Rockville Town Square

Goodbye Timpano, Sports Authority successor, American Tap Room taps out

December 15, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Timpano closes, Sports Authority space is filled

The new year will bring some big changes to the Montrose Crossing shopping center on Rockville Pike. Timpano Italian Chophouse, a fixture in the area for more than two decades, is exiting to make room for some new fast-casual eateries. Timpano will close on New Year’s Eve, with demolition to follow shortly afterwards. Meanwhile, the former Sports Authority space didn’t stay empty for long: Value City Furniture, an Ohio-based chain with a growing presence in Maryland, is now under construction with plans to open early next year. For a look at the company’s merchandise, click here.

American Tap Room taps out

American Tap Room closed its doors over the weekend at Rockville Town Square, joining a growing list of restaurant casualties that now includes Oro Pomodoro, Cosi, Pho & Rolls, Carbon Peruvian Chicken and 82 Steak Out in just the past two years. Execs at American Tap Room say the Rockville location was owned by a franchisee, and its closing won’t affect their other restaurants. Federal Realty, which owns Rockville Town Square, says it already has a new tenant in place but can’t share the name yet. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more.

German bath and body store opens at the mall

Kneipp, the newest addition at Westfield Montgomery Mall, opens its doors tomorrow (12/16) on the second level near Godiva. This is one of eight new retail stores for the German company (pronounced K-nay-p), which makes plant-based, preservative-free products for bath, body and skin care. “Until now, these products have only been available in the U.S. at little spas and apothecaries,” says regional manager Valerie Curcione. “But the customers who have found this brand are incredibly loyal to it.” For more on Kneipp and its founder, a 19th century pioneer of natural medicines, click here.

Pandora jewelry at Silver Moon

The Pandora jewelry line is a perennial favorite, and Silver Moon at Congressional Plaza is a great place to shop the whole collection. The Poinsettia charm on the left, adorned with red pavé cubic zirconia, is available in limited quantities this season and priced at $75. Also popular is Pandora’s new Vintage Allure line, featuring sterling silver and pavé cubic zirconia in a striking geometric design. Silver Moon carries a Vintage Allure necklace-and-earring set for $150 and a matching bracelet in a decorative case for $195. See these pieces in person at Silver Moon Jewelry & Accessories, 1659 Rockville Pike. For details, call 301-468-1122 or click here.

Sponsored Content

A charmed gift at As Kindred Spirits

As Kindred Spirits, now open next to Nordstrom in the lower level of Westfield Montgomery Mall, is a great source for gifts that are both special and unexpected. Take this new line of gold Lulu DK charm necklaces, priced from $68 and up, with hidden messages of love, peace, faith and sisterhood. The hidden part? The charms are etched with decorative markings that reveal their messages only when spun. (Note that Westfield Montgomery Mall is now the only place to find As Kindred Spirits, which has closed its other locations at Congressional Plaza and Reagan Airport.) As Kindred Spirits, Westfield Montgomery Mall, on the lower level next to Nordstrom. For details, call 301-365-1008 or click here.

Sponsored Content

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

September 8, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

New gym and outdoor market to Potomac — plus Trader Joe’s, dance classes & donuts

May 12, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

New gym for Park Potomac

Orangetheory Fitness, a group-training gym that opened in The Kentlands two years ago, will head to Park Potomac this summer with a new location across from MoCo’s Founding Farmers. The fast-expanding chain, which offers heart rate-monitored workouts with intervals of cardio and strength training, will provide new competition for the eight-year-old Life Time Athletic club just around the corner. Orangetheory is the latest addition to Park Potomac’s growing list of upcoming tenants, which now includes a revamped Addie’s, Gringos & Mariachis, and the Italian coffee house Filicori Zecchini. Click here for more in our April 28th edition.

Outdoor craft market pops up in Potomac

Also on the way to Park Potomac this summer: URBNmarket, a pop-up showcase for vintage and locally made goods that’s making its first move outside downtown Bethesda. Modeled after similar shows in Philadelphia and Atlanta, URBNmarket features one-of-a-kind jewelry and accessories, vintage and handmade clothing, beauty and pet products, gourmet foods, and home decor like these colorful table runners from Hen House Linens. “We’re really excited about this new location,” says co-founder Julie Greenstein, who created URBNmarket in 2014 with business partner Debbie Sonnenreich. Forty-plus vendors have signed on for the Park Potomac event; they’ll set up shop on the grassy area near Harris Teeter on Friday, June 3rd and Saturday, June 4th, accompanied by live music and a beer garden. A second show is slated for mid-July. For more info, click here.

New Trader Joe’s for Travilah?

Is Trader Joe’s heading to Darnestown Road? The Washington Business Journal says plans are in place for the grocery store to open at Travilah Square Shopping Center, where it would replace an existing Burger King and a small office building. This would be the second Rockville location for Trader Joe’s — hopefully with easier parking than the always-crowded lot at Federal Plaza on the Pike. When we spoke with Trader Joe’s this week, a spokesperson said the company wasn’t ready to disclose plans for Travilah just yet. We’ll keep you posted as things develop.

Dance company heading to Rockville Town Square

Opening next month at Rockville Town Square: A second home for Dawn Crafton Dance Connection, the Gaithersburg company that’s building out four new studios on Gibbs Street next to Bar Louie. Crafton, who’s been teaching dance since 1954, says she’s been eyeing downtown Rockville since her students started performing holiday shows there several years ago. The new space “has a real small-town community feel” that will allow parents to run errands while their kids are in class — something they never could do at her other space on Airpark Avenue, Crafton says. “It’s a big move for us, but there’s so much more for people to do here and I think it’s going to be fabulous.”

Share your favorites and win dinner at Sugo

For our next Store Reporter Favorites section, we’re asking our readers to tell us who has the best appetizers in town. From deviled eggs and roasted beets to fried calamari and tuna tartare, which restaurants do you recommend for 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.

Krispy Kreme deal is hot off the fryer

Krispy Kreme changed hands this week in a $1.35 billion deal that could turn the donut chain into a major player in the coffee market. The company’s new owner is JAB, a European firm that also controls Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Caribou Coffee, Keurig Green Mountain and several other American coffee retailers. That means Krispy Kreme, which never was known for its coffee, will likely start serving one or all of those brands in the next 12 months. There’s also speculation that the new owners will finance a major expansion for Krispy Kreme — and that could spell trouble for Dunkin’ Donuts, which currently earns most of its profits from coffee sales.

Staples + Office Depot: The wedding’s off

Staples and Office Depot called off their merger this week after a successful protest by the Federal Trade Commission, which had warned that the deal would impair competition and lead to higher prices. Staples, the nation’s largest office supply chain, now has to pay Office Depot a $250 million “breakup fee.” Even so, analysts say it’s unclear whether Office Depot can survive over the long term.

Tara Thai, Apple update, Coach and a Sugo giveaway

May 5, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Tara Thai opens at the mall

Tara Thai finally made its debut at Westfield Montgomery Mall this week after nearly a year of construction at the former Legal Sea Foods space, which has been redesigned to resemble a beach resort in Thailand. This is the ninth location for Tara Thai and the third new Asian restaurant to open at the mall in the past few months, following Shanghai Bao Kitchen and B/Bop/Q near the Dining Terrace. Next up on the Montgomery Mall restaurant scene: Beefsteak from celeb chef Jose Andrés. Read more about that here.

