The shocking restaurant closures just keep on coming in downtown Bethesda. Barely three weeks after Woodmont Grill closed its doors, Casa Oaxaca announced yesterday that it, too, is now permanently closed. Both restaurants were quite successful and appeared to be doing good business. Woodmont Grill has publicly given nonsensical reasons for its closure, and Casa Oaxaca has not yet stated a reason for its demise. Located at 4905 Fairmont Avenue, Casa Oaxaca opened in May of 2019. Their closure was first reported by The MoCo Show.
The reasons for the closing of restaurants often seems mysterious to me. I remember when Willie and Reeds was operating in the space next to Casa Oaxaca. They were absolutely packed every night. And then they closed without notice. If I remember correctly, they were forced to close due to significant unpaid rent. Fast forward a few years, and Pitango Gelato & Coffee operated in the same space (reduced in size) for years with almost no customers whatsoever! I'll never know how they stayed in business for so long.
ReplyDeleteWillie and Reeds staff and patrons became a little shady and I think got tangled up in some bad situations with law enforcement. Blackfinn had the longest run in that location I believe - was a good spot. But even that got a little sketch by the end. As soon as a bar like that develops a reputation as being unsafe it's the kiss of death.
DeleteYes, I had a lady friend who was a server there, really felt bad for her when the place shuttered so quickly.
DeleteLet's be honest. This place was not good....
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
Delete5:41 - Initially, it was good. But in my opinion, they didn't keep up. We stopped going as a result. This is a very expensive and highly competitive market. If your aren't great, you're done. Woodmont Grill rare exception. Shake Shack coming. They won't have a problem but they're also a billion dollar company they can weather a lot.
DeleteThey should have called Gordon Ramsey.
DeleteHow to contact Gordon?
DeleteAs a former business owner in Bethesda 2024, the tax structure, regulations and generally business unfriendly attitude by MC and MD, the amount necessary to break even every quarter is staggering. The restaurant business is even tougher and while I applaud those independents, the only ones with a chance at long term survival are deep pocket chains or if their lucky enough to own the space from years past.
ReplyDelete6:48 - 100% correct. The lady that owns the chocolate shop down from the old Sir Walter Raleigh, owns her building. She may have a great product but no ones seems to shop there so who knows. There's never, ever people coming and going at that store. She is sitting on a gold mine though and the county lot next to her will be redeveloped. Bingo.
DeleteI'd really like to hear more of your thoughts on the major forces.
DeleteWhat type of business if I might ask, 6:48 AM, food or otherwise?
DeleteI was talking with the manager of Mon Ami Gabi three weeks ago. He wants to close the windows to the new outside space they created and turn on the heaters. Doing so will dramatically increase capacity. But he told he has gone to several county agencies and no one will sign off on closing the windows because they can't figure out who has jurisdiction.
DeleteNOT the restaurants, they've been illegally taking over all the sidewalks for years... you puss.
Delete@10:54 Not food related but prefer to keep a low profile as the forces in charge like to punish those colleagues still trying to make it there. Just to open a door to your first customer, less the cost of inventory or rent which in itself is a minimum five-year commitment with a personal guarantee, is a five figure regulatory minefield especially with more than five employees.
DeleteUnderstood.
DeleteMeanwhile; as one restaurant leaves the market another enters. Shake Shack will be landing soon at the Element 28 on Old Georgetown.
ReplyDeleteI fear for Tacombi in the other side of town. With Purple Line construction neverending, they're well hidden off Woodmont.
ReplyDeleteAnd eating outside at Tacombi is unpleasant with all of the rats stirred up by the construction. Great food but bad circumstances.
Meanwhile, I've never had a bad meal from Casa Oaxaca..They will be missed.
They have laid down the tracks on the purple line on one side of the station. It is getting there, but the construction there has had to hurt Tacombi's business.
DeleteAnd what was there first, Purple Line work or Tacombi? Know your surroundings or suffer the fate.
DeleteGood! The illegals at the counter were rude and acted like they were doing ME a favor by even walking in the place. Argued with me about the menu, never went there again.
ReplyDeleteRacist
DeleteHow do you know they were illegal? Or are you just assuming because they were Latino?
DeleteHey Robert, I thought you monitored your blog, please remove this douchebags' comments from 6:23 PM
DeleteICE is coming for YOU @6:23 PM & 11:37AM!!
DeleteNow where will I find cricket tacos?
ReplyDeleteTry 10:43's place, they may even throw in a rat or two.
Delete🤣
Delete10:43am the illegals at the counter?! Lol
ReplyDeleteAlways seemed to be crowded/busy. Enjoyed food and drinks for years. Servers were always pleasant, and the service was good. Sorry to see it closed.
ReplyDeleteTacombi is far superior in food quality - give them your business!!
ReplyDeleteWoodmont Grill was very unfriendly to blacks. And their parent company, Hillstone, has a long and troubled history with blacks.
ReplyDelete2:54pm I noticed many reviews would mention that Woodmont Grill would discriminate against Blacks. Including the recent viral TikTok where they were demanding a Black woman remove her hat while allowing a white to wear one.
DeleteStupid behavior given they had an upscale Black clientele. Being racist was unethical and cost them money.
The Food Market, a popular restaurant concept by Chef Chad Gauss, is now under construction. The restaurant is located on the lower level of the Hampden House development at 4700 Hampden Lane facing the large plaza.
ReplyDeleteWelcome all rats!!! Any apartment complex that has a grocery store or restaurant under it is going to have rats. So might as well welcome them!
Delete5:28 and 6:22 - thanks for the back story on Wiilie & Reed’s. That along with old Flanagan’s, Tel Aviv and Shark Club were my haunts in the early 2000s but they all closed within a few months of each other.
ReplyDelete