With the future of all Barnes and Noble retail stores in doubt, speculation is increasing as to the fate of ours here in Bethesda.
One rumor I've heard several times now around town, is that the Bethesda Row Barnes and Noble will be replaced by a Nike Store.
I have yet to be able to trace this rumor back to a solid source, who would have direct knowledge of such discussions. It seems premature, as the separation of the retail and Nook business units hasn't even happened yet. Considering that a Nike Store replaced the Barnes and Noble in Georgetown, it certainly lends credibility to the rumor. Or is that the cause of the rumors (don't forget, the Union Station store was taken over by H&M)? A Nike Store would certainly make a splash, perhaps enough to deodorize the loss of the bookstore.
Personally, I think that, after that initial hype, a Nike Store would be an Air-ball for Bethesda Row.
Nike Stores are the antithesis of the casual, welcoming community gathering space Barnes and Noble quickly became at Bethesda Row. Whereas one can browse the aisles there undisturbed, or relax at the coffee shop without buying coffee, Nike Stores have heavy security, and you're not going to be able to hang out there if you're not a serious customer.
A Nike Store would be taking this quasi-public space private, in a particularly emphatic fashion.
There's also the fact that Nike competes with Montgomery County native Kevin Plank's UnderArmour brand, which outfits his alma mater, the University of Maryland. Defend this house, indeed.
Oh, who cares, you say. It's all about the Air Jordans.
Whatever the truth behind this rumor - if any - it's worth considering now just what kind of business people want to fill the bookstore space, should it vacate.
If I'm the developer of The Darcy and The Flats across Bethesda Avenue, I sure wouldn't want B&N to close. It is one of many selling points for those residences.
Could Federal Realty get some other retailer like Politics and Prose to take over at least part of the space, to retain the community atmosphere?
Or could it all be gone in a Swoosh?
