Regency Estates Swim Club

Apple Store, Macy’s, Jennifer Convertibles and Jersey Mike’s

July 28, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Apple Store is closed for the summer

The Apple Store expansion is finally under way at Westfield Montgomery Mall — several months later than originally planned, but still in time to reopen before the holidays. The new store will be nearly twice its former size, encompassing the neighboring spaces that previously belonged to BCBG and Teavana. If you need to visit the Genius Bar between now and November, the next-closest Apple locations are in downtown Bethesda and Tysons Corner.

A Summer of changes at Macy’s

Macy’s shoppers may be noticing some changes this summer as the retailer strives to update its image. Workout wear is getting a lot more floor space as the “athleisure” clothing trend continues to drive sales. In the cosmetics department, old-fashioned glass cases are increasingly giving way to self-service kiosks à la Sephora. And clearance items from all over the store are now being shoved into one big “Last Act” section aimed at bargain hunters. “We are testing this approach to see how our customers react to it,” says Macy’s spokesman Elina Kazan. “We think it’s easier to find the discounts this way.” Also new is Macy’s On Call, a chatbot from IBM’s Watson system that can help you navigate the store or find what you’re looking for via your phone instead of a sales rep. Westfield Montgomery Mall is one of 10 locations where Macy’s On Call is being tested. To try it out for yourself, click here.

Flowers, fun and music at Cabin John

Have you noticed the flowering plants, free yoga classes, cornhole tournaments and sidewalk concerts at Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall this summer? It’s all part of a long-term effort to “surprise people, provide some entertainment, and encourage shoppers to walk around more when they’re here,” says marketing manager Hilary Shure. “You never know what you’re going to find just around the corner.” September will bring a series of parking lot concerts from local rock and oldies bands, including Lloyd Dobbler Effect, Sandra Dean Band and the Retro-Rockets. Show dates haven’t been posted yet, but you can click here to see what’s coming up for August.

Goodbye Jennifer Convertibles

Jennifer Convertibles and Jennifer Leather closed their doors on Rockville Pike this week as the New York-based retailers exits the D.C. area. “We still have locations in New York and New Jersey, but the ones in Maryland and Virginia just weren’t profitable,” a sales rep tells us.

Hello Jersey Mike’s Subs

Jersey Mike’s Subs made its Rockville debut at Wintergreen Plaza this week, just two doors down from the new Habit Burger Grill. The two restaurants have replaced Tedd’s 355 Diner, which was torn down last fall. To check out the Jersey Mike’s menu, 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.

Congressional Plaza, URBNmarket, As Kindred Spirits, Nike Store and a Target debut

July 14, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

New look, new tenants for Congressional Plaza

Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike is getting a summer mini-makeover. The bustling center is renovating its towers, upgrading landscaping and signage, and expanding the outdoor courtyard between Chopt and Starbucks. The extra seating will provide more space for socializing and also help to accommodate overflow from the center’s growing list of fast-casual restaurants, including the upcoming Modern Market (click here for more on that in our June 9th issue). Also heading to Congressional this fall is Saks Off 5th, the discount branch of Saks Fifth Avenue that’s building out the former Tiara space between Performance Bike and Oxygen Salon. For more on Saks Off Fifth, click here for our Nov. 5th issue.

This weekend: Gifts and fab finds at Park Potomac

URBNmarket, a pop-up showcase for vintage and handmade goods, returns to Park Potomac this Friday and Saturday (July 15th and 16th) for its second show of the summer. URBNmarket’s founders, Julie Greenstein and Debbie Sonnenreich, are hoping to make Park Potomac their permanent home after trying out a couple of different locations in downtown Bethesda. This weekend’s show will feature 40 D.C.-area merchants offering furniture, clothing, home accessories, jewelry and unique finds like these hand-sewn bags from Boîte. Show hours are 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; click here for more info.

