Sports Authority has closed at the Montrose Crossing shopping center in North Bethesda's Pike District. The store looks cleared out of merchandise inside, although shelves and checkout counters remain in place.
It will be interesting to see what Federal Realty does with this large space - bring in Dick's Sporting Goods, another big box retailer, or reconfigure the space into multiple retail and dining units.
Dick's, which bought the intellectual property rights and 31 leases from the bankrupt Sports Authority chain, has stores in Wheaton Plaza and Rio/Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg.
Speaking of Dick's, that mega chain is poised to be the second biggest beneficiary of the closure, according to a study by NinthDecimal, an audience intelligence data firm. Walmart, Target, Marshall's, Kohl's and Kmart are all stores where current Sports Authority shoppers spend money, the firm found.
Federal Realty may pick up some of the lost traffic at their Pike & Rose development diagonally across the street. Not only are they adding a Nike Factory Store, but REI - now under construction at Pike & Rose - is forecast to be the fourth most-likely destination for Sports Authority patrons.
Please report on the ridiculous ban on box stores which I recall was a city of Rockville ordinance. A Walmart would be great there even their smaller concept like Tysons. Consumers want choice and less price. It would be wise to try and grab Target customers. Big Brother won't ever allow it.
ReplyDeleteBan on box stores? There are probably more box stores in Rockville than in any other jurisdiction.
ReplyDeleteThis is for 5:34 AM, 6:40 AM, and 6:47 AM, who are jurisdictionally challenged. The territory of the Sports Authority is NOT I repeat NOT within the jurisdiction or legal zoning authority of the "City of Rockville". Therefore, your issues regarding the ban on "Big Box" stores is moot. This area falls within the unincorporated area of the county and under MNCPPC and MoCo governance. You obviously have not lived here long enough to really know your community.
ReplyDeleteLived here all my life thank you. No need to be a jack ass about it. All area residents are expected to know everthing about this area? Of course that's never the case. Whatever you say, a Walmart, which would be welcome by citizens of all income levels, would fit but they are deemed as bad and therfore won't be allowed in that space no matter what.
DeleteI don't think you will see a "Dick's" occupying this location given the proximity of its other stores, and the coming competition so close by. My sources say the center is in for a modified make-over in that area, given the market changes underway.
ReplyDeleteI've lived here over 50 years. City of Rockville ended at the Pepsi Bottling Plant - which was the NE corner of Rollins/355/Twinbrook Pky.
ReplyDeleteMost people think of Montrose Rd as the city limit.
Although, most of Montrose Rd is the dividing line, it zig-zags coming up to 355.
Notice Target is not in Rockville proper.
Even as far back as 1962, the area just to the south was called North Bethesda. Kensington phone exchanges, Rockville postal mailing address, Identity crisis even back then. :)
@ 6:40 AM is correct. Although the Montrose Crossing shopping center is in unincorporated MoCo, there are most definitely "big box stores" in the city of Rockville - Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Staples, Michael's, HGGregg, Petco, and several more.
ReplyDelete@ 6:47 AM - your source is 16 years old and poorly documented.
@ 5:34 AM, 6:47 AM, 8:37 AM = #TeamBirdbrain
Robert Dyer knows all about providing source links! He's the boss!
Delete10:03AM, there is no reason to insult the commenters. You're a bully, we all get it.
ReplyDeleteRockville had a 6-month ordinance against big-box stores. Here's a link to the WashPost from 1999.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/1999-10/14/068r-101499-idx.html
Eventually, in 2000, they settled on limiting the size of the stores to 65,000 square feet or less.
10:34 AM Yeah, I wish some of the local blogs would source stuff like Dyer.
ReplyDeleteOn the big box store: Councilman Berliner stopped a nice, urban style Walmart that JBG was going to bring to the Pike (near Montrose Crossing in fact!) Would have a been a great, transit accessible store, with affordable goods. The urban style Walmart that JBG developed in Tysons is great! Almost like Wegman's inside and right by Metro!
Sadly, there's probably a defacto MoCo Council ban on a Walmart as long as Berliner is in power.
Bring on term limits! Berliner will be clinging to his seat by his fingertips to the last day.
Exactly on Berliner. Yes, de facto ban is right. Whoever said who the heck wants Walmart? Well, a lot of people. They are still or were for years, the largest retailer. The rural only model for them has past and consumers, certainly along Pike, would have loved it. Say what you will but Wal-Mart is a dream for working middle class not to mention other folks in higher brackets. Why? Good choice of products people want for a low price. Nothing wrong with competetion as was mentioned. Germantown has every store you can think of in one center including Target abs Walmart. Why shouldn't down county residents be able to have a store such as a Walmart in this space?
Delete10:03 - so nasty. There's a ban no matter what add has been said. They scuttled the Walmart recently and will again.
Delete11:06,
DeleteThank you! Exactly right.
Screw Walmart... who wants a Walmart? They backed out of the deal in DC, and continue to exhibit poor public relations. Plus, you already have a Target RIGHT THERE. Pray tell, what does a Walmart bring to your shopping experience that Target, or better yet, Amazon Prime, doesn't bring?
ReplyDeleteWalmart has a lot of exclusive merchandise - Blu-ray editions, grocery items, collectibles and toys, etc. - you can't get at Target, Amazon, etc.
DeleteThe only way that Robert Dyer could win an election, would be if the other 999,999 residents of Montgomery County were prohibited from running.
ReplyDelete12:01: No, it only requires that the media report on all the debates where I wipe the floor with the incumbents, the media investigate the numerous scandals and unusual financial backers of the incumbents like Hans Riemer's Wall $treet money machine, and that we have high information voters as the result of a free and active press.
DeleteThe incumbents "wiped the floor with" YOU when the election came.
Delete5:49: Only because they are corrupt and had control of the media. But in the fair debate environment - rarely covered by media - I crushed them every time. In fact, they were so terrified, they didn't even show up to a packed house of Olney residents in the final debate. Embarrassing.
DeleteEnjoy living in your own land of make-believe, Dyer.
Delete6:32: Unfortunately for you, it was not only reality, but captured on video for anyone to watch on YouTube. Including the empty chairs in Olney! Just search "Scared to debate Robert Dyer in Olney" and enjoy the show.
Delete11:33 AM Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. all co-exist quite well in Milestone :)
ReplyDeleteMore competition = lower prices.
Those of us who rely on public transit would appreciate Metro accessible shopping! That's what the Wal-Mart on the Pike would have brought.
Well, I've never seen anyone wax so enthusiastic about shopping at WalMart. The vast majority of WalMart customers shop there because they live in small towns where WalMart has wiped out all the local stores, making them the only place to shop. Thankfully Montgomery County does not have this problem.
ReplyDeleteYes, Wal-Mart is only in small towns like Tysons Corner. Total rural area.
DeleteAnonymous Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteYes, Wal-Mart is only in small towns like Tysons Corner. Total rural area.
5:07 PM
Perfect retort. I love it.
American Signature Furniture will be replacing Sports Authority...
ReplyDelete8:08: I contacted American Signature Furniture corporate headquarters, and they said they are unaware of any plans to open a store at Montrose Crossing. You may well be correct, but for now, they are not publicly confirming it. Just fyi for anybody interested in what will replace Sports Authority.
DeleteSweet thanks for the rare followup. Much appreciated!
DeleteYuck, really?
ReplyDelete