Potomac Grocer

Latest on Lucky Strike, Potomac Day Spa closes, trendy Thai ice cream

September 29, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

No bowling at the mall this fall

Remember the bowling alley that was supposed to open this summer at Westfield Montgomery Mall? As we move into fall with construction barely under way, we thought it was time for a check-in with California-based Lucky Strike. “We’re now looking at the first quarter of 2017,” says company spokesman Brandon Thomsen. “We’re excited to come to Bethesda, but some details of the project are still evolving.” This will be the second location for the company’s new Lucky Strike Social concept, which recently launched in Albany with 18 bowling lanes, a full kitchen and bar, a concert hall/party room, and a variety of games from billiards to old-school arcades. For a preview of what’s on the way, click here.

Potomac Day Spa closes

Potomac Day Spa, operating out of a cute little house in Potomac Village for more than two decades, has quietly closed its doors. “The rent here is just crazy expensive, and we had been struggling for a long time,” says owner Angela Hay, who bought the spa four years ago and shut it down last Saturday. The business had little walk-in traffic, Hay says, and it’s been increasingly difficult to compete with larger operations like Red Door and the new Woodhouse Day Spa on Rockville Pike. “The older people liked our quaintness, but the younger people like to go to places that are trendy,” Hay says. “I just couldn’t keep pouring money into something that wasn’t going to survive.”

Rolling out a new ice cream trend

Thai rolled ice cream, a Southeast Asian street food that’s trending across the country, has arrived in downtown Rockville. Class 520 (the name is a play on the Chinese phrase for “I love you”) opens Saturday on Dawson Avenue just off North Washington Street. Each dessert is made fresh when you order, starting with a liquid ice cream base that’s poured over a cold grill until it freezes over. “Then we add the mix-ins and run it over with a spatula to shape it into curls, so you wind up with a hard texture that slowly melts,” says manager Adam Shi. Virtually unknown in the U.S. until recently, Thai-style ice cream has popped up in foodie cities from Los Angeles to New York to Philadelphia in the past 12 months. “We believe that ours is the first one in Maryland,” Shi says. “It’s a trendy food that’s familiar to the Asian population, so we think it will do very well in this area.” Want to see how it works? Click here for a video demo.

Ready for Rosh Hashanah?

If you’re hosting a crowd for the Jewish holidays this year, there’s still time to order from Potomac Grocer. On the menu for Rosh Hashanah: onion-braised brisket, pomegranate molasses-glazed salmon, lemon honey roasted chicken, sweet potato-carrot tzimmes, noodle pudding and much more. Pre-ordering is recommended, but some dishes will be available à la carte while they last. Potomac Grocer, 10107 River Road, 301-299-4200. For the catering menu, click here.

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Here’s a product that takes balls

Look out Nike and Under Armour: Lululemon is going after the men. In an interview this week with Bloomberg.com, Lululemon CEO Laurent Potdevin says he hopes to double the company’s male customer base from 20 percent to 40 percent of its sales. Potdevin has a pretty good track record in this arena, having previously helped drive more male customers to Tom’s Shoes and more females to Burton Snowboards. This fall Lululemon is showcasing a new line of men’s pants called “ABC” — as in Anti-Ball Crushing. Wondering just how they’re going to promote this product? We did too. Click here.

Bad week for Cosi

The Cosi restaurant chain, which exited downtown Rockville two years ago, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Almost half of the company’s corporate-owned locations, including the one in downtown Bethesda, closed their doors this week. Thirty-one locations owned by franchisees, including one on Wisconsin Avenue, are expected to remain open. For more on Cosi’s bankruptcy, click here.

New spa and Tex-Mex on Rockville Pike; Two restaurant closings in one week

September 22, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

New spa opens on Rockville Pike

The Woodhouse Day Spa, under construction for more than a year at North Bethesda Market on Rockville Pike, is officially open for business. This is the first Maryland location for the Texas-based chain, which offers massage, skin care and mani/pedis as well as specialty services like warm spiced mud wraps and aromatherapy sleep treatments. Not on the spa menu: Anything to do with hair. “We didn’t want any whir of hair dryers or smell of hair chemicals to take away from the experience at our spa,” says franchise owner Peter Dychkewich, a former investment banker. “We paid great attention to design details, right down to the eight-foot mahogany doors. We want this place to feel like you’re in an old European manor house.” The grand opening party is happening this Saturday (Sept. 24th); click here for details.

