Potomac Woods Plaza

Holiday parties, great gifts & our biggest raffle ever — plus Apple and Orangetheory

December 1, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Kicking off the holidays with our biggest raffle ever

This week we’re kicking off gift-giving season with a bounty of fabulous raffle items from vendors at the Washington Hebrew Congregation Sisterhood Holiday Boutique & Silent Auction, opening Sunday Dec. 4 and continuing through Tuesday Dec. 6 at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center in Potomac. Here are some of the gifts you can win:

White fuzzy PJ Salvage sweater from Barbie B (shopbarbieb.com)
Turquoise Siberian tiger leggings from LavaLoka (lavaloka.com)
Silver and zirconia necklace from Artfully Designed (click for more on Facebook).
Choker necklace with crystal beads from Gemini Jewelry (click for more on Instagram).
“Hibiscus in Orange” large photo canvas from Photos by Freddi (photosbyfreddi.com).
Bottle of vintage Robbins Family Farm organic balsamic vinegar from All Things Olive (allthingsolive.com).
Glittery girls’ headband from Bows Etc. (bowsetc.com)
Girls’ leggings from Shop Marti (shop-marti.com).
$50 gift certificate for kids’ clothing from Blue Elephant (shoptheblueelephant.com).

There are three ways to put your name in our hat: 1) Click here to enter online. 2) Click here to enter via the Store Reporter Facebook page. 3) Visit the boutique show, stop by the Store Reporter table and fill out an entry form. We’ll announce the winners next week.

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Cocktail party at Nordstrom

Tonight (Dec. 1) is the night for Westfield Montgomery‘s holiday kickoff party at Nordstrom Court. What’s on the menu? Cocktail bites from various Westfield Montgomery restaurants, whimsical entertainment… and from what we hear, some surprises that will be worth your while. The party is happening from 6 to 8 p.m.; there’s a $10 suggested donation to benefit Care for Kids at Children’s National Medical Center. Complimentary valet provided (please park by Tara Thai). Purchase tickets at the door or click here to RSVP.

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Apple’s back… and we’re a little disappointed

The newly renovated Apple store reopened just before Thanksgiving at Westfield Montgomery Mall. If you haven’t seen it yet, there’s no need to rush: Frankly, we think the new design is a bit of a snooze. It’s bigger, of course, and just as white and minimalist as you’d imagine. But it seems we missed out on the some of the cooler features that Apple has been adding to its stores in other other cities. There’s no Genius Grove with live trees. No boardroom for private meetings. No designated area for the creative sessions and live concerts that Apple has been planning at other locations. Of course we’re happy to have Apple back. But this new store just doesn’t have the “wow” we were hoping for.

Orangetheory opens next week

Orangetheory Fitness makes its debut at Park Potomac next week, just across the street from MoCo’s Founding Farmers. This is the second Montgomery County location for the Florida-based fitness chain, which offers heart rate-monitored group workouts with intervals of cardio and strength training. Grand opening party is Dec. 8th from 6 to 8 p.m — with orange crushes to drink, of course. Click here for more.

Free Alex & Ani bracelet at Congressional’s Silver Moon

Alex and Ani is a name you’ll see on plenty of teens’ wish lists this year. The stackable bangle charm bracelets, priced from just $28, are made in the U.S. from recycled materials with a portion of the proceeds going to charity. This weekend (Friday Dec. 2 through Sunday Dec. 4), Silver Moon Jewelry & Accessories is giving away a Peace & Love bangle with every $75 Alex and Ani purchase. Stop in to see the collection at Silver Moon, 1659 Rockville Pike in Congressional Plaza. For details, call 301-468-1122 or click here.

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For your foodie friends: O’Donnell’s Market gift cards

If you’re already a fan of O’Donnell’s Market — or if you haven’t checked it out yet — December is a great time to treat yourself and your friends. Through the end of this month, purchase $100 worth of O’Donnell’s gift cards and get a $20 card of your own. What to try? For first-timers, owner Bill Edelblut recommends the cocktail shrimp, organic salmon, sushi-grade tuna, grass-fed beef tenderloin and signature crab cakes. The holiday tarts and rum buns also make great hostess gifts. Click here, call 301-251-6355 or visit O’Donnell’s Market, 1073 Seven Locks Road next Walgreens at Potomac Woods Plaza.

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Addie’s successor, Fish Taco, River Falls Tavern and our toy basket winner

April 7, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Addie’s successor ready to open

After two looong years of construction on the building that once housed Addie’s — and more bumps in the road than the owner cares to count — doors are finally set to open next week at Helen’s Bar & Grill on Rockville Pike. Owner Helen Wasserman, a veteran D.C. caterer, says her new place will feature an ever-changing menu of favorite recipes perfected during years of feeding partygoers. For first-time visitors, Wasserman recommends the grilled lamb chops, lobster dumplings and cheese wontons with guacamole. Hours aren’t quite set yet and the restaurant is small, so call ahead if you’re planning to try it out: (240) 403-7035.

Hola Fish Taco

Here’s a peek at the new Fish Taco, which opened over spring break at Wildwood Shopping Center off Democracy Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road. “Things have been busier than we originally anticipated,” reports head chef Brant Cotter, “but that’s a great problem to have.” This is the second location for the popular Mexican chain, which made its debut on MacArthur Boulevard in 2013; a third will open this summer on Wisconsin Avenue. To see what’s on the menu at Fish Taco, click here.

Name change for the Tavern

A year after the sale of The Tavern at River Falls in Potomac Village, owner RW Restaurant Group is seeking a fresh start with a new name inspired by our local canals: Lock 72 Kitchen & Bar. Chef/owner Robert Wiedmaier followed a similar strategy in The Kentlands, where his Brasserie Beck turned into Boulevard Tavern after its first year, and in downtown Bethesda where Urban Heights recently transformed into Tommy Joe’s. But partner Frank Shull says the changes will be more subtle in this case: The original chef is still on board, and the menu will expand a bit with RW signature dishes like Lobster Risotto and Colorado Rack of Lamb. Click here to check it out.

Make a spring stop at JT Interiors

Have you ever driven through Potomac Village and wondered about the cute brown house with the JT Interiors sign? If you haven’t stopped to check out this charming store — which relocated from The Kentlands in 2013 — spring is a great time to visit. Inside you’ll find not only design and renovation services, but also furniture, home accessories, and gifts for all occasions and budgets. We spotted hand-embroidered guest towels and heart-shaped catch-alls for less than $20 each, and canvas totes and Inis fragrances for under $50. “Everything we have here is unique,” says store manager Lauren Gregory. “We buy merchandise that you won’t find in other shops.” JT Interiors, 9906 River Road, (301) 299-0485. Click here to see the latest on their Facebook page, or click here to take a nifty virtual tour.

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Who won our big basket of toys?

Congratulations to Amanda Klueger of Potomac, who won our latest drawing for this fabulous basket of toys: a Yoga Spinner game from ThinkFun; Spot It and Doodle Quest games from Blue Orange; Crazy Aaron’s Glow-in-the-Dark Thinking Putty, provided by Toy Castle; and a My Gym gift certificate for membership and classes. We have another toy giveaway coming up soon. Stay tuned to Store Reporter to make sure you don’t miss it.

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Mall changes: Apple, Sephora & the Macy’s wing

In case you missed our special issue last Monday, we’re predicting a big spring shakeup for the Macy’s wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Insiders tell us that the Apple store will be expanding (and may shut down during the process), while Sephora and Teavana will be relocating to larger new spaces across the hall. For more on this — along with the future of BCBG Max Azria and Kay Jewelers — click here for our April 4 edition.

Cloudy weather for PacSun

Teen retailer Pacific Sunwear, commonly known as PacSun, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week with plans to reorganize as a private company. PacSun, which has a store at Westfield Montgomery Mall, says it will operate as usual during the restructuring process and all locations will remain open. Gift cards and credits still will be honored for now, but it’s always a good idea to use them quickly in these situations. Teen retailers are having a hard time these days: American Apparel is also in Chapter 11, Abercrombie & Fitch is struggling, and Wet Seal, Delia’s and Deb Shops all have gone out of business.

Habit Burger in, City Burger out, subs on the way and goodbye Qdoba

February 11, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Burgers & subs on the way to Rockville Pike

Two popular fast food restaurants are on the way to Rockville Pike, opening this fall outside Wintergreen Plaza in the space once occupied by Ted’s 355 Diner. The Habit Burger Grill, a fast-growing chain from California that’s making its Maryland debut, offers a Shake Shackish menu of burgers, fries, onion rings and ice cream-based drinks. Jersey Mike’s Subs, with nearly 200 locations nationwide, has a extensive selection of subs and wraps plus gluten-free and carb-free options.

Adiós Qdoba

Qdoba, a food court staple here for most of the past decade, has cashed in its tortilla chips at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The closing comes almost exactly a year after the arrival of Mexican juggernaut Chipotle, one of the most popular additions to the mall’s recently renovated Dining Terrace. Chipotle, which appears to be on the comeback trail after its recent food safety scare, will now have the mall’s black-bean-and-burrito crowd to itself. Qdoba fans can visit the chain’s Rockville restaurant on Rollins Avenue.

Goodbye City Burger, hello Fish Taco

Local restaurateur Francis Namin, who’s about to open his second Fish Taco restaurant at Wildwood Shopping Center, has made a surprising decision about where to open Fish Taco #3. Namin tells Store Reporter that he’ll soon close City Burger, his two-year-old eatery on Wisconsin Avenue, with plans to convert it to the Fish Taco concept. The rebranding will take about two months, Namin says, with a grand reopening scheduled for April. The Wildwood location, as we reported in last week’s issue, is expected to open in early March.

Sears says it will close more stores — but not here

This week Sears Holdings announced it would shutter another 50 unprofitable Sears and Kmart stores across the country. This follows several previous rounds of store closings for the once-mighty chain, whose equity now is said to lie primarily in the value of its real estate holdings. But Sears says the closings will not affect its Bethesda location at Westfield Montgomery Mall. “That store will remain open,” company spokesman Howard Riefs told us this week.

Tell us about your kids’ favorite places — and win ArcLight movie tickets

For our upcoming Store Reporter Kids Issue, we’re asking readers to help us choose the best kid-friendly businesses in the greater Rockville/Potomac area. We want to hear about your kids’ favorite restaurants, toy stores, clothing stores, after-school classes… all the local places that you and your kids enjoy. Send us your suggestions, and we’ll also enter you into this month’s drawing for FREE tickets to the ArcLight Cinema! To post your comments on our Facebook page, click here and scroll down to the ArcLight photo. To email them to us directly, click here. Update: We’ve already named the winners for this contest, but stay tuned to Store Reporter for more ArcLight giveaways coming up.

Seafood market opens at Potomac Woods, Korean BBQ at the mall

December 9, 2015 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Seafood market opens at Potomac Woods Plaza

After six months of renovations to the former Little Gym space at Potomac Woods Plaza, O’Donnell’s Market opened its doors this week with a promising selection of fresh fish, seafood and baked goods. The store was just beginning to stock up when we stopped by on Wednesday, but owner Bill Edelblut says he’ll soon be adding a salad bar, grab-and-go items and a full-service bakery. O’Donnell’s isn’t cheap: Much of the seafood is priced around $25 a pound, and crab cakes are $10 apiece. But we were impressed with the super-fresh flounder, one of the more economical choices at $13.50 per pound. Edelblut has a long history in the seafood industry; his family owned the venerable O’Donnell’s Sea Grill restaurant chain, which closed its last remaining location at The Kentlands two years ago.

Korean BBQ at the mall

B/Bop/Q, a new Korean fusion restaurant, opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall last week in the corridor adjacent to the Dining Terrace. The concept is based on Korean bibimbap, but also similar to the Chipotle spinoff ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen. Diners move along a serving line as they start with rice or noodles, add a protein, then customize their dishes with fresh vegetables and sauces. Also on the menu: tacos, wraps, dumplings and Korean-style chicken wings. B/Bop/Q is the brainchild of Ken Choi, a food industry veteran who operates cafes for NASA, the American Red Cross, the Library of Congress and other local institutions. He hopes this will be the start of a national Korean fusion chain, with four more locations already planned for the West Coast. B/Bop/Q is the second Asian restaurant to open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in the past month, following the November debut of neighboring Shanghai Bao Kitchen. Next up, after the holidays, is Tara Thai.

Out-of-the-box holiday gift guide — with special deals and discounts

December 3, 2015 By Store Reporter 2 Comments

Holiday gifts, deals and discounts

Welcome to our special advertorial holiday gift issue, where you’ll find our picks for some of the best gifts from local businesses, working artists and other stuff we love. We also have great deals and discounts to make the most of your holiday budget. Feel free to forward to friends and family who can use the discounts… or the hints.

Giant coloring gifts at Leila

Coloring books for adults and families are a big trend this year — and it doesn’t get any bigger than these giant coloring posters from Pirasta, $40 including a box of markers at Leila Fine Gifts & Jewels. Leila also sells Posh coloring books by Sterling Publishers ($13) with markers or colored pencils for a few dollars more. “Coloring is better than therapy,” says store owner Deb Shalom. “Just light a fire, put on some good music, get some hot chocolate or a glass of wine, and enjoy! The books are great on a winter weekend afternoon, or spread one of the posters out on the floor and let everyone go at it after a holiday dinner.” Not into coloring? Leila has plenty of other gifts for everyone on your list — including jewelry, Judaica and beautiful housewares. Leila Fine Gifts & Jewels, next to Dunkin’ Donuts at Cabin John Shopping Center, 7737 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac. Call (301) 299-5675 or click here for more.

A premium restaurant gift card

Everyone loves to receive dinner at a fabulous restaurant. Here’s one gift card that offers nearly a dozen places to choose from. RW Restaurant Group, headed by chef Robert Wiedmaier, sells flexible gift cards that work for almost all of the company’s restaurants: Marcel’s and Brasserie Beck in D.C.; River Falls Tavern in Potomac Village; Boulevard Tavern in The Kentlands; Wildwood Kitchen, Urban Heights and Villain & Saint in Bethesda; and three locations for Mussel Bar & Grill. Pick up a certificate at a restaurant near you — or click here to order online — and let your recipient do the choosing.

Gorgeous silk scarves from Ibhana Boutique

For a woman looking to dress up a work wardrobe or add some flair to a simple black top, you can’t go wrong with these paisley silk scarves from Ibhana Boutique. Made in India and measuring a generous 66 inches in length, they’re available in a rainbow of colors: red, turquoise, purple, pink, beige and grey. The scarves normally sell for $35, but Store Reporter readers pay just $25 while supplies last. Ibhana, which opened last August, specializes in wrinkle-free, washable and travel-friendly clothing and accessories from designers like Damee, Fridaze, Joanel, Joseph Ribkoff, Lior and Lipault. Ibhana Boutique, Potomac Woods Plaza, 1079 Seven Locks Road. For more information, call (301) 424-0906 or click here.

Express your emojis at On Cloud 9

Emoji pillows are a must-have for many girls and teens this season — and the ones at On Cloud 9 are soft enough for sleeping as well as room decor. (Hint: They also do double duty as both a holiday gift and pillow for visiting friends and cousins.) The store has a variety of emoji pillows, including holiday themes and light-up styles, with prices starting at $20. Shop On Cloud 9 for these and other stylish gifts for babies, girls, teens and women. On Cloud 9, Potomac Woods Plaza, 1085 Seven Locks Road. For more information, call (301) 251-1331 or click here.

Holiday deals at The Bottle Shop

The Bottle Shop at Potomac Woods Plaza can help you find the right libation for every occasion. The store carries wine, craft beer, olive oil and chocolates, with an expert staff that can guide you toward premium selections or great deals like this $17 bottle of Carignan. On Saturday, Dec. 12 from 2-5 p.m., The Bottle Shop will host a special year-end tasting event with door prizes plus wine and beer reps pouring premium selections for the holidays. There’s no obligation to make a purchase — but if you do, everything will be 15% off. The Bottle Shop at Potomac Woods Plaza, 250 Fortune Terrace, Suite 102 in Rockville. For more information, call (301) 738-WINE (9463).

Three personal training sessions for $99

After weeks of holiday parties — and the extra pounds that come with them — couldn’t we all use a little help getting back on track? Fitness Together offers an introductory package of three personal training sessions for just $99. Clients receive metabolic testing, nutrition and weight loss coaching, heart rate zone training and more in the company’s private studios. “We see a lot of people who spend an hour and a half at the gym and they don’t get results,” says co-owner Rick Coe, who runs Fitness Together with wife Robin. “When you have a coach and accountability mechanisms, you’re going to change that dynamic.” Fitness Together, 6708 Wisconsin Avenue above Staples in Bethesda, or 12189 Darnestown Road in Gaithersburg’s Shops of Potomac Valley. For more information, call (301) 219-0094 or click here.

Fabulous teen decor at Dormify

The teen retailer Dormify has offices in New York, but its roots are in Potomac: It was founded in 2011 when Churchill mom Karen Zuckerman was struck by the lack of stylish options for decorating her daughter’s dorm room. Four years later, Zuckerman and daughter Amanda have turned Dormify into a nationally known website for trendy decor that appeals to teens of all ages. We tested a few of this seasons’s selections and picked some that would work for almost any girl: the cuddly Essentials Throw Blanket and Faux Mongolian Pillow ($49 and $36); the initial-shaped marquee lights ($30); and various accessories with our new favorite slogan: “Namast’ay in bed.” Another popular item this year is the inflatable travel HoodiePillow seen on Shark Tank. Dormify’s holiday sale is going on now, with some items as much as 70 percent off. To shop the site, click here.

Something sparkly from Valerie Nahmani Designs

Druzy jewelry is on the wish list for many women this year, and Bethesda-based Valerie Nahmani Designs has some gorgeous examples to choose from. The designer, a Potomac native, says her typical customer is a busy mom who wants pieces that are equally at home on the beach or at a cocktail party. Necklaces, rings and bracelets range from $95 to the mid-$300s, featuring semi-precious stones in 24-karat gold-plated settings. See the pieces in person at the Landon Greens Sale this weekend (Dec. 3-5) or at Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase every weekend starting Dec. 11. Through Dec. 24, Store Reporter readers get 15% OFF any order from Valerie Nahmani Designs. To start shopping, click here.\

Your favorite city in a frame

Is there someone on your gift list who adores New York or San Francisco? Perhaps a Northwestern grad who love Chicago, or a Tulanian with a soft spot for New Orleans? Vermont-based artist Michael Mullan lends his fun, quirky, mid-century sensibility to colorful illustrations of these cities and more, including Seattle, Los Angeles, London and Paris. Mullan also has prints that celebrate beer, cocktails, camping, the Beatles, vintage jazz and other favorite subjects. Most can be purchased in the form of greeting cards, art prints or cheery canvases that will add a pop of color to any wall. Through Dec. 24, Store Reporter readers can get 25% off anything from Mullan’s site (www.groovy-gravy.com) with the promo code GOODGRAVY. To shop now, click here.

An original sketch for your little Mousekin

Maggie Smith, a popular children’s book author and illustrator, has an especially delightful holiday book called Christmas with the Mousekins. If you order directly from Smith’s Etsy shop, she’ll include a personalized inscription (“A Merry Mousekin Christmas to the Perry Family!”) plus some hand-drawn mice and snowflakes for decoration. The book is perfect for snuggling on a winter night with poems and stories about picking out the perfect tree, baking cookies for friends and neighbors, welcoming Nana Mousekin and more. And it’s filled with interactive touches that encourage readers to follow the Mousekins’ lead: recipes for baking gingerbread mice, instructions for cutting out paper snowflakes, and other projects that grow increasingly complex as the kids get older. $25 including shipping and personalization; for details, click here.

A month to play at My Gym

A month of classes at My Gym makes a great gift for parents of little ones or a thoughtful gift from a grandparent. There are Tiny Tykes classes for babies and Waddlers for toddlers, all the way up to Cardio Kids for the “older crowd” of 7-to-10-year-olds. Through Dec. 24, Store Reporter readers can get a month-long My Gym special for $99 including four classes, unlimited free play sessions, lifetime membership and a “swag bag.” Classes must begin by March 31st at My Gym Potomac (Cabin John Mall at 11325 Seven Locks Road) or My Gym Bethesda (5110 Ridgefield Road). For My Gym Potomac, call (301) 983-5300 or click here. For My Gym Bethesda, call (301) 652-2820 or click here.

The Container Store — when you need a gift quick

If you’re really in a jam for last-minute gifts, The Container Store on Rockville Pike is always good for stocking stuffers that work for just about anyone. We tested some selections from this year’s batch, and it just so happens that two of our favorites have to do with beverages. The Portable Wine Glass ($11.99) features an incredibly clever design that stores the stem in the bowl for easy travel, then assembles instantly via built-in magnets. And the S’well Water Bottle ($34.99) is prettier than most, with a leak-proof top and a promise to keep your liquid hot for 12 hours or cold for 24. (The wine glass goes in the dishwasher but the water bottle, alas, does not.) Shop these and other stocking stuffers at The Container Store in Congressional Plaza, 1601 Rockville Pike, or shop online by clicking here.

Benny’s out at Cabin John, Irish Inn takes over — plus O’Donnell’s Market, a Jodi’s winner and a nifty Halloween app

October 29, 2015 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Irish Inn owners buy Benny’s at Cabin John

Benny’s Bar & Grill closed its doors last weekend after two years in business at Cabin John Shopping Center. But the space won’t be empty for long: The owners of Glen Echo’s Irish Inn are taking over with a new restaurant called Lahinch. “I heard that Benny’s was for sale, and I figured that if I didn’t buy it somebody else would,” says Lahinch co-owner Chris Hughes, a native Irishman who once ran Ireland’s Four Provinces pubs in D.C. and Falls Church. “Benny’s was ideally set up with two rooms, two bars and a stage for us to have live music,” Hughes says. Lahinch, which takes its name from a famous golf course in Ireland, will offer a more casual atmosphere than the Irish Inn with traditional dishes like lamb stew, fish-and-chips and corned beef with cabbage. But the menu will be broader than you might expect. “We’ll specialize in American cuisine using fresh local meats, seafood and produce,” says general manager Barry Nolan. “We’re not your typical Irish pub.” After a few renovations to the Benny’s space, Lahinch is expected to open in mid-January.

O’Donnell’s Market eyes November opening at Potomac Woods

Construction is humming along at the new O’Donnell’s Market, where owner Bill Edelblut hopes to open before Thanksgiving at Potomac Woods Plaza off Montrose and Seven Locks Road. The market will offer fresh meats, fish and seafood plus a salad bar, grab-and-go items, and a bakery stocked with bread, pies and the famous O’Donnell’s rum buns. Edelblut, whose family ran the O’Donnell’s Sea Grill restaurant chain for almost 100 years, says he thought about taking it easy after selling his last restaurant in The Kentlands two years ago. “But it turned out that 18 months of retirement was enough,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to do a market where people can buy something to take home rather than going out to dinner. We’ll have some products that are pre-cooked, and some that are raw and come with heating instructions. And people will be able to just call up and say, ‘Hey, Bill — cook me a lobster and two crab cakes, and I’ll be there in 20 minutes to pick it up.'”

Who won the gift card for Jodi’s Jamboree?

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Abby Signer Gleicher, who won our $50 gift card for Jodi’s Jamboree. Abby’s daughter will have her pick of jewelry, pajama pants, monogrammed robes, personalized rain jackets, sweatshirts and much more from the teen-oriented Rockville business. You’ll find a booth full of Jodi’s merchandise at the upcoming Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique, Nov. 15th-17th at the Bindeman Center on Falls Road.

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Walgreens buys Rite Aid

This week Walgreens announced plans to buy Rite Aid in $17.2 billion transaction that’s expected to close next year. The deal could have a direct impact on Potomac Village, where Walgreens and Rite Aid have stores right across the street from each other — and one would be likely to close. Walgreens currently has more stores than any other U.S. drug chain, but rival CVS — which recently announced plans to take over Target’s in-store pharmacies — does a bigger business in dollar volume. The Rite-Aid acquisition would potentially give Walgreens greater purchasing power to cut deals with its suppliers and possibly offer better prices to its customers.

Can Target trick you into buying more candy?

If you’re taking the kids out for Halloween this Saturday, Target has a new trick for your cell phone. Treatster, which launched this week, is a crowd-sourced mobile app that allows its users to rate the best Halloween houses in their neighborhoods. The app uses a pumpkin image that constantly changes sizes as it’s up-voted or down-voted by trick-or-treaters on the move. Here in the Rockville/Potomac area, we all know plenty of little trick-or-treaters who already have their own cell phones. But we wonder if this app is really a just clever way of getting the parents to buy more candy — at Target of course — to make sure they get the best pumpkin rating on the block.

Over-the-top sweet shop, hot Halloween costumes, online price wars, a grand opening

October 15, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Over-the-top sweet shop opening at the mall

The Lolli and Pops candy store at Westfield Montgomery Mall is scheduled to open by Halloween. But trust us: You’re not going to want to share these sweets with random trick-or-treaters. Lolli and Pops is a San Francisco-based chain with an eclectic selection of gourmet, retro and international candies, all wrapped up in a ’50s decor that would look right at home on Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A. If you’re looking for Choward’s Violet Mints from New York, Jonboy Caramels from Seattle, Butlers Irish Whiskey Fudge from Dublin, Leone candies from Italy or Mr. Stanley’s Toffee from England, this is the place to find them. The store also specializes in oddball drinks like Moxie Original Elixir, Brownie Caramel Root Beer and Jones Peanut Butter and Jelly Soda. And did we mention there’s a room devoted entirely to gummy bears — with plenty of free samples? This will be the third D.C.-area location for Lolli and Pops, which arrived in Annapolis and Tysons Corner last year. You’ll find it on the mall’s lower level near Macy’s, next door to the upcoming Alex and Ani store.

Halloween 2015: Star Wars, Minions and the Inflatables

If you’re planning to take the kids out shopping for Halloween gear this weekend, don’t wait too long: Costumes from Star Wars, Minions and Inside Out are already flying off the shelves at local Halloween stores, as are the Avengers and other classic superheroes. Also hot this year is the new breed of inflatable costumes, which come with a battery-powered air pump to keep everything puffy through a long night of trick-or-treating. Popular inflatables include sumo wrestlers, Baymax the robot from Big Hero 6, and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters. But pretty much anything inflatable is a hit at the pop-up store X-treme Halloween on Rockville Pike, says manager Dennis Bracey. “We’ve got a T. Rex, SpongeBob and Patrick the Starfish, and we can’t even keep them in stock.” For the girls, characters from the Monster High franchise and Disney Channel’s Descendants are popular choices this year. But Princess Elsa from Frozen is still holding onto her crown: Just like last year, she remains the top pick for girls who want to be royal.

Here’s our Butter jacket winner from On Cloud 9

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Jill Mendelson Rodriguez, whose 7-year-old daughter won a super-soft Butter jacket from On Cloud 9 at Potomac Woods Plaza. For all you contestants who didn’t win the jacket but still want to visit On Cloud 9, watch your email later this week for a special coupon from Store Reporter. (And if you didn’t enter the contest but would like to receive the coupon, click here to send us an email and we’ll be happy to send one out.)

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October price wars: Target vs. Amazon vs. Jet.com

Amazon.com got some extra competition this month as Target upped the price-matching ante and online newcomer Jet.com dropped its plans to charge for membership. Target stores and Target.com are now promising to price-match comparable items from a long list of retailers including Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Staples, Walmart, and even warehouse clubs Costco and Sam’s Club. Check your phone to compare prices while shopping in the store, or come back within 14 days if you find a lower price at any retailer on this list. As for Jet.com — an online retailer that launched this fall as a direct competitor to Amazon — the young company now says its customers are filling their shopping carts much more quickly than expected… so never mind about that $50 membership fee, it won’t be necessary after all. Jet doesn’t promise two-day delivery à la Amazon Prime, but it’s not charging $99 a year for membership either — and a quick search shows that Jet’s prices often beat Amazon’s by 10 percent or more. So if you’re ordering stuff that you don’t really need in the next 48 hours — even if you already belong to Amazon Prime — it may pay to take Jet for a spin.

City Sports out at Pike & Rose, Fish Taco and fitness at Wildwood, new jeweler at Park Potomac

October 8, 2015 By Store Reporter 2 Comments

City Sports throws in the towel at Pike & Rose

The year-old Pike & Rose development in North Bethesda has suffered its first casualty: City Sports, one of the first tenants to open there last November, says it will close up shop by the end of this month. The decision follows last week’s Chapter 11 filing for the Boston-based chain, which is also closing its Silver Spring store and possibly other D.C.-area locations. This is the second sporting goods retailer to go belly-up on Rockville Pike this fall; Hudson Trail Outfitters called it quits last month and is currently liquidating its store at Montrose Crossing. But it’s a whole different story for the Pike’s thriving REI store, which recently signed a lease for 36,000 square feet in Phase II of Pike & Rose. This week we heard some speculation that REI might take over the much-smaller City Sports space instead of waiting until 2017 for its new store to open. But Federal Realty, the developer of Pike & Rose, says that’s not going to happen. “We’re confident we will replace City Sports with a great retailer or restaurant that will be additive to the Pike & Rose neighborhood,” a company spokesman tells us.

Fish Taco swims toward a winter opening

If you’re one of those Fish Taco fans who can’t wait for the gourmet Mexican restaurant to open at Wildwood Shopping Center, we’re sorry to tell you that the wait will be a couple of months longer than expected. “Nobody wants to open sooner than I do, but now I think we’re looking at the middle of January,” says owner Francis Namin, who opened the original Fish Taco on MacArthur Boulevard and also owns Food Wine & Co. in Bethesda. Namin signed the Wildwood lease this summer and had hoped to open by fall, but plumbing and electrical issues got in the way. Still, he promises the new restaurant will be worth the wait: modern decor, seating for up to 80 people, a streamlined takeout counter, and a “lighter, brighter and happier” look than the one on MacArthur Boulevard.

New gym heading to Wildwood

Also on the way to Wildwood Shopping Center this winter is Solidcore, the D.C. fitness chain known for its high-intensity workouts on Pilates-based Megaformer machines. Founded two years ago in Adams Morgan, Solidcore promises a personalized, boutique atmosphere with 50-minute classes that are designed to exhaust every muscle. The Wildwood location, set to open after Thanksgiving, will have 14 machines that must be reserved and paid for online before you arrive. At peak times, those slots can fill up quickly. “Our typical clients are hard-working, hard-driving individuals who like to be challenged,” says Solidcore vice president Erika Elko. “Many are athletes and former athletes who have been very successful in their lives and careers.” At Solidcore’s price point, they’d have to be successful: The gym charges upwards of $35 for a single class, with one-year unlimited memberships going for nearly $3,500.

Still time for a gift from On Cloud 9

It’s not too late to enter our giveaway for a super-soft Butter jacket from On Cloud 9 at Potomac Woods Plaza, 1085 Seven Locks Road. The winner will get to choose from an array of cute styles like these, available in sizes 4 to 16. On Cloud 9 caters to fashionistas of any age — babies, girls, teens and women — with the latest looks from Vintage Havana, So Nikki, Malibu Sugar, Wildfox, T2 Love and many more. Update: Jill Mendelson Rodriguez won this giveaway; keep reading Store Reporter to see what we’re giving away next.

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Potomac jeweler is back with a new store

Potomac jeweler George Kaufmann, formerly with the now-closed Robert Bernard Jewelers at Potomac Woods Plaza, opened a new store at Park Potomac last week with son Corey as his partner. Kaufmann has been in the jewelry business for most of his life, learning the trade from his own father at a Kaufmann store in D.C. that dated back to the 1940s. The new Kaufmann Jewelers, 12500 Park Potomac Avenue across from Sugo and MoCo’s Founding Farmers, will offer repair service and custom work on gold, diamonds, gemstones and watches.

Bankruptcy filing for American Apparel

American Apparel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, a move that had been expected for months as the troubled company fought with its ousted founder and saw its sales continue to slide. The retailer plans to close some of its 227 stores, but there’s no word yet on the fate of the one at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The past 12 months have been tough for teen retailers, with Wet Seal, Delia’s and Deb Shops going out of business while once-popular chains like Abercrombie & Fitch face an uphill battle to win back their fickle customer base.

New food, new looks at the mall — plus a grand opening, a contest winner and corned beef on wheels

September 17, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

This fall at the mall: five new eateries to try

The lively dining scene at Westfield Montgomery Mall continues to expand this fall, with two new eateries already open and three more on the way. Jamaican Mi Crazy, a food truck-turned-restaurant, is serving up jerk chicken, curry goat and fried plantains next to Naples Ristorante in the Dining Terrace. Just around the corner, Yum Crepes offers sweet and savory options near the ArcLight Cinema escalator. Shanghai 66 Innovation Kitchen, from the owners of the Bob’s Chinese restaurants in Rockville, will open in the next few weeks next to Chloe’s Deli. November will bring B Bop Q, a Korean fusion restaurant moving into the former Laila Rowe store next to Macy’s Home. Opening around the holidays: a new branch of Tara Thai, breathing new life into the long-empty Legal Sea Foods space.

New moves, new looks: J. Crew, J. Jill, Journeys and more

There was a bit of reshuffling at Westfield Montgomery Mall this summer, as several retailers moved to new locations while others freshened up their storefronts. J. Crew closed down in June for a months-long renovation, reopening last month with a polished new look for the increasingly upscale Nordstrom wing. J. Jill moved into the space next to Lilly Pulitzer, where it’s better positioned to capture traffic from the nearby Macy’s store. Bose built a posh new storefront in the Sears wing, where customers now linger in the patio-style seating next to Peet’s Coffee. The Specs sunglass store and the Avalon nail salon also are sporting new looks, as will the teen store Journeys at its new home in the Old Navy wing. The empty Caché store near the mall’s center is occupied for now by Storm J, a pop-up store selling soccer apparel. There’s lots more to tell about what’s happening at the mall this season; next week we’ll have details on who’s about to move in.

Join the party at Ibhana — with a 15% discount

If you’re a fan of Joseph Ribkoff dresses, Damee jackets and Lior tunics, you’ll want to check out the new Ibhana boutique at Potomac Woods Plaza off Montrose and Seven Locks Road. The store also carries a lovely selection of Joanel handbags and Lipault luggage, plus scarves, belts and jewelry from Canada, India, England, Italy and France. Store Reporter readers are invited to Ibhana’s grand opening party this Friday (Sept. 18) from 6-8 p.m. With the coupon below, take 15% off your purchase on Friday or any day through the end of September. Planning to attend the grand opening? RSVP by phone (301-424-0906) or by email (click here).

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Another move for the Corned Beef King

The Corned Beef King food truck has a new home in Potomac: the parking lot of Potomac Petals and Plants, the nursery that replaced Behnke at 9545 River Road. Truck owner Jon Rossler says he gave up his previous spot at a Falls Road swim club after too many altercations with an unhappy neighbor. At the nursery, he’s serving up a varied menu with matzoh ball soup, knishes and lobster rolls. But in Potomac, he says, most customers are looking for the basics: “plain corned beef on rye with mustard” is far and away the best-sell

Who won our Urban Heights gift card?

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Sandy Nolan Nesbit, who won our gift card to Urban Heights on Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda. She’ll get to sample the fresh Tuna Bar and the Asian-influenced menu from new executive chef Cliff Wharton. We have more great giveaways in the works; keep reading Store Reporter for your chance to win.

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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.

Bob’s Shanghai and Jamaican food to the mall, new bakery in Rockville — plus new tenants at Potomac Woods and Cabin John

May 21, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Chinese and Jamaican food on the way to the mall

Two more ethnic eateries — both from local owners, not big chains — will join the increasingly adventurous Dining Terrace lineup at Westfield Montgomery Mall in the next few months. A new Bob’s restaurant, from the owners of Rockville favorites Bob’s Shanghai 66 and Bob’s Noodle 66, will serve up authentic Chinese cuisine (and hopefully those famous soup dumplings) starting in late August next to Chloe’s Deli. Also on the way is Jamaican Mi Crazy, the first permanent storefront from D.C.-based food truck owner Nya Radway, opening in early August near the new Naples pizzeria. The menu will feature traditional dishes that Radway learned from her Jamaican parents: jerk chicken, beef patties, curried chicken and goat, oxtail simmered in butter beans, rice and peas, coco bread and fried plantains. “Doing the food truck has been great, but I’ve been looking for something bigger with more foot traffic,” Radway says. “And as far as I know, there has never been a Caribbean restaurant like this in a mall.”

Sweets for a good cause

Newly open in the lobby of Rockville’s Jewish Federation building on Executive Boulevard: a cafe operated by the nonprofit Sunflower Bakery, which teaches baking skills to people with developmental and cognitive disabilities. From 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, you’ll find coffee, bagels and top-notch baked goods from the Sunflower factory in Gaithersburg — all kosher, with many gluten-free options. Cafe Sunflower serves as an extension of the bakery program, teaching its employees real-life job skills like working the cash register, making specialty drinks, interacting with customers, even sales and business management. “We don’t give them a limit on how long they can work here,” says cafe manager Kelsey Pitta. “But ideally, the goal is for them to eventually go out and find other jobs.”

Potomac Woods update: Spa opens, seafood market’s next

A new day spa opened last week at Potomac Woods Plaza, in the onetime Natural Body space off Montrose and Seven Locks Road. AcuSpa offers everything from massage to nail care to reflexology, all incorporating the “East-meets-West” philosophy of owner Danlu Wang-Ross. She didn’t have to do much renovation to the space, which was originally designed for the Natural Body spa chain but had been home in recent years to the now-closed Lacy Couture boutique. Next up for Potomac Woods Plaza: a new seafood market from the O’Donnell’s restaurant family, replacing the recently-closed Little Gym. Click here to read more in our April 30 issue.

Cell phone store taking B Scene’s space

Well, it didn’t take long for Cabin John Mall to find someone to take over the B Scene space. Cell Fixx, offering repairs and cell phone accessories, will open in June after the 14-year-old clothing boutique moves out. Store owner Igor Titovets is a U.S. Army vet who learned to repair cell phones after serving in Afghanistan. He specializes in Apple and Samsung products, but says he’ll service other brands as well. (Did you miss last week’s issue about B Scene’s impending departure? Click here to learn the details.)

Goodbye to FAO in NYC

If you’re traveling to New York City with kids this summer, you might want to squeeze in a last-chance visit to the Big Apple’s two iconic toy stores. FAO Schwarz has announced that its Fifth Avenue store — the only remaining freestanding location for the 153-year-old company — will close July 15 due to rising rents. This follows the recent news that Toys R Us will vacate its Times Square store next January. Toys R Us, which bought FAO Schwarz in 2009 and added FAO departments to some of its stores, is looking to reduce expenses across the board. There’s a chance that both stores will reopen elsewhere in the City, but for now no one is saying where or when.

New seafood market coming to Potomac Woods; two local gyms close

April 30, 2015 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Little Gym out, seafood market in at Potomac Woods

Big changes are coming to Potomac Woods Plaza, the Walgreens-anchored shopping center off Montrose and Seven Locks Road. Moving out next week: The Little Gym children’s
fitness center, which is tentatively set to reopen in Gaithersburg. Moving in this fall: A new seafood market from the former owner of the O’Donnell’s Sea Grill restaurant chain. “Along with fresh fish, we’re going to have meats, prepared vegetables, a make-your-own salad bar and a bakery,” says owner Bill Edelblut, whose family opened the first O’Donnell’s in D.C. in 1922 and closed the last one in The Kentlands in 2013. “We’re going to have the same crab cakes we served at the restaurant. And the rum buns — cinnamon sweet rolls that were an O’Donnell’s signature for 90-something years — are coming back.” Edelblut says he hopes this new venture will offer a less punishing schedule than the restaurant business. “Forty years of nights and weekend hours were enough for me,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to open a market.”

Barre Belle throws in the towel

The Little Gym at Potomac Woods Plaza isn’t the only “little gym” that’s saying goodbye this week. Just around the corner at Park Potomac Place, Barre Belle Fitness Studio closed its doors on Tuesday after four years in business. Owner Julie Wender, a Bethesda native who was one of the first to teach barre fitness classes in this area, was originally a franchisee of the Go Figure chain. Last year she split with that company and changed the gym’s name and format. Fans are hoping that Wender will turn up again at another local gym.

Three new eateries ready to open at the mall

Construction is nearly complete on three new eateries in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Cold Stone Creamery, Yum Crepes and the Naples Italian restaurant are all expected to open in the next week or two. So is the new Rumi Tea and Spice shop on the lower level near Macy’s.

New spa on the way to North Bethesda, Potomac jeweler returns, and another Asian market for Rockville — plus a Leila Jewels discount

April 23, 2015 By Store Reporter 2 Comments

New spa on the way to North Bethesda

The Red Door Spa at Wildwood is about to get some serious competition: Woodhouse Day Spa, a Texas-based chain with more than three dozen locations nationwide, is on its way to the North Bethesda Market on Rockville Pike. The 6,000-square-foot spa will open this fall with a wide range of services from massages and mani/pedis to facials and “sleep treatments” (guided naps with aromatherapy and heated herbal compresses). The spa should mix well with some of the other health-oriented tenants at North Bethesda Market, including Whole Foods and Seasons 52.

Robert Bernard Jewelers partner to open new store

George Kaufmann, former co-owner of the Robert Bernard jewelry store at Potomac Woods Plaza, will soon be back in the jewelry biz. His new venture, Kaufmann Jewelers, is set to open in August on the ground floor of a condo building at Park Potomac — just around the corner from his former digs. Kaufmann, who closed Robert Bernard Jewelers last December after his business partner retired to California, says he wanted a fresh start as he brings son Corey into the business. “My own father, Herbert Kaufmann, had a store in D.C. from the 1940s on,” he says. “When I started doing business in Potomac in 2004, I still had customers coming in who had gotten their engagement rings and bar mitzvah rings from my father. He would have been very happy that I’m bringing back the name in this new business.”

Join us for some Pre-Mother’s Day shopping at Leila Jewels

Would you like some Mother’s Day gift inspiration — plus a chance to talk shop with the Store Reporter? Join us on Sunday, May 3rd from 2:00-4:00 p.m. for our Pre-Mother’s Day shopping event at Leila Fine Gifts & Jewels in the Cabin John Shopping Center. Say hello to the Store Reporter, enter a jewelry raffle, and take 15 percent off everything you buy — or 25 percent off a single item (like this gold vermeil “shaker” necklace with ruby crystals, $135). Use the discount for your mom, or buy something for yourself — we won’t tell.

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Asian market replaces Magruder’s in Rockville

New York Mart, an Asian grocery store based in Manhattan’s Chinatown, is scheduled to open this spring in the former Magruder’s space at College Plaza on Rockville Pike. We couldn’t find out much about New York Mart — their website is written entirely in Chinese, and no one answers the phones — but the flagship store gets mixed reviews on Yelp, and it could be tough to win over new customers in an area that already has several Asian markets. Magruder’s, a family-owned grocery chain with a long history in the D.C. area, closed its last remaining stores in 2013. There’s still one store with the Magruder’s name in Washington, but it has new owners and sells only beer and wine.

Congrats to the winners of our ArcLight Cinema ticket giveaway

Congratulations to Store Reporter readers Benjamin Alpert, David Chu and Andrea Savada, who won last week’s ticket giveaway to Beyond the Reach at the ArcLight Cinema at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Stay tuned for more great giveaways in upcoming issues of Store Reporter.

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Italian market heading to North Bethesda, new day spa for Rockville, Caché and RadioShack closings — plus where to find a great pasta bolognese

March 12, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

A taste of Italy at Pike & Rose

An Italian restaurant and market has joined the upcoming lineup at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda. This will be the second U.S. location for Carluccio’s, a British company that’s about to make its American debut in Old Town Alexandria. Carluccio’s restaurants open early and close late, with freshly prepared meals and a wide range of grocery items imported from Italy. The fast-growing chain has more than 100 locations in the U.K. and the Middle East. No word yet on the timing of the Pike & Rose location. But the U.K. menu features specialties like fish stew with spicy sausage, slow-cooked beef in red wine sauce, and green beans with mint and garlic.

New spa for Rockville

A new day spa is on the way to Rockville, moving into the onetime Natural Body space at Potomac Woods Plaza off Montrose and Seven Locks Road. AcuSpa will incorporate an “East-meets-West” philosophy with services ranging from massage, foot reflexology and acupuncture to cosmetic procedures, nail care and traditional Chinese remedies. Owner Danlu Wang-Ross is sprucing things up a bit before the spa’s April 24 opening, but she didn’t have to make too many big changes: The space was already equipped with showers, whirlpools, treatment rooms and other features from its previous occupant. In between the two spas, the same storefront was occupied for four years by the women’s clothing store Lacy Couture. Click here if you missed our Jan. 22nd report on where Lacy has gone.

Last chance to catch Caché

If you’re a fan of the Caché women’s clothing chain — or more accurately, if you were a fan — now is the time stop in for some last-chance bargains. Caché filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February and had planned to keep some stores in operation, but all that changed last week when a liquidation firm purchased the company’s assets. The Westfield Montgomery Mall store has started major markdowns for its going-out-of-business sale.

RadioShack signing off

Auctions begin next week for the remains of RadioShack Corp., which is trying to figure out what to do with all its leases after last month’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The Cabin John and Rockville Pike stores both closed their doors in the last few weeks, while the Westfield Montgomery Mall store is still in business. GameStop Corp. is looking to take over some of the closed locations for its Spring Mobile subsidiary, and there’s been talk that Amazon might also be interested. All stores are expected to be either closed or sold by the end of this month.

Reader Favorite: Sugo’s Pasta Bolognese

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 little shop. Click here to share your favorite — and read on to learn about someone else’s.

Stefanie Greenberg, a Rockville mom of three teens, is a big fan of Sugo at Park Potomac. “It has a fun atmosphere with a terrific bar, friendly staff and most importantly great food,” she says. Her favorite menu item is the Pasta Bolognese ($15). “The rich meat sauce is like a taste of heaven from Grandma’s kitchen. Tossed with perfectly cooked short pasta and then finished with a dollop of creamy ricotta — too bad I have to share with my table mates!”

A Summer House giveaway and a move for Lacy Couture — plus news on Dunkin’ Donuts and Bubbles

January 22, 2015 By Store Reporter

Summer House opens with a reader giveaway

Here’s a sneak peek at Summer House Santa Monica, which opens tonight (1/22) at Pike & Rose across from the new iPic Theater. The restaurant combines a laid-back, California-inspired decor with top-notch food, creative cocktails and a take-out bakery counter specializing in cookies. At this week’s pre-opening festivities, our favorite dishes were the Caramelized Brussels Sprouts, the Beach Bum Ceviche and the Gemelli & Fennel Sausage Pasta. (And for dessert, don’t miss the S’mores cookies or the Trifecta Fudge Cake.) Want to try out the menu for yourself? We’re giving away a $50 gift card to Summer House Santa Monica. Email us here or enter on Facebook here to put your name in our hat. Update: Jonathan Beiser won our Summer House gift card. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great giveaways.

Changes in store for Lacy Couture

Lacy Couture Apparel will close this Saturday (Jan. 24) after four years at Potomac Woods Plaza off Montrose and Seven Locks Road. But owner Lacy Jordan isn’t going far; she’ll be back in business this spring selling jewelry, clothing and accessories out of her home near Julius West Middle School. Like the boutique at Potomac Woods, Jordan says her home-based store will specialize in putting together complete outfits with “edgy, age-appropriate going-out and casual clothes that you can’t find anywhere else.”

Salon story

The Bubbles hair salon chain has closed its longtime location at Westfield Montgomery Mall, relocating most of its stylists to a larger new shop across the street at Home Depot Square. The salon should bring some much-needed foot traffic to the ailing shopping center, which was already plagued with vacancies when the popular Vince & Dominic’s Pizzeria closed last May. (See our June 12th issue here for more on that topic.)

A facelift for Dunkin’

Dunkin’ Donuts at the Cabin John Shopping Center is temporarily closed for a much-needed facelift. We hear there will be some new menu items to go with the new decor. Reopening is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 2nd.

What do you want at the mall?

We’ve been flooded with responses to our reader survey about what stores and restaurants you’d like to see at Westfield Montgomery Mall. In case you missed it, click here to read last week’s issue about what’s already on the way. Then email us here or comment on Facebook here to let us know what else you’re looking for. We’re tallying the votes and will be back with the results in next week’s issue.

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.

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.)