Bethesda news, restaurants, nightlife, events and openings, real estate, crime reports and more - the way only a lifelong Bethesda resident like Robert Dyer can bring it to you. Everything you want and need to know about Bethesda, plus special investigative reports you won't find anywhere else. The must-read blog for breaking Bethesda news, when you want to be the first to know.
Wednesday, April 02, 2014
PRINT & SHIP STORE OPENS ON FAIRMONT AVENUE (PHOTOS)
Take 5 recently relocated to the Mosaic District in Fairfax, saying it was too costly to do business in Montgomery County. As you can see in these photos, some Take 5 signage remains on the storefront. The new tenants also benefit from the renovations Take 5 made to the space.
Print & Ship joins Cordell Avenue's News Express as another limited option for Woodmont Triangle residents, who were left in the lurch when both Bethesda post offices closed. The new, single downtown post office (at 6900 Wisconsin Avenue) is hardly within walking distance for residents in "Old Town" Bethesda, and USPS still has made no announcement regarding a second postal facility.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE MOVES OUT OF BETHESDA TO MOSAIC DISTRICT (PHOTOS)
The latest business to flee Montgomery County for business-friendly Northern Virginia was one of Bethesda's most unique: Take 5 Boutique on Fairmont Avenue. The boutique - which only opened a year ago - had exclusive lines from international designers not available anywhere else. Sakina Iskender, the designer and co-founder of the shop, had also hinted that she planned to launch her own fashion label out of the Bethesda location.
Alas, it won't happen here. Take 5 has cleared out of 4920 Fairmont Avenue, and decamped to 2905 District Avenue, Suite 125, in Fairfax. Both areas are havens of new urbanism, but it is less costly to operate a business in Fairfax than in Bethesda.
Thursday, February 07, 2013
FREE CHAMPAGNE AND GODIVA CHOCOLATES AT TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE THIS SATURDAY IN BETHESDA
Bethesda's newest fashion house, Take 5 Boutique, is holding a Valentine's Day-themed open house this Saturday, February 9, from 2:00-7:00 PM.
Attendees will enjoy Champagne, Godiva chocolates, and light fare from Levante's. There will be music, style tips, a chance to browse exclusive, international fashions only available at Take 5, and a special Valentine's gift with a purchase of $250 or more. No purchase is necessary to attend, however.
If you would like to attend, RSVP to lovefashion@take5boutique.com or call 301-500-0132 with any questions.
Take 5 Boutique, 4920 Fairmont Avenue, Bethesda.
Monday, November 19, 2012
TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE GRAND OPENING EXCLUSIVE VIDEO!
Exclusive video from the biggest Bethesda fashion event of 2012: the grand opening of Take 5 Boutique on Fairmont Avenue!
Monday, November 12, 2012
MORE PHOTOS FROM TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE GRAND OPENING!
Right now, I have more photos from Saturday night's Take 5 Boutique grand opening. Still in the works: video.
This set of photos will give you a preview of many of the fashions on display at Take 5.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE GRAND OPENING (PHOTOS)
Guests at the opening witnessed a dream Sakina and Mahir Iskender hatched at an Istanbul cafe become reality in America, on Fairmont Avenue. Entering on a red carpet, attendees got the first preview of what's to come on the racks. The space itself has been transformed into a posh showroom, but the redesign does not overwhelm the pieces on display. And rather than rack after rack of the same old apparel, a discerning selection of exclusive brands will give women a shopping experience of discovery, and fashion-forward styles.
Last night's invitation-only event also offered wine, champagne and upscale hors d'oeuvres.
There was also a bit of breaking news: Sakina announced that she will be designing and launching her own fashion line in the next two years. That's one more reason Take 5's opening is a major fashion development in Bethesda: not only exclusive brands, but eventually an in-house line as well.
But while you consider the exciting future ahead for Take 5 Boutique, here are some photos from the night that started it all (more photos and video coming soon, too!):
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| Walk the red carpet |
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| Take 5 Boutique staff, including co-owner Mahir Iskender and owner/designer Sakina Iskender [center] |
Thursday, November 08, 2012
LIGHTED SIGN INSTALLED AT TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE (PHOTO)
Thursday, September 27, 2012
WINDOW GRAPHICS UP AT TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE (PHOTO)
Take 5 Boutique has fully moved in at the former Second Chance Boutique space, at 4920 Fairmont Avenue.
Yesterday, new graphic panels were up in the storefront windows, and behind them, the task of redesigning the space for the new boutique was underway.
As I reported a few weeks ago, Take 5 is scheduled to open next month.
Recently, owner Sakina Iskender flew to Turkey for Istanbul Fashion Week.
What makes Take 5's opening perhaps the biggest fashion news in downtown Bethesda this year? The boutique will be carrying international fashion lines you literally will not find anywhere else in the U.S. That's because Take 5 will be an exclusive importer of those designers' pieces.
By the way, the slick graphics are a welcome change from the most popular window covering in the Woodmont Triangle these days: brown paper. Stay classy, Bethesda!
Thursday, September 06, 2012
TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE TO REPLACE SECOND CHANCE ON FAIRMONT AVENUE
Second Chance, a consignment boutique at 4920 Fairmont Avenue is closing. The space will get quite an upgrade in October, when Sakina Iskender opens her Asian-influenced boutique, Take 5.
Iskender says the boutique's name represents the "five essential looks of a woman - Stylish, Chic, Elegant, Modern and Sexy." The "Asian" influence will include styles an designers far west of China or Japan. In fact, Take 5 will be the exclusive seller of young Turkish designers Gamze Sarachoglu, Ozgur Masur, Tuba Benian, Sertac Delibas and Evren Kayar in the U.S.
The boutique will also offer consulting, custom design and fitting, personal shopper, hair/make-up styling, and style assessment services.
It sounds like Take 5 will inject something truly new and unique into the Bethesda fashion scene this fall.
While you're waiting, Second Chance is having a 50%-off liquidation sale.

