Almost time for Tex-Mex on the Pike

Chuy’s is set to open its doors Oct. 4 at Federal Plaza on Rockville Pike, where construction crews have been working all summer to renovate the former Ruby Tuesday space. This is the first Maryland location for the Tex-Mex chain, known for its made-from-scratch menu, fresh margaritas and kitschy decor. We’ve been hearing good buzz from readers who have tried Chuy’s in Virginia. For a preview of the menu, click here.

Goodbye MET Bethesda & Hooters

In case you missed our special edition earlier this week: MET Bethesda, the upscale restaurant across from the ArcLight Cinema at Westfield Montgomery Mall, made an unexpected exit last weekend after less than two years in business. Click here for more on the demise of MET, the fifth restaurant to close at Montgomery Mall since May. Hooters on Rockville Pike also closed its doors last weekend after losing its liquor license in the wake of a fatal drunk driving accident.

Ready for Rosh Hashanah?

If you’re hosting a crowd for the Jewish holidays this year, Potomac Grocer makes it easy. On the menu for Rosh Hashanah: onion-braised brisket, pomegranate molasses-glazed salmon, lemon honey roasted chicken, sweet potato-carrot tzimmes, noodle pudding and much more. Pre-ordering is recommended, but some dishes will be available à la carte while they last. Potomac Grocer, 10107 River Road, 301-299-4200. For the catering menu, click here.

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Softest store at the mall

Here’s a sure sign that cooler weather is on the way: Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too, a seasonal tenant at Westfield Montgomery Mall, has returned for the winter in a new space next to Brookstone. The store carries a surprising variety of gifts and clothing, from sweaters, shawls and coats to hats, gloves and boots for adults and kids. (Biggest draw for men: the sheepskin moccasins with gel soles, priced at $69.99). The store’s owners manufacture many of their own products; click here to see what else they carry.

Stanford Grill opens, Revolution Cycles moves, Cava gets more cash — plus giveaways from On Cloud 9 and Potomac Grocer

October 1, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Stanford Grill finally makes its debut

Stanford Grill, the restaurant that has seemingly been under construction forever at Tower Oaks Boulevard and Wootton Parkway, finally opened its doors this week and is ready to give neighboring Clyde’s Tower Oaks Lodge a run for its money. The restaurant offers indoor/outdoor seating for more than 300 people, with an American and sushi-centric menu from award-winning chef Sean Kinoshita plus breads and desserts from a veteran of Bethesda’s Praline Bakery & Bistro. This is the second restaurant for Stanford Grill, whose parent company also operates the Copper Canyon Grill chain. Its high-profile location, below the headquarters of Lerner Enterprises and The Tower Companies, has been drawing attention ever since the sign went up all those months ago. “We do expect to attract a lot of business people on the weekdays,” says company spokesman Zania Patterson. “But on the weekends, we hope to draw a totally different crowd.”

New home for Revolution Cycles

Revolution Cycles has closed its Rockville Pike store after more than a decade, reopening last week at a new location in the up-and-coming Twinbrook area. The new store occupies 9,000 square feet at 5750 Fisher Lane, on the gr
ound floor of the new Terano apartment building near the Twinbrook Metro station. (Click here for our Sept. 10 issue to find out what’s opening at the nearby Galvan at Twinbrook.) “We’re already getting a lot more foot traffic from the government buildings across the street,” says Alex Bartholomew, sales manager for the Rockville biking store. Rockville is one of four D.C.-area locations for Revolution Cycles, which got its start in Georgetown more than 15 years ago. “This market has a big road bike commuter scene with a lot of people who are trying to stay fit,” Bartholomew says. “Some of our customers do 25-mile one-way commutes on their bikes every day, and some do .7-mile commutes just for a chance to get outside.”

