New consignment shop coming to downtown Bethesda (Photos)

Fine Consigns Bethesda, an upscale consignment shop, is coming to 4916 Cordell Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The store will be in the former Leahy Plumbing and Heating space. Landlord Holt Cordell Properties hired the local architecture of Steven J. Karr, AIA, Inc. to design and complete a full core and shell renovation of the structure in January 2016.

The interior of the store now needs to be built out, but the window covers were off briefly this week, and we can see here the renovated shell of the space. As of this morning, all windows were covered again. Fine Consigns will be right next to Heckman's Delicatessen.

Former Leahy Plumbing HQ slated for renovation in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle (Photo)

The vacant former headquarters of Leahy Plumbing is the latest Woodmont Triangle project for the local architecture firm of Steven J. Karr, AIA, Inc. Holt Cordell Properties, LLC has hired the firm to design and complete shell and core renovations of the 2075 SF 1956 building at 4916 Cordell Avenue, next to Heckman's Deli.

New electrical and HVAC systems, ADA-compliant restroom facilities and a new storefront and entrances are among the $250,000-worth of upgrades to the building.

The project is expected to be completed by September. Karr's firm recently completed a similar project on the next block of Cordell, and is currently working on an even larger project for Greenhill Capital along St. Elmo, Norfolk and Fairmont Avenues.

ANOTHER LONGTIME BETHESDA PLUMBER LEAVES DOWNTOWN (PHOTOS)

Bethesda is leaking plumbers. M.H. Barnes Plumbing and Heating, a Bethesda business since 1955, has moved out of its 4901 Rugby Avenue headquarters. Their new home is at 9347 Fraser Avenue in Silver Spring. Barnes is the second longtime Bethesda plumbing firm to exit town in as many weeks. Leahy Plumbing & Heating moved out September 24, citing downtown traffic congestion and parking difficulties.

LEAHY PLUMBING & HEATING LEAVING BETHESDA, CITES DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC/PARKING AS REASONS

Leahy Plumbing & Heating, whose Cordell Avenue headquarters went on the market for lease days ago, has found a new home in White Flint. In a message posted out front yesterday, owner John Leahy explains that, after more than 50 years on Cordell Avenue, the company has found downtown Bethesda traffic and parking difficult for its fleet of vehicles to navigate. "It's been fun to watch Bethesda change over my lifetime and it's hard to say goodbye to the neighborhood I've grown up in," Leahy wrote. The specific street address of the new building was not given, but since employees are dispatched when you call the company's number, that should not make a big difference for customers.

2 NEW WOODMONT TRIANGLE RETAIL SPACES UP FOR LEASE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

 Two retail spaces are on the market in the Woodmont Triangle section of downtown Bethesda. A former salon/barbershop space at 7813 Old Georgetown Road, and the space currently occupied by Leahy Plumbing & Heating, Inc. at 4916 Cordell Avenue, had For Lease signs posted this weekend. Conley Management of Bethesda is the real estate firm for both properties.