Changes in store for As Kindred Spirits

As Kindred Spirits exited Westfield Montgomery Mall last week after less than a year in business near the Godiva store. But fans of the eclectic gift shop can take heart: Owner Wendy Rukmini Walker says she’ll return to the mall this fall with a much larger store — most likely in the Nordstrom wing, where her customers tend to congregate. “That space we had was really too small for us and was always intended to be temporary,” says Walker, who also operates a large store at Congressional Plaza and a small one at Reagan National Airport. “The new store will have more of everything,” she says. “More gifts, more clothes, more unique jewelry, more of who we are.”

Nike Store to open next month

The Nike Store has set an August 18th opening date for its new location at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, where it’s taking over the former City Sports store that closed last fall. That should soften the blow for Sports Authority fans who are mourning the retailer’s final days at Montrose Crossing. Also on the way to Pike & Rose is a new REI store, scheduled to open next year, which will replace the company’s current location on Rockville Pike. For more on that, click here for our Oct. 22 edition.

Circo and Cherokee out, Cat & Jack in

This month Target launches a new kids’ clothing line, Cat & Jack, as it says goodbye to the Circo and Cherokee lines that have defined its children’s department for years. Those snoozy brands “hadn’t evolved much from the look of the Olsen twins on Full House,” reports Bloomberg.com, and they didn’t align with the company’s current goal of reviving the “chic” part of its cheap-chic image. The Cat & Jack brand aims for sophisticated designs, unusual color combinations, gender-neutral T-shirts and slogans that stress collaboration instead of competition. For more on how Target is targeting kids (and their parents), you can find the Bloomberg article here.

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

June 30, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why Blaze closed, World of Beer, Hardwood Artisans and Sport Authority

May 26, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Why Blaze closed — and what happens now

This week Blaze Pizza fans were shocked by our May 23rd report that the restaurant had closed its doors at Westfield Montgomery Mall. But take heart: A Blaze rep tells us the California-based chain is looking to open elsewhere in this area. The decision to close at the mall was made “after lease negotiations proved unsuccessful, and with respect to a combination of other factors including alterations to mall entrance signage,” says Blaze spokesman Joshua Levitt. In the end, he says, “We felt moving this location was the best strategy to the long-term health of the brand.” Stay tuned to Store Reporter for the latest on what’s cooking at Blaze. In the meantime, superfans can visit the next-closest locations in Laurel, College Park and Baltimore.

Other mall departures

Cleo’s Oil Bar, which opened just a year ago at Westfield Montgomery Mall, made a quiet exit last month after sales didn’t pour in as expected. Cleo’s had featured a winery-inspired layout where visitors could belly up to the bar for samples, then sip them from a seating area near the Godiva store. “Just didn’t fly,” sighs co-owner Linda Cameron, who continues to operate her original store in Annapolis. Cleo’s isn’t the only business to depart the mall in the last few weeks. Others include BCBG and Teavana, whose spaces will be taken by the expanding Apple Store (click here for more), and the restaurants Jamaican Mi Crazy and Lobster ME, which both closed on Monday along with Blaze Pizza (click here for more).

World of Beer opens in Rockville

Opening on Memorial Day in downtown Rockville: World of Beer, with 4,200 square feet of indoor/outdoor seating on the ground floor of the new Upton apartment building on Maryland Avenue. This will be the third Maryland location for the Florida-based company, with a fourth to follow in downtown Bethesda later this year. General manager Patrick Costello says customers can expect “a lively, fun and casual atmosphere, with 50 rotating taps, a great selection of locally made beers, an old-fashioned cask engine, and an infusion tower for making beer flavored with fruits and herbs.” The tavern-style menu is focused on burgers, wings, flatbreads and giant Bavarian pretzels. To check it out for yourself, click here.

Hardwood Artisans exits Rockville

The changes keep coming at Federal Plaza on Rockville Pike, where Ruby Tuesday closed last week and Hardwood Artisans is on the way out after nearly two decades at the same location. Demand for custom furniture has diminished in the current economy, a spokesman tells us, and business at the Rockville store had been slow for several years. Maryland customers can visit Hardwood Artisans at its recently opened location on St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda, which showcases a new line of space-saving condo furniture (click here to check it out). The Rockville store will close at the end of June. Who’s moving in? Payless.