Win a Butter jacket from On Cloud 9

If there’s a young fashionista in your life, you won’t want to miss this week’s giveaway: a super-soft Butter jacket like the ones shown here (your choice of size and style) from On Cloud 9 at Potomac Woods Plaza, 1085 Seven Locks Road. The store is ready for fall with cute designs like these, as well as the latest looks from brands like Vintage Havana, So Nikki, Malibu Sugar, Wildfox, Sugarlips and T2 Love. (Click here to see more from On Cloud 9 on Facebook.) Update: Jill Mendelson Rodriguez won this giveaway; keep reading Store Reporter to see what we’re giving away next.

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Cava gets another $45 million — and tries something new

In case you missed the media hoopla about Cava last week, the home-grown restaurant chain announced that it’s secured a second round of venture capital funding — $45 million this time — to continue its development and national expansion. Cava has a loyal following in the Rockville/Potomac area, where it it began nine years ago with a single restaurant on Traville Gateway Drive. Much of the company’s growth is now coming from its quick-serve division, Cava Mezze Grill, which will open its first West Coast locations this fall. But Cava also has experimented with other concepts, including Sugo at Park Potomac and the recently opened Brusco, a tiny luncheonette that sits next to a full-service Cava restaurant in Baltimore. Brusco focuses on street food like souvlaki, catfish sandwiches and buttermilk fried chicken — all priced at $10 or less. “It’s for people walking around at lunchtime who don’t necessarily have the time to sit and eat,” says Cava co-owner Ted Xenohristos. So will Brusco ever make it to Montgomery County? Xenohristos isn’t sure yet. “We’ve never really done a sandwich shop before,” he says. “First we have to see if we can run this one properly, and if it can be successful over a long period of time.”

Here’s our Potomac Grocer gift card winner

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Jodie Ozatalar, who won our $100 gift card to Potomac Grocer in Potomac Village. Ozatalar will be able to treat her family to the store’s fresh fish and seafood, ready-to-serve prepared meals, and gourmet goodies from local vendors. To check out Potomac Grocer for yourself, visit the store at 10107 River Road (next to Walgreens in the Village), or visit the website at www.potomacgrocer.com.

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Filene’s Basement is back

Have you missed Filene’s Basement since the Boston-based retailer went belly-up four years ago? Well, this week Filene’s returned from the dead — not on Rockville Pike, but on the Internet. A New York holding company that bought the Filene’s name has launched its website with loads of discounted merchandise from designers like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Nautica, Jones New York, Kenneth Cole, Marc Jacobs and many more… including the wedding gowns that Filene’s was famous for. We were surprised to see that the store also carries brands that are normally exclusive to Macy’s, including INC, Karen Scott and American Rag. The new Filene’s promises free shipping on all orders — although it’s not immediately clear who pays when you send something back. Click here to check it out.

Gringos & Mariachis, World of Beer, Life Time Athletic and a Potomac Grocer giveaway

September 24, 2015 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Mexican favorite on the way to Park Potomac

Gringos & Mariachis, a new Mexican concept from the owners of Olazzo, will open a second location at Park Potomac next summer across from Sugo and MoCo’s Founding Farmers. Gringos, which opened on Cordell Avenue just 18 months ago, has established an enthusiastic following for its tacos, nachos, guacamole and fresh margaritas. The new restaurant will be a bit larger than the one in Bethesda, with seating for 100 inside and 50 outside. “The menus will be similar to each other, but we’ll switch things up here and there,” says co-owner Roberto Pietrobono, who runs the Bethesda restaurant with brother Riccardo and business partner Marc Miranian. Gringos is the first restaurant to publicly announce a deal for the next phase of Park Potomac. From what we hear, developers also have been talking to an ice cream shop, a pizzeria and a sushi restaurant.

Have a cold one in Rockville this winter

One of the most buzzed-about new restaurants heading to downtown Rockville this winter is World of Beer, part of the new Upton project scheduled to open early next year at Rockville Town Center. “We’re going to have 500 beers in the bottle and 50 on tap, plus a tavern fare menu, craft spirits, wine and a good selection of cider,” says owner Matt Earl, part of a franchise group that also operates World of Beer locations in Baltimore and Towson. “More and more people are drinking craft beer these days, and it’s been a dream of mine to have a business like this,” Earl says. The Upton, which occupies several adjoining buildings along Maryland Avenue, will incorporate hotel rooms, apartments and ground-floor retail and restaurants. Other tenants will include Panera, Supercuts and Old Line Bank.

