Store Reporter

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

River Falls Market

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

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Market at River Falls returns on Wednesday

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

 

Potomac Grocer crabcakes

 

Dueling crab cakes

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

 

Chinese lantern

 

Chinese food back at Cabin John next week

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

 

Corned Beef King food truck

 

Corned Beef King looking for a new kingdom

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

 

 

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

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Corned Beef King food truck

 

Where’s the beef on Falls Road?

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

 

 

River Falls Market coming back?

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

 

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Potomac jeweler closing

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

 

Jodi's Jamboree pajama pants

 

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

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

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Gift boxes

Black Friday wrap-up

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

 

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

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River Falls Seafood Market

River Falls Market shuts down

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

 

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Meanwhile, across the street

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

 

Chinese lantern

Chinese food coming back to Cabin John?

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

 

Deal of the Week

Deal of the Week at Dawson’s Market

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

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We’ve “arranged” a winner

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

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