EXCLUSIVE!
Local residents have been taking sides, and gossip and rumors have been popping up online, regarding the contentious rivalry between Bruce Variety and new competitor Bradley Party & Variety. Conspiracy theories about Bruce's being "forced out" of the Bradley Shopping Center have been posited, and some have suggested the whole dime store showdown has its origins in a family feud. One popular rumor is that BV's former next-door neighbor, Strosniders Hardware, wanted to take over Bruce's space. Strosniders has vigorously denied this, and says it was unaware Bruce Variety would reopen across town.
Now, Bruce Variety owner Richard Dimock is speaking out, in a statement posted here on Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row.
"For Strosnider's to say that they didn't know, and then try and manipulate the community's thinking to believe that they were trying to 'save the day' by putting another variety store in," said Dimock, "is simply not factual."
As proof, Dimock pointed to the sign Bruce's posted on their former storefront announcing their pending reopening on Woodmont Avenue, which he believes was removed by the landlord or new tenant after they vacated the premises.
Regarding the rumors of Strosniders having a role in Bruce Variety's rent being increased, Dimock asserted that "Strosniders wields influence in that shopping center, and there is no question that they have wanted that space for years."
Dimock accused a member of the Strosniders family of "plying" one ex-employee "with money" to gain information about which vendors Bruce's utilizes. He added that "we discovered that they reserved their new business name for Bradley Party and Variety, within five days after we moved to our new location."
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It seems that this competition is quickly growing personal. I personally find this unpleasant, as I and others in my family have been loyal customers of both Strosniders and Bruce Variety for decades.
In fact, I was just shopping at Strosniders a few nights ago.
And I plan to shop at the new Bruce Variety location when it opens. At the same time, given the excellent customer service I've experienced at Strosniders over the years, I would also shop at the new Bradley Party & Variety. I wish all 3 stores the best, and would not want any of them to fail.
Let's hope the competition moves to prices, service and selection sooner, rather than later.