A little more time to visit the Genius Bar

The closing date for the Apple Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall has been pushed back yet again, pending the resolution of construction issues for its upcoming renovation and expansion. The store was originally supposed to close on April 30th, then May 7th, but now it appears the doors may stay open for a couple more weeks. All parties are motivated to get going on the project quickly, as construction could take six months and Apple wants to reopen before the holidays. For more on the expansion of Apple and its neighbor Sephora, click here for our April 4th special edition.

Vote for your favorites — and win dinner at Sugo

For our next Store Reporter Favorites section, we want to know where our readers like to go for the best appetizers in town. From deviled eggs and roasted beets to fried calamari and tuna tartare, 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 (subject line: Best Appetizers.) Everyone who weighs in will be entered in our drawing for a $60 gift card to one of our favorites: Sugo at Park Potomac.

Is Coach cool again?

If you’ve noticed the lack of logos on Coach bags this year, it’s not your imagination: The 75-year-old company is moving away from its iconic “C” branding — which now represents just 5 percent of overall sales — to focus on quality and craftsmanship of its leather goods. Customers will “have a hard time finding a logo brand” at a Coach store these days, CEO Victor Luis said this week in an interview with thestreet.com. Coach has been renovating hundreds of its stores, including the one at Westfield Montgomery Mall, in an effort to modernize its image and make room for more footwear, outerwear and an increasingly popular collection of men’s products. Also on the horizon: More cross-marketing efforts like this year’s Coach x Peanuts collection, and an upcoming $150 strap for the Apple Watch.

Good news for riders and drivers

Last week marked the opening of a new Metrobus and Ride On Transit Center at Westfield Montgomery Mall, replacing the aging bus depot with safer and more comfortable accommodations for those who use public transportation. This is also good news for those who get to the mall by car: The new bus setup will allow room for 55 new parking spaces on the mall’s north side. That project is expected to get under way next week.

Farmers markets make their debut

May is the month when the farmers markets get started, and this year there are plenty to choose from around the Rockville area. On Saturday mornings at 6001 Executive Boulevard, the Pike Central Farm Market features regional vendors including All Things Olive, DC Dills, Lobster Maine-ia and Undone Chocolate. Also on Saturdays starting May 14th, the Rockville Farmers Market at Route 28 and Monroe Street has goodies from Brookeville Beer Farm, Ev & Maddy’s, Praline Bakery and Zeke’s Coffee among others. And on Wednesdays from 11 to 2, Dawson’s at Rockville Town Square hosts its own outdoor market showcasing local businesses like Canela Bakery and Holly Crepes.

Addie’s comeback, Apple update, new Irish restaurants and another retail bankruptcy

April 21, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Addie’s heading to Park Potomac

Addie’s, the beloved Rockville restaurant that closed its doors three years ago, is making plans for a comeback. Owners Jeff and Barbara Black have signed a lease for 4,000 square feet at Park Potomac, where they’ll try to recreate the old Addie’s magic with indoor/outdoor seating and some of their original menu items. The Blacks, who own a half-dozen restaurants including BlackSalt, Black’s Bar & Kitchen and Black Market Bistro, have said they closed Addie’s primarily because the little yellow building was in such disrepair. That issue also caused delays for their successor, D.C. caterer Helen Wasserman, who spent two years on renovations before opening Helen’s Bar & Grill just last week. For more on Helen’s, click here for our April 7th edition.

New closing date for the Apple Store: May 7th

The Apple Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall has pushed back its closing by a week, setting May 7th as the new date for the start of its expansion in the Macy’s wing. Apple is taking over the space formerly occupied by BCBG and Teavana, with a reopening planned for this fall. The neighboring Sephora store also is expanding this summer, but in Sephora’s case the current store will remain open while the new one’s under construction across the hall. For more on these and other changes to the Macy’s wing, click here for our April 4th special edition.

Two Irish openings

It’s a month too late for St. Patrick’s Day, but two new Irish restaurants have opened their doors in the Rockville/Potomac area. Lahinch, from the owners of the Irish Inn at Glen Echo, offers a menu of Irish and American dishes in the former Benny’s space at Cabin John Shopping Center. And over at Rockville Town Square, Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub has opened for business at the Gibbs Street space formerly occupied by Carbon Peruvian Chicken.

Another sports store files Chapter 11

In the wake of last month’s Chapter 11 filing for Sports Authority, this week we noted the bankruptcy of Delaware-based Vestis Retail Group, parent to Eastern Mountain Sports, Sport Chalet and Bob’s Stores. None of those chains had a presence in Montgomery County (although Eastern Mountain does have a store in Virginia), but this latest bankruptcy suggests that the shakeout of big-box sporting goods stores isn’t over yet. In our area we’ve also seen the demise of City Sports (which lasted just a year at Pike & Rose before the whole chain filed Chapter 11) and local retailer Hudson Trail Outfitters, which closed all of its stores last fall.

Pizza, candy and drinks in downtown Rockville — plus Publix, Starbucks and Costco

March 24, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Goodbye ice skates, hello pizza and candy

The outdoor ice skating rink at Rockville Town Square has closed for the season, but pizza and candy will keep the kids busy in downtown Rockville this spring. Mellow Mushroom, the pizzeria taking over the former Oro Pomodoro space on Maryland Avenue, has set its grand opening for May 2nd. (Click here for more on the Rockville Mellow Mushroom, which will cater to families and large groups.) Also new at the Town Square is the candy store It’Sugar, which opened on Gibbs Street last weekend with nostalgic sweets and giant boxes of Nerds, Kit Kats and Sour Patch Kids. This is the seventh D.C.-area location for the fast-growing candy chain, which also specializes in bachelor party fare (candy undergarments, anyone?) and will be open late most evenings.

Wine and beer fest in Rockville

Also launching at Rockville Town Square this spring: the Wine & Craft Beer Dinner Pairing Series, featuring special menus from nine local restaurants and three area breweries. On the second Wednesday of every month, diners will be invited to sample pairings at American Tap Room, Bar Louie, Bon Chon Chicken, Ev & Maddy’s, Gordon Biersch, La Canela, La Tasca, Spice Xing and Sushi Damo. Beer will be supplied by the Flying Dog and Barley and Hops breweries in Frederick, along with the new 7 Locks brewery in Rockville. The next event will be held on April 13th; click here for menus and other details. And stay tuned to Store Reporter for an update on World of Beer, the long-awaited restaurant under construction at the nearby Upton apartment building. Owner Matt Earl tells us he hopes to open by late May.

Publix on the way?

Former Floridians — and those who vacation there — were abuzz this week after the Washington Business Journal broke the news that Publix is eyeing the D.C. area. Publix, a much-loved supermarket chain in its home state of Florida, has expanded its territory in recent years to include Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and the Carolinas. The company recently announced plans for its first two stores in the Richmond area and confirmed that Northern Virginia is on the horizon. Could Maryland be next? For now, Publix is noncommittal. “We are currently looking to aggressively expand in the state of Virginia,” a spokesman told Store Reporter this week. “There is still plenty of room for growth in our operating states.”

Lattes, lawsuits and leftovers

This was a bad news/good news kind of week for Starbucks, which got sued for allegedly shortchanging its latte customers even as it announced plans to donate all of its leftovers to charity. The class action lawsuit, filed by two customers in California, accuses the coffee chain of underfilling its lattes by 25 percent to save on the cost of milk. The news comes just weeks after the settlement of a similar lawsuit against Subway for coming up short on its footlong sandwiches. (See our March 3 issue for more on that.) Meanwhile, Starbucks also announced the start of its long-planned initiative to donate all unsold meals to local food banks every night. The goal, Starbucks says, is to donate five million meals in the program’s first year.

