Saturday, January 02, 2016

Tugooh Toys closes at Bethesda Row (Photo)

Another somewhat surprising closure on Bethesda Avenue this week - Tugooh Toys suddenly cleared out its Bethesda Row shop on New Year's Eve. By yesterday, the signage was removed as well.

In addition to toys, the store also carried children's apparel and arts and crafts supplies.

Of course, the next question is, who will replace Tugooh at the Row?

It's interesting that, while this is one of many turnovers on Bethesda Avenue in the last year, the spaces there seem to find new tenants much more quickly than those on Elm Street. The former 100 Montaditos and Boloco spaces there remain vacant 6 months, and 1 year, later, respectively.

Federal Realty has been emphasizing chain retail over restaurants in the last couple of years at Bethesda Row, so which upscale or practically-useful retail chains do you think could be added? For dining prospects, this is too small for a Shake Shack, and too close to Five Guys for a burger place. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf? My vote is for Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken.

Photo: Andy Haire

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Isn't Shake Shack a burger place?

Robert Dyer said...

Yes, that's why I added it was too close to Five Guys. Of course, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf would be too close to coffee and tea businesses there, as well. So I suggested Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken.

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't it be nice to have a place there was only one of?

Wrol said...

Nice, yeah, but apparently unsustainable.

Anonymous said...

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf would be such a welcome addition. Yes, I know we already have dunkin donuts, but you never see a celeb with a Dunkin Donuts cup.

Anonymous said...

So the goal of a good coffee place is celebrity sightings?

Anonymous said...

@9:18 Hollywood is a very progressive community, so businesses popular there are a great fit for our community as well.

Anonymous said...

wow...really too bad to see an independent toy store go out of business.
I guess everyone buys toys at Target and Walmart now, but these smaller stores had unique items and personal service.

Anonymous said...

Lowen's

Anonymous said...

Amazon to be honest is better for the unique items.

Anonymous said...

Have shopped there. Overpriced, average selection, average service.

Like Bruce Variety learned, you need to step up your game to compete.

Anonymous said...

Where will I obtain my eco friendly educational toys?

Anonymous said...

Prices were crazy. People who want to support an indy toy store go to Child's Play, which has an outstanding selection at reasonable prices. You can't gouge people just because it's Bethesda.

Anonymous said...

This makes me very sad. We often used this store while the twins were growing up. You could call them and have them deliver gift-wrapped toys right to the house. It really made life a lot easier.

Anonymous said...

Kensington Caboose is nice too. Lovely family running the place.

D said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Wait, they must hve closed due to the Reimer effect right?

Anonymous said...

Wait, they must have closed due to the Reimer effect right?

Anonymous said...

Astro is not really a "chain" they only have two locations + a food truck. Don't see them aggressively expanding either.