Sports Authority’s final exit

This week Sports Authority kicked off its nationwide going-out-of-business sale, which will continue through the end of August. Returns and exchanges can be made through June 25th, store gift cards will be honored through the 28th, and extended warranties on Sports Authority products will remain in effect via a third-party company. But if you were planning to redeem the points accrued from your Sports Authority Loyalty Program, you’re out of luck: They just expired.

Goodbye Ruby Tuesday & Sports Authority, Hello Mellow Mushroom

May 19, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Sports Authority exiting Rockville Pike

Sports Authority, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March, is now expected to close all 450 of its stores after failing to reach a deal with its creditors and lenders. That will mean another major vacancy for the Montrose Crossing shopping center on Rockville Pike, which also lost Hudson Trail Outfitters last fall when the D.C.-area chain went out of business. Also moving out of Montrose Crossing is the Chinese restaurant Tony Lin’s, whose owners told Bethesda Magazine that they’re retiring after 29 years.

Goodbye Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday made a quiet exit from Rockville Pike this week after two decades as a tenant at Federal Plaza. Reps for the restaurant chain weren’t available for comment, but owner Federal Realty says it already has a new restaurant lined up to take the space. Stay tuned to Store Reporter to find out who’s moving in.

Mellow Mushroom opens in Rockville

The bright spot in a week full of closing news was the long-awaited opening of Mellow Mushroom at Rockville Town Square, taking over the former Oro Pomodoro space at 33 Maryland Ave. Fans of the Atlanta-based pizza chain have been pouring in since Saturday, says franchisee Danny Trehan, who also operates the Mellow Mushroom in Herndon. The Rockville restaurant has a pop art theme, with indoor/outdoor seating for more than 300 and delivery service coming soon. To check out the menu, click here.

Sephora move is official

Sephora has now officially announced what we reported here last month: The glam retailer at Westfield Montgomery Mall is moving across the hall to bigger and better quarters. Promotional signage has been splashed across the second floor of the Macy’s wing, where the existing Sephora store will remain open until the new one debuts this fall. Meanwhile down the hall, the Apple Store still hasn’t confirmed a timeline for its own upcoming expansion. Two adjoining storefronts have been emptied and blocked off for construction, but Apple remains open for the time being. For more on what’s happening in the Macy’s wing — including the recent departures of BCBG and Teavana — click here.

Last chance to win dinner at Sugo

Last call to place your vote for our next Store Reporter Favorites section, where we name our readers’ and editors’ picks for the best appetizers in town. Which restaurants do you think have the best light bites in greater Rockville and Potomac? Click here to comment on our Facebook page, or click here to email our editors directly. Everyone who weighs in will be entered to win a $60 gift card for one of our favorites: Sugo at Park Potomac.

Moby Dick to Potomac Village, Italian coffee to Park Potomac and a bounty of bankruptcies

April 28, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Moby Dick heads to the Village

Moby Dick House of Kabob, the D.C.-area chain known for its flame-grilled meats, fresh-baked pita bread and Persian seasonings, is heading to Potomac Village. Look for a September opening at the Potomac Promenade shopping center, where the restaurant will move into the long-empty Toys Unique spot facing Falls Road. Space will be tight, so this location will likely focus on takeout business with a bit of room for inside seating. Moby Dick, founded in 1989, is now approaching 20 locations in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. To check out the menu, click here.

Italian coffee’s brewing at Park Potomac

Filicori Zecchini, an Italian coffee chain known for its rich espressos and cappuccinos, is the latest tenant to join the lineup at bustling Park Potomac. The century-old coffee company is just now making inroads in the U.S., with several locations in New York and a recent opening in Towson, MD. Filicori also sells tea, cocoa and its own line of chocolates — which you’ll get to sample with your drink order. The coffee shop is now under construction across from Sugo and MoCo’s Founding Farmers, where its neighbors will include a revamped Addie’s (click here for details in last week’s issue) and Gringos & Mariachis (click here for more in our September report). Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more Park Potomac announcements in the coming weeks.

