Mustard Seed has been a fixture in the used fashion scene in downtown Bethesda for decades. In 2016, owner Derek Kennedy bought out his partner, and changed the shop's name to Remix Recycling Company. In retrospect, Kennedy says, that may have been a mistake giving the misperception that Mustard Seed had closed. Sales declined almost immediately.
Then came a wave of construction and demolition mayhem in the blocks surrounding the boutique at 7349 Wisconsin Avenue. Remix was one of many businesses hit hard by the major loss of foot traffic when the Regal Bethesda 10 cineplex was demolished. A Towson study showed that the loss of the theater may be costing downtown Bethesda as many as 20,000 additional visitors on weekends.
The Montgomery County Council's massive 2016 property tax hike has jacked up their property tax bill this fall to $6334. Remix will have to move when their current lease runs out, as they can no longer afford the tax, insurance and rent bills for this location. The store's staff did not get a raise this year, and if things don't turn around, Remix won't be able to continue.
Kennedy has turned to his supportive customers, and to GoFundMe, for help. A f
undraising page for the store is trending on the site, and has reached $2288 of the $25,000 goal as of this morning. Kennedy says he hopes to pay back those who contribute if the store can right the ship in time. For now, another longtime small business in downtown Bethesda (Mustard Seed opened in 1991) hangs in the balance.
