Wednesday, August 03, 2016

Aroma appears to be for sale in Bethesda (Photo)

A "bakery coffee setup in prominent shopping mall" listed for sale online looks a lot like Aroma Espresso Bar at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The business is listed at $300,000.

Aroma has a lot going for it, with unique menu items and a very nice outdoor patio seating area. The store also faces a lot of high-profile competition inside the mall, most notably Starbucks and Peet's Coffee and Tea. Blaze Pizza recently closed across the corridor from Aroma.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

That just reminded me - A year and a half after the first time Dyer falsely reported that Smashburger was closing, and seven months after he falsely reported that again, Smashburger is open and doing just fine. Luckily for them they're not in a #DeadMall.

Anonymous said...

Will go the way of Blaze pizza. Terrible location. I use to eat at Blaze frequently, that place was near empty most the time. Hans Riemer never set foot in there, was the only upside.

Anonymous said...

Ah, the dead mall bully chimes in.
They changed their mind. It happens. Maybe they felt the market improved where they were, maybe the construction played a part, maybe they got a better deal.
But, if I'm remembering correctly, there was an ad for their space. So why blame Dyer for their change of plan?

Anonymous said...

I think the issue is their location in the mall. That wing doesn't get much foot traffic, compared to where the food court is. How's Bobby's Burger Palace doing? They're nearby also.

In the main food court, that fancy restaurant (forgot the name.. next to the pizza place) never seems to have any customers at all. I'm guessing they are getting really cheap rent to fill such a large space, but I bet they'll be moving out soon.

Anonymous said...

Remember- when Aroma opened, there wasn't a Starbucks in the mall. Yes, hard to believe, but Starbucks was new addition. I have to think folks gravitate to Starbucks now and don't know Aroma is there.

Personally, I'd visit Aroma just because it's different and I can get Starbucks anywhere else in town.

Anonymous said...

I believe Roberty Dryer merely pointed out it was for sals, as opposed to closing.

Anonymous said...

Aroma has an odd variety of food and beverage, and from the get go, they never have had a large attraction of customers. I place the blame on the owners whose concept has failed to draw the needed customer base. For that reason I'm out.

Anonymous said...

Hillary nets more Money in a one hour speech, than a buyer would make there.

Anonymous said...

.... in a year

Betsy said...

I've always felt the location was the trouble. It's away from the main food court, near the wing that's not as travelled, has limited parking out front, etc. too bad though, it's nice to have something different than Starbucks or Dunkin with a little bit of character.

Anonymous said...

Agree. They were off the main path. You had to be going there to really notice it.

I miss Caribou Coffee. Their Mahogany blend is a favorite. Thankfully, still available online.

Robert Dyer said...

5:15: You're lying once again. The Smashburger space has been for lease for a long time. I have linked to TWO different listings that verify it was available for lease, and the only reason they're still open is that no one has leased the space yet. I even heard from a prospective tenant who took a tour of the space! Stop lying, even though you are paid to do so. What a life! But not much different from the life of a County Councilmember in that way.

Anonymous said...

Dead mall guy is as repetitive as moribund Montgomery county guy.