Another shuttered nightclub
to become doggy daycare
It's not the first time, and with the Montgomery County political cartel holding onto every seat on the County Council, it probably won't be the last. A new doggy daycare business has leased 4459 SF at 4936 Fairmont Avenue, formerly home to the Relic nightclub. This is the second shuttered nightspot to become a doggy daycare business in the last year. The larger square footage of nightclubs probably lends itself to such a use. But it's also a clear reflection of Bethesda's transformation from nightlife hub to sleepy bedroom community.
Despite being owned by Douglas Development, a powerhouse DC real estate firm, there haven't been any high-profile takers for 4936 Fairmont since the County Council's Nighttime Economy Task Force debacle ended with 18 nightspots closing their doors. Escape Quest is a current tenant. There was hope that three new Fairmont Avenue buildings (and a fourth on the way in the St. Elmo Apartments project) with ground floor space for restaurants might reactