It's a sad sight at 5400 Westbard Avenue in Bethesda, where the Westwood Shopping Center demolition has been taking place in recent days. The historic 1959 strip mall holds golden age memories for many longtime members of the community, especially those who grew up in the neighborhood.
Westwood Shopping Center was home to many beloved businesses over the decades: the over-the-top desserts, birthday celebrations, and arcade games of Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor; Crown Books, which was founded because Robert Haft had a prophetic vision of our present day in which "books cost too much;" the hardware store; the Westwood Pet Center (now at The Shops at Sumner Place); Drug Fair; Beyda's Lad & Lassie; the 31 flavors of Baskin Robbins; Pants Corral; the Westwood Barber Shop (still there in the new building next door!); Fashion Craft Cleaners; Frame World; the 24-Hour Bob ATM of Bank of Bethesda; Anglo Dutch Pools & Toys; and, of course, the legendary RadioShack.
A Martian landscape is being left behind for the time being. The shopping center and its parking lot will be replaced by an apartment building with ground floor retail and restaurants, a town square, an EYA townhome development called the Brownstones at Westbard Square, and a small park. Delivery of that phase of the Westbard Square development is anticipated for 2026-27.
I moved there in 1978. I remember going to the Farrell's. I also went to the Baskin Robins, Drug Fair, Radio Shack and if I remember correctly at one time there was a beauty parlor there.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget Carl's Catering, the predecessor, (and, arguably, superior,) of Ridgewell's. It occupied the space before Farrell's, I think.
ReplyDeleteWhile I hate to see those businesses go, Westbard was well past it's prime. The shopping center looked like something in Soviet Russia. The area has changed and this new construction will be welcomed by most locals.
ReplyDeleteFarrells, always a birthday party going on. One time, an over eager teen server dumped my sundae on me. He yelled "white flag" and the entire crew descended on our table. Only minor damage to an old T shirt. Needless to say, I was comped.
ReplyDeleteBrings back memories. Radio Shack was my source for remote control toys. I attended many a grade-school birthday party at Farrell's. We'd go to Baskin-Robbins after dinner for ice cream (and later to the one where the Giant on Arlington Road now stands).
ReplyDeletePants Coral was also a favorite spot to visit.
DeleteHard to believe the Residents of the Local Neighborhood fought this project every step of the way until the Montgomery County Council made it clear they weren’t backing down on it. There is no way the County was going to leave a dilapidated 1960’s shopping center in the middle of such a wealthy and desirable neighborhood.
ReplyDeletePants Coral!
ReplyDeleteUpdated for clarity, @4:26
ReplyDelete"There was no way the county was not going to squeeze as much money as possible from the area, residents notwithstanding. It's the county's world; we just live in it."
You're welcome.
Can't say I've ever heard of a "Berg" brand backhoe.
ReplyDeleteRadio Shack - Battery of the Month Club! Ate at Farrells, shopped at Giant with my folks. Bought baseball cards, comic books at Drug Fair. Baskin Robbins, there was a hardware store there near Baskin Robbins. Simpler times. I stopped by in March and was saddened to see it all but the time is right to rebuild. Old heads like me will always have the memories though.
ReplyDelete@ 3:51 PM - That’s the name of the demolition company.
ReplyDelete