The great Bethesda beer house chair mystery (Photos)

The old Dunmor's (a.k.a. "The Beer House) has been closed since September 8, 2016 at 8013 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. It is one of several properties attached to the long-delayed redevelopment of 8008 Wisconsin Avenue, which have been left as vacant eyesores, and fenced off for seven years. A couple of mismatched chairs have now appeared on the porch of the beer house. 

One is an office chair, and the other looks more like a kitchen chair. It's quite a vantage point, atop a crumbling crawlspace, part of which has been bashed in by man or beast - or some combination of the two. As Ace Ventura said, "Do not go in there. Wooooooooooo!" We might need to call Detective Ventura in to solve this mystery.

Bethesda's "beer house" seven years later (Photos)

There is some activity at the rear of the stalled Toll Brothers 8008 Wisconsin Avenue project site in downtown Bethesda. It looks like a shipping container has been brought in, and as a result, the gate was opened in the fencing along Cordell Avenue. That gave an opportunity to get some photos from the public sidewalk of the "beer house," a.k.a. Dunmor's Beer & Wine, seven years after it closed for a redevelopment that has yet to take place. And of the rear of the Wisconsin-facing vacant retail strip that once included the Ranger Surplus store.

Want the signs from Dunmor's Beer House in Bethesda?

Here's a find for the collector of Bethesda history. Two signs from Dunmor's "beer house," the landmark at 8013 Woodmont Avenue being razed to make way for a Toll Brothers' condo building, were for sale on Craigslist yesterday. Alas, the listing seems to have disappeared now, possibly indicating they were sold. Fortunately, I got a screenshot before the ad vanished.

DOUGLAS DEVELOPMENT TO UNVEIL PLANS FOR DOWNTOWN BETHESDA PROJECT (PHOTOS)

One of the two anticipated Douglas Development redevelopment projects is about to be unveiled to the public in downtown Bethesda. The DC-based developer is hosting a public meeting Tuesday, July 15, at 7:00 PM, in room D at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, located at 4805 Edgemoor Lane, regarding its plans for the 8008 Wisconsin Avenue property. That property runs along Cordell Avenue, as well, and consists of the former Ranger Surplus store, a dry cleaners, and a beer-wine store, known as the "Beer House."

This entire city block is about to be entirely overhauled by Douglas and another developer, JBG. What will be left standing in a few years includes Fairmont Plaza, Bruce Variety and a future chocolate shop.

All we know so far is that the project will include up to 135 apartments, and 4000 SF of commercial space. Fifteen percent of the apartments will be MPDUs, above the required 12%. Douglas Development is also seeking a parking waiver for the project.

Several land deals by Douglas in recent times have left residents wondering what will become of those properties, which also include the potential for a major project on the sites of Tommy Joe's and Pines of Rome.

The former Ranger Surplus
on Wisconsin Avenue

A tattered POW-MIA flag
flutters in the breeze behind
the Ranger Surplus building

Flag again, plus a view from the
site towards Triangle Towers

Sign announcing the meeting

Dry cleaners

Beer House