Win this basket full of toys

This month we’re giving away a fabulous basket of toys for kids from preschool through elementary school. What’s inside? A YOGA SPINNER game from Virginia-based ThinkFun, SPOT IT and DOODLE QUEST games from Blue Orange, CRAZY AARON’S GLOW-IN-THE-DARK THINKING PUTTY from Toy Castle, and a gift certificate from MY GYM. There are three ways to enter this giveaway: 1) Click here to put your name in our hat online; 2) Click here for our Facebook page and scroll down to the post about the contest; 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 winner’s name in April.

We fumbled that Sports Authority story

We apologize for our error in last week’s item about the Sports Authority bankruptcy, when we referenced a nonexistent Sports Authority store at Rio Washingtonian Center. We were thinking, of course, of the rival store Dick’s Sporting Goods. So here’s the correct info: Four Maryland Sports Authority stores — including the one in Gaithersburg near Lakeforest Mall — are closing as part of the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The Rockville store at Montrose Crossing will remain open… at least for now.

Amex out, Visa in at Costco

It’s been a year since Costco and American Express announced the end of their longtime partnership, but the two parties are taking longer than expected to finalize their divorce. The original spring end date has now been pushed back to June 20th, after which Costco will stop accepting Amex cards and start accepting Visa. If you already own a co-branded Costco/Amex card, watch your mailbox for a new card from Citibank Visa — this time with an even more generous cash-back rewards program.

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Irish update, Teavana competitor, Mosaic Café, Subway and Sports Authority

March 3, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

New Irish restaurants will likely miss St. Patrick’s Day

If you were hoping to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at one of our new local Irish restaurants, you may be out of luck. Lahinch, which was scheduled to open this month in the former Benny’s space at Cabin John Shopping Center, has run into the usual construction delays. “Unfortunately, it looks like we won’t be open for St. Patrick’s Day,” says owner Barry Nolan, who also operates the Irish Inn at Glen Echo. “We’ll know more in a week.” (For more on Nolan and his plans for Lahinch, click here for our Oct. 29 issue.) Also missing out on St. Patrick’s Day crowds is Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub, a new venture from local entrepreneurs that originally was supposed to open last fall at Rockville Town Square. No word yet on the timetable for that one.

Restaurant returning to French roots

Mosaic Cuisine & Café, the Rockville Pike restaurant that closed for renovations after the holidays, is scheduled to reopen by Easter with a new name, modernized decor, a bar showcasing French wines and a renewed focus on classic French cuisine. “What’s old is new again,” says owner Thierry Jugnet, who opened Mosaic in 2003 and also operates the Wicked Waffle chain. The newly named Mosaic Bistro will showcase dishes like beef bourguignon, rack of veal, chicken paprika and traditional French soups. “It’s difficult nowadays to find a truly French restaurant,” Jugnet says. “And I don’t just mean in Rockville — I defy you to find a great beef bourguignon in Washington, D.C. Nobody does these things anymore. I am French. And I am betting on going back to my roots.” For a look at Mosaic’s menu (which is still being tweaked before the reopening), click here.

David’s Tea heading to the mall?

David’s Tea, a Montreal-based company with a large fan following, appears poised to make its Maryland debut at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Details haven’t been announced yet and the mall couldn’t confirm, but David’s has posted job listings for employees at that location. David’s, which made its initial public offering last year, has announced long-term plans for 550 stores in the U.S. and Canada. At the mall, it would compete directly with the Starbucks-owned Teavana store and the independent shop Rumi Tea & Spice, both of which similarly sell fresh tea and tea-making equipment. We’ll let you know when David’s is a done deal. Meanwhile, click here for a preview of what the company has to offer.

Size matters

Things haven’t been going so well for Subway lately. First there was the whole Jared mess. Then came this week’s news that the fast-food chain has settled a class action lawsuit charging that its “footlong” sandwiches didn’t always measure up. As part of the settlement, Subway has promised that its franchisees will now use a tool to accurately measure their bread loaves. If you bought a Subway sandwich over the years and were hoping to benefit from this settlement, we’re sorry to report that your only reward will be a properly sized footlong with your next order. No money is being awarded to the class, and the Associated Press reports that the 10 plaintiffs received only $500 each. Their lawyers, on the other hand, got more than half a mil.

Win March movie tickets for the ArcLight

This month we have one more set of ArcLight Cinema tickets to give away — and you have one more chance to vote for your favorite kids’ businesses in the Rockville/Potomac area. To enter, just click here to send us a note about your favorite places for dining, shopping, birthday parties and just hanging with your kids. Or enter via our Facebook page by clicking here. Everyone who sends us suggestions will be entered into our latest ArcLight drawing.

Chapter 11 for Sports Authority

Sports Authority filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, a move that had been expected after the retailer fell behind on payments toward its debts of more than $1 billion. Sports Authority is expected to stay in business through this process, but the company says it will lay off some 3,400 people and close 140 of its 464 stores across the country. An updated closing list shows that the Rockville store on Rockville Pike and the Gaithersburg store at Rio/Washingtonian Center are expected to remain open. But several other Maryland stores, including a second Gaithersburg location near Lakeforest Mall, will be shutting down. If you’re holding a Sports Authority gift card or store credit, now would be a good time to use it: There’s no telling how long those credits will be honored.

Bowling at the mall, new restaurants in Rockville, Sports Authority and Once Upon a Chef

February 25, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

The mall gets Lucky

Here’s some news that might bowl you over: Lucky Strike, the California-based chain of upscale bowling alleys, is taking over the old movie theater space at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Plans call for a late summer/early fall opening for Lucky Strike, which will offer gourmet food, bar service, and party space for adults, kids and teens. Lucky Strike should be a fine companion to the popular ArcLight Cinema, as Westfield Montgomery Mall continues to find more reasons to draw people in on the weekends. This will be the second D.C.-area location for Lucky Strike, which also has a presence near the Verizon Center in Chinatown. To hear what else is coming to the mall — including a new vegetable-focused restaurant from celeb chef Jose Andrés — catch up on our recent issues at the Store Reporter website, www.storereporter.com.

Asian Cafe set to open next week

Miso Fusion Café will make its long-awaited debut at Rockville Town Square next week, offering a menu of traditional Korean and Japanese cuisine plus some creative mashups. “At our other restaurant in Annandale, it’s basically Koreatown — and they like things the traditional way,” says Miso co-owner A.J. Lee. “At this restaurant we’re going to have pork tenderloin, chicken jalapeño, a whole section of cheese roll katsus, and other dishes that would never fly in Annandale. We also have a lot of cool new ramen dishes, an all-you-can-eat section, and a full bar that will be open late.” You can find Miso Fusion Cafe in the former Pho & Rolls space at 33 Maryland Ave. To check out the menu, click here.

Carluccio’s debuts at Pike & Rose

Carluccio’s, the Italian restaurant and gourmet market, opened for breakfast, lunch and dinner service this week at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda. This is the second U.S. location for Carluccio’s, a U.K. company that also opened in Alexandria last summer. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the PerSei apartment building off Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road. Click here to see what’s on the menu.

Chopt is almost here

Chopt is expected to open in the next few weeks at Congressional Plaza in Rockville, where the salad chain recently posted an enormous sign that announces its presence to drivers far across the Pike. Expect another new tenant soon, as Congressional looks to replace the Robeks store that closed late last year.

