Chop't Rockville

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

December 8, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

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.

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.

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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Nespresso, Teavana, Congressional Plaza and a pizza giveaway

November 10, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

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.

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 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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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.

Congressional Plaza, URBNmarket, As Kindred Spirits, Nike Store and a Target debut

July 14, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

New look, new tenants for Congressional Plaza

Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike is getting a summer mini-makeover. The bustling center is renovating its towers, upgrading landscaping and signage, and expanding the outdoor courtyard between Chopt and Starbucks. The extra seating will provide more space for socializing and also help to accommodate overflow from the center’s growing list of fast-casual restaurants, including the upcoming Modern Market (click here for more on that in our June 9th issue). Also heading to Congressional this fall is Saks Off 5th, the discount branch of Saks Fifth Avenue that’s building out the former Tiara space between Performance Bike and Oxygen Salon. For more on Saks Off Fifth, click here for our Nov. 5th issue.

This weekend: Gifts and fab finds at Park Potomac

URBNmarket, a pop-up showcase for vintage and handmade goods, returns to Park Potomac this Friday and Saturday (July 15th and 16th) for its second show of the summer. URBNmarket’s founders, Julie Greenstein and Debbie Sonnenreich, are hoping to make Park Potomac their permanent home after trying out a couple of different locations in downtown Bethesda. This weekend’s show will feature 40 D.C.-area merchants offering furniture, clothing, home accessories, jewelry and unique finds like these hand-sewn bags from Boîte. Show hours are 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; click here for more info.

Changes in store for As Kindred Spirits

As Kindred Spirits exited Westfield Montgomery Mall last week after less than a year in business near the Godiva store. But fans of the eclectic gift shop can take heart: Owner Wendy Rukmini Walker says she’ll return to the mall this fall with a much larger store — most likely in the Nordstrom wing, where her customers tend to congregate. “That space we had was really too small for us and was always intended to be temporary,” says Walker, who also operates a large store at Congressional Plaza and a small one at Reagan National Airport. “The new store will have more of everything,” she says. “More gifts, more clothes, more unique jewelry, more of who we are.”

Nike Store to open next month

The Nike Store has set an August 18th opening date for its new location at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, where it’s taking over the former City Sports store that closed last fall. That should soften the blow for Sports Authority fans who are mourning the retailer’s final days at Montrose Crossing. Also on the way to Pike & Rose is a new REI store, scheduled to open next year, which will replace the company’s current location on Rockville Pike. For more on that, click here for our Oct. 22 edition.

Circo and Cherokee out, Cat & Jack in

This month Target launches a new kids’ clothing line, Cat & Jack, as it says goodbye to the Circo and Cherokee lines that have defined its children’s department for years. Those snoozy brands “hadn’t evolved much from the look of the Olsen twins on Full House,” reports Bloomberg.com, and they didn’t align with the company’s current goal of reviving the “chic” part of its cheap-chic image. The Cat & Jack brand aims for sophisticated designs, unusual color combinations, gender-neutral T-shirts and slogans that stress collaboration instead of competition. For more on how Target is targeting kids (and their parents), you can find the Bloomberg article here.

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Nike Factory Store, Chuy’s Tex-Mex & Modern Market to Rockville — plus our best appetizer winners

June 9, 2016 By Store Reporter 2 Comments

Nike store’s next for Pike & Rose

Good news for those who are sad to say goodbye to Sports Authority: A Nike Factory Store will soon be moving into Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, taking over the former City Sports space that’s been empty since last fall. The store will carry workout gear and accessories for all ages, some of which can jazzed up with monograms and other custom touches. Nike will be the second sporting goods retailer doing business at Pike & Rose, where REI also is building out a store that’s scheduled to open next year. Click here for more in our Oct. 22 edition.

Chuy’s Tex-Mex heading to Rockville

Making its Maryland debut on Rockville Pike this fall: Chuy’s, a Tex-Mex chain from Austin that’s taking over the recently closed Ruby Tuesday space at Federal Plaza. Chuy’s, which has a half-dozen locations in Virginia, is known for its made-from-scratch menu and quirky decor featuring colored hubcaps, hanging wooden fish and Elvis memorabilia. Craving burritos already? Click here to check out the menu.

Hold the sugar, bring on the butter

Modern Market, a health-oriented and eco-conscious restaurant chain from Boulder, Colo., is heading to Congressional Plaza with plans for a fall opening next to Chopt. The menu will feature salads, sandwiches, brick oven pizzas and breakfast items, all made from scratch with real butter, whole milk cheeses and raw nuts. “We think added sugar is the devil and (good) fats are our friends,” says the Modern Market website.” We’re a place where paleo, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free friends can all enjoy a great meal, together.” Another Modern Market is also on the way to Bethesda Row. For a look at the menu, click here.

