KRAZE BURGERS SAYS LOT 31 CONSTRUCTION CAUSED BETHESDA ROW CLOSURE

Why did Kraze Burgers suddenly close at Bethesda Row? The company says a poor economy, and the effects of the Lot 31 construction at Bethesda Row, severely impacted their success at this location.

Kraze Burgers says the multi-year construction project on Bethesda and Woodmont Avenues across from Barnes and Noble has reduced foot traffic around the Row, and that store sales ultimately dropped by 50%. Several businesses have previously complained about the impact of the project on parking and sales traffic. In contrast, Kraze Burgers says its new stores at Westfield Montgomery Mall and Tysons Galleria "did outstanding numbers last month."

The company is proceeding with rapid expansion plans. They have recently signed leases at BWI Marshall Airport, in NoMa in the District, and in Herndon. Kraze is in negotiations with several other retail centers and airports in the region, a spokesperson said yesterday.

One additional piece of news, is that the company expects its Kraze Bethesda, LLC bankruptcy case to be dismissed in the coming weeks. That entity is separate from the rest of the Kraze Burgers company. The landowner of the former Kraze Burgers space is not Federal Realty, and the building is not technically part of the Bethesda Row development.

If you have a Groupon left over from the Bethesda Row location, Kraze says you can redeem it at other locations, which also include Lansdowne, Germantown and Barracks Row. The spokesperson said Kraze Burgers has seen a spike in customers across all locations through the Groupon promotion.

KRAZE BURGERS CLOSES AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

A few weeks after filing for bankruptcy, Kraze Burgers has now officially closed at Bethesda Row. The restaurant at the corner of Elm Street and Woodmont Avenue is empty and deserted tonight. This is very sad news for burger lovers, especially for those who walk there from downtown Bethesda residences or from work. There is still one Kraze Burgers in Bethesda, the recently-opened food court  location at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

KRAZE BURGERS BETHESDA ROW TO BE CLOSED "FOR A WHILE" (PHOTOS)

The doors were locked, and nobody's home for the second day at Kraze Burgers at Bethesda Row.

Signs taped to the windows say it is temporarily closed, and will remain so for "a while."

The reason for this is unknown. Kraze Burgers hasn't updated its Facebook or Twitter accounts for months. You would think that if there was a mechanical, plumbing or electrical problem, that - given the massive financial losses being incurred each day it is closed - you'd see repair people working overtime inside. No such activity was happening last evening.

Stay tuned!