Store Reporter

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

Pieology Shady Grove Road

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.

 

Sponsored Content

 

 

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. 

 

 

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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.

 

Sponsored Content

 

 

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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.

 

Sponsored Content

 

 

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.

 

 

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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.

 

 

Founding Farmers Wine Dinner: http://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com/let-mocos-founding-farmers-wine-dine-you/

 

 

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.

 

 

Regency Estates Swim Club membership discount ad: http://rescswimpool.org

 

 

 

Store Reporter sales rep ad

 

 

 

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.