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Peet's Coffee Bethesda

Vineyard Vines opens, Irish pub on the way, Amazon same-day shipping and a River Falls Tavern giveaway

June 4, 2015 By Store Reporter 3 Comments

 

 

 

Vineyard Vines at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Vineyard Vines, Johnston & Murphy open at the mall, while J. Crew takes a summer break

It’s a busy time in the Nordstrom wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall, where two new stores opened for business last weekend and a third closed its doors for the summer. The big news for many is the Maryland debut of Vineyard Vines, whose breezy, clean-cut clothes have earned a huge following among preppies from Massachusetts to Palm Beach. The brand has become a staple at college campuses as well as our local high schools, where the pink whale logo is as popular with today’s teens as Izod crocodiles and Polo ponies were with their parents. Not to be outdone by its snazzy new neighbor, the mall’s nearby J. Crew store closed its doors last week for a major remodeling that should be done by early August. The other new addition in the Nordstrom wing is the classic shoe store Johnston & Murphy, which built its reputation in men’s footwear but now offers a range of clothing and accessories for both sexes. In other mall news: A huge Peet’s Coffee station with plenty of comfy seating is about to open in the Sears wing, while the women’s clothing store J. Jill is relocating to the former Fossil space near Macy’s.

 


 

River Falls Tavern tuna

 

Win dinner for two at River Falls Tavern in Potomac Village

This week we have a fabulous giveaway from the River Falls Tavern in Potomac Village, which is offering dinner on the house for one lucky pair of Store Reporter readers. RW Restaurant Group, which purchased the Tavern last spring, has introduced a sophisticated new menu under the direction of famed chef Robert Wiedmaier. Top picks include the Braised Boneless Beef Short Rib, served with creamy garlic polenta and glazed young carrots, and the Peppercorn and Coriander Seared Rare Tuna (shown here), served with roasted beets, emerald kale and farro salad. For more on what’s happening at the River Falls Tavern, click here for our May 28th edition. Want to win dinner for two (up to $65) and try the new dishes for yourself? Click here to email us (subject line: Tavern) or click here to enter via Facebook. Update: Store Reporter reader Nicole Kustner won this giveaway. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great contests.

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Amazon logo

 

Amazon same-day shipping

This week brought some welcome news for Amazon Prime shoppers in greater Rockville and Potomac: The company just launched same-day delivery service in the greater D.C. area, including area codes 20850, 20854, 20817 and many others nearby. You can now order by noon for guaranteed delivery by 9 p.m., or by midnight for delivery the next day — as long as you spend at least $35 and choose items marked with the Prime Free One-Day logo. The list of qualified items is not exactly comprehensive, but we spied plenty of things (batteries, printer cartridges, kids’ birthday presents, etc.) that could easily spare us from a last-minute shopping trip. Same-day shipping is free for Prime members, but it’s also open to other Amazon customers for a $9.98 delivery fee. And here’s some more good news: Amazon says it will soon start offering free shipping for everyone on inexpensive items that weigh less than eight ounces.

 


 

Guinness beer

 

Irish pub on the way to Rockville Town Square

An Irish pub is joining the restaurant lineup at Rockville Town Square, where three new eateries are now scheduled to open in the next few months. Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub, the first venture from local husband-and-wife team Terry and Vanessa Laurin, will start renovations this month at the Gibbs Street space that formerly housed Carbon Peruvian Chicken & Grille. Rockville Town Square, which lost nearly a dozen tenants in the past 12 months, is now looking to entice diners with locally owned ethnic restaurants like the recently opened Ev & Maddy’s (European-style bistro) and Peter Chang (traditional Chinese). Also on the way are Miso Cafe (Korean/fusion) and Samovar (food from Tajikistan). Those two, along with Finnegan’s Wake, should be open by fall.

 


Robeks maple water smoothies

 

Congrats to the winners of our Robeks gift cards

Congratulations to Store Reporter readers Christy Taylor, Ron Gravitz, Margie Ritter, Rhoda Ganz and Amy Pelletier, who won our gift cards for the Robeks smoothie store at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great giveaways, and like us on Facebook (click here) to make sure you don’t miss a beat.

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ThinkGeek Star Trek man

 

Gamers and geeks are worth big bucks

Video game retailer GameStop has announced plans to buy Geeknet, the Fairfax company that runs the popular ThinkGeek website, in a $140 million deal that’s expected to close this summer. ThinkGeek specializes in goofy and nerdtastic merchandise from Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, Marvel and other franchises that appeal to adults and kids alike. (Theoretically, at least, these are the same people who like to shop in GameStop’s stores — and will be thrilled to check out that Captain America Stealth Shield Watch in person.) Apparently geek chic is worth a lot these days: GameStop expects this acquisition to boost its sales by $100 million per year.