New cookbook from Potomac chef

Coming to bookstore shelves in 2018: The Once Upon a Chef Cookbook by Potomac’s own Jenn Segal. The publishing deal with Chronicle Press marks a long-held career goal for Segal, a graduate of L’Academie de Cuisine who worked at L’Auberge Chez Francois before launching Once Upon a Chef from her home. Her easy-to-follow recipes, using everyday ingredients and accompanied by step-by-step photos, have earned Segal a huge loyal online audience (100,000-plus readers for her weekly newsletter) and regular print and TV appearances. The new book will feature 30 favorites from the Once Upon a Chef website, plus 70 new recipes that Segal will be working on this year. If you haven’t checked out Once Upon a Chef — a favorite at Store Reporter headquarters — click here to see what you’ve been missing.

Bankruptcy watch for Sports Authority

Sports Authority is facing a likely bankruptcy filing in March after missing payments to its creditors over the past few months. The Colorado-based chain, with 450 stores across the country, is a leader in its category along with Dick’s, Academy Sports and Bass Pro Shops. But sporting goods retailers have been losing market share to specialty apparel stores like Lululemon, discounters like Walmart, and of course the ubiquitous Amazon.com. The bankruptcy filing will likely be accompanied by the closing of nearly 150 Sports Authority stores; no word yet on the fate of those in our area.

Goodbye Noodles & Company, hello dumplings & veggies — plus a comeback for Great Beginnings

November 19, 2015 By Store Reporter 8 Comments

Noodles & Company exits downtown Rockville

Noodles & Company has shuttered its restaurant on Gibbs Street in downtown Rockville, where business was slow and the company says it wanted to focus on its more successful Rockville location at bustling Congressional Plaza. This brings the number of closings at Rockville Town Square to more than a dozen in the past two years, with merchants continuing to complain about slow foot traffic and customers still grumbling about the parking fees. Restaurateur Danny Trehan, who will open a Mellow Mushroom pizzeria in the former Oro Pomodoro space next spring, says he plans to validate parking and wishes more of his neighbors would do the same. “So it’ll take an extra five dollars from my pocket,” Trehan says. “If it brings more people into my restaurant, who cares?” Three other restaurants — Miso Café, Samovar and Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub — had been scheduled to open at Rockville Town Square in the past few months, but now are expected to arrive sometime this winter.

Dumplings and veggies at the mall

Shanghai Bao Kitchen opened for business last week just outside the main Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall. This is a new venture from three young brothers whose family owns the Rockville restaurant Bob’s Shanghai 66. Dumplings and steamed buns are the focus here, as you’d expect — but we were surprised by the Cava-like assembly line of fresh Asian vegetables, as well as the willingness of servers to recommend which sauces would best complement them. With Chloe’s Deli next door and Korean B/Bop/Q slated to open just across the hall, this new section of the Dining Terrace is turning into an unexpectedly interesting showcase for ethnic foods from local entrepreneurs.

A comeback for Great Beginnings

Great Beginnings, the children’s furniture store that closed its Gaithersburg location last summer, is looking to reopen in North Bethesda late next year. Owner Jim Streight says he’s signed a lease for 15,000 square feet in a new strip shopping center that will soon begin construction just north of the former White Flint Mall. The store will focus on baby gear, nursery furniture and high-end toys, with a smaller area devoted to rooms for older kids and teens. Streight says the Gaithersburg store was a huge success for much of its 25-year history, but shifting demographics and the landlord’s redevelopment plans left him no choice but to find a new location. “This whole area is changing,” he says. “We do still have some customers coming from Gaithersburg, but now they’re coming more from Rockville, Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Kensington.” Until the new store is built, Great Beginnings customers can visit the company’s Chantilly location or shop online at www.greatbeginnings.com.

Holiday shopping at Mayfield Market

‘Tis the season for holiday gift shows in greater Rockville and Potomac. This weekend brings the Holy Child Mayfield Market, Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 21 and 22) at the Connelly School the Holy Child, 9029 Bradley Boulevard in Potomac. Shop more than 60 vendors offering artisan-made jewelry, home decor items, clothing and accessories for men and women, all sorts of gifts and an exquisite Christmas shop. There will be food trucks on hand and a bakery with breakfast items, desserts and freshly made Thanksgiving pies. For more info, visit www.holychild.org.

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Corned Beef King finds a home on the Pike

The Corned Beef King food truck, always on the lookout for long-term parking spots, has found a new home on Rockville Pike outside the century-old Hank Dietle’s Tavern. This is Truck #2 for the Corned Beef King, whose owner plans to keep Truck #1 at its usual spot in the parking lot of Potomac Petals and Plants on River Road. The Hank Dietle’s/Corned Beef King partnership follows a short-lived attempt by another food truck, Curley’s Q, to operate from the kitchen of the historic dive bar. That arrangement got off to a promising start last May, but fell apart by August when the two parties couldn’t come to terms. The Corned Beef King also has had trouble finding the right home: A previous attempt to park outside a Falls Road swim club went awry after neighbors complained to the county.

Giveaway winners coming up next week

Just in time for Thanksgiving, we’re going to give three Store Reporter readers a little something extra to be thankful for. Stay tuned next week to find out who will win our three current giveaways: a $50 gift card to Asia Nine, a workout outfit from Equilibrium Activewear, and a bag of goodies from the Washington Hebrew Congregation Holiday Boutique and Silent Auction.

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Not Your Average Joe’s, Mellow Mushroom and Tara Thai on the way; Gap trims down and Gazette says goodbye

June 18, 2015 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Not Your Average Joe’s to open next month

Not Your Average Joe’s, now under construction in the old Hamburger Hamlet space at Georgetown Square Shopping Center, will open in mid-July with a moderately priced menu of salads, steaks and seafood. “The decor will be a little more upscale than the one in Gaithersburg, since our look as a company is changing every few years,” says Joe Harris, general manager of the new restaurant off Democracy and Old Georgetown Road. Harris’ top picks from the menu: Cobb Salad ($14), Ahi Tuna Salad ($18), Grilled New York Strip Steak ($32), and the Rosemary Skewered Scallops shown here ($25). Not to mention the fresh-baked focaccia bread that you’ll find at every table. “Sometimes people get upset because that bread is so good that they don’t have room for other things,” Harris chuckled.

Mellow Mushroom heads to Rockville

Mellow Mushroom, the Atlanta-based pizza chain that manages to blend ’70s hippie culture with a kid-friendly atmosphere, will open its first Maryland location this winter at Rockville Town Square. The restaurant is taking over the former Oro Pomodoro space across from the concert stage and ice rink, as well as the adjacent storefront that once belonged to Potomac River Running. The menu will include calzones, hoagies, salads, craft beer and plenty of options for gluten-free and vegetarian diners. And unlike the upscale Oro Pomodoro, the setting will be “funky and very casual — a place where you can bring your family or your whole soccer team,” says Danny Trehan, part of the D.C.-area franchise group that also owns Mellow Mushroom restaurants in Northern Virginia and Adams Morgan. The new pizzeria is one of several new restaurants heading to Rockville Town Square this year; click here for more in our June 4 edition.

The Gazette is gone — but count on Store Reporter for local news coverage

Like so many of of our readers, we were saddened to learn that The Gazette newspapers would be printing their last issues this week. Here at Store Reporter, we believe in the importance of local news coverage — even if it arrives in the form of a weekly email instead of a plastic-wrapped bundle at the foot of your driveway. We hope you’ll continue to count on Store Reporter for the latest news on retail and restaurants in greater Rockville and Potomac. This summer we’ll be taking some time off, with a scaled-back schedule of one issue per month until we resume our weekly updates in September. We’ll also be posting to our Facebook page whenever something newsworthy happens. If you haven’t already liked us on Facebook, click here to make sure you don’t miss a beat.

