Peloton to open at Bethesda Row

A Peloton kiosk at Westfield Montgomery
Mall in Bethesda

Peloton, the high-end indoor cycling company, will open a retail location at 4823 Bethesda Avenue at Bethesda Row. The space was just vacated by Ministry. Peloton cycles feature fitness sessions with trainers live-streamed from New York City. The company has already operated a kiosk at Westfield Montgomery Mall, but likely is seeking to reach the even deeper pockets around Bethesda Row.

Regal Bethesda closes (Video + photos), For Eyes to move

After closing forever Thursday night, the Regal Cinemas Bethesda 10 theater had a farewell message for patrons of its three decades in business. Known better as "UA" by longtimers, for its original United Artists Bethesda brand, the cineplex may be replaced with a new one in the Carr Properties development that will replace the Apex Building at this corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street.

If a deal can't be worked out with Regal or another chain, the Montgomery County Council and Planning Board will be held accountable, as they deliberately chose to not require a replacement theater in their approved Apex Building minor master plan amendment. Permanent loss of a mainstream cineplex would be devastating to downtown Bethesda restaurants.

The fact that the Regal message states, "We'll miss you," is troubling, suggesting they have not yet reached a deal to return. Such a deal should be a no-brainer for both parties, given the traffic that a theater anchor can deliver.

Another Apex tenant, For Eyes, will close at the close of business on Wednesday, December 28. The good news is that they have found a new spot. For Eyes will reopen in late February in the ground floor of 7101 Wisconsin Avenue, walking distance from its current location. Their phone number will remain 301-913-0290.

If you somehow fail to pick up any glasses they have of yours, they will be available during the interim period at the Rockville For Eyes location at 718 Rockville Pike. Their phone number is 301-424-4370.

SHOPPES OF BETHESDA TO RENOVATE SHOPPING CENTER (PHOTO)

The Shoppes of Bethesda, a retail center located between Elm Street and Hampden Lane in Bethesda, has announced a major renovation plan for its property. Work is expected to be completed next year, and will freshen the appearance of the complex. The shopping center is directly adjacent to Bethesda Row.

Rendering courtesy Draiman Properties, All rights reserved.

ICEBREAKER POSTS NEW "OPENING SOON" SIGNAGE AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTO)

Icebreaker, the merino wool apparel shop opening soon on Bethesda Avenue, has posted some new signage. The New Zealand company has said the Bethesda Row store will be a unique concept among its retail chain, designed to evoke the farms where the wool comes from.

DEMOLITION OF BETHESDA SHOPPING CENTER IMMINENT (PHOTOS)

The classic, green strip center that housed popular restaurant Foong Lin and the One Plus convenience store in downtown Bethesda is near its demise.

Multiple John Deere vehicles have encircled the building, and parking is now prohibited alongside the shopping center, which wraps around the corner of Norfolk and Fairmont Avenues.

Evidence of utility-related digging adds to the air of finality. Once demolished, the site will become home to a 17-story mixed-use building by developer JBG.

CHAPTER TWO BOUTIQUE LIGHTED SIGN INSTALLED (PHOTOS)

Rita G.'s Chapter Two Boutique took a step closer to opening with the installation of its permanent, lighted sign Thursday.

For some reason, the sign lettering
doesn't show up on camera, but
trust me, it's up there!

The new consignment shop on Cordell Avenue also has its hours posted, but the website has not been activated yet, defaulting to a GoDaddy page.

CHAPTER TWO BOUTIQUE CONSIGNMENT SHOP OPENING IN BETHESDA

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Rita G.'s Chapter Two Boutique is coming to 4931 Cordell Avenue in downtown Bethesda.  An upscale consignment boutique, it joins a rapidly-multiplying number of such shops in downtown Bethesda.

INTERIORS OF WASHINGTON TAKING OVER FORMER MEMENZA JEWELERS SPACE ON NORFOLK AVENUE

BETHESDA STUDIO

MOVING ACROSS

TOWN

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Interiors of Washington, a 20-year-old interior design studio, is moving from Bradley Boulevard into the old Memenza Jewelers space on Norfolk Avenue.

There'll be quite a racket there in the short term, as the Norfolk-Cordell II project is being built right next door.  That site's old building has been demolished, as regular readers know.

DEVELOPER REVEALS BUILDING TO REPLACE BETHESDA MCDONALD'S AT 4500 EAST-WEST HIGHWAY

Carr Properties has unveiled its plan for 4500 East-West Highway in downtown Bethesda.  Currently, the property is home to a McDonald's restaurant and a Prudential insurance building.

The 220,400 square foot office building - for which Carr has just obtained financing - will be 9 stories tall, with an additional 4 underground levels and parking garage.  Carr expects the finished project to be LEED-certified Platinum.  Other features of the commercial property include first floor retail space, a full-height glass curtain facade, and a 1900 square foot conference center, with video conferencing.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by June 2014.

It's hard to take in the full exterior design from just this one rendition.  Right now, I'll give Carr credit for using an all-glass exterior, and wait for more exterior illustrations before giving a final verdict on the design.  The only criticism I have at the moment is that the height could be much taller, if you consider how close the site is to Metro.  Also, from this angle, it is a bit on the boxy side.  Sad to lose this classic McDonald's restaurant, as well.  Maybe McDonald's can reopen in the first floor of the new building.