owner is JAB, a European firm that also controls Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Caribou Coffee, Keurig Green Mountain and several other American coffee retailers. That means Krispy Kreme, which never was known for its coffee, will likely start serving one or all of those brands in the next 12 months. There’s also speculation that the new owners will finance a major expansion for Krispy Kreme — and that could spell trouble for Dunkin’ Donuts, which currently earns most of its profits from coffee sales.

 

 

Radiant Promotions ad: emailjaprotas@aol.com

 

 

 

Red Staple

 

Staples + Office Depot: The wedding’s off

Staples and Office Depot called off their merger this week after a successful protest by the Federal Trade Commission, which had warned that the deal would impair competition and lead to higher prices. Staples, the nation’s largest office supply chain, now has to pay Office Depot a $250 million “breakup fee.” Even so, analysts say it’s unclear whether Office Depot can survive over the long term.

 

 

Regency Estates Swim Club ad: $50 off for Store Reporter readers, http://rescswimpool.org

 

 

 

 

Addie’s comeback, Apple update, new Irish restaurants and another retail bankruptcy

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Addie's

 

Addie’s heading to Park Potomac

Addie’s, the beloved Rockville restaurant that closed its doors three years ago, is making plans for a comeback. Owners Jeff and Barbara Black have signed a lease for 4,000 square feet at Park Potomac, where they’ll try to recreate the old Addie’s magic with indoor/outdoor seating and some of their original menu items. The Blacks, who own a half-dozen restaurants including BlackSalt, Black’s Bar & Kitchen and Black Market Bistro, have said they closed Addie’s primarily because the little yellow building was in such disrepair. That issue also caused delays for their successor, D.C. caterer Helen Wasserman, who spent two years on renovations before opening Helen’s Bar & Grill just last week. For more on Helen’s, click here for our April 7th edition.

 

 

 

 

 

iPhones

 

New closing date for the Apple Store: May 7th

The Apple Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall has pushed back its closing by a week, setting May 7th as the new date for the start of its expansion in the Macy’s wing. Apple is taking over the space formerly occupied by BCBG and Teavana, with a reopening planned for this fall. The neighboring Sephora store also is expanding this summer, but in Sephora’s case the current store will remain open while the new one’s under construction across the hall. For more on these and other changes to the Macy’s wing, click here for our April 4th special edition.

 

 

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Guinness beer
 

Two Irish openings

It’s a month too late for St. Patrick’s Day, but two new Irish restaurants have opened their doors in the Rockville/Potomac area. Lahinch, from the owners of the Irish Inn at Glen Echo, offers a menu of Irish and American dishes in the former Benny’s space at Cabin John Shopping Center. And over at Rockville Town Square, Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub has opened for business at the Gibbs Street space formerly occupied by Carbon Peruvian Chicken.

 

 

 

 

 

Basketball

 

Another sports store files Chapter 11

In the wake of last month’s Chapter 11 filing for Sports Authority, this week we noted the bankruptcy of Delaware-based Vestis Retail Group, parent to Eastern Mountain Sports, Sport Chalet and Bob’s Stores. None of those chains had a presence in Montgomery County (although Eastern Mountain does have a store in Virginia), but this latest bankruptcy suggests that the shakeout of big-box sporting goods stores isn’t over yet. In our area we’ve also seen the demise of City Sports (which lasted just a year at Pike & Rose before the whole chain filed Chapter 11) and local retailer Hudson Trail Outfitters, which closed all of its stores last fall.

 

 

Wills Decorating ad: www.decoratemaryland.com

 

 

 

 

Addie’s successor, Fish Taco, River Falls Tavern and our toy basket winner

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Addie's/Helen's collage

 

Addie’s successor ready to open

After two looong years of construction on the building that once housed Addie’s — and more bumps in the road than the owner cares to count — doors are finally set to open next week at Helen’s Bar & Grill on Rockville Pike. Owner Helen Wasserman, a veteran D.C. caterer, says her new place will feature an ever-changing menu of favorite recipes perfected during years of feeding partygoers. For first-time visitors, Wasserman recommends the grilled lamb chops, lobster dumplings and cheese wontons with guacamole. Hours aren’t quite set yet and the restaurant is small, so call ahead if you’re planning to try it out: (240) 403-7035.

 

 

 

Hola Fish Taco

Here’s a peek at the new Fish Taco, which opened over spring break at Wildwood Shopping Center off Democracy Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road. “Things have been busier than we originally anticipated,” reports head chef Brant Cotter, “but that’s a great problem to have.” This is the second location for the popular Mexican chain, which made its debut on MacArthur Boulevard in 2013; a third will open this summer on Wisconsin Avenue. To see what’s on the menu at Fish Taco, click here.

 

 

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Lock 72 Kitchen & Bar sign

 

Name change for the Tavern

A year after the sale of The Tavern at River Falls in Potomac Village, owner RW Restaurant Group is seeking a fresh start with a new name inspired by our local canals: Lock 72 Kitchen & Bar. Chef/owner Robert Wiedmaier followed a similar strategy in The Kentlands, where his Brasserie Beck turned into Boulevard Tavern after its first year, and in downtown Bethesda where Urban Heights recently transformed into Tommy Joe’s. But partner Frank Shull says the changes will be more subtle in this case: The original chef is still on board, and the menu will expand a bit with RW signature dishes like Lobster Risotto and Colorado Rack of Lamb. Click here to check it out.

