November 30, 2023 will be the end of an era for Anglo Dutch Pools & Toys at the Westwood Shopping Center in Bethesda. After 38 years in operation, the family-owned business will permanently close at 5460 Westbard Avenue. Anglo Dutch sought to stay open through the end of the holiday shopping season in December, but property owner Regency Centers would not allow them to stay beyond November 30. Given that December was - not surprisingly - the store's most-profitable month, Anglo Dutch calls Regency Centers "worse than the Grinch that stole Christmas."
All tenants in the shopping center will have to be out by November 30. So far, only the Westwood Barber Shop, Voorthuis Opticians, Starbucks and Giant have signed leases to return in the new Westbard Square development that is replacing the strip mall this winter at the same site.
Longtime residents will recall Anglo Dutch's large end-unit space was previously home to Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour until the mid-1980s. Make sure to do your holiday toy shopping at Anglo Dutch before the end of November. It will not only help a neighborhood, family business, but you will also get your toy shopping done before the December rush.
10 comments:
The dispensary is leaving?
Before Farrell's I believe the space was occupied by Carl's Catering, who did the swish and swanky parties before Ridgewell's was even a glimmer in the eye of Embassy Row.
I’m sorry they won’t be Iowa in December. How cold hearted!
They jacked that rent no doubt. They don't want a crappy county package store, old barbershop, pitiful pet shop, pool supply, etc. This will all be upscale that few mom and pops will be able to afford. Obviously that's what you're already seeing with Anglo.
JAC @ 9:46 AM -
The barbershop has already signed a new lease, as Dyer reported.
With the coming closure of the dispensary in Westbard, Bethesda will be down two of its original four dispensaries, given the previous closure of the store in the Collection in Friendship Heights.
11:22 - My fault on the barbershop but I do think they are after a little more upscale retail if you will. From my point of view, the grand redesign of the entire area is very welcome. It was way too industrial for the current demographic. Now perhaps Kensington can get a similar modern facelift.
I've spoken with the barbershop owner, and they're going to struggle to meet that monthly rent payment. Too much area, and too high PSF rate.
I had my first date at Farrell’s, after a Western Junior High dance. Bidding the shopping center a fond farewell. I hope its replacement serves the community as well as this one, and creates fond memories for the next generation of Westland Middle School students.
I wouldn't call Anglo Dutch a pool supply store, though it has that in the back. It's mostly toys, games, puzzles, and other stuff for kids. Also a great place to try on and buy a swimsuit (in fact, the only one I know of). The push to get rid of shops like that is awful. The awful Chinese takeout has already been gone for quite a while; I think the other tenants are great to have in town. Do you really think Bethesda is improved by losing basics in favor of *just* the fanciest boutiques? I don't.
I remember going there often and a few times seeing Bill Marriott and his family there. Man, that must have kept the employees on their toes and sure guaranteed the place ran well.
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