Store Reporter

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

Chloe's NY Style Deli

Hello to Pieology and Habit Burger — and goodbye to another mall restaurant

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 Pieology pizzas

 

Make-your-own pizza on Shady Grove Road

Pieology, a make-your-own pizza restaurant in the style of the recently departed Blaze, made its Maryland debut on Shady Grove Road this week in the former Chicken Out space near Nordstrom Rack. This is the beginning of a planned mid-Atlantic expansion for Pieology, a California-based chain that offers 40 choices of fresh toppings over three types of crusts (including gluten-free) at a price point below $10. Click here to see the menu, which also includes Chopt-style customizable salads. Pieology is actively looking for additional Maryland and D.C.-area locations, says local franchise exec Todd Stallings. He and his associates already know the market: They’re also the regional franchisees for Five Guys.

 

 

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The Habit Burger Grill

 

Habit Burger opens in Rockville

The Habit Burger Grill, named by Consumer Reports as one of the top fast food restaurants in the country, arrived ahead of schedule this week at Wintergreen Plaza on Rockville Pike. Like Pieology, this is a California-based chain opening its first store in Maryland. Click here to check out the Shake Shack-style menu of burgers, fries, onion rings and ice cream-based drinks. If burgers aren’t your thing, Jersey Mike’s Subs is set to open next door in early July. The two restaurants stand in the spot once occupied by Tedd’s 355 diner, which closed last fall.

 

 

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Chloe's Deli

 

Another restaurant exits the mall

Westfield Montgomery Mall lost its fourth restaurant in two weeks with the closing of Chloe’s NY Style Deli, which exited over Memorial Day weekend shortly after celebrating its first anniversary. Chloe’s had been the first independent venture for owner Caje Fernandes, a veteran of Celebrity Delly, Attman’s and Shalom Kosher whose menu had offered everything from knishes to latkes to matzoh ball soup. Fernandes says he simply couldn’t generate enough traffic with so many food choices at the mall, especially at his location away from the central Dining Terrace. Chloe’s closed just a week after the simultaneous departures of Blaze Pizza, Lobster ME and Jamaican Mi Crazy. (Click here for more in our May 23rd edition.) Mall officials say there are several new leases soon to be announced, in addition to next month’s opening of Beefsteak by celeb chef José Andrés. (Click here for more in our Feb. 18 edition.)

 

 

Samovar soup

 

Vodka, blintzes and belly dancing in Rockville

Samovar, the Russian/Central Asian restaurant that’s been under construction for more than a year at Rockville Town Square, finally opened this week at 201 North Washington Street. Owner Solijon Nasimov, a longtime restaurateur in his native Tajikistan, will be working with daughter Ika Nasimova of Rockville’s European Delight market. Entrées include caviar dishes, blintzes, beef stroganoff, smoked fish and kebabs, with a drink menu that ranges from Turkish coffee to infused vodkas to Czech and Ukranian beers… and White Russians, of course. Click here to check out the menu, as well as the upcoming schedule for live music and belly dancing.

 

 

 

Apple Store closing confirmed — plus burgers, delis and spring discounts

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Apple, Teavana and Sephora stores at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

It’s official: Apple Store will close May 7th

Our report last week about the spring shakeup at Westfield Montgomery Mall is now official: The mall has confirmed that the Apple Store will close April 30th for a major expansion that affects multiple tenants in the Macy’s wing. As we predicted, Apple will take the space formerly occupied by the recently closed BCBG and newly closed Teavana. The cosmetics store Sephora also is expanding to a larger space across the hall, but in Sephora’s case the old store will stay open until the new one’s ready. We’ve been told that Teavana plans to reopen elsewhere in the Macy’s wing… but with the debut of competitor David’s Tea just around the corner, it’s unclear whether that’s actually going to happen. For more on these changes, including the possible move of Kay Jewelers from its prime corner spot, click here for our April 4th special edition.

 

 

Smasburger burger and fries

 

New burgers beefing up the Pike

Smashburger is set to open its doors next Wednesday (April 20th) at the new Galvan at Twinbrook complex, which is nearing completion on Rockville Pike. This will be the first Rockville location for the Denver-based chain, which has been beefing up its presence in Montgomery County for the past few years. Smashburger, so named because its fresh burgers get smashed before they’re seared on the grill, also offers chicken sandwiches, salads, fries, and an array of great-looking shakes and malts. But competition is on the way: The Habit Burger Grill, a California-based chain with a similar menu, is scheduled to open this fall at nearby Wintergreen Plaza. Click here for more in our Feb. 11 issue.

