Bruce Variety closes in Bethesda (Photos)

Bruce Variety has closed in Bethesda, truly the end of an era in downtown retail. The variety store has operated continuously since 1953, one of the oldest businesses still open in Bethesda. In 2013, the store moved from its legendary location in the Bradley Shopping Center to Woodmont Avenue, which had less foot traffic and required paid parking on weekdays.

That move appeared to be the death knell for the store, as there were few customers inside whenever I stopped by the new location. In contrast, the beloved original location's narrow aisles were often cramped with people. Without easy access (not to mention free parking) for Bethesda residents making their usual rounds at the Bradley Shopping Center - Strosniders Hardware, the barber shop, Bradley Care Drugs, Bradley Food & Beverage, to name a few - "Bruce" ended up being dropped from the afterschool or weekend routine by many families.

When I broke the story on May 18 that the store would be closing, the actual closing day was still undecided. Ultimately, the store's final day was Friday. 

Meanwhile, "replacement" Bradley Party & Variey remains open at the Bradley Shopping Center. As I reported last week, the ownership of the shopping center is now exploring its future options for redeveloping the property, according to their attorney, Jody Kline of Miller, Miller & Canby.

THIS IS IT: BRUCE VARIETY LAST HOURS BEFORE BRADLEY SHOPPING CENTER LOCATION CLOSES FOREVER!

Hurry in as the final hours of a historic Bethesda institution wind down. Sure, Bruce Variety may reopen elsewhere, but it's hard to think of a location as convenient or accessible as the Bradley Shopping Center.  The owners and positive feelings of the community will surely transfer to the new store, but it just won't be the same.  It's unlikely to have the floor space or storage area of today's location, and - let's face it - when you go to the same store your whole life, it's not easy to make the change.

Life goes on, and Bethesda and Bruce Variety will manage to survive. But thanks to the Montgomery County Council's new zoning code causing old businesses to be forced out of shopping centers developers would like to tear down, we'll always wonder if this outcome was ever necessary to begin with.

WHY BRUCE VARIETY IS CLOSING (VIDEO COMMENTARY)

Bruce Variety is closing. But what circumstances and government policies lead to a successful and popular business closing?

I give my frank assessment in this video, as well as share some Bruce Variety and Bethesda memories.

BRUCE VARIETY CLOSING

Bruce Variety is closing. I called the store moments ago, and an employee confirmed they will be closing.  The closure is due to high rent increases, and an inflexible landlord, at least six sources tell me.

A go-to store for amateur-to-expert tailors, harried parents, and Bethesda residents in need of... just about anything, "Bruce's" has been a community fixture for decades.

This closure should strongly signal that the ownership of the classic Bradley Shopping Center could be planning to redevelop the site.  That would be highly-controversial.

The store employee could not say at this time if the shop would reopen in another location.

A very sad day in Bethesda.