Who has the best appetizers in town?

We asked Store Reporter readers to vote for their favorite appetizers in the Rockville/Potomac area. The result? Three hands-down favorites and three runners-up.

CAVA MEZZE AT TRAVILLE VILLAGE CENTER. This is the restaurant that started the whole Cava empire back in 2006 — and many say it’s still their favorite for great small plates. Our readers’ top picks are the Brussels sprouts with Greek yogurt and olive bread crumbs; the roasted beets with balsamic pomegranate and goat cheese; and of course the famous flaming Saganaki cheese.
SUGO AT PARK POTOMAC. Here’s another win for the Cava team, which opened sister restaurant Sugo in 2012. Brussels sprouts and roasted beet salad are popular here too, but in this case the sprouts are cooked with crispy pancetta and the beets are paired with arugula, pistachios and gorgonzola. Other reader favorites: the chicken meatballs and the grilled charred octopus.
MOCO’S FOUNDING FARMERS AT PARK POTOMAC. At the Rockville branch of the D.C.-based chain, right down the sidewalk from fellow winner Sugo, our readers are particularly fond of the farm breads with various toppings — especially the brie, onion jam and crisp apple combo. Other reader picks include the garlic black pepper wings, fried green tomatoes, bacon lollis and bacon-wrapped dates.

Three other restaurants also earned high marks in our best-appetizer poll. THE GRILLED OYSTER CO. AT CABIN JOHN SHOPPING CENTER draws praise not only for its oysters but also its mussels, fried calamari and Maryland crab dip. CLYDE’S TOWER OAKS LODGE earns kudos for its hummus plate, grilled lamb chops and Coca Cola-marinated beef yakitori. And at MATCHBOX on Rockville Pike, our readers favor the mussels, mini burgers and tuna tartare.

Congrats to our Sugo dinner winner

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader David Winer of Potomac, who won our drawing for a $60 Sugo gift card. Thanks to all who entered the drawing by voting for their favorite appetizers — and stay tuned to Store Reporter for more giveaways coming up.

Duck Donuts, David’s Tea, Marmi Shoes & Chopt — plus a Sports Authority update

March 17, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Don’t duck these donuts

In another week or so, the Krispy Kreme at Fallsgrove won’t be the only place to get a hot donut fresh off the frying machine. Duck Donuts, a familiar name for those who work in Virginia or vacation at the Outer Banks, is set to make its Maryland debut on Rockville Pike. Duck, named after the North Carolina town where it was founded, has built a loyal following for its cakey donuts with unexpected toppings like bacon, chopped peanuts and maple icing — all of which can be mixed and matched to your tastes. Also on the menu: muffins, yogurt, breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Opening day could be as soon as next week at the Sunshine Square Shopping Center, 1327 Rockville Pike, in the former home of the Entenmann’s Bakery Outlet. From the buzz we hear, the lines are going to be long.

David’s Tea set to open in May

Canadian retailer David’s Tea has confirmed our March 3 report that it will soon open its first Maryland store at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The move is part of a major expansion for David’s, which recently went public and hopes to open 550 stores in the U.S. and Canada. The Montgomery Mall store will carry tea-making equipment and 150 types of tea, from traditional and international infusions to seasonal selections like the Jolly Jellybean blend shown here. “We can’t wait to join this community and for Marylanders to discover our loose leaf teas and innovative products,” says spokesperson Marjorie Roux. David’s will be the third tea store at Montgomery Mall, joining Starbucks-owned Teavana and the independent shop Rumi Tea & Spice.

Shoes in, hats out, toys back at the mall

Marmi, the women’s shoe store specializing in hard-to-find sizes, opens this weekend in the Nordstrom wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Sales and special deals will be happening all weekend long; see the ad below for details. This week also marks the return of the mall’s Smart Toys store, which had been closed for several weeks due to structural repairs. Meanwhile, two other mall tenants have exited in the past few weeks. Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too, a seasonal store that changes locations every year, will likely be back next winter. But the Lids hat store, whose products are now carried inside Macy’s, has closed its doors for good.

Chopt opens at Congressional Plaza

Chopt had its long-awaited opening at Congressional Plaza last week, replacing the Plow & Hearth store near Starbucks. This makes four Chopt restaurants in Maryland and more than a dozen overall in the D.C. area.

