Peet's Coffee space would become grocery entry
The anchor retail space at Bethesda Place has sat vacant since the Safeway store there closed more than three years ago. Despite the central downtown location, and thousands of potential customers living upstairs and steps away, no grocer has been attracted so far. Now the property owner is sweetening the deal.
 |
| Rendering of proposed "entry lobby" for grocery store |
Another vacant space that more recently housed Peet's Coffee would be converted into a new "entry lobby" for a future grocery store, under a proposal illustrated by Rappaport, which is marketing the space to potential tenants. It requires a descent ramp to access the existing sales floor of the grocery space.
 |
| Cutaway showing relationship of Peet's Coffee space to existing grocery level |
This would give the store a second entrance fronting onto the busy corner of Woodmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road. The existing store entrance is on Old Georgetown, but sits back from the sidewalk in a recessed area. The move also allows the space to be marketed as a "42,000 SF corner anchor space in the heart of Bethesda."
 |
| Proposed site plan for expanded grocery space |
Will this be enough to entice a grocery chain? Many readers have wondered why the rapidly-expanding Lidl hasn't shown interest in this spot so far. Trader Joe's is already opening a store two blocks away at 8001 Woodmont (at street address 7900 Wisconsin Avenue). Which grocery chain would you like to see in this space?
 |
| Vacant grocery store with Rappaport leasing sign out front |
 |
| Existing recessed entry for grocery store |
 |
| Current conditions inside vacant grocery space |
Renderings courtesy Rappaport
Thanks for the update Robert! About time something is happening with this space. I guess the property owner realized that nobody was interested in what they were offering.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a Wegman's move into this space in Bethesda. That would be awesome, and I think it's feasible given the spacing with the ones being built in Rockville (Rockville Pike/Halpine Road) and in DC (Wisconsin Avenue/Rodman Street).
I don't know about Wegman's, but how about another Giant?
ReplyDeleteUnless the reason that Safeway shut down in Bethesda place was that it couldn't support two Safeways so close together.
I think this should be a market like Union Market or Eastern Market. Clearly, the space wouldn't be as cool, but I think it would do great. Right across from the metro. Apartments all around. Otherwise I do like the idea of that front space and maybe even some outdoor space being used for dining.
ReplyDeleteSeems like a good way to improve access to the space. Not unlike the way they are adding a second entrance to the Prime Food’s in Chevy Chase, or the multi-level entrance at Harris Teeters in Bethesda. Even connecting a cafe to a market internally would improve access, like the Whole Foods in Chevy Chase. I think most Wegman’s require much more square footage, and likely would require higher ceilings than the former Safeway space.
ReplyDeleteMakes sense to have an entrance at the corner. The Safeway entrance was set back and wasn't very visible.
ReplyDeleteLet's make it happen! This is a very transit friendly spot for a grocery store.
Even Wegmans small-format stores are nearly twice the size of this space.
ReplyDeleteThe building is so awkwardly built and completely screws up its street level; it'll be hard to find a taker. Maybe a clothing or sporting goods retailer, e.g. Saks eventually moving up from Friendship Heights.
Too bad Publix didn’t come to Maryland
ReplyDeleteI’d rather have Safeway (acme) and Giant rather than amazon prepackaged overpriced stuff
I wonder if it would work as a food court, kind of like the Spot in Rockville? I do muss that Safeway and I already muss La Madeleine greatly.
ReplyDeleteAs was said, Publix. Best grocer in the nation
ReplyDeleteMaybe a Mom's Organic Market?
ReplyDeleteI would love to see any of these: Mom’s Organic, The Fresh Market (in Rockville), Whole Foods, or Harris Teeter (to move from the current spot)!
ReplyDelete