Sephora sets opening date at Bethesda Row (Photos)

The interior fit-out of Sephora at 7271 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row is now complete. Employees are now in the process of stocking the shelves and displays inside the store. Sephora has announced an opening date of January 2, 2026. The cosmetics and beauty retailer replaces Spanish Diner at the Federal Realty development. Here is a sneak peek inside:

Update on Sephora at Bethesda Row (Photos)

Window coverings at the future Sephora store at 7271 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row have come down. But we can't get a look at the progress on the slow interior fit-out of the cosmetics boutique because the contractor has just as quickly erected a new set of construction barriers around the exterior. The store's status is still "coming soon" on the corporate website. Sephora replaces Spanish Diner at the Federal Realty development, and is expected to open in 2026.

Sephora construction progressing slowly at Bethesda Row

The interior fit-out of Sephora at 7271 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row is proceeding at a snail's pace. Sephora posted "coming soon" signage here way back in March. But as you can see in the sneak peek below, very little construction progress has been made in the six months since. It's unclear what the holdup is. This space was previously home to Jaleo and Spanish Diner.

Sephora at Bethesda Row construction update (Photos)

It has been about three months since I broke the news that Sephora would replace Spanish Diner at 7271 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row. Here's a look at where the interior fit-out of the cosmetics boutique stands as of now. Remember that they had to first demolish the restaurant interior, and remove all of that kitchen equipment. But as you can see, construction is still in the very early stages.

Sephora posts "coming soon" signage at Bethesda Row

Sephora has posted "coming soon" signage in the windows and doors of its future home at Bethesda Row. As I reported last week, the cosmetics retailer will take over the corner space just vacated by Spanish Diner at 7271 Woodmont Avenue. Some who thought celebrity chef José Andrés might be planning to surprise us all with a new dining concept, as he had done when swapping Spanish Diner for Jaleo, have expressed disappointment at the news. Others have said they will be glad to have the vast Sephora inventory closer to home than its other existing locations at Montgomery Mall and Pike & Rose.

Sephora to replace Spanish Diner at Bethesda Row

The rumors were true: Sephora will be taking over the Spanish Diner space at 7271 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row. The addition of the beauty and cosmetics retailer in what has been a restaurant space for decades will continue property owner Federal Realty's trend in recent years of favoring retail over new dining tenants at the development. Sephora has a North Bethesda location at Federal Realty's Pike & Rose development, as well as another in Bethesda at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Spanish Diner closed last month.

Sephora sets reopening dates for Pike & Rose, Montgomery Mall

Sephora has announced reopening dates for its stores at Pike & Rose and Westfield Montgomery Mall. The Pike & Rose store will reopen tomorrow, Friday, June 26, 2020. Sephora's Montgomery Mall location will reopen a week later, on Friday, July 3. Both stores will operate under social distancing and hygiene guidelines to lessen the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

Chocolate Moonshine Co. opens, Sephora reopens at Westfield Montgomery Mall

Two candy store openings in one week in Bethesda. In our second candy store update this morning, Chocolate Moonshine Co. has opened in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The gluten-free, organic chocolate retailer is near Chick-fil-A.

Also open, is the new Sephora location at the mall.

Finally, future tenant Nespresso has posted Coming Soon signage at its space. Nespresso sells coffee and espresso machines and accessories.

Kneipp coming to Westfield Montgomery Mall; Sephora moving (Photos)

It's not often Bethesda retail signage features a priest. But Father Sebastian Kneipp is making a cameo appearance on Coming Soon signage for his namesake store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Kneipp USA will be moving into the former Bose space on Level 2.

A German naturopath afflicted with tuberculosis in the 19th Century, Fr. Kneipp used plants, herbs and hot and cold waters in the natural environment around him to cure himself. That made him quite a popular figure, and led to the retailing of natural bath and body treatments under the Kneipp brand.

The products are actually made in Germany, and include herbal baths that are natural treatments for back pain, stress and sleep issues, among other ailments.

Meanwhile, the reshuffling of stores on Level 2 continues with Sephora now scheduled to move to a new location in September. They will be on Level 2 next to Solstice.