The CVS Pharmacy at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Bradley Boulevard in downtown Bethesda closed more than two years ago. Its space has sat vacant since, despite its high visibility along one of the most heavily-traveled commuter routes in Montgomery County. Now a source tells me the space has finally been leased to
Ourisman Automotive Group, which already has two dealerships in downtown Bethesda.
It would be a prime glass showcase for vehicles to passing drivers and pedestrians. Ourisman has a variety of other auto brands besides Honda, Volkswagen and Volvo, so it would be interesting if they decided to bring a new badge like Kia or Dodge to town.
I'm still waiting for Popeye's to come to where Smashburger used to be.
ReplyDeleteHow about a theater? One of the partners in the deal - J.J. is a business acquaintance. What does BTB think?
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to see that corner activated again. Even when it was a CVS, it was mostly red decals on the windows to conceal the back of merchandise racks. Most urban drug stores are great assets for the community, but very poor at activating the pedestrian path with storefronts. This building really serves as a gateway to Bethesda from the south.
ReplyDeleteWhat other auto brands might be a good fit for Ourisman and Bethesda? I don’t think they would put in any service bays, so it would likely just a showroom, but would need to be supported by a nearby service facility like those near Westbard for VW, Volvo and Audi.
I vote for a Mini Dealership! Mini is poorly served in the Bethesda area, and a popular upscale car in urban areas. They could probably be serviced at the existing VW/Volvo service building, or a new one in the Westbard area. Kia would be a great choice as well. I’m not sure Dodge is a good fit for most Bethesdan’s, though I do see a lot of Challengers and other Mopar muscle cars around town.
As a side note, the plaza improvements at Ourisman Honda are starting to look good. I like that the parking lot is much smaller, and the larger plaza will be nice with all the extra CCT traffic that will be using the trail when it actually connects with Silver Spring along the Purple Line. The structure for the architectural screen-wall on the parking deck is quite massive. The pleated scrim panels look like they could create a rather unique feature at this gateway to Bethesda from the CCT. I mostly just glad see the construction wrapping up.
The ceilings are way too low for a theater. I suppose they could remove a few floors though.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they could relocate Tastee there, where Robert's used to be?
ReplyDelete7:39 AM "Smashburger evicted on Rockville Pike"
ReplyDeleteLOL
7:39 AM
ReplyDeletePopeye's would be a vast improvement over Smashburger. I was hoping when the Smash on 355 closed a BGR would move in. Sadly no, Smash is returning.
Are there covenants preventing fast food chains from moving into downtown Bethesda?
ReplyDeleteI'd imagine they'd do better than the worldwide taco place (what a fiasco that was). And having another place serving breakfast through late night would be a plus.
I think you need to be a BMW dealer, before you can get a franchise to sell Mini’s. Ourisman does not have any BMW dealerships.
ReplyDelete10:04 AM
ReplyDelete"Smashburger evicted on Rockville Pike" (fiction)
"Sears is closing" (a year off)
"Hooters is back and I can't wait" (hide your kids)
"Girl orders f*** ton of mayo on hamburger at Smashburger" (that's the ticket)
What a boring choice.
ReplyDeleteCVS still has lease term and is paying "dark" rent. Won't be filled for a while.
ReplyDelete12:01 PM
ReplyDeleteNope. Dyer reported the actual correct closing time frame first. And only Dyer covered the actual final days and closing of the long running store.
12:26pm If you falsely claimed Smashburger was "evicted" and closed, then don't report they reopened until 2 weeks after they did, do you really want to tout that?
ReplyDeleteSame thing for your false report about Sears closing over a year before it actually did.
Dyer is Master and Commander of the Straw Man.
ReplyDelete1:02 PM Smashburger was not evicted. I can go there right now and eat a burger you fool.
ReplyDeletePut down the Kool-Aid.
Sears was reported incorrectly to close a year before it did. And no human being was contacted.
1:20 PM
ReplyDeleteDo you really want to publicize your false reports? I'd kind of keep quiet if I said Smashburger was evicted yet is open today. Same with the Sears fiasco.
1:28 PM Dyer scooped everyone- he mentions Ourisman in his article. Did you read it?
ReplyDelete1:33 PM Get out, pick up the phone and talk to people before filing false reports like Sears and Smashburger. With Sears, there was quite a rush to report false information among several amateur bloggers! All had to be retracted.
http://subtractme.com/remove-defamation-from-blogger/
ReplyDelete"Please visit my shitty blog instead of Dyer"
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete4:11pm your crazy conspiracy theory that every comment you don't write is Robert Dyer
Delete11:42: You are correct that CVS was still paying rent, however, Ourisman is already moving to convert the space, so it will be filled as soon as they can complete the fit-out.
ReplyDelete