Serenity says namaste to the Village

Leaving Potomac Village at the end of May: Serenity Fitness Boutique, the workout wear retailer that opened just a year ago on Falls Road next to the Sprinkles ice cream parlor. The hidden-away location inside Village Yoga simply didn’t provide enough walk-in traffic to support the business, says Serenity owner Nicole Lipka, who will continue to sell at local trunk shows and is looking for a new storefront in Olney. For operating hours and details on Serenity’s moving sale, call (301) 792-7820.

Gift inspiration at JT Interiors

If you’re shopping for Mother’s Day and graduation gifts, you’ll find plenty of inspiration this month at JT Interiors in Potomac Village. The store has options in every price range, from natural beeswax candles and Swarovski-embellished note cards to Nest fragrances and soft “foutas” (sarongs that double as Turkish towels or baby blankets). JT Interiors, which relocated from The Kentlands in 2013, offers design and renovation services, furniture, home accessories and gifts for all occasions. Visit JT Interiors at 9906 River Road; click here for a virtual tour sneak-peek; or check out the store’s Facebook page here. For hours and other details, call (301) 299-0485.

Is Sports Authority all played out?

It looks like we’ve reached the end of the line for Sports Authority, which filed Chapter 11 last month but now appears to be heading toward liquidation. At a hearing this week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the company’s attorneys said the initial plan to close just 140 locations was no longer feasible and creditors were pressing for a sale. This news comes on the heels of last week’s bankruptcy filing for Vestis Retail Group, parent to Eastern Mountain Sports, Sport Chalet and Bob’s Stores — not to mention last year’s bankruptcies of City Sports and the locally owned Hudson Trail Outfitters. An auction for Sports Authority’s assets is scheduled for May 16th; it’s unclear whether the existing stores will remain open between now and then. So who will benefit from all these bankruptcies? Looks like Dick’s Sporting Goods is poised to snap up some prime big-box real estate.

Another teen retailer close to bankruptcy

Next up on the ever-growing list of troubled teen retailers: Aéropostale, whose shares were delisted from the New York Stock Exchange last week with bankruptcy said to be imminent. Like PacSun, which filed Chapter 11 just a few weeks ago, and American Apparel, which filed last fall, Aeropostale has a store at Westfield Montgomery Mall that will likely remain open while its finances get sorted out. Also struggling these days is the once-mighty Abercrombie & Fitch chain, which recently closed its Abercrombie Kids store at Montgomery Mall along with sister store Hollister. Last year the mall also lost Wet Seal, another teen retailer that didn’t survive the 2014 holiday season. For a look at the some places where our local kids and teens like to shop, click here for our March 10th Kids & Teens Issue.

Sears closing more stores

Last week Sears Holding Corp. announced the closing of 78 more stores — including 68 Kmart locations and 10 Sears stores. In case you were wondering: Nope, the Sears store at Westfield Montgomery Mall store is not on that list.

Apple Store closing confirmed — plus burgers, delis and spring discounts

April 14, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

It’s official: Apple Store will close May 7th

Our report last week about the spring shakeup at Westfield Montgomery Mall is now official: The mall has confirmed that the Apple Store will close April 30th for a major expansion that affects multiple tenants in the Macy’s wing. As we predicted, Apple will take the space formerly occupied by the recently closed BCBG and newly closed Teavana. The cosmetics store Sephora also is expanding to a larger space across the hall, but in Sephora’s case the old store will stay open until the new one’s ready. We’ve been told that Teavana plans to reopen elsewhere in the Macy’s wing… but with the debut of competitor David’s Tea just around the corner, it’s unclear whether that’s actually going to happen. For more on these changes, including the possible move of Kay Jewelers from its prime corner spot, click here for our April 4th special edition.