Tara Thai to the mall in December

It looks like Tara Thai will open around Christmas at Westfield Montgomery Mall, where the company has finalized plans to take over a portion of the long-empty Legal Sea Foods space. Rich Amsellem of Streetsense, who brokered the deal for Tara Thai, says the atmosphere will be a little more relaxed than the chain’s other locations, with “Thailand beach resort” decor and indoor/outdoor seating for 85 people. The mall is negotiating with another tenant to take the other half of the Legal space.

Gap trims down

This week Gap announced that it will close 175 underperforming U.S. locations, leaving some 500 regular Gap stores and 300 Gap Outlets across the country. No word yet on whether the closings will affect our area, where Gap and GapKids have a major presence at Westfield Montgomery Mall as well as a brand new location at Pike & Rose. Gap is one of several clothing retailers — including Aeropostale and Abercrombie & Fitch — that are closing stores even as they try to regain front-runner status with the fickle clothes-buying public. Several other chains, including Wet Seal and Caché, have gone out of business in recent months.

The Corned Beef King is back — plus new restaurants in Rockville, new shops at Wildwood and a Cava giveaway

April 2, 2015 By Store Reporter 3 Comments

The Corned Beef King rolls back into town

Remember a few months ago when the Corned Beef King food truck appeared on Falls Road near Montrose — and then disappeared the following week? Well, the King is coming back — and this time it sounds like he’s here to stay. “My goal was to get back into Potomac, and I’ll definitely be there by mid-April,” says truck owner Jon Rossler, whose family once owned the Celebrity Delly at Potomac’s Cabin John Shopping Center. Rossler signed a deal last December to operate from the parking lot of the Montgomery Square Copenhaver Swim Club, but he was quickly driven out by neighbors who complained to the county. This time, Rossler says the county has granted him express permission to be there — and he’ll keep the neighbors happy by choosing a less conspicuous parking spot with some tree coverage. “We’ll be there Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” he says. “We’ll have an extended menu including matzoh ball soup, chili, mac-and-cheese, hot dogs, and maybe even chicken nuggets.” For more on the Corned Beef King, click here for our Dec. 4 issue.

Three new restaurants heading to Rockville

Last year was a rough one for restaurants at Rockville Town Square — but things seem to be looking up for 2015. The big news this spring is the still-unnamed restaurant from famed Chinese chef Peter Chang, opening soon in the former Taste of Saigon space on Maryland Avenue. Meanwhile, two more eateries have announced plans to open over the summer. First up is Samovar, a new venture from a father/daughter team that currently handles catering for the Tajikistan Embassy in Washington. They’ll be renovating the former Cosi space on North Washington Street, with plans for a menu of Russian food with Central Asian influences. Also on the way is Miso Cafe, a Korean/fusion restaurant from Annandale that’s opening its second location in the former Pho & Rolls space on Maryland Avenue.

New boutique opens at Wildwood

Spring is bringing some changes to the Shops at Wildwood off Old Georgetown Road and Democracy Boulevard. Hadlee opened last week in the space formerly occupied by Madeline, which closed in November after 24 years in business. Hadlee owner Jackie Pletcher, who also operates the neighboring Sequel boutique, will target Madeline’s former customers by carrying some of the same designers — particularly Canadian dressmaker Joseph Ribkoff. This is the fourth venture for Pletcher, who also owns Wear It Well on Bethesda Row and Corby at Mazza Gallerie. But Hadlee will be somewhat less conservative than the other three stores, says company spokesperson Julianne Pulvirenti. “The look is going to be very colorful, with lots of prints and patterns.”

Another Wildwood boutique set to open next month

Also on the way to the Shops at Wildwood is Coco Blanca, offering a tone-on-tone mix of furniture, home accessories, jewelry and clothing. “The entire store will have the palette of a coconut, with a bit of black and a splash of turquoise,” says co-owner Susan Neithamer. She and her business partners, who have another Coco Blanca store in Old Town Alexandria, had been looking for a shopping center with similar demographics and plenty of room to park. “A lot of our customers in Old Town had been coming to us all the way from Bethesda, so we knew this was an area with our kind of shopper,” Neithamer says. Doors are expected to open next month.

Toys ‘R’ Us leaving NYC?

If you’re heading to New York City for spring break with the kids next week, take note: This may be your last chance to visit the iconic Toys “R” Us store in Times Square. The struggling toy retailer says it may not renew its lease for the 15-year-old store with the giant Barbie house and 60-foot indoor ferris wheel. The lease runs out next year. Still to be determined: Whether Toys “R” Us will find a new, smaller home in the Big Apple.

Win a gift card to Cava Mezze Grill

Hometown favorite Cava Mezze Grill is making plans to head west after this week’s $16 million cash infusion from a Virginia-based venture capital firm. Two Los Angeles locations are set to open later this year — Cava’s first expansion outside the D.C. area, where it currently has eight eateries with three more on the way. The investment money also will be used to expand Cava’s lines of dips and spreads for grocery stores. We don’t have $16 million — but we do happen to have a $25 Cava Mezze Grill gift card for one lucky Store Reporter reader. Want to put your name into our hat? Click here to enter by email (subject line: Cava Grill) or click here to enter via our Facebook page. Update: Store Reporter reader Kelly Rudolph Pashkoff won this giveaway. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for upcoming contests.

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Bye Bye to “Be well”

If you shopped at Walgreens this week, you may have noticed the absence of that annoying “Be well!” salutation at the checkout counter. Two years after the company began forcing its employees to use those words, the campaign is finally over. Walgreens says it will now look for other ways to “build relationships” with its customers — possibly by thanking them by name after each transaction. (As in, “Enjoy that acid reflux medication, Mr. Jones.”) We can’t wait to hear the reaction to that one.

Famous chef may be eyeing Potomac Village; more closings at Rockville Town Square — plus desserts, giveaways and more

February 19, 2015 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Famous chef may be eyeing Potomac Village

Here’s some good news for the Potomac Village dining scene: We hear that D.C.-based chef Robert Wiedmaier is looking to take over one of the Village’s existing restaurants. The German-born Wiedmaier, known for his expertise with Belgian cuisine, is the force behind Mussel Bar & Grille, Wildwood Kitchen, Brasserie Beck and Marcel’s. Stay tuned to Store Reporter as this story unfolds.

More closings at Rockville Town Square

Rockville Town Square will lose another local business this Sunday (Feb. 22) with the closing of Red Hue Boutique, which featured clothes by local designer Silvia Huezo. “This area is just not providing enough business for us,” says store manager Jasmine Sutton. The Red Hue line, which is handmade in Huezo’s native El Salvador, will still be sold online (click here) and at some local stores. Red Hue is the third Rockville Town Square business to close in the last few weeks. The Gibbs Street antique store that opened before the holidays is gone after just three months. So is 82 Steak Out, which closed in January after less than a year and was quickly replaced by Ev & Maddy’s (click here for more). Elsewhere around the Town Square, many storefronts have been vacant since last summer (click here for our Sept. 4 report).