 


 

 

Filed Under: Current Issue Tagged With: Amazon same-day shipping Potomac, Amazon same-day shipping Rockville, Carbon Peruvian Chicken & Grille, Finnegan's Wake Irish Pub, GameStop, J. Crew Bethesda, J. Crew remodeling Westfield Montgomery Mall, J. Crew Westfield Montgomery Mall, J. Jill Bethesda, J. Jill Westfield Montgomery Mall, J. Jill Westfield Montgomery Mall moving, Johnston & Murphy Bethesda, Johnston & Murphy Westfield Montgomery Mall, Peet's Coffee Bethesda, Peet's Coffee Westfield Montgomery Mall, River Falls Tavern, River Falls Tavern Potomac Village, Robeks Congressional Plaza, Robeks Rockville, Robert Wiedmaier, RW Restaurant Group, Tavern at River Falls, ThinkGeek, Vineyard Vines Bethesda, Vineyard Vines Westfield Montgomery Mall, Westfield Montgomery Mall

Who’s in and who’s out at the mall this spring — plus a Chopt winner and a yoga teacher’s dinner

March 26, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

 

 

 

Westfield Montgomery Mall Cherry Blossom exteriorWhat’s blooming at the mall this spring

New stores and restaurants will be blooming at Westfield Montgomery Mall this spring — and so will some lovely lighting and floral decor that celebrates the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Stop by the mall information center for a free gift, download the festival’s smartphone app for merchant discounts (click here),  and read on for a roundup of what spring will bring to the mall.

 

Cold Stone sundaeNaples, Cold Stone, Yum Crepes coming soon — and Tara Thai’s on the way

Naples, the upscale Italian restaurant that will overlook the mall’s Dining Terrace, is finally expected to open in late April after many months of construction delays. Also on the way in the next month or two: Cold Stone Creamery, Yum Crepes and Chloe’s NY Style Deli.  Elsewhere in the mall, Cleo’s Oil Bar will start pouring gourmet samples next week (click here for more). And Tara Thai has announced plans to join the mall’s dining lineup — opening date and location still TBA. (We’re betting on the long-vacant Legal Sea Foods space.)

 

Vineyard Vines dress shirtPreppie clothes, men’s shoes and sportswear

On the fashion front, the big names arriving this spring are preppie favorite Vineyard Vines and men’s shoe retailer Johnston & Murphy. Both stores are under construction in the mall’s Nordstrom wing (click here for more in our Feb. 5 issue). Another recent addition, in the former Sitara space near Old Navy, is the D.C.-area sportswear chain  V*I*P. This one is for fans of brands like Helly Hansen, Burton, Marmont and Patagonia.

 

Peet's MacchiatoMore coffee and tea on the way

Mall shoppers will soon have even more ways to get caffeinated: A Peet’s coffee bar is under construction in the Sears wing, while newcomer Rumi Tea and Spice will open a shop on the lower level near Macy’s. That’s in addition to several coffee and tea shops already on the premises: Starbucks, Aroma, Teavana and the Nordstrom beverage bar.

 

 

Lucky Brand shirtSpring cleaning: who’s gone, who’s going

Here are a few mall retailers that didn’t make it to spring break: Konplott and bareMinerals (both closed last month);  Lucky Brand (opening a new location at Pike & Rose); and Caché (now in the final stages of a going-out-of-business sale). The fate of the mall’s RadioShack store remains to be seen: This week the bankrupt chain sold its remaining locations to a new owner.

 

 

Chop't SaladWho won our Chopt giveaway?

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Eileen Seminara, who won a pair of gift cards for salads or sandwiches at Chop’t — good at the Wildwood Shopping Center or any other location. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more upcoming giveaways.

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Stephanie Udell Rosenblatt

 

Reader Favorite: Sedona Salmon at the Silver Diner

Stephanie Udell Rosenblatt, a yoga instructor at Life Time Athletic and other D.C.-area gyms, is a regular at the Silver Diner on Rockville Pike. “I love it because the kids can get what they want, I can get what I want, and they have options for all kinds of special dietary needs,” she says. Rosenblatt’s go-to dinner is the Sedona Salmon ($16.99) with quinoa, artichokes, roasted veggies, tomatoes, scallions and cilantro topped with a lemon garlic sauce. “It’s healthy, light and delicious.” Want to tell us about your favorite store or restaurant? Click here.