New burgers beefing up the Pike

Smashburger is set to open its doors next Wednesday (April 20th) at the new Galvan at Twinbrook complex, which is nearing completion on Rockville Pike. This will be the first Rockville location for the Denver-based chain, which has been beefing up its presence in Montgomery County for the past few years. Smashburger, so named because its fresh burgers get smashed before they’re seared on the grill, also offers chicken sandwiches, salads, fries, and an array of great-looking shakes and malts. But competition is on the way: The Habit Burger Grill, a California-based chain with a similar menu, is scheduled to open this fall at nearby Wintergreen Plaza. Click here for more in our Feb. 11 issue.

Deli deal at the mall

This month marks the one-year anniversary of Chloe’s NY Style Deli, an old-school gem that you may have missed in the bounty of dining choices at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Owner Caje Fernandes, who spent 20 years behind the scenes at Celebrity Delly, Attman’s and Shalom Kosher, offers a surprisingly robust menu — plus breakfast all day and a full array of catering services — from his Dining Terrace space next to Chick-fil-A. Looking for matzoh ball soup, kippered salmon, half-sour pickles and homemade knishes, rugelach, macaroons and latkes? Chloe’s has them. And from now through May 15th, you can try them all — at 20% off. Just show our coupon on your phone… and share it with a friend who appreciates a great corned beef sandwich.

Are you up on the latest?

Did you know that the former Addie’s restaurant reopened this week as Helen’s? Heard about the new Duck Donuts on Rockville Pike? Wondering why River Falls Tavern changed its name, or whether a bowling alley is really opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall? (Hint: Yes!) If you missed these stories — or just want to see what else we’ve written about — there’s no time like now to catch up on back issues of Store Reporter. You can find them all in our guide to previous issues; just click here.

Duck Donuts, David’s Tea, Marmi Shoes & Chopt — plus a Sports Authority update

March 17, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Don’t duck these donuts

In another week or so, the Krispy Kreme at Fallsgrove won’t be the only place to get a hot donut fresh off the frying machine. Duck Donuts, a familiar name for those who work in Virginia or vacation at the Outer Banks, is set to make its Maryland debut on Rockville Pike. Duck, named after the North Carolina town where it was founded, has built a loyal following for its cakey donuts with unexpected toppings like bacon, chopped peanuts and maple icing — all of which can be mixed and matched to your tastes. Also on the menu: muffins, yogurt, breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Opening day could be as soon as next week at the Sunshine Square Shopping Center, 1327 Rockville Pike, in the former home of the Entenmann’s Bakery Outlet. From the buzz we hear, the lines are going to be long.

David’s Tea set to open in May

Canadian retailer David’s Tea has confirmed our March 3 report that it will soon open its first Maryland store at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The move is part of a major expansion for David’s, which recently went public and hopes to open 550 stores in the U.S. and Canada. The Montgomery Mall store will carry tea-making equipment and 150 types of tea, from traditional and international infusions to seasonal selections like the Jolly Jellybean blend shown here. “We can’t wait to join this community and for Marylanders to discover our loose leaf teas and innovative products,” says spokesperson Marjorie Roux. David’s will be the third tea store at Montgomery Mall, joining Starbucks-owned Teavana and the independent shop Rumi Tea & Spice.

Shoes in, hats out, toys back at the mall

Marmi, the women’s shoe store specializing in hard-to-find sizes, opens this weekend in the Nordstrom wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Sales and special deals will be happening all weekend long; see the ad below for details. This week also marks the return of the mall’s Smart Toys store, which had been closed for several weeks due to structural repairs. Meanwhile, two other mall tenants have exited in the past few weeks. Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too, a seasonal store that changes locations every year, will likely be back next winter. But the Lids hat store, whose products are now carried inside Macy’s, has closed its doors for good.

Chopt opens at Congressional Plaza

Chopt had its long-awaited opening at Congressional Plaza last week, replacing the Plow & Hearth store near Starbucks. This makes four Chopt restaurants in Maryland and more than a dozen overall in the D.C. area.

Sports Authority update

Sports Authority, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this month, has changed its plans for Maryland since our last report. The Gaithersburg store near Lakeforest Mall is now slated for closure, along with three other Sports Authority stores across the state. The Rockville store at Montrose Crossing is safe for now. Nationally, Sports Authority is laying off some 3,400 people and closing about one third of its 464 stores.

