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

Pure Barre Rockville

Saks Off 5th, beer & coffee, holiday shopping in Potomac Village

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Saks Off 5th at Congressional Plaza

 

Opening week for Saks Off 5th

The long-awaited Saks Off 5th store opened its doors this week at Rockville’s Congressional Plaza, joining Last Call Studio by Neiman Marcus as the upscale shopping center targets label-conscious bargain hunters. Grand opening festivities are happening this Saturday (Oct. 22nd) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with music, wine, snacks and swag bags for the first 200 shoppers. On-trend footwear — especially over-the-knee boots — will be a centerpiece of the store this fall, says Off 5th spokesman Meghan Biango. 

 

 

Pure Barre Twinbrook and Rockville: http://purebarre.com/md-twinbrook/

 

 

 

Owen's Ordinary at Pike & Rose

 

New place for beer lovers

This is a very good year for local beer lovers: Five months after the opening of World of Beer in Rockville, Owen’s Ordinary made its debut this week at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda. The restaurant/beer garden is already drawing kudos for its menu of 200 craft beers with a focus on Maryland breweries. Owen’s Ordinary is the newest venture from Neighborhood Restaurant Group, which handles the menu at AMP as well as such beer-centric D.C. restaurants as Bluejacket, Churchkey and Birch & Barley. There’s no lunch service just yet, nor is there a website or even an online menu. But you can click here to check out the Owen’s Ordinary Facebook page.

 

 

Orangetheory Fitness at Park Potomac: https://www.facebook.com/owensordinarymd/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf

 

 

 

 

New Nespresso store is brewing

The Nespresso store at Westfield Montgomery Mall is now official. As we predicted last August, the coffee company has posted signs for its new store at the former home of Kay Jewelers, which relocated next to Swarovski. But Nespresso isn’t taking Kay’s entire space: There’s still an open corner spot right across from the under-construction Apple store. Who’s moving in? And when will all this construction be finished? Stay tuned to Store Reporter for some answers in the weeks to come.

 

 

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Kick off your holiday shopping at JT Interiors

Looking for some new ideas for holiday gifts and decor? Mark your calendar for Nov. 12th and 13th, when JT Interiors hosts its fourth annual holiday open house at 9906 River Road in Potomac Village. “This will be the first look at everything we have to offer for the holiday season,” says marketing director Lauren Gregory. “We’ll have champagne and chocolate, cookies and cider, lots of things that smell great, and new ideas for what to buy and how to decorate your home for the holidays.” Our favorite from a sneak peek: The wine bottle apron that declares, “It’s always happy hour in Potomac.” (Also available for Darnestown and Bethesda). For your own sneak peek, click here to visit the JT Interiors Facebook page.

Sponsored Content

 

 

Capital Area Food Bank fundraiser: https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/empty-bowls/

 

 

 

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

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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.

 

 

PureBarre Twinbrook ad: http://purebarre.com/md-twinbrook/

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

Park Potomac Fall Festival: http://www.parkpotomac.com/#/

 

 

 

MET Bethesda

 

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.

 

 

Toy Castle Annual Sale ad: https://www.facebook.com/toycastlepotomac/?fref=ts

 

 

 

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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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Advertising with Store Reporter: sales@storereporter.com

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

On Cloud 9 Fall Back-to-School ad: https://www.facebook.com/On-Cloud-9-252148152907/?hc_ref=SEARCH

 

 

 

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Sur La Table, H&M, Red Door Spa, hot pots and bagel balls

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Goods from H&M, Sephora, Taylor Gourmet and Sur La Table

 

New tenants for Pike & Rose

Pike & Rose is building an impressive list of tenants for its second phase, now under construction at Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road. In addition to REI and a Pinstripes bocce and bowling center, here’s who else is heading to Pike & Rose:

  • Sur La Table: This high-end kitchen store will fill the void left by Williams-Sonoma’s departure from the doomed White Flint Mall.
  • H&M: The fast-fashion retailer, which also lost its home when White Flint was demolished last year, is making a welcome comeback to North Bethesda.
  • Red Door Salon & Spa: This is the second Bethesda location for Red Door, which also can be found at Wildwood Shopping Center.
  • Sephora: It’s also the second Bethesda location for the beauty retailer, which just expanded its presence at Westfield Montgomery Mall.
  • Taylor Gourmet: The D.C.-area hoagie chain is known for its made-from-scratch ingredients, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

 

 

JT Interiors Fall Designer Market Sale Ad: https://www.facebook.com/jtinteriorspotomac/?utm_source=Store+Reporter&utm_campaign=19ff15fc43-SR-9-8-16-SurLaTable%2CH%26M%2CRedDr%2CHotPots%2CBagelBalls&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8d10ac5d3d-19ff15fc43-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28SR-9-8-16-SurLaTable%2CH&M%2CRed_Dr%2CHotPots%2CBagelBalls%29=&mc_cid=19ff15fc43&mc_eid=%5BUNIQID%5D

 

 

 

 

A “town square” vibe for the Apple Store?

While everyone is busy obsessing over the iPhone 7, we’d also like to mention that the new Apple Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall is going to be even bigger than we thought. In addition to taking over the spaces that previously belonged to BCBG and Teavana, the expansion is now expected to include a portion of the former Sephora store as well. Apple hasn’t revealed what it’s going to do with all that square footage, but Fortune reports that the company’s new stores are going for a “town square” vibe with visually inviting Genius bars, expanded seating areas, free Wi-Fi and even live music. To read more in Fortune’s interview with Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts, click here.

 

 

Pure Barre ad: http://purebarre.com/md-twinbrook/?utm_source=Store+Reporter&utm_campaign=19ff15fc43-SR-9-8-16-SurLaTable%2CH%26M%2CRedDr%2CHotPots%2CBagelBalls&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8d10ac5d3d-19ff15fc43-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28SR-9-8-16-SurLaTable%2CH&M%2CRed_Dr%2CHotPots%2CBagelBalls%29=&mc_cid=19ff15fc43&mc_eid=%5BUNIQID%5D

 

 

 

Food from Little Dipper Hot Pot

 

Chinese hot pot heading to Rockville

Taking over the Noodles & Company space at Rockville Town Square: Little Dipper Hot Pot, a locally owned restaurant that’s scheduled to open early next year. Little Dipper serves Chinese-style soup with noodles and vegetables, accompanied by a plate of raw beef, pork, lamb or seafood that’s cooked right at your table via a flame beneath your bowl. This will be the second restaurant for owner Kevin Lui, who opened the first Little Dipper last winter in Falls Church. “Rockville has the right demographics and a market that needs this type of cuisine,” Lui says. For more on Little Dipper, click here.

 

 

On Cloud 9 Fall Back-to-School ad: https://www.facebook.com/On-Cloud-9-252148152907/?hc_ref=SEARCH&utm_source=Store+Reporter&utm_campaign=19ff15fc43-SR-9-8-16-SurLaTable%2CH%26M%2CRedDr%2CHotPots%2CBagelBalls&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8d10ac5d3d-19ff15fc43-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28SR-9-8-16-SurLaTable%2CH&M%2CRed_Dr%2CHotPots%2CBagelBalls%29=&mc_cid=19ff15fc43&mc_eid=%5BUNIQID%5D

 

 

 

PacSun at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Teen beat: PacSun, Aéropostale and Allure

Teen retailer PacSun emerged from bankruptcy this week after closing only 20 of its 590 stores and reducing its rents at others. The PacSun store at Westfield Montgomery Mall has remained open throughout the process — as has the mall’s Aéropostale store, which has been in bankruptcy since May. But the mall did lose one teen retailer over the summer: Allure, which carried special-occasion dresses, closed its doors in August.

 

 

Taff & Levine ad: http://www.taffandlevine.com/?utm_source=Store+Reporter&utm_campaign=19ff15fc43-SR-9-8-16-SurLaTable%2CH%26M%2CRedDr%2CHotPots%2CBagelBalls&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8d10ac5d3d-19ff15fc43-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28SR-9-8-16-SurLaTable%2CH&M%2CRed_Dr%2CHotPots%2CBagelBalls%29=&mc_cid=19ff15fc43&mc_eid=%5BUNIQID%5D

 

 

 

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Starbucks rolls out Bantam Bagels

This week Starbucks added a new grab-and-go food option: bite-sized bagel balls in three cream cheese-stuffed flavors, priced at $2.95 for two. Bantam Bagels are made in New York by husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Elyse and Nick Oleksak, who came to national attention after a 2015 appearance on Shark Tank and a $275,000 investment from shark Lori Grenier. Click here for more on the Bantam story.

 

 

My Gym Open House ad: http://www.mygym.com/potomac/articles/5678?utm_source=Store+Reporter&utm_campaign=19ff15fc43-SR-9-8-16-SurLaTable%2CH%26M%2CRedDr%2CHotPots%2CBagelBalls&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8d10ac5d3d-19ff15fc43-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28SR-9-8-16-SurLaTable%2CH&M%2CRed_Dr%2CHotPots%2CBagelBalls%29=&mc_cid=19ff15fc43&mc_eid=%5BUNIQID%5D

 

 

 

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What went down while you were out of town

With Labor Day behind us and the kids back in school, Store Reporter will be landing in your inbox every Thursday once again. If you missed our summer issues, and you’d like to catch up on what opened and closed while you were away, you can find it all at our website: www.storereporter.com.

 

 

 

 

 

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Sephora, Trader Joe’s, Nike, Payless and the end of Great Beginnings

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Sephora’s makeover is nearly complete

Sept. 1 marks the debut of the new Sephora store at Westfield Montgomery Mall — the first of three longtime tenants in the Macy’s wing that are racing to open bigger and better stores before the holidays. Teavana, which closed last spring to make room for a major expansion of the Apple Store, will return this fall in a new location just across the hall. Apple was originally expected to reopen around November, but the project started late and construction delays could make it difficult to meet that timeline. Meanwhile, Swiss coffee maker Nespresso will soon announce plans for a retail store and tasting cafe right next to Teavana. Click here for more on that in our Aug. 18 edition.

 

 

Pure Barre Twinbrook: http://purebarre.com/md-twinbrook/

 

 

 

Great Beginnings sign

 

Sad ending for Great Beginnings

Great Beginnings, the baby and children’s furniture chain that served Montgomery County for nearly three decades, has come to a not-so-great ending. After the original Gaithersburg location closed its doors last summer, owner Jim Streight told Store Reporter that he planned to reopen in North Bethesda. But this summer brought the abrupt closing of a second Great Beginnings store in Chantilly, which was said to have sustained damage from a burst water pipe. Customers were notified via email that the business could not “financially recover” from the incident and wouldn’t be reopening. Those with outstanding orders were advised to seek refunds from their credit card companies.

 

 

Cabin John Tot Trot: http://www.shopcabinjohn.com/2016/08/23/cabin-john-mall-tot-trot/

 

 

 

Payless Shoe Source at Federal Plaza

 

Payless in, Hardwood Artisans out in Rockville

Payless Shoe Source opens a new Rockville store this Friday (Aug. 26th) at Federal Plaza on the Pike. The space became available this summer with the departure of Hardwood Artisans, which had been a fixture at that shopping center for nearly 20 years. The furniture company is shifting its attention to downtown Bethesda, where it opened a new store last winter. Click here for more in our May 26th edition.

 

 

Fiber Art Studio ad: http://www.fiberart.studio

 

 

 

Trader Joe's products

 

New Trader Joe’s for Travilah

Stay tuned this fall for the latest on plans for a proposed Trader Joe’s store at Travilah Square Shopping Center. The grocer is hoping to open on Darnestown Road early next year, replacing a Burger King restaurant and small office building at that property. We’ll keep you posted as this proposal moves forward.

 

 

2016 JT Interiors house ad: https://www.facebook.com/jtinteriorspotomac/

 

 

Nike sneaker

Nike store opens, beer garden for Pike & Rose

The Nike Factory Store opened its doors last week at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, where it’s well-positioned to pick up customers from the recently departed Sports Authority. Nike replaces the City Sports store that closed last fall when its parent company went out of business. Next up for the Pike & Rose: Owen’s Ordinary, a beer garden and restaurant from the developers of Vermilion, Iron Gate and Birch & Barley. More on that in an upcoming issue.

 

 

Store Reporter is in the know about the places you go. Want to get our newsletter in your email box every week? Click here. Want to advertise your business to our readers in greater Rockville, Potomac and Bethesda? Click here.

 

Muse Paintbar, two new gyms, books on wheels and all-day cereal

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Muse Paintbar

 

Party as you paint

Muse, an art studio/wine bar that caters to the creatively challenged, makes its Maryland debut next week at Rio Washingtonian Center. Like those paint-your-own pottery studios that were all the rage in the ’90s, Muse provides a welcoming place where even first-timers can pick up a brush and go home with a passable piece of art. A $35 class — typically booked online — gets you art supplies, an apron and a teacher providing step-by-step instructions for turning your blank canvas into a beach scene or a Van Gogh lookalike. Muse also offers food, wine and beer, with a casual atmosphere that encourages socializing and sipping while you paint. Click here for details.

 

 

Cabin John Shopping Center free yoga ad: http://www.shopcabinjohn.com

 

 

 

Pure Barre

 

Where to work out now

Coming this summer to Rockville Pike: Two small boutique gyms with drop-in classes and no long-term commitments. Pure Barre, which opened two years ago at King Farm, is adding a second Rockville location at the new Galvan complex on Chapman Avenue. Owner Jill DeNinno says she plans to offer cardio classes along with the standard barre format (details here). Also on the way is Lumi Fit, a new venture from a husband-and-wife team opening at the Twinbrook Metro Center near Fuddruckers. Lumi Fit offers a varied schedule ranging from Zumba and barre to yoga and weight-lifting classes (details here). For those who prefer to work out in a larger space, this fall will bring two new options: Life Time Fitness is readying its new facility in Gaithersburg, while Orangetheory Fitness is now under construction at Park Potomac. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for opening updates.

 

 

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The Story House logo

 

Books on wheels

Would a kids’ bookstore on wheels be a hit in Montgomery County? Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen, a children’s book author and Jewish educator, is hoping the answer is yes. This month Cohen launched a Kickstarter campaign for her new venture, The Story House, which she hopes to roll out to schools, book festivals, birthday parties and special events. The mobile format will keep costs down and “really allow me to cater to my target market,” says Cohen, who recently stepped down from her staff position at Congregation Har Shalom in Potomac. The Story House website is already up and running with a curated selection of titles plus novelties like “Owl Delivery” of the newest Harry Potter book, arriving at your doorstep within hours of its midnight release on July 31st. For more on The Story House, click here.

 

 

Regency Estates free pool day ad: mailto publisher@storereporter.com

 

 

 

Kelloggs NYC

 

Cereal anytime in NYC

If you’re traveling to New York City this summer, be sure to check out Kellogg’s NYC, the new all-day cereal restaurant that opens this weekend in Times Square. A collaboration between the cereal company and the Milk Bar bakery, Kellogg’s NYC charges $6.50 to $9.50 for a bowl of fresh local milk accompanied by some crazy mashups. The Berry Au Lait, for example, mixes Frosted Mini Wheats with fresh raspberries and ground coffee; the Life In Color combines Froot Loops, lime zest, marshmallows and passionfruit jam; and the Chai Line tops Crispix cereal with fresh peaches and chai tea powder. For more on Kellogg’s NYC, click here.

 

Store Reporter is in the know about the places you go. Want to get our newsletter in your email box every week? Click here. Want to advertise your business to our readers in greater Rockville, Potomac and Bethesda? Click here.