Still time for our Asia Nine giveaway

There’s still time to enter our dinner-for-two giveaway at Asia Nine, a Penn Quarter favorite that recently opened a second location in Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown development. A winner will be chosen at random in time for next week’s issue. If you haven’t put your name in our hat, click here to enter by email (subject line: Asia Nine). Or enter via Facebook: Just “like” our Facebook page and scroll down for the post about the contest (click here). Update: Reader Julie Mustelin won this dinner for two. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great giveaways.

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Coming soon to the mall: Cold Stone, Yum Crepes, Peet’s

Dessert will soon be on the menu in the newly renovated Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Cold Stone Creamery and Yum Crepes have started construction — both in prime spots to capture moviegoers from the ArcLight Cinema, as well as the nearby eateries. Also under construction: Peet’s Coffee, scheduled to open this spring in the mall’s Sears wing.

Post-Valentine’s Day breakup: Costco and Amex

Next year you’ll have to say goodbye to all those American Express rewards points you’ve been racking up with every Costco run: The two companies have decided to end their longtime partnership. As of March 31, 2016, American Express cards will no longer be accepted at Costco stores. And those co-branded Costco/Amex TrueEarnings cards with no fees and fabulous rebates? They’re going away too. Costco is said to be working on a new partnership with a different credit card company.

Who won our heart?

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Dena Farber Schoenfeld, who won our Valentine’s Day giveaway for this druzy heart necklace from local designer Valerie Nahmani. For all those who didn’t win, there’s still hope; We’ll be spreading the love with another Valerie Nahmani giveaway this spring. Click here to check out Nahmani’s designs. And keep reading Store Reporter for your next chance to win.

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Reader Favorite: Palm Beach Salad at Chopt

This new section is the perfect place tell us about that dish you dream about, that dessert you crave, or that go-to gift from your favorite little shop. For Jennifer Miller, a Potomac special educator, it’s the Palm Beach Salad at Chop’t: a mix of avocado, grape tomatoes, cucumber, hearts of palm and romaine lettuce. “I like the wide array of fresh ingredients, and you can add shrimp or chicken for protein,” says Miller, who likes to top things off with a red wine or balsamic vinaigrette. The Palm Beach Salad costs $7.99 to $9.99, depending on size and toppings. Want to tell us what you love at a local store or restaurant? Click here.

Valentine’s Day Special Issue: New restaurants, new stores, new features and two giveaways you’ll ❤️

February 12, 2015 By Store Reporter 3 Comments

Happy anniversary to us

This week we’re not just celebrating Valentine’s Day; we’re also marking the beginning of our second year of publication. In the weeks to come, you’ll notice some changes to our format — and some great new features that we think you’re going to love. But we won’t be making any changes to our mission: Bringing you the latest retail and restaurant news for greater Rockville and Potomac.

Opening this week

Two new restaurants joined the Rockville Pike dining scene this week, just in time to capture the crowds for Valentine’s Day. Stella Barra Pizzeria makes its debut tonight (Feb. 12) at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, adjoining the newly opened Summer House Santa Monica. (Click here to see the Stella Barra website.) Ev & Maddy’s, a European-style bistro, is already in business just weeks after taking over the 82 Steak Out space on Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square. (Click here for more on Ev & Maddy’s). Also opening today is the Bonobos Guideshop at Westfield Montgomery Mall, dedicated to helping men find a well-fitting pair of pants. (Click here for more on Bonobos.)

Gourmet seasonings on tap

If you’re planning to check out the new restaurants at Pike & Rose this Valentine’s weekend, be sure to save a little time for shopping. In addition to chain stores like The Gap, City Sports and Francesca’s, you’ll also find a couple of interesting independent shops. Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom carries ultra-premium olive oil sourced from different parts of the world at different times of year. “Our oils come from the southern hemisphere in May and June, and from the northern hemisphere in December, so all year long we have this chain of fresh,” says store owner Timothy Balshi. Prices are surprisingly down to earth, with some bottles selling for less than $10. This is the fourth Seasons store for Balshi, whose family also makes its own line of olive oils in southern Spain. Click here to see his products.

Something special for the younger set

Another charming find at Pike & Rose is Yogaso, a boutique filled with brightly colored kids’ clothing from designers all over the world. Owner Alem Beshir, a native of Ethiopia, has modeled her store after the European boutiques she’s admired in her travels. Yogaso is a mash-up of the names of her three kids (who are, we assume, remarkably well-dressed). Merchandise ranges from a $12 toy from Denmark to a $35 shirt from Italy to dresses and coats for more than $100. Beshir says some of her customers are doting grandparents living in nearby apartments. Others are “moms who want to dress their kids different, unique and cool,” she says. “Since I carry only one of each size, they feel comfortable that another kid won’t be wearing the same outfit.” Click here for a look at Yogaso’s merchandise.

Win dinner for two at Asia Nine

Downtown Crown, the new Gaithersburg development near Washingtonian Center, also has some great new restaurants to check out this Valentine’s weekend. Among them is Asia Nine, a longtime fixture at D.C.’s Penn Quarter, which recently opened a second location at 254 Crown Park Ave. The menu is a mix of Thai, Chinese and Japanese dishes including sushi, pad thai, hot noodle soups and curries. Want to check it out for yourself? Be our guest: We’re giving away dinner for two at Asia Nine (up to a $60 value). Click here to enter by email (subject line: Asia Nine), or click here to enter via Facebook; the winner will be chosen at random later this month. And if you’re planning to stop by this weekend, be sure to click here for Asia Nine’s Valentine’s Day specials. Update: Reader Julie Mustelin won this dinner for two. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great giveaways.

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Win this necklace from Valerie Nahmani Designs

This week we have another special Valentine’s Day giveaway: a heart-shaped druzy necklace from Valerie Nahmani Designs. “Druzies are known for their healing properties,” says Nahmani, a Potomac native who’s been working with the popular crystals for several years. “No two stones are ever alike, and I think there’s something about them that really makes an outfit.” Click here to check out Nahmani’s jewelry, which is carried locally at Charm, B Scene and Bloomingdale’s. The piece shown here is valued at $130. Want to win it — for your Valentine or for yourself? Click here to enter by email (subject line: druzy heart) or click here to enter via Facebook. We’ll pick a winner by Friday (Feb. 13), so you can have your heart in time for Valentine’s Day. Update: Congratulations to reader Dena Farber Schoenfeld, who won this druzy heart. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great giveaways.

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Reader Favorite: Greens + Grains Bowl at Cava Grill

In this issue we’re kicking off a new section about things you love. We call it Store Reporter Reader Favorites. Here’s your chance to tell everyone about that dish you dream about, that dessert you crave, or that go-to gift from your favorite little shop. For Jessica Kramer, a Bethesda therapist, dinner perfection can be found in the Greens + Grains Bowl at Cava Grill ($8.50). “Sometimes I’m not in the mood for a total light dish, or I already had a salad for lunch, but with this dish I feel like the healthiness of the salad overrides the rice part,” says Kramer, who likes to top her bowl with falafel and a lemon vinaigrette. “There’s really no topping that doesn’t go well with it,” she says. Want to tell us what you love at a local store or restaurant? Click here.

Two new restaurants in downtown Rockville — plus RadioShack, a wish list and a winner

January 29, 2015 By Store Reporter

Steak Out is out, Ev & Maddy’s is in

82 Steak Out, the cozy steak-and-fries restaurant next to Noodles & Company at Rockville Town Square, closed its doors last week after less than a year in business. It’s the third eatery to fail in that space since 2007, following Bobby’s Crabcakes (another locally owned restaurant with good reviews) and Tippy’s Taco House. Perhaps the fourth time will be the charm: Ev & Maddy’s, a European-style bistro, has begun renovating the space with plans to open next month. Chef/owner Patrick Pak is a graduate of L’Academie de Cuisine, with an impressive resume that includes stints at Komi, the Blue Duck Tavern and Arlington’s Grand Cru Wine Bar & Bistro.

