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Monday, April 18, 2016
Soup Up Bethesda to close April 30
Soup Up will close on April 30 in the Peripoint Building in downtown Bethesda. The owner says she will continue to sell her soups at Union Market in the District. Soup Up recently eliminated weekend hours at the Bethesda location.
Sad but everyone could see it coming. That spot just stinks. High rent, no parking, completely surrounded by too many big roads, odd layout, ugly building, etc. and that's just the location issues.
I think they completed misjudged the market; they do well at Union Market with all the millennials but needed a more mainstream, and more varied, menu at this tough location. Bethesda is anything but edgy.
The location was fine. I guarantee if you put a Chipotle there, they'd be doing great.
It was a bad product, bad pricing, bad execution. Their soup selection was mostly vegan, and they used no dairy, butter, or oils. So, no classic soups like clam chowder or french onion.
Then, their soups were overpriced, at $8-14.
Then, they had a bad menu, like offering a chili that "goes well with rice" but never actually selling rice.
How could soup work? Offer the classics, at a decent price, as well as pairings with a sandwich.
Aden is located two doors down from them on the same block, and they seem to be doing well. They even got great praise from the Washington Post a few weeks ago: https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/restaurants/aden-pizza-review-a-bethesda-carryout-with-a-turkish-soul/2016/03/10/5068a61c-e418-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html
What does Aden have? Good prices; professional chefs with training at successful restaurants; and a good mix of product offerings.
Actually, Aden should consider moving to the Soup Up location -- I bet they'd do even better with the improved visibility.
12:56 PM - in addition to all the other issues, this site is very small. Probably too small for Chipotle (which Dyer pronounces to rhyme with "bottle").
2:39: More BS - your specialty. If something was posted last week, why would they just be reporting it today? Just happened to report it right after me, when they utilized their ESP skills?
Chevy Chase Millionnaire Steve "I make more than Dyer before I piss every morning" Hull continues to be scooped by Robert Dyer. Hull isn't the big fish in this pond anymore. Get over it.
2:52: You're the one covering up - why would they have waited to report something if they knew it last week? I heard about it from a source just this morning and was the first to break the story. You're lying, as usual. You're also from the glossy mag because nobody else even cares about this garbage. Do you realize how crazy people think you are after reading your comments and making the connection - you're literally gaslighting yourself.
3:17: You just crossed another line. You've made a huge mistake. Again, I've made a record of your comment for review by law enforcement.
You're a sick individual, harassing and threatening me, and threatening other members of my family. You have publicly indicated you are associated with Bethesda Magazine and certain developers and County Council members. Your comments, threats and harassment have been public for all to see.
You will be exposed.
The fact that you fantasize that comments posted by the many, many readers of this site are being posted by members of my family just further shows what an unhinged person you are. You and your benefactors will look like maniacs when your identity is revealed. This is something out of China or Cuba, where I'm being threatened and my family is being threatened simply because of my work as a civic activist and journalist. Unreal.
Hull's guy needs one of those Batman voice changers if he wants to be credible making threats. Folks would break out in laughter if he used his regular weak, delicate blogger voice :)
As someone who lives and works in downtown Bethesda, I want to just say "Thanks" to Robert for this blog. I read it daily to stay up with what is going on in my hometown. To those who leave negative comments on a regular basis -- Get a life. Robert -- Keep up the good work.
Sad but everyone could see it coming. That spot just stinks. High rent, no parking, completely surrounded by too many big roads, odd layout, ugly building, etc. and that's just the location issues.
ReplyDeleteSaid so right from the beginning. Wrong concept, terrible building, blah, blah. The entire building needs to razed.
ReplyDeleteI called it! I saw it coming one week after they opened. I wish them the best of luck.
ReplyDeleteHas any Bethesda restaurant closed as quickly as this one? Had to be a record in my mind. Open just a few months.
ReplyDeleteEven Urban Heights was open longer I think.
sure was quick not sure was fastest but could be. others will follow closely behind.
ReplyDeleteSoup Up is Soup Out!
ReplyDeleteWHAT???
ReplyDeleteI am shocked. SHOCKED. This terrific concept at those great prices in a wonderful location? How can it be?
Excuse me. My world just turned upside down.
I am happy to be wrong but called this one right from the jump.
ReplyDeleteNO SOUP FOR YOU! NEXT!
ReplyDeleteI think they completed misjudged the market; they do well at Union Market with all the millennials but needed a more mainstream, and more varied, menu at this tough location. Bethesda is anything but edgy.