Who won our ArcLight movie tickets?

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Emily Weiner, who won a pair of ArcLight Cinema tickets for our March giveaway. Thanks to everyone who entered by sending in suggestions for our Kids & Teens Reader Favorites issue, which came out last week. Want to see which stores and restaurants got the most votes from our readers? Click here.

The Kids & Teens Issue: Our readers’ favorites for dining, desserts & shopping

March 10, 2016 By Store Reporter 2 Comments

Readers share their favorites — plus a fabulous toy giveaway

For this special Kids and Teens Issue, we asked readers to tell us their families’ favorite places for dining and shopping in the greater Rockville/Potomac area. We heard from so many of you about the restaurants, stores and neighborhood gathering spots that keep your families coming back week after week, year after year. Scroll down to read about the winners — and when you get to the end, be sure to enter the giveaway for our fabulous basket of toys.

Dining out with kids & teens

When our readers told us about their favorite family restaurants, they didn’t just focus on the food. Equally important were a welcoming atmosphere, affordable prices, relatively healthy menu options, and a good chance of running into friends. Here’s what else we found interesting: All the restaurants that got the most votes are not individually owned places, but small regional chains that were founded in the Maryland/D.C. area.

CAVA MEZZE GRILL: Since its 2014 debut at Westfield Montgomery Mall, the Greek-inspired menu at Cava Mezze Grill (photo above) has become a hands-down favorite for many Store Reporter readers. “It’s so healthy and fresh, with such great flavor, and there is nothing else like it,” says reader Monika Woods. “My kids pick it even for special occasions when they could go somewhere fancier.” Cava Mezze Grill, Westfield Montgomery Mall and other area locations.

LEBANESE TAVERNA: Here’s a Middle Eastern menu that appeals to even the pickiest eaters, from your basic pita and hummus to falafel, grape leaves and shawarma. Some readers like the cozy location at Congressional Plaza, but many prefer the spacious one at Rockville Town Square for its outdoor seating and proximity to the ice rink and concert stage. Lebanese Taverna, two locations in Rockville and others throughout the D.C. area.

SILVER DINER: The Rockville Pike location, where a typical evening starts with families and ends with milkshake-drinking teens, is the one that feels like home to many Store Reporter readers. Customers appreciate the unusually extensive kids’ menu with reasonably healthy options. “My two boys used to love getting those cardboard cars and a kids’ meal when they were little,” says reader Andrea Lewis. “Now we’ve moved on to bigger meals, and also meeting friends there on Saturday nights.” Silver Diner, 12276 Rockville Pike and other area locations.

CALIFORNIA TORTILLA: The Cabin John location is a major gathering place for local families, especially the sidewalk seating where people linger and chat with friends passing by. “Kids love the food, and we inevitably run into someone we know,” says reader Karen Moore. Others like the customizable menu, the snazzy soda machines and the “make your own” options for kids’ tacos and burritos. California Tortilla, Cabin John Shopping Center and other area locations.

POTOMAC PIZZA: The Falls Road location, open since 1978, has a loyal following among Store Reporter readers who grew up in and around Potomac Village. The place is always packed with kids — often still in their soccer gear — and readers say they enjoy the family atmosphere and the chance to mingle with their neighbors. Potomac Pizza, 9812 Falls Road and other area locations.

ZIKI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE: Located just outside Rio Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg, Ziki is a destination restaurant for local families celebrating birthdays and special occasions. The Benihana-style hibachi show is the big draw here, with long waits to watch the chefs turn sliced onions into choo-choo trains. “The food is good, you get to enjoy the show during dinner, and it’s louder than your typical restaurant — which is another bonus with my three boys,” says reader Peter Mallios. Ziki, 10009 Fields Road in Gaithersburg.

Sweet treats with kids & teens

After a sports game, dinner or an outdoor adventure, many families like to gather over something sweet and cold. For Store Reporter readers, there are five places that really take the cake… not to mention the candy, the gelato and the ice cream.