Sports Authority update

Sports Authority, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this month, has changed its plans for Maryland since our last report. The Gaithersburg store near Lakeforest Mall is now slated for closure, along with three other Sports Authority stores across the state. The Rockville store at Montrose Crossing is safe for now. Nationally, Sports Authority is laying off some 3,400 people and closing about one third of its 464 stores.

Who won our ArcLight movie tickets?

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Emily Weiner, who won a pair of ArcLight Cinema tickets for our March giveaway. Thanks to everyone who entered by sending in suggestions for our Kids & Teens Reader Favorites issue, which came out last week. Want to see which stores and restaurants got the most votes from our readers? Click here.

Bowling at the mall, new restaurants in Rockville, Sports Authority and Once Upon a Chef

February 25, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

The mall gets Lucky

Here’s some news that might bowl you over: Lucky Strike, the California-based chain of upscale bowling alleys, is taking over the old movie theater space at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Plans call for a late summer/early fall opening for Lucky Strike, which will offer gourmet food, bar service, and party space for adults, kids and teens. Lucky Strike should be a fine companion to the popular ArcLight Cinema, as Westfield Montgomery Mall continues to find more reasons to draw people in on the weekends. This will be the second D.C.-area location for Lucky Strike, which also has a presence near the Verizon Center in Chinatown.

Asian Cafe set to open next week

Miso Fusion Café will make its long-awaited debut at Rockville Town Square next week, offering a menu of traditional Korean and Japanese cuisine plus some creative mashups. “At our other restaurant in Annandale, it’s basically Koreatown — and they like things the traditional way,” says Miso co-owner A.J. Lee. “At this restaurant we’re going to have pork tenderloin, chicken jalapeño, a whole section of cheese roll katsus, and other dishes that would never fly in Annandale. We also have a lot of cool new ramen dishes, an all-you-can-eat section, and a full bar that will be open late.” You can find Miso Fusion Cafe in the former Pho & Rolls space at 33 Maryland Ave.

Carluccio’s debuts at Pike & Rose

Carluccio’s, the Italian restaurant and gourmet market, opened for breakfast, lunch and dinner service this week at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda. This is the second U.S. location for Carluccio’s, a U.K. company that also opened in Alexandria last summer. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the PerSei apartment building off Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road.

Chopt is almost here

Chopt is expected to open in the next few weeks at Congressional Plaza in Rockville, where the salad chain recently posted an enormous sign that announces its presence to drivers far across the Pike. Expect another new tenant soon, as Congressional looks to replace the Robeks store that closed late last year.

New cookbook from Potomac chef

Coming to bookstore shelves in 2018: The Once Upon a Chef Cookbook by Potomac’s own Jenn Segal. The publishing deal with Chronicle Press marks a long-held career goal for Segal, a graduate of L’Academie de Cuisine who worked at L’Auberge Chez Francois before launching Once Upon a Chef from her home. Her easy-to-follow recipes, using everyday ingredients and accompanied by step-by-step photos, have earned Segal a huge loyal online audience (100,000-plus readers for her weekly newsletter) and regular print and TV appearances. The new book will feature 30 favorites from the Once Upon a Chef website, plus 70 new recipes that Segal will be working on this year.

Bankruptcy watch for Sports Authority

Sports Authority is facing a likely bankruptcy filing in March after missing payments to its creditors over the past few months. The Colorado-based chain, with 450 stores across the country, is a leader in its category along with Dick’s, Academy Sports and Bass Pro Shops. But sporting goods retailers have been losing market share to specialty apparel stores like Lululemon, discounters like Walmart, and of course the ubiquitous Amazon.com. The bankruptcy filing will likely be accompanied by the closing of nearly 150 Sports Authority stores; no word yet on the fate of those in our area.

White Flint, Wegmans, Chopt, Chelsea Collective and an Urban Heights giveaway

August 20, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

What went down while you were out of town

While we’ve all been vacationing this summer, the retail and restaurant news hasn’t stopped. Read on for a look at what’s been happening these past few weeks. We’ve got lots more to tell you about what’s coming this fall and winter — but it will have to wait until September, when we’re back to our weekly schedule. (To keep up with any breaking news between now and Labor Day, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook.)

White Flint/Wegmans watch

In case you’ve been away and missed the latest on the White Flint Mall saga: Last week a federal jury awarded Lord & Taylor $31 million for lost profits and future renovation costs during the mall’s impending teardown and reconstruction. That verdict is likely to be appealed, which means yet another delay in plans for a new version of White Flint — and also makes it increasingly unlikely that Wegmans will continue to be a part of those plans. The beloved grocer reportedly had been close to an agreement with White Flint’s owners before this latest turn of events. A Wegmans spokesman tells us she can’t comment on “rumors or speculation” about the White Flint site. But from what we hear, Wegmans is now actively scouting other locations in greater Rockville/Potomac.