 

 

 

 

 

Chloe's NY Style Deli 20% off coupon: http://chloesnystyledeli.com

 

Deli deal at the mall

This month marks the one-year anniversary of Chloe’s NY Style Deli, an old-school gem that you may have missed in the bounty of dining choices at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Owner Caje Fernandes, who spent 20 years behind the scenes at Celebrity Delly, Attman’s and Shalom Kosher, offers a surprisingly robust menu — plus breakfast all day and a full array of catering services — from his Dining Terrace space next to Chick-fil-A. Looking for matzoh ball soup, kippered salmon, half-sour pickles and homemade knishes, rugelach, macaroons and latkes? Chloe’s has them. And from now through May 15th, you can try them all — at 20% off. Just show our coupon on your phone… and share it with a friend who appreciates a great corned beef sandwich.

 

Chloe's NY Style Deli sandwich

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Lucky Strike bowling alley

 

Are you up on the latest?

Did you know that the former Addie’s restaurant reopened this week as Helen’s? Heard about the new Duck Donuts on Rockville Pike? Wondering why River Falls Tavern changed its name, or whether a bowling alley is really opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall? (Hint: Yes!) If you missed these stories — or just want to see what else we’ve written about — there’s no time like now to catch up on back issues of Store Reporter. You can find them all in our guide to previous issues; just click here.

 

 

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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. For details of the program and a list of participating merchants, click here for the Plenti website.

 

 

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.

 

 

Baskin Robbins cone

 

Cabin John deals and discounts

In case you missed it last week — or in case you tried to use our link during a temporary technical glitch — we invite you again to check out our Coupons & Giveaways page for great deals, discounts and freebies at the Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall. There  you’ll find offers from Baskin-Robbins, BGR, Broadway Pizza, California Tortilla, My Gym and many more. You’ll also find a special 20 percent-off coupon for Leila Jewels, which is good through May 10. Click here to see them all.

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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.

 

 

 

A New York-style deli, a Behnke successor and gourmet Chinese on the way — plus giveaways from ArcLight and Cava Mezze Grill

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Chloe's Deli with owner

 

New deli is the real deal

Here’s something we weren’t expecting: Chloe’s NY Style Deli, which opened last weekend in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall, turns out to be the real deal — complete with half-sour pickles, kippered salmon, egg creams and Dr. Brown’s sodas. This is the first business for owner Caje Fernandes, who spent 20 years working his way up from server to manager at Celebrity Delly, Attman’s, Shalom Kosher and other local restaurants. “I know everything about Jewish delis,” he says. “I even have my own recipe for knishes, and I make my own latkes, soups, salads, corned beef, brisket and pastrami.” Chloe’s also serves breakfast all day with eggs, bagels, lox and nova. (We should mention here that the menu also includes bacon; this is a Jewish-style deli, but obviously not a kosher one.) Click here for a peek at the Chloe’s menu. And click here if you missed our April 2 report on the Corned Beef King, a deli on wheels that will soon be parked at Falls Road and Montrose.

 

 

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Turning over a new leaf at Behnke

Behnke's Nurseries

New life is blooming on River Road: A new business — Potomac Petals and Plants — is set to open this month in the former home of local favorite Behnke Nurseries. Employees were busy this week giving a facelift to the space, where Behnke’s operated for 16 years before moving out last summer. “The cost of staying on that property simply didn’t make business sense anymore,” Behnke’s VP Stephanie Fleming said at the time. We’ll have more on Potomac Petals and Plants in an upcoming issue. Meanwhile, click here to read more about why Behnke left Potomac.

 

 

 

Win ArcLight tickets — plus a live-stream Q&A with Michael Douglas

This week we have a great offer for night owls and Michael Douglas fans: a chance to win tickets to the new Douglas flick Beyond the Reach, followed by a live streamed Q&A with Douglas and co-star Jeremy Irvine. It all starts at 10 p.m. tonight in the ArcLight Cinema at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The event is open to everyone (click here for details) but ArcLight is offering five pairs of FREE tickets for Store Reporter readers. If you’d like to put your name in our hat, be sure to do it quickly: The winners will be announced by 6 p.m. tonight (April 16). Click here to enter by email (subject line: ArcLight) or click here to enter via Facebook. 

