Construction has begun on the interior fit-out of PopUp Bagels at 7607 Old Georgetown Road, in the ground floor of the Solaire 7607 Old Georgetown apartment tower in downtown Bethesda. The race is officially on, as competitor Call Your Mother Deli recently began construction as well. PopUp has a "LegUp," as it is starting the process immediately, while Call Your Mother has to first demolish the interior left from the previous furniture store tenant. Who will cross the finish line first?
PopUp Bagels are served hot and fresh out of the oven every 3-4 minutes, and they are the main attraction on a very simple menu - not the bagel sandwiches you typically see on social media. Smaller than the typical bagel, PopUp Bagels are served unsliced, to keep them warm. They are crisp on the outside, while their interiors are characterized as pillowy and fluffy. Customers are encouraged to "grip, rip, and dip" their hot bagels in a selection of schmears. Cream cheese, scallion cream cheese, butter, and vegan scallion butter are always on the menu, but a rotating list of limited-time-only schmears changes weekly, ensuring there will always be a new flavor to try.
I heard it's not that good. Second, you have to order 3 bagels which comes with a container of cream cheese which is beyond annoying and not how people order bagels. Last, nowhere to park. This is walkers only. Skip and go to Call Your Mother if they ever get open in Woodmont Triangle.
ReplyDeleteIsn't there parking in the same garage as Lidl? There is technically street parking in front of Andy's Pizza but all the spots are often taken so you have to go to the adjacent Waverly Garage anyway. How is this any different other than the absence of a few spots out front?
DeleteThere’s a public garage right across the street, but I’m sure the libs and their food runners will choose to block a lane of traffic on Old Georgetown Road just to park directly in front of the store.
DeleteDo all these restaurants pay Bethesda rent for the many months before construction begins? Seems many places go through 12-24 months of no action and then build-out before opening. No wonder the product and service prices are so high!
ReplyDeleteI’m curious about that too. Do business pay rent during the construction / preparation phase? Especially if delays are due to permitting. Does anyone know the norm? I assume it’s ultimately at the discretion of the commercial property owner but it would be sensible if they allowed for some rent reduction/ forgiveness due to licensing related delays ( not construction delays).
Delete6:57 - It's increasingly difficult in Bethesda to pull into a spot and walk in. Woodmont Triangle has ample on street parking as well as several parking structures. This is on a very busy street which has little parking at least on that side. It used to have but spots they were removed. Thanks anti-car county. People are going to drive into the depths of the Lidl parking facility (which is only for their customers) to then walk up or use the elevator just to buy 3 bagels when you only need 1? Come on now.
ReplyDeleteAside from the 3-bagel issue (their business model which has proven to work elsewhere), how is this any different than people going to Bethesda Bagels during the day? If you don't like having to buy 3 bagels at a time or think that their product sucks, then just say so. I don't understand the parking gripes given this and my comment above on Andy's Pizza (and morning bagels).
DeleteThere's a giant underground parking garage right around the corner. If parking is that much of an issue then people can take the bus (which drops off right in front of Lidl), rideshare, use a scooter, or get some exercise by biking or walking.
DeleteJAC still can't resist opining on businesses that haven't opened here yet, even if he has to go with hearsay (or maybe, word of mouth): "I heard it's not that good." Oh please.
ReplyDelete7:12 - Mentioning that some are saying it's not that great isn't valid? Huh? It's not ok to opine about their process which requires customers to buy a minimum of 3 bagels that comes with cream cheese? Bethesda Bagels has been thriving for over 30 years and always has customers on line waiting. They don't require any minimum of any kind. I think Call Your Mother is a little better or at least more interesting. I also think they will do much more business, just a few blocks over, when they get open than this place. If you don't like what's said, I can't help that.
Delete7:36 - They already block that lane all the time. Never happened before but will increase when the bagel place opens.
ReplyDeleteThe oven? They are not boiled like Bethesda Bagels?
ReplyDeleteI've seen videos of their other locations opening and it looks delicious dipping the bagel into cream cheese. Pop Up will be a great addition.
ReplyDeleteThey'll have a built in audience of everyone living in highrises within walking distance.
Until Call Your Mother opens, not many other bagel options in the Triangle!