 

Filed Under: Current Issue Tagged With: Bare Minerals, Bare Minerals Westfield Montgomery Mall, bareMinerals, bareMinerals Bethesda, Caché, Chloe's New York Deli, Chop't, Cleo's Oil Bar, Cold Stone Creamery, Eileen Seminara, Johnston & Murphy Bethesda, Konplott, Life Time Athletic, Lucky Brand Bethesda, Naples, Peet's Coffee Bethesda, RadioShack, Regency Estates Swim Club, Rumi Tea and Spice, Silver Diner, Stephanie Udell Rosenblatt, Tara Thai, V*I*P, V.I.P., Vineyard Vines Bethesda, VIP Bethesda, Westfield Montgomery Mall, Yum Crepes

Famous chef may be eyeing Potomac Village; more closings at Rockville Town Square — plus desserts, giveaways and more

February 19, 2015 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

 

 

Mussel Bar edited

Famous chef may be eyeing Potomac Village

Here’s some good news for the Potomac Village dining scene: We hear that D.C.-based chef Robert Wiedmaier is looking to take over one of the Village’s existing restaurants. The German-born Wiedmaier, known for his expertise with Belgian cuisine, is the force behind Mussel Bar & Grille, Wildwood Kitchen, Brasserie Beck and Marcel’s. Stay tuned to Store Reporter as this story unfolds.

 


 

Red Hue BoutiqueMore closings at Rockville Town Square

Rockville Town Square will lose another local business this Sunday (Feb. 22) with the closing of Red Hue Boutique, which featured clothes by local designer Silvia Huezo. “This area is just not providing enough business for us,” says store manager Jasmine Sutton. The Red Hue line, which is handmade in Huezo’s native El Salvador, will still be sold online (click here) and at some local stores. Red Hue is the third Rockville Town Square business to close in the last few weeks. The Gibbs Street antique store that opened before the holidays is gone after just three months. So is 82 Steak Out, which closed in January after less than a year and was quickly replaced by Ev & Maddy’s (click here for more). Elsewhere around the Town Square, many storefronts have been vacant since last summer (click here for our Sept. 4 report).

 


 

AsiaNine sushi

 

Still time for our Asia Nine giveaway

There’s still time to enter our dinner-for-two giveaway at Asia Nine, a Penn Quarter favorite that recently opened a second location in Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown development. A winner will be chosen at random in time for next week’s issue. If you haven’t put your name in our hat, click here to enter by email (subject line: Asia Nine). Or enter via Facebook: Just “like” our Facebook page and scroll down for the post about the contest (click here). Update: Reader Julie Mustelin won this dinner for two. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great giveaways.

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Yum Crepes signComing soon to the mall: Cold Stone, Yum Crepes, Peet’s

Dessert will soon be on the menu in the newly renovated Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Cold Stone CreameCold Stone Creameryry and Yum Crepes have started construction — both in prime spots to capture moviegoers from the ArcLight Cinema, as well as the nearby eateries. Also under construction: Peet’s Coffee, scheduled to open this spring in the mall’s Sears wing.

 

 


 

American Express card

 

 Post-Valentine’s Day breakup: Costco and Amex

Next year you’ll have to say goodbye to all those American Express rewards points you’ve been racking up with every Costco run:  The two companies have decided to end their longtime partnership. As of March 31, 2016, American Express cards will no longeCostco-Logor be accepted at Costco stores. And those co-branded Costco/Amex TrueEarnings cards with no fees and fabulous rebates? They’re going away too. Costco is said to be working on a new partnership with a different credit card company. 

 


 

Valerie Nahmani Druzy necklaceWho won our heart?

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Dena Farber Schoenfeld, who won our Valentine’s Day giveaway for this druzy heart necklace from local designer Valerie Nahmani. For all those who didn’t win, there’s still hope; We’ll be spreading the love with another Valerie Nahmani giveaway this spring. Click here to check out Nahmani’s designs. And keep reading Store Reporter for your next chance to win.

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Jennifer Miller headshot

Reader Favorite: Palm Beach Salad at Chopt

This new section is the perfect place tell us about that dish you dream about, that dessert you crave, or that go-to gift from your favorite little shop. For Jennifer Miller, a Potomac special educator, it’s the Palm Beach Salad at Chop’t: a mix of avocado, grape tomatoes, cucumber, hearts of palm and romaine lettuce. “I like the wide array of fresh ingredients, and you can add shrimp or chicken for protein,” says Miller, who likes to top things off with a red wine or balsamic vinaigrette. The Palm Beach Salad costs $7.99 to $9.99, depending on size and toppings. Want to tell us what you love at a local store or restaurant? Click here.

 


 

Filed Under: Current Issue Tagged With: 82 Steak Out, American Express, ArcLight Cinema Westfield Montgomery Mall, Asia Nine, Chop't Palm Beach Salad, Cold Stone Creamery Bethesda, Cold Stone Creamery Westfield Montgomery Mall, Costco, Downtown Crown, Ev & Maddy's, Jennifer Miller, Peet's Coffee Bethesda, Peet's Coffee Westfield Montgomery Mall, Red Hue Boutique, Robert Wiedmaier Potomac Village, Rockville Town Square, Valerie Nahmani, Westfield Montgomery Mall, Yum Crepes Bethesda, Yum Crepes Westfield Montgomery Mall

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