More Peruvian in downtown Rockville

Also new in downtown Rockville is Sazon Inka, a Peruvian restaurant in the former Pita Hut space on North Washington Street. Chef Segundo Silva, formerly with Rockville’s La Limena, is serving up charbroiled rotisserie chicken and ceviche plus specialty dishes like Aji de Gallina (shredded chicken in a spicy cream sauce) and Jalea (the fried seafood dish shown here). Ross Castillon, who’s helping his father Hugo run the restaurant, says they hope to appeal to customers of higher-end eateries like La Canela as well as quick-serve places like Crisp & Juicy. “People around here are really getting to know Peruvian cuisine,” he says. “We have a lot of competitors, and we want to make sure that we stand out.”

What’s up with RadioShack?

The future is not looking bright for RadioShack at the Cabin John Shopping Center, which is now operating as a “clearance store” carrying only heavily discounted items. All regular-priced merchandise has been shipped out to other locations, and employees say they haven’t been told whether the store will remain open. The Wall Street Journal reports that RadioShack Corp. could file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as early as next week. For now, though, it’s still business as usual at the Rockville Pike and Westfield Montgomery Mall locations — the latter of which is said to be one of the chain’s top performers.

Your wish list for the mall

Thanks to all the readers who told us about their wish lists for Westfield Montgomery Mall (see our query in the Jan. 15 issue). We received hundreds of votes, and the top choice by far was a store that sells house and kitchen items — specifically Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, Pottery Barn, West Elm, or a return of the departed Crate & Barrel. In the clothing category, Athleta led the votes for its popular women’s workout wear. Other top requests included Bloomingdale’s, Anthropologie, H&M, Restoration Hardware, a book store and a wider selection of menswear stores. The mall won’t say which of those wishes might come true — although we’re betting that a home goods store is on the horizon. But those who asked for more menswear will be glad to hear that Bonobos is opening next month (click here for more).

Congrats to the winner of our Summer House giveaway

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Jonathan Beiser, winner of last week’s giveaway: a $50 gift card to the new Summer House Santa Monica at Pike & Rose (click here for our picks from the menu). Stay tuned for another giveaway for the adjacent Stella Barra Pizzeria, which opens next month. Also happening at Pike & Rose next month: the return of La Madeleine and Chipotle.

Summer closings, new Rockville restaurants and a theater sneak peek

September 4, 2014 By Store Reporter

We’re back!

If you missed our recent Facebook updates (it’s tough to compete with all those summer vacation photos and ice bucket challenge videos), you may be surprised to find out which of our local businesses didn’t survive the summer. Read on for a rundown of who’s out — and who’s coming in.

Running out of downtown Rockville

It’s been a tough summer for downtown Rockville, which has lost at least five tenants since June: Oro Pomodoro, Cosi, Pho & Rolls, Hair Cuttery and Carbon Peruvian Chicken. Capital One Bank will close its Gibbs Street branch in October. And Potomac River Running, with seven stores in Virginia and one in D.C., will say goodbye to Maryland when its Rockville store closes later this month. “You can only sustain losses for so long,” says co-owner Brendan Shapiro. “There’s a strong running community in Montgomery County, and we had some really loyal and valued customers; we just didn’t have enough of them.”

Other summer departures

Wondering who else didn’t make it to Labor Day? Orange Leaf at the Cabin John Mall, for one. Ditto for The Original Ambrosia, the Greek restaurant at Montrose Crossing, which closed in June but is working on a new location. And Dave & Buster’s vacated the White Flint Mall in August following its failed attempt to halt demolition of the property.

Two new restaurants on the way

On the other hand, we have at least two pieces of good news on the Rockville restaurant front. Chinese chef Peter Chang, who’s earned a cult following for his Virginia restaurants, will open one next year in Rockville Town Square. (Sample dishes: Duck in Stone Pot and Grandma’s Steamed Pork Belly.) Meanwhile, Clyde’s will get some competition on Tower Oaks Boulevard next year with the arrival of Stanford Grill, an award-winning steak-and-sushi place with another location in Columbia. With indoor/outdoor seating for 400 — including a sushi bar, bakery, private dining room and live nightly entertainment — the massive space also will provide a much-needed new party venue for our area. Click here for more.

Big fall for the mall

Here’s a snapshot of the ArcLight Cinema under construction at Westfield Montgomery Mall, which Store Reporter recently had the chance to tour. Instead of a traditional box office (not necessary, since seats are reserved online), the lobby will post movie times on a “departure board” patterned after vintage train stations. We also got a glimpse of the theater’s 16 auditoriums, ranging from 100 seats (for classic and indie films) to 300 (for blockbusters). ArcLight, based in California, prides itself on attending to the details of a rich moviegoing experience. “We present our films the way filmmakers want them to be presented,” says VP Gretchen McCourt. Click here for more on the theater, which is scheduled to open in late October.

Rock on, Barre Belle, new jewels at Leila

May 1, 2014 By Store Reporter

Rock on the Pike

The new performance hall under construction at Pike & Rose has finally gotten a name — AMP — befitting its future as a local venue for live music. Strathmore Music Center is set to handle bookings for the space, which will include concert seating for 250. There will also be areas for private parties, with catering by a group of respected restaurateurs. Hence the clever tagline: “Audible. Edible.” Live jazz, rock and folk concerts are expected to start early next year.

Music and art at the Square

Even as we wait for AMP to ramp up, Rockville Town Square is working hard to keep us entertained. The Friday Night Live outdoor concert series kicks off this week from 6:30-9 p.m., with ’80s and ’90s music plus food, wine and beer from Rockville restaurants. Friday Night Live will continue every week through September; see the full schedule here. And this Saturday and Sunday only, 175 artists will fill downtown Rockville with their paintings, sculpture, glass, ceramics, jewelry and other works along with live music.

Raising the barre

Go Figure, one of the first barre fitness centers to open in our area, has rebranded itself with a new name — Barre Belle Fitness Studio — and some new moves to match. Barre workouts, which offer a mix of yoga, Pilates, postural alignment and ballet, have become increasingly popular here with the recent arrival of Pure Barre and other high-profile chains. Julie Wender, a Bethesda native who opened Go Figure at Park Potomac Place in 2011, says she decided to drop her licensing agreement when it got in the way of adding cardio workouts and other classes that Potomac clients were asking for. But barre will still be the club’s focus, Wender says. “People will walk out feeling taller and leaner — not like they got hit by a truck.”

New line at Leila

Leila Fine Gifts & Jewels in the Cabin John Shopping Center has introduced a new line of necklaces by Vanessa Gade, a California artisan whose kinetic, sculptural designs can be seen at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and other prestigious museum shops. In case you haven’t picked up a Mother’s Day gift yet, Gade’s bold designs (priced at $150 and up) are just one of the many handmade jewelry pieces — and other great gifts — that you’ll find at Leila. Leila is offering 20% off to Store Reporter readers; click here for our coupon. Use it for your mom, or use it for yourself. We won’t tell.