 

 

JT Interiors photo

 

Make a spring stop at JT Interiors

Have you ever driven through Potomac Village and wondered about the cute brown house with the JT Interiors sign? If you haven’t stopped to check out this charming store — which relocated from The Kentlands in 2013 — spring is a great time to visit. Inside you’ll find not only design and renovation services, but also furniture, home accessories, and gifts for all occasions and budgets. We spotted hand-embroidered guest towels and heart-shaped catch-alls for less than $20 each, and canvas totes and Inis fragrances for under $50. “Everything we have here is unique,” says store manager Lauren Gregory. “We buy merchandise that you won’t find in other shops.” JT Interiors, 9906 River Road, (301) 299-0485. Click here to see the latest on their Facebook page, or click here to take a nifty virtual tour.

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On Cloud 9 ad: https://www.facebook.com/On-Cloud-9-252148152907/

 

 

 

Store Reporter kids' gift basket

 

Who won our big basket of toys?

Congratulations to Amanda Klueger of Potomac, who won our latest drawing for this fabulous basket of toys: a Yoga Spinner game from ThinkFun; Spot It and Doodle Quest games from Blue Orange; Crazy Aaron’s Glow-in-the-Dark Thinking Putty, provided by Toy Castle; and a My Gym gift certificate for membership and classes. We have another toy giveaway coming up soon. Stay tuned to Store Reporter to make sure you don’t miss it.

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Brit-Am Indoor Soccer ad: http://www.brit-am.com

 

 

 

Macy's store interior entrance, Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Mall changes: Apple, Sephora & the Macy’s wing

In case you missed our special issue last Monday, we’re predicting a big spring shakeup for the Macy’s wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Insiders tell us that the Apple store will be expanding (and may shut down during the process), while Sephora and Teavana will be relocating to larger new spaces across the hall. For more on this — along with the future of BCBG Max Azria and Kay Jewelers — click here for our April 4 edition.

 

 

PacSun at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Cloudy weather for PacSun

Teen retailer Pacific Sunwear, commonly known as PacSun, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week with plans to reorganize as a private company. PacSun, which has a store at Westfield Montgomery Mall, says it will operate as usual during the restructuring process and all locations will remain open. Gift cards and credits still will be honored for now, but it’s always a good idea to use them quickly in these situations. Teen retailers are having a hard time these days: American Apparel is also in Chapter 11, Abercrombie & Fitch is struggling, and Wet Seal, Delia’s and Deb Shops all have gone out of business.

 

 

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An Addie’s update, a Mother’s Day giveaway and new Amex rewards — plus more on the corned beef front

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Addie's

 

Addie’s on the Pike to reopen as Helen’s Bar & Grill

D.C. caterer Helen Wasserman is eyeing a July 4 opening for Helen’s Bar & Grill, her new restaurant in the former Addie’s location on Rockville Pike. Addie’s was  the first venture for local restaurateurs Jeff and Barbara Black, who earned a loyal following there from 1995 to 2013. Enter Wasserman, who owned a restaurant in the ’80s and wanted to get back in the business after 35 years of catering. “I live just down the street from Addie’s, and when the location came up I thought it was perfect,” she says. The century-old building is undergoing a complete makeover, including the transformation of its famous yellow facade to a muted palette of grey, white and plum. The menu will draw on Wasserman’s favorite catering recipes, with a focus on Mediterranean, Asian and southern dishes. “At lunch we’re going to offer a $15 special with entree, salad, dessert and non-alcoholic drinks,” she says. “I want to make sure that it’s not too high-end, because I want people to come back a lot.”

 

Valerie Nahmani sideways agate necklace

 

Mother’s Day giveaway: Win this necklace

Store Reporter is teaming up with local designer Valerie Nahmani for a Mother’s Day jewelry giveaway. Nahmani’s handmade pieces incorporate gemstones, crystals, gold and silver for beautiful results like this sideways agate necklace, valued at $195. Want a chance to win it? The best way to enter is through Facebook: 1) Like Store Reporter (click here). 2) Like Valerie Nahmani Designs (click here). And 3) Post a comment about the giveaway. If you’re not on Facebook but you’d still like to enter, click here to send us an email. Update: Dana Stewart was the lucky winner of this necklace. Stay tuned for more great contests from Store Reporter.

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American Express card

 

Amex Plenti program makes its debut

This week American Express rolled out its new Plenti rewards program, a flexible system that allows shoppers to earn points at one business and spend them at another. So you could, for example, buy gas from Exxon or cell service from AT&T — and then use those points for purchases at Macy’s or Rite Aid. The new program comes in the wake of recent news that Amex and Costco are terminating their longtime partnership.

 

 

Corned Beef King food truck at Copenhaver Swim Club

 

The Corned Beef King is finally back

After many months of delays and setbacks, the Corned Beef King food truck finally found its way home this week to the Montgomery Square Copenhaver Swim Club on Falls Road near Montrose. Truck owner Jon Rossler, whose family once owned the Celebrity Delly at Cabin John Shopping Center, signed a deal last December to operate from the swim club’s parking lot. After he was driven out by neighbors’ complaints, Rossler applied to the county for express permission to operate from that spot. This week he was finally back in business with everything from Reubens to mac-and-cheese plates to matzoh ball soup. (We tried the corned beef and were duly impressed.) Rossler is still working out the schedule for when he’ll be onsite, but it’s likely to be dinner-only Wednesday through Friday with longer hours on weekends.

 

Ian Band edited profile photoReader Favorite: Chloe’s NY Style Deli

Our Reader Favorite section is the perfect place to tell us about that dish you dream about, that dessert you crave, or that go-to gift from your favorite local store. Ian Band, a Potomac immigration attorney, is impressed with the newly opened Chloe’s NY Style Deli on the edge of the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall. “I’ve been there twice and had the Reuben and the knish both times,” he says. “Fresh, stacked and delicious. Each sandwich is made to order with care. Highly recommended!” Want to tell us about your favorite local place? Click here.