Win a $100 gift card for Potomac Grocer

This week we’re giving away a $100 gift card for Potomac Grocer, 10107 River Road next to Walgreens in Potomac Village. That’s enough for some fresh fish plus a gourmet sampling of specialty dishes like crab cakes, chili-glazed salmon and chicken parmesan. And don’t forget to check out the store’s locally made treats: Oat My Goodness Granola, Dolci Gelato, Slender Seven Cookie Dough and many more. Click here to enter via our Facebook page, or click here to enter by email (subject line: Potomac Grocer). Update: Store Reporter reader Jodie Ozatalar won this giveaway. Check our Facebook page and keep reading Store Reporter to see what we’re giving away next.

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New look for Life Time Athletic

Life Time Athletic in Rockville is getting a mini-makeover this week: $150,000 worth of improvements to its main workout area, locker rooms and child care center. The decision to renovate was reassuring for members who’ve been worried that Life Time might close its Rockville fitness facility after it opens a huge new one in Gaithersburg next fall. “That is absolutely not going to happen,” promises manager Ken Corbett, who has been with the Rockville club on and off since it opened in 2008. “I am staying here, and this club is remaining open.” Corbett says the renovations are part of continuing efforts to maintain the “high-end product” that local gym-goers are looking for. After all, a number of posh fitness centers have opened in this market since Life Time first arrived — and still others, including D.C.’s Solidcore, are on the way. We’ll have more on that in an upcoming issue.

Starbucks on your phone

This week marked the nationwide rollout of mobile ordering at Starbucks. The process is pretty simple: Open the Starbucks app on your phone; order your drink from the nearest store; pay for it via the app; then head to the pickup counter and grab your pumpkin spice latte. The app also lets you know which store is closest and estimates when your coffee will be ready — most likely in 10 minutes or less. “Most of our customers don’t know about this yet,” one Rockville barista told us. “Once they figure it out, they’re going to be very happy to skip the line.”

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

January 15, 2015 By Store Reporter

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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Who closed over the holidays; new life for Tiara; Potomac Village grocery saga continues

January 8, 2015 By Store Reporter

Going, going, gone

As we begin the new year, let’s bid adieu to some local stores and restaurants that didn’t survive the holidays. At Westfield Montgomery Mall, the Burton snowboarding shop and the Dumpling Dojo eatery both made sudden disappearances. Also gone are Naartjie Kids, whose parent company declared bankruptcy last fall, and Wet Seal, a struggling teen retailer that started dumping hundreds of its stores after Christmas. Over in Rockville, The Children’s Place at Congressional Plaza will close this month (though the Montgomery Mall location will remain). And today (1/8) is the last day of business for Robert Bernard Jewelers at Potomac Woods Plaza — but one of its partners expects to open a new store in the area. (Click here for more in our Dec. 4 edition.)

Tiara’s transformation

Tiara Galleries & Gifts, a fixture at Congressional Plaza for the past two decades, is making big changes for 2015. Next month the store will get a new name (Silver Moon Jewelry & Accessories), a new location (the former Harry & David space a few doors down), and a new focus on jewelry and handbags. “We won’t be carrying any more crystal or porcelain,” says owner Irv Losman. “Those ‘older’ categories were my dominion — but the rest of my staff is more in tune with lines like Brighton, Spartina, Vera Bradley, Endless, Pandora, and Alex and Ani. We’ve decided to do a smaller, more streamlined store that appeals to women in a different way.”

Two more restaurants at Pike & Rose

Opening in the next few weeks at Pike & Rose: Stella Barra Pizzeria, featuring artisanal pizzas, salads and sandwiches; and Summer House Santa Monica, offering California-influenced food with a beach house-style decor. Both concepts are from the Chicago-based restaurant empire Lettuce Entertain You, which also owns chains like Maggiano’s and Mon Ami Gabi. Click here to learn more.

