Pitango Gelato has closed at 4901-A Fairmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Signage has been stripped from the building, and seating, equipment and menu boards have been removed from the interior. A sign posted outside states that the store's lease has ended. Pitango opened here in May 2020 - what a challenging period to have opened, when you think what was happening at the time.
This concept really never served much of a purpose in that location. . Always thought the space could be put to better use.
ReplyDeleteSelling Gelato is always going to be hard.
ReplyDeleteThey sold much more than just Gelato, how narrowminded to think they were a one trick pony. The menu included everything from coffee, pasteries, to salads, sandwiches, and even charcuterie. Btown is just too particular.
ReplyDeleteReally dumb store name, then.
DeleteFirst of all, the last time I purchased gelato was at the place on Bethesda Lane (Rodeo Drive w-cobblestones) and the golf ball sized helpings put on a scale ended up putting a huge dent on what was in MY wallet. That said, I probably should have tried to frequent the place that's closing by drinking espressos & reading the newspaper like I used to do at Peet's Coffee & Tea but it didn't look very inviting every time I peered in the window sizing up potential seating.
ReplyDeleteAmbience is important for these little places. If a place feels cozy and warm and the counter help are pleasant, I want to spend time there. Glaring lighting, weird sound echoing room, and crabby help are turn off. Not that that occurred here. I never heard of the place - I would have given them a try.
DeleteLike 3:54 put it, picky picky Btown.
DeleteI would have visited here more often but the 10am weekend opening time is too late for my weekly outings. The only passable coffee shop I've found in the Triangle before 10 is the French Press on St. Elmo.
ReplyDeleteCafe XPress has great coffee
DeleteHow do you know that they didn’t make it? Maybe the landlord didn’t want to renew because it had different plans for the space?
ReplyDeleteSad to see them leave, was one of the nicest places with really good product. It looks like every other store is turning dark in this part of town.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the reason for such a turnover.
French Press is great - recommended.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, the Pitango in Reston Town Center is doing fine. I can't believe there are more gelato fans in Reston than Bethesda!
Reminds me of Sinatra's attempting to bet Brando, in "Guys and Dolls," that Mindy's sells more strudel than cheesecake. (Brando's rejection of that proposition is classic.)
DeletePlease note which landlord has the most vacant property. Rents are too high to sustain niche businesses, including once-popular destinations.
ReplyDeleteAnthonys pizza directly across from pitango filed for bankruptcy and went dark!
DeleteAnthonys pizza on the opposite corner went bankrupt and closed!
ReplyDeleteCall me particular, but their gelato cost $12 as I recall so I never went back a second time.
ReplyDelete