Chopt on the way to Congressional Plaza

Good news for the salad scene in Rockville: The much-loved Chopt chain will open a new location next spring at Congressional Plaza on the Pike. Chopt will take over a portion of the space left by the Plow & Hearth store, which closed in June. Sorry, all you impatient Chop’t fans: We have no idea why it’s going to take that long.

Win a $50 gift card for Urban Heights

This month we’re giving away a $50 gift card for Urban Heights, 7940 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda. New executive chef Cliff Wharton, formerly with D.C.’s TenPenh, draws on his Filipino heritage for an Asian-influenced menu with dishes like Bulgogi-Style Steak Salad and Xo Honey Glazed Shrimp with Wasabi Grits. And don’t miss the Tuna Bar with your choice of Tuna Roll, Sashimi, Tartare or Ahi Poke. Even if you don’t win the gift card, Store Reporter has a little something for everyone who enters. Enter via Facebook by clicking here.

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New boutique at Potomac Woods

Ibhana, a new women’s clothing boutique, has opened at Potomac Woods Plaza in the former Robert Bernard Jewelers space off Montrose and Seven Locks Road. This is the first storefront in the Rockville area for owner Meena Tharmaratnam, who started out selling Indian shawls from her home and later operated pop-up stores in D.C. Now she carries clothing, jewelry and accessories from designers like Joseph Ribkoff, Damee, Fridaze and Lior. “My customer is typically a baby boomer woman, and I’ve learned what she wants,” Tharmaratnam says. “She doesn’t want sleeveless. She wants things that are sophisticated, washable, wrinkle-free, travel-friendly and not fearfully expensive.”

Who won our Wildwood Kitchen giveaway?

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Sharri Freedman, who won our $75 gift card to Wildwood Kitchen at the Shops of Wildwood. We also have a special thank-you for everyone who entered: a free dessert on your next visit to Wildwood Kitchen. (If you were one of our Wildwood entrants, watch for an upcoming email with details on how to claim your dessert.) We have many more great restaurant giveaways coming up this fall; be sure to enter the next one for Bethesda’s Urban Heights.

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New place for workout wear

Lululemon and Lucy just got some fresh competition in the D.C. market: Chelsea Collective, a female-focused subsidiary of Dick’s Sporting Goods, opened its very first store this month at Tysons Corner Center. The merchandise is a mix of clothes, shoes and fitness accessories from mainstream brands like Nike and Under Armour as well as trendier lines like Zobha, Splendid, Lorna Jane, Spiritual Gangster and the new Calia by Carrie Underwood. The store aims to please with tailoring services a la Lululemon, gait analysis a la your favorite running store, and a “girlfriend lounge” equipped with treadmills and ballet barres to test the merchandise in action.

Chop't Rockville

Two new restaurants for Congressional Plaza

Starbucks goes Venti in Potomac Village

Who won our biggest raffle ever?

Sponsored Content

Something dazzling from Kaufman Jewelers

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Something sparkly from JT Interiors

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Nespresso, Teavana and Apple will be here for the holidays

Win $50 for pizza at Pieology

Sponsored Content

Have a seat at Congressional Plaza

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

Sponsored Content

New coffee spot in Rockville

New look, new tenants for Congressional Plaza

This weekend: Gifts and fab finds at Park Potomac

Changes in store for As Kindred Spirits

Nike Store to open next month

Circo and Cherokee out, Cat & Jack in

Nike store’s next for Pike & Rose

Chuy’s Tex-Mex heading to Rockville

Hold the sugar, bring on the butter

Who has the best appetizers in town?

Congrats to our Sugo dinner winner

Don’t duck these donuts

David’s Tea set to open in May

Shoes in, hats out, toys back at the mall

Chopt opens at Congressional Plaza

Sports Authority update

Who won our ArcLight movie tickets?

Sponsored Cont

The mall gets Lucky

Asian Cafe set to open next week

Carluccio’s debuts at Pike & Rose

Chopt is almost here

New cookbook from Potomac chef

Bankruptcy watch for Sports Authority

What went down while you were out of town

White Flint/Wegmans watch

Chopt on the way to Congressional Plaza

Win a $50 gift card for Urban Heights

Sponsored Content

New boutique at Potomac Woods

Who won our Wildwood Kitchen giveaway?

Sponsored Content

New place for workout wear

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