Grocery staff shakeups in Potomac Village

With the re-opening of the Market at River Falls over the holidays, several key employees who had crossed the street to Potomac Grocer have now returned to their original jobs. Back at River Falls are chef Steven Fela and seafood specialist Michael “Junior” Turgott. Manager Max Devens says he’s staying with Potomac Grocer. He’ll be joined by newly hired chef David Rogers, a veteran of Balducci’s and the National Gallery of Art. Now that this musical chairs game seems to be over, we’re still wondering: Can Potomac Village really generate enough business to support a Giant, a Safeway and two high-end grocery stores? (For more background on the Village grocery store saga, click here.)

Bonobos and Cold Stone Creamery to the mall; Goodbye P.F. Chang’s, hello Roy Rogers

December 18, 2014 By Store Reporter

New place for men at the mall

Bonobos, the online men’s clothing company known for its well-fitting pants, will soon have a physical store at Westfield Montgomery Mall — but you won’t be able to buy anything there. Bonobos stores, known as “Guideshops,” don’t stock much merchandise or handle any real-time sales transactions. Instead, they function as showrooms where men can make an appointment to be fitted, figure out what they like, and then follow up with an online order. It’s all part of a trend for online retailers (including Warby Parker, Athleta, Piperlime and even Amazon) to open physical spaces in major cities where customers can try before they buy. Montgomery Mall’s Bonobos store, which will be the third for the D.C. area, will open in a couple of months — right across from the guy-magnet Tesla showroom. Click here to check out the Bonobos website.

Cold Stone Creamery headed to the mall — plus opening updates

We hear that Cold Stone Creamery will soon be joining the food lineup at Westfield Montgomery Mall, opening early next year. Arriving sooner — probably around New Year’s — will be Chipotle and CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar (click here to read more about CRAVE). In non-food news, the Kiehl’s skin-care store opens tomorrow (Dec. 19) at 11 a.m. with “mystery gift cards” for the first 50 customers.

What’s cooking at Potomac Grocer

Potomac Grocer, 10107 River Road in Potomac Village, is taking holiday orders for beef tenderloins, turkeys, party platters and more. For a look at what’s cooking for the holidays, click here to see a short video. To place an order, call 301-299-4200.

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Goodbye P.F. Chang’s

Here’s some news that shouldn’t surprise anyone: P.F. Chang’s at the White Flint Mall will close its doors in January, leaving only Lord & Taylor still in business while the rest of the property is slated for demolition. Although there had been talk of a relocation for P.F. Chang’s, management now says the restaurant will come back to White Flint after the mall is rebuilt as an open-air shopping/dining complex. There’s still no word on the timing of that project, which has been held up by lawsuits from Lord & Taylor and the now-closed Dave & Buster’s.

Hello Roy Rogers

Roy Rogers rode back to Rockville this week for the first time in more than 25 years, opening Monday on the Pike across from Marlo Furniture. It’s a welcome return for many locals who have fond memories of the singing cowboy, the western-themed menu and the signature “Fixin’s Bar.” The Rockville restaurant is number 50 for a company that went from 600 locations to near-extinction before its current journey along the comeback trail. Click here to read more in our Nov. 13 edition.

Holiday Giveaway at Cabin John

Cabin John Shopping Center and Mall is offering an extra incentive for shoppers this month. Spend $25 or more at any merchant (except CVS or Giant) and get a cute LED light-up mug and a pack of Ghirardelli hot cocoa mix. Some of the cocoa packs also include a $50 gift certificate to one of Cabin John’s merchants. And be sure to register for the grand prize: a $50 gift certificate to every merchant at Cabin John (a $2,750 value).

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We’re off for the holidays

Store Reporter is taking a break for the holidays. But like the Elf on the Shelf, we’ll still be watching (and posting on Facebook). Click here to like us.

