More Than Java Cafe has closed in the Brightview Bethesda building at 4907 Rugby Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Signage has been removed from the exterior of the cafe, but furnishings and equipment remain inside the space. More Than Java's Laurel location is still open for business.
Too bad this is closing. My understanding was that is was subsidized by Brightview to create a destination for their residents to get out a bit and grab a coffee and pastry, and mingle a bit with the general public. They have a direct connection to the lobby of the senior housing.
ReplyDeleteObviously with COVID-19, it’s not a great idea to mingle high risk seniors with the public for now. Hopefully they can reopen a similar cafe once things get better. It really is a good idea to help engage seniors with the public. I think the beauty salon and barber shop was intended to work the same way. I think they even discussed an ice cream shop that would be a great lure for the younglings to visit their grand parents.
It seems like all the new housing proposed by Aldon along Battery Lane will hopefully start to support more small retail spaces like this on the north end of the triangle.I don’t think Aldon is proposing any retail in the base of their buildings, at least in the early phases.
What happened? People didn't want coffee?
ReplyDeleteThey never really had a chance, unfortunately. They opened right before COVID struck, and didn't have time to build customer loyalty. I feel for them, and I hope their Laurel location stays successful.
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