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Chef Peter Chang, Rockville Town Square 25KBPeter Chang’s Rockville restaurant to open next week

Famed Chinese Chef Peter Chang is scheduled to open his new restaurant at Rockville Town Square next week, on Maryland Avenue in the former home of Taste of Saigon. The highly anticipated restaurant will bear Chang’s name and feature some of his favorite dishes from previous ventures: Duck in Stone Pot, Scallion Bubble Pancakes and Grandma’s Steamed Pork Belly. Last year was a tough one for Rockville Town Square, but things are definitely on the upswing: This is the second restaurant opening since January, with two more on the way this summer. Click here for more in our April 2 edition.

 

 

 

Aveda cleanserAveda’s out at the mall

Aveda, the plant-based skincare and cosmetics company, has closed its store at Westfield Montgomery Mall. It’s the second cosmetics store to vacate the mall this spring, after the recent departure of bareMinerals (whose spot has since been taken by Sunglass Hut). Both stores faced tough competition from the popular Kiehl’s brand, which opened in a prime spot at the mall last December.

 

 

Cava Grill Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Congrats to our Cava Mezze Grill winner

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Kelly Rudolph Pashkoff, who won our $25 gift card to Cava Mezze Grill. (And by the way, to all those readers who wrote to tell us how much they love, love, love Cava: We passed your sentiments along to co-founder Ted Xenohristos, who was touched to hear them. Xenohristos was in Los Angeles last week gearing up for the chain’s West Coast expansion.)

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What’s on the way to the mall — and your chance to weigh in

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ArcLight Cinema/Westfield Montgomery Mall New Entrance Rendering

 

More at the mall

Last year marked the beginning of a $90 million transformation for Westfield Montgomery Mall, including the addition of several full-service restaurants, a posh new Dining Terrace, luxurious public seating areas and a 16-screen movie theater. But there’s much more to come in 2015, says mall manager Eric Howard. “The story in 2014 was the renovation,” he says. “The story this year will be about upgrading our tenant mix, getting the right retailers to come in.” Read on for an update on what’s coming — and a chance to tell mall management what else you’d like to see.

 

CRAVE exterior

 

More new restaurants

This week marked the debut of the high-end restaurant CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar (shown here), joining the recently opened MET Bethesda and soon to be followed by Naples 45 Ristorante e Pizzeria. Today (1/15), Chipotle will open in the mall’s Dining Terrace. Coming soon: Cold Stone Creamery and Chloe’s NY Style Deli. We expect to see several more destination restaurants joining the lineup for 2015.

 

Tiffany blue box

 

More luxury stores

We’re betting on the arrival of Tiffany & Co., whose presence at Montgomery Mall would help pave the way for a whole new group of similarly high-end retailers. Mall management will confirm only that a “luxury jeweler” is on the way, and Tiffany remains tight-lipped about its plans. But our Mall Crystal Ball has been pretty accurate so far: This is one of three predictions we made back on May 29 (you can read that issue here) — and two of them (Lululemon and the Microsoft Store) have since come true.

 

Peet's Cappucinno

 

More coffee

Peet’s Coffee & Tea will open a kiosk this spring in the mall’s Sears wing, offering another alternative to those long lines at Starbucks. This will replace (and hopefully improve on) the old Caribou Coffee kiosk, which closed in 2013 after Caribou was sold to Peet’s. Expect some light food and a casual seating area, similar to the coffee shop just outside Nordstrom.

 

I Voted Sign

What else would you like to see?

The mall is actively courting new tenants for 2015, and manager Eric Howard wants to know what Store Reporter readers are looking for. “We don’t want to just fill space — we want to figure out who’s missing,” he says. “Who is that retailer we don’t have yet?” So here’s your chance to offer some feedback to Howard and his team: Are you hoping for a housewares store to replace Crate & Barrel? Do you have a favorite place at Tysons Corner that you’d like to see in Maryland? Is there something you miss from the former White Flint Mall? Tell us what you think by email (click here) or on our Facebook page (click here). We’ll tally up your suggestions and pass them on to mall management.

 

 

Potomac Grocer logo

 

Cheesemaker event at Potomac Grocer

Potomac Grocer, 10107 River Road, will show off its new selection of artisan cheeses with a Cheesemaker Event from 4-6 p.m. next Wednesday (Jan. 21st). Andy Hatch, lead cheesemaker with Uplands Cheese in Wisconsin, will be sampling his award-winning Pleasant Ridge Reserve while the store cooks up some special dishes for cheese lovers. For details, call 301-299-4200.

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