ReplyDeleteThat daggum moribund moco economy strikes again. Actually, this is not a surprise, that location is terrible as was the food.
ReplyDeleteIf it was really great, the location wouldn't matter.
ReplyDeleteI bet a TD bank will go in.
ReplyDeleteBeth Mag didn't credit scoop Dyer. That's cold right there.
ReplyDelete@11:28 AM - That is worse than cold soup!
ReplyDeleteBuying the "Editor's Choice" award & marketing package from Bethesda Magazine certainly didn't help Soup Up.
ReplyDeleteThe location was fine. I guarantee if you put a Chipotle there, they'd be doing great.
ReplyDeleteIt was a bad product, bad pricing, bad execution. Their soup selection was mostly vegan, and they used no dairy, butter, or oils. So, no classic soups like clam chowder or french onion.
Then, their soups were overpriced, at $8-14.
Then, they had a bad menu, like offering a chili that "goes well with rice" but never actually selling rice.
How could soup work? Offer the classics, at a decent price, as well as pairings with a sandwich.
Aden is located two doors down from them on the same block, and they seem to be doing well. They even got great praise from the Washington Post a few weeks ago:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/restaurants/aden-pizza-review-a-bethesda-carryout-with-a-turkish-soul/2016/03/10/5068a61c-e418-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html
What does Aden have? Good prices; professional chefs with training at successful restaurants; and a good mix of product offerings.
Actually, Aden should consider moving to the Soup Up location -- I bet they'd do even better with the improved visibility.
Never heard of Aden and Chipotle is in serious trouble.
ReplyDelete11:28 do you honestly believe that every BM post that comes after Dyer was plagiarized or they learned it from here?
ReplyDeleteHe broke the story first and should get credit that's all.
DeleteI bet a home design firm will go in. More bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
ReplyDeleteI'd have stopped there several times on my way home, but never a convenient place to park.
ReplyDelete12:56 PM - in addition to all the other issues, this site is very small. Probably too small for Chipotle (which Dyer pronounces to rhyme with "bottle").
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete2:39: More BS - your specialty. If something was posted last week, why would they just be reporting it today? Just happened to report it right after me, when they utilized their ESP skills?
DeleteChevy Chase Millionnaire Steve "I make more than Dyer before I piss every morning" Hull continues to be scooped by Robert Dyer.
DeleteHull isn't the big fish in this pond anymore. Get over it.
"The restaurant made the announcement last week on its Facebook page."
ReplyDeleteWhy is Dyer trying to cover this up?
2:52: You're the one covering up - why would they have waited to report something if they knew it last week? I heard about it from a source just this morning and was the first to break the story. You're lying, as usual. You're also from the glossy mag because nobody else even cares about this garbage. Do you realize how crazy people think you are after reading your comments and making the connection - you're literally gaslighting yourself.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete2:56: You're asking the person who broke the story how he found out about it?
Delete2:56: A copy of your threatening statement has been recorded for law enforcement review.
DeleteIt's very strange how Dyer and his number-one shill post within the exact same minute, and Robert Dyer deletes the comment that notes this.
ReplyDeleteWill Hull be caught dumpster diving outside the Parva, seeking the big rat story?
ReplyDeleteStay tuned.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete#HullsBoyz
ReplyDelete3:17: You just crossed another line. You've made a huge mistake. Again, I've made a record of your comment for review by law enforcement.
ReplyDeleteYou're a sick individual, harassing and threatening me, and threatening other members of my family. You have publicly indicated you are associated with Bethesda Magazine and certain developers and County Council members. Your comments, threats and harassment have been public for all to see.
You will be exposed.
The fact that you fantasize that comments posted by the many, many readers of this site are being posted by members of my family just further shows what an unhinged person you are. You and your benefactors will look like maniacs when your identity is revealed. This is something out of China or Cuba, where I'm being threatened and my family is being threatened simply because of my work as a civic activist and journalist. Unreal.
Hull's guy needs one of those Batman voice changers if he wants to be credible making threats. Folks would break out in laughter if he used his regular weak, delicate blogger voice :)
ReplyDeleteAs someone who lives and works in downtown Bethesda, I want to just say "Thanks" to Robert for this blog. I read it daily to stay up with what is going on in my hometown. To those who leave negative comments on a regular basis -- Get a life. Robert -- Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteUhmm, what's with all the deleted comments?
ReplyDelete