River Falls Market reopens; dueling crabcakes in Potomac Village; Chinese food back at Cabin John next week

December 11, 2014 By Store Reporter

Market at River Falls returns on Wednesday

River Falls Market in Potomac Village is set to reopen next Wednesday (Dec. 17) with a slight name change (it’s now The Market at River Falls) and a new husband-and-wife team in charge: James McWhorter, a VP with wholesaler Coastal Sunbelt Produce, and Yasmin Abadian, a realtor with Long & Foster in the Village. (It was the breakup of the market’s previous husband-and-wife owners that led to its closing last October; click here to read that story.) Andrew Malinowski, the market’s longtime head chef, will be back on board for the reopening along with his popular recipes. “We’re going to expand into more organic and plant-based foods,” Abadian says. “But everything that people loved is coming back, including the superior-quality fish, the chicken tenders, the meatballs and of course the crab cakes.” However, River Falls won’t be the only place to find those crab cakes. Read the next item for more.

Dueling crab cakes

After the demise of River Falls Market in October, several key staffers quickly found jobs across the street at the recently opened Potomac Grocer (10107 River Road). Among those who made the switch are executive chef Steven Fela; meat and seafood specialist Michael “Junior” Turgott; and most recently, general manager Max Devens. “This area feels like home to me,” says Devens, who spent the intervening months working at the D.C. market Wagshal’s. “Since I’ve come back to Potomac Village, the reception I’ve gotten from customers has made this one of the most heartwarming times of my life.” With the reopening of River Falls, it will be interesting to watch how customer loyalties play out now that so many have switched their business over to Potomac Grocer. They’ve been coming not only for the familiar staff, but also for the familiar recipes — which apparently will now be prepared similarly at both stores.

Chinese food back at Cabin John next week

China Gourmet Bistro, the new restaurant moving into the Cabin John Shopping Center, will open for business on Monday, Dec. 15. “We’re going to have a modern Asian menu with the majority Chinese food, but also some Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese and Singaporean dishes,” says owner Vivien He, whose family also owns a small Chinese restaurant in Ellicott City. “One of our specialties will be Ramen noodles — not the instant kind — where you can choose different toppings like braised beef, chicken or shrimp.” This will be the third Chinese restaurant to operate from the same space at Cabin John. But this one will offer something that its predecessors didn’t: Delivery.

Corned Beef King looking for a new kingdom

The Corned Beef King is no longer holding court on Falls Road. Last week, right after we reported that the popular food truck had signed a long-term lease to park at the Copenhaver Swim Club, owner Jon Rossler was forced to move after an unhappy neighbor complained to the county. The news came as a major disappointment to many Store Reporter readers who told us they’ve been driving as far as Olney for one of Rossler’s corned beef sandwiches. Click here for our Dec. 4 report on the Corned Beef King — and stay tuned to Store Reporter to find out where he’ll park next.

Corned beef on Falls Road; River Falls comeback; Potomac jeweler closing — plus a discount on teen gifts

December 4, 2014 By Store Reporter

Where’s the beef on Falls Road?

The Corned Beef King food truck that parked along Falls Road last weekend will soon be a familiar sight: Truck owner Jon Rossler has signed a lease to operate from the parking lot of the Copenhaver Swim Club. Rossler, who learned the food business working at his family’s Celebrity Delly restaurants, will offer a rotating menu that includes pastrami, turkey, brisket, hot dogs, knishes, matzoh ball soup, bagel-and-lox sandwiches and more. The food isn’t cheap: most sandwiches cost $10 to $14, plus a few bucks for sides and Dr. Brown’s sodas. Rossler also operates a full-service Corned Beef King restaurant in Olney, and he’s working on a second location in The Kentlands (click here for his website). “I grew up here,” he says. “I know the area. I know the people. If you’re mediocre, you’re not going to make it here.” The Corned Beef King truck will operate Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. — along with “guest trucks” on weekends, starting with Go Fish and Hardy’s BBQ. Update: Right after we sent out this report, the Corned Beef King had to move his truck. See our 12/11 issue for more.

River Falls Market coming back?

River Falls Market, which closed two months ago after the bitter breakup of owners Jeff and Ashley Grolig, may be on the comeback trail. Some former customers received a postcard this week promising that the market was “coming back soon” — under new ownership and management — but with the “same great quality, same great flavors, same great smiles.” That’s going to be a difficult feat, since much of the market’s staff is now working across the street at Potomac Grocer. Click here to read more about the October saga. And stay with us to find out what happens next.