CARMEN’S ITALIAN ICE & CAFE: This local favorite is packed every weekend after soccer, baseball, family outings and other occasions that call for a sweet ending. Crowds come for the homemade Italian ice, frozen custard and shakes that can be mashed together into all sorts of tasty combinations. “Carmen’s is the bomb diggety,” says reader Helene Dolan. “So many flavor combos, and everything is delicious.” Carmen’s Italian Ice & Cafe, 1115 Nelson Street in Rockville.

SPRINKLES: There’s always a crowd at Sprinkles, a Potomac Village institution serving ice cream, birthday cakes, milkshakes and other freshly made sweets. In the evenings, it’s often one of the last businesses to close in the Village. “My kids have been going there for over 16 years,” says reader Karen Reyes Kuchins. “They will drive across town to bring home a Sprinkles homemade coffee Oreo ice cream pie.” Sprinkles, 10148 River Road in Potomac Village.

LOLLI AND POPS: If you haven’t visited Lolli and Pops, which opened last fall at Westfield Montgomery Mall, you’re in for a real treat. Even adults get that “kid-in-a-candy-store” feeling from the dazzling selection of gourmet items, retro goodies, international sweets and oddball drinks (peanut-butter-and-jelly soda, anyone?) And the gummy bear selection is not to be missed. Lolli and Pops, Westfield Montgomery Mall and other D.C.-area locations.

COLD STONE CREAMERY: This recent entry has won the hearts of shoppers at Westfield Montgomery Mall, where its prime spot in the Dining Terrace makes it the perfect place for after-dinner treats and quick shopping breaks. The custom mix-ins, from candy bars to graham cracker pie crust, are a big part of the appeal. “My son tells me their ice cream is much creamier than other places,” says reader Suzanne Borden. Cold Stone Creamery, Westfield Montgomery Mall and other area locations.

BASKIN-ROBBINS: Sure it’s a chain, but the Baskin-Robbins at Cabin John Shopping Center is undoubtedly a neighborhood institution. If your kids go to school anywhere in the Potomac area, it’s unlikely they’ll leave Baskin-Robbins without spotting a friend or two. And much like the neighboring California Tortilla, the outside seating is a prime spot for socializing with other families. Baskin-Robbins, Cabin John Shopping Center and other area locations.

Shopping with kids & teens

Whether they’re buying clothes for fast-growing teens or trying to find just the right birthday present, our readers clearly gravitate toward small, locally owned businesses with staffers who really know their products.

TOY CASTLE: A staple at Cabin John Mall since 1979, Toy Castle always has the latest and greatest — plus enough old favorites to put a smile on parents’ faces. Readers like the store for its vast selection, its laid-back staff, and the simple joy of walking out with a wrapped gift that’s ready to go. “Great customer service, cool toys, and stuff you just don’t find online or at a big-box store,” says reader Jeanne Adams. Toy Castle, Cabin John Mall, 11325 Seven Locks Road.

BARSTONS CHILD’S PLAY: This toy store at bustling Congressional Plaza is a gathering place for the stroller set, offering a comfortable atmosphere for socializing after a trip to neighboring Bye Bye Baby. Parents of older kids say they also appreciate the staff’s infinite patience and guidance. “They don’t make you feel rushed,” says reader Sharon Morris. “You can tell that they really like their jobs and playing with toys. And they’re always willing to show you how things work.” Barstons Child’s Play, Congressional Plaza, 1661 Rockville Pike.

ON CLOUD 9: This small boutique at the border of Potomac and Rockville is the go-to place for little fashionistas, keeping its customers in style from babyhood through the teen years — and sometimes dressing their moms too. “They have unique things that you wouldn’t find anywhere else — clothing, accessories and special things to take to sleepaway camp,” says reader Julie Mintz. “It’s also a great place to buy small gifts for special occasions, and they come in a box with a pretty blue ribbon.” On Cloud 9, Potomac Woods Plaza, 1085 Seven Locks Road.