Topshop, Kate Moss, Venus and a farmers market

April 24, 2014 By Store Reporter

Topshop at Nordstrom

Topshop, the trendy British fashion chain, made its Maryland debut last week as a store-within-a-store at Nordstrom in Westfield Montgomery Mall. The POV department moved upstairs to make room on the store’s first floor for Topshop’s fast-changing mix of up-to-the-minute styles. The Nordstrom/Topshop partnership is designed to grab the attention of younger women with tighter budgets who typically shop at cheap-chic stores like H&M and Forever 21. Starting April 30, Topshop also will feature a higher-end clothing line from model Kate Moss with vintage-style pieces like the $420 suede fringed jacket shown here. If you like Kate’s taste, move fast: Her first collection for Topshop, back in 2007, sold out almost instantly.

Juicing with Venus

Jamba Juice has finally started up the blenders at its new Rockville store, next to Ruby Tuesday at Federal Plaza on the Pike. In addition to smoothies, the menu includes breakfast foods, sandwiches, wraps and baked pretzels. The Rockville store is a joint venture between the smoothie chain and tennis star Venus Williams, who is working with Jamba Juice as a celebrity spokesperson and D.C.-area franchisee. Williams already has opened two stores in Washington and a third at Westfield Montgomery Mall. She’s expected to make an official appearance at the Rockville store by summer.

Farm fresh on the Pike

The Pike Central Farm Market makes its spring debut this weekend, featuring 40-plus vendors from Maryland and surrounding states. Participants will be selling everything from hormone-free meats, artisanal cheeses and local produce to live Maine lobsters, Chinese dumplings, New York-style pickles and goat milk soaps. This year the market will be held at a new location — the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Executive Boulevard — due to construction at the nearby Pike & Rose project. When Pike & Rose is finished, developers say the Farm Market will have a permanent home there. For now, it’s open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until late November.

Bankrupt Brookstone, Hamburger Hamlet, denim debut

April 10, 2014 By Store Reporter

Brookstone’s bankruptcy

Brookstone filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week, but it looks like the Westfield Montgomery Mall store is safe for now. Plans call for the chain to be acquired by the parent company of Spencer’s gift shops and Spirit Halloween stores. Brookstone’s sales have slipped in recent years as shoppers declined to open their wallets for $4,500 massage chairs and $70 talking remote meat thermometers — the same problem that ultimately killed Sharper Image. Brookstone says it doesn’t plan to close any stores at the moment, but its future growth will be at airports rather than malls.

What’s happening at the Hamlet

Three months after the closing of Hamburger Hamlet off Democracy Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road, we hear that two national restaurant chains are looking seriously at the massive space. The Hamlet, a staple at Georgetown Square Shopping Center for nearly 40 years, was a go-to restaurant for locals in the 1970s and ’80s. But its popularity had declined by 2012, when its California-based parent company declared bankruptcy. Another California company, Du-par’s, briefly took over and tried to turn the Hamlet into a 24-hour diner. But that didn’t go well either, and the restaurant closed its doors last December. Stay tuned to find out who’s moving in.

Mommy & Me times two

Congressional Plaza in Rockville kicks off its spring Mommy & Me (& Daddy Too!) events this week. There will be live performances, craft projects, giveaways, balloon twisting and kids-eat-free promotions throughout the shopping center. And this year the monthly program has been expanded to downtown Rockville, where it will be held at the Town Square through October and inside the library during the colder months. Congressional’s program, which starts today (4/10). Rockville’s program starts next Tuesday, April 15th.

Designer denim — and $25 off

LiquidBLUE Denim Boutique, the high-end denim shop we wrote about in our March 13 issue, is putting the finishing touches on its new store at Rockville Town Square. The shop will carry lines like Hudson, Citizens for Humanity, AG, Current/Elliott and True Religion. The official opening is April 19, but you might be able to stop in a few days earlier. And here’s some incentive: LiquidBLUE is offering $25 off to Store Reporter readers. Our coupon is good through May 2014.

Beer garden on the Pike, designer denim in Rockville

March 13, 2014 By Store Reporter

Better beer is near

Beer connoisseurs will be happy about the latest announcement from Pike & Rose: Plans are underway for a beer garden and restaurant that will open in mid-2015. The still-unnamed concept is being developed by the parent company of such well-regarded regional restaurants as Vermilion in Alexandria, Tallula in Arlington and the beer-focused Birch & Barley in Washington. Pike & Rose, the downtown-style development that’s planned for Rockville Pike and Montrose Parkway, is building an impressive roster of nightspots. Read more in our February 27th issue.

Designer denim in Rockville

LiquidBLUE Denim Boutique, specializing in high-end jeans and accessories, will open next month in Rockville Town Square next to Toy Kingdom. It’s the second location for LiquidBLUE (the first is in Fulton, MD), which carries brands like Hudson, Citizens of Humanity, AG, Current/Elliott and True Religion. Much of the inventory is priced in the $150-to-$200 range, with styles for both sexes. “We carry mainly Californian lines because they use the best fabrics,” says owner Jo Akin, who hired a stylist from Harrods in London to run the new store. Akin isn’t the only one betting that our area has an appetite for pricey jeans: True Religion will open its own store this summer at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Give your gadgets a chance

Cracked the glass on your iPhone screen? GadgetFixCenter will be happy to come to the rescue. The tiny shop just opened at Congressional Plaza in Rockville, on the lower level beneath Starbucks. Owner Martin Yargov handles cell phones, tablets and computers with a range of problems including battery issues, chip replacements, lost passwords and spills. “I’ve got an 85 percent success rate with liquid damage,” he says.

Meet the new supermarket, same as the old supermarket

Safeway and Albertsons have announced plans to merge in a $9.4 billion acquisition deal that will create a combined network of 2,400 supermarkets. But the deal is unlikely to have much impact on Safeway customers here. Albertsons, which has no presence in Maryland, says it will probably leave those Safeway signs intact after the merger.

New grocer in Potomac Village, Legal Sea Foods closes, steaks in downtown Rockville

February 13, 2014 By Store Reporter

New grocer in the Village

Potomac Grocer, an upscale market specializing in local, natural and organic foods, is finally making its long-awaited debut in Potomac Village. “We’re kind of like a Whole Foods or Balducci’s, but much smaller,” says owner Tom Spencer, noting that he’s put a lot of time into hiring the right staff. That includes two chefs — one dedicated to pastries, and the other focused on preparing meals to go. Potomac Grocer is on River Road next to Walgreens, in the space that spent decades serving horseback riders as The Surrey.

Legal no longer

Speaking of seafood: Boston-based Legal Sea Foods has closed its restaurant at Westfield Montgomery Mall. No comment from the company, which also shuttered locations in Florida and New York. As we told you last week, the mall plans to open several new restaurants and a movie theater later this year. But it’s still deciding what to do with Legal’s leftover space.

Steaking a claim on Rockville

There’s a new place to eat in Rockville Town Square: 82 Steak Out has opened on Gibbs Street next to Noodles & Company. The concept is based on the French tradition of steak-and-fry eateries, says co-owner Anna Don, “but with an American twist” of a slightly broader menu — including sides like creamed spinach, cauliflower and sautéed mushrooms. Not to mention Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, which you definitely won’t find in Paris.

Kids’ Stores R Gone

Toys R Us and Pottery Barn Kids both exited Rockville Pike in recent weeks as their former homes — Mid-Pike Plaza and White Flint Mall — draw closer to dates with the wrecking ball. PB Kids bounced back right away, opening a new location at Mazza Gallerie in D.C. But Toys R Us, which has struggled for market share in recent years, says it has no plans to reopen in this area. The next-closest store is in Gaithersburg.