Potomac jeweler closing

Robert Bernard Jewelers, a fixture for 10 years at the Potomac Woods Plaza off Montrose and Seven Locks Road, is closing up shop after the holidays. Co-owner Robbie Rosin is moving to California, but his partner George Kaufmann is looking to open a new store in Potomac next year. “My son Corey, who is studying to be a gemologist so he can work with me, will be the third generation of Kaufmanns in this business,” he says. “My father owned Kaufmann Jewelers in D.C — first on G Street and later on M Street — and I used to go and help out on Saturdays. So with the new store, I’m going back to my roots. We’re probably going to call it Kaufmann Jewelers — or maybe Kaufmann & Son.”

Jodi’s Jamboree gift bag winner — plus 20% OFF for everyone else

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Amy Pogorelc, who scored a gift bag for her daughter from Jodi’s Jamboree: Sugar Lips leggings, a Scout bag, a Next Level hoodie and Boxercraft pajama pants. For everyone else who’s shopping for a teen girl, there’s still time to put together a gift bag of your own: Jodi’s Jamboree is offering Store Reporter readers 20 percent off their total purchase. Click here for our coupon, which is good though Dec. 31st.

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Black Friday wrap-up

Black Friday was a little less green than usual this year, with both physical stores and online retailers reporting disappointing sales. Although the numbers picked up on Cyber Monday, some reports indicate a drop from last year in total spending for the holiday weekend — despite the fact that many retailers opened their doors on Thursday night before the pumpkin pie was even on the table. Although there was some backlash against that strategy, it appeared to work out for Westfield Montgomery Mall where the doors opened at 6 p.m. and the parking lot was packed by 8.

Grocery shakeup in Potomac Village, Chinese food back to Cabin John?

October 9, 2014 By Store Reporter

River Falls Market shuts down

Potomac Villagers were shocked this week at the sudden departure of River Falls Market, the 16-year-old gourmet store known for its fresh seafood and prepared meals. The store shut down without warning Sunday afternoon, a casualty of the bitter breakup between owner Jeff Grolig and his wife Ashley. The family also operated two neighboring restaurants, Renato’s and The Tavern, where it looks like business has resumed as usual. Enzo Iachetti, manager of Renato’s, says he’ll continue to run the restaurant under the direction of Ashley Grolig. At The Tavern, Jeff Grolig’s father has taken over day-to-day operations. “I haven’t managed the restaurant before, but I’ve been the owner since we opened it,” says John Grolig, a retired fireman and real estate agent. “I’ve got the same staff, and we’re going forward.”

Meanwhile, across the street

If you’re among those mourning the loss of River Falls Market, here’s some good news: Several of the store’s longtime employees have migrated across Falls Road in recent months to join the staff at Potomac Grocer. Familiar faces who’ve made the switch include meat and seafood specialist Michael “Junior” Turgott, chef Steve Fela plus another cook, and two longtime counter service staffers. Thomas Spencer, who opened Potomac Grocer last February at 10107 River Road, says he had no intention of poaching employees but the migration happened naturally. “These people started streaming over to us” when things weren’t going well at River Falls, he says. So if you’re wondering where to find crab cakes like the ones at River Falls, you might want to check across the street.

Chinese food coming back to Cabin John?

It looks like Chinese cuisine will soon be back at Cabin John Shopping Center. We can’t name names yet, but we hear that a favorite Chinese restaurant from elsewhere in Maryland is close to signing a deal for the longtime Jade Billows space. The spot has been empty since February, when the short-lived China Jade Bistro moved out.

Deal of the Week at Dawson’s Market

Store Reporter readers get $5 OFF a $25 purchase at Dawson’s Market in Rockville. Stop in anytime before the end of October — or time your visit during one of the store’s great events, including a Health and Wellness Fair this Sunday and a Farmer’s Market on Wednesday. Click here for our Dawson’s Market coupon, good through Oct. 31.

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We’ve “arranged” a winner

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Amy Kossoff Smith, who won our contest for a free consultation with personal organizer Bridget Calhoun of Arranged. And for all those readers who couldn’t get themselves organized enough to enter, Arranged is offering a discount. Click here for details of our offer, which is good through Nov. 15.

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