MY BEST FRIEND’S CLOSET: This Rockville shop is a favorite for on-trend girls and their budget-conscious moms. Prices tend to be reasonable — and some of the merchandise is gently used, having been recently recycled from other local kids and teens. “For my daughter, it’s easier and more attractive to shop than a large department store,” says reader Meredith Yentis. Reader Monika Woods says the store “never fails to come up with something great for my girls — every bar/bat mitzvah, homecoming and special occasion.” My Best Friend’s Closet, 9735 Traville Gateway Drive in Rockville.

SHOE TRAIN: People travel from all over the D.C. area to visit Shoe Train, an institution at Cabin John Mall with a reputation for expertise in orthopedic and hard-to-fit issues. Readers say they don’t mind the long waits, as they know the service will be personalized when it’s their child’s turn for a fitting. And the store keeps records on all its customers, so it’s easy to track your kids’ growth and favorite styles. Shoe Train at Cabin John Mall, 11325 Seven Locks Road.

Enter to win this basket of toys

This week we’re giving away a fabulous basket of toys for kids from preschool through elementary school. Here are some of the goodies inside:

YOGA SPINNER, a fun new game that teaches yoga poses to kids 5 and up, provided by the Alexandria-based toy company ThinkFun.

SPOT IT games perfect for ages 3 and up, plus a DOODLE QUEST drawing game for ages 6 and up, both provided by Blue Orange Games.

CRAZY AARON’S GLOW-IN-THE-DARK THINKING PUTTY for ages 3 and up, provided by Toy Castle at Cabin John Mall.

MY GYM GIFT CERTIFICATE for classes and membership, good for either the Bethesda or Cabin John locations (and transferable to a friend).

There are three ways to enter this giveaway: 1) Click here to put your name in our hat online; 2) Click here to enter via our Facebook page, or 3) Stop by My Gym at Cabin John Mall any weekday in March to fill out an entry form. We’ll compile all your entries and draw the winning name in April.

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.

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

March 26, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

What’s blooming at the mall this spring

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

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

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

Preppie clothes, men’s shoes and sportswear

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

More coffee and tea on the way

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

Spring cleaning: who’s gone, who’s going

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

Who won our Chopt giveaway?

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

Reader Favorite: Sedona Salmon at the Silver Diner

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

Regency Estates Swim Club

Apple Store is closed for the summer

A Summer of changes at Macy’s

Flowers, fun and music at Cabin John

Goodbye Jennifer Convertibles

Hello Jersey Mike’s Subs

New look, new tenants for Congressional Plaza

This weekend: Gifts and fab finds at Park Potomac

Changes in store for As Kindred Spirits

Nike Store to open next month

Circo and Cherokee out, Cat & Jack in

Party as you paint

Where to work out now

Books on wheels

Cereal anytime in NYC

Why Blaze closed — and what happens now

Other mall departures

World of Beer opens in Rockville

Hardwood Artisans exits Rockville

Sports Authority’s final exit

Sports Authority exiting Rockville Pike

Goodbye Ruby Tuesday

Mellow Mushroom opens in Rockville

Sephora move is official

Last chance to win dinner at Sugo

Moby Dick heads to the Village

Italian coffee’s brewing at Park Potomac

Serenity says namaste to the Village

Gift inspiration at JT Interiors

Sponsored Content

Is Sports Authority all played out?

Another teen retailer close to bankruptcy

Sears closing more stores

It’s official: Apple Store will close May 7th

New burgers beefing up the Pike

Deli deal at the mall

Sponsored Content

Are you up on the latest?

Don’t duck these donuts

David’s Tea set to open in May

Shoes in, hats out, toys back at the mall

Chopt opens at Congressional Plaza

Sports Authority update

Who won our ArcLight movie tickets?

Sponsored Cont

Readers share their favorites — plus a fabulous toy giveaway

Dining out with kids & teens

Sweet treats with kids & teens

Shopping with kids & teens

Enter to win this basket of toys

Sponsored Con

Little Gym out, seafood market in at Potomac Woods

Barre Belle throws in the towel

Three new eateries ready to open at the mall

Sponsored Content

Reader Favorite: Sedona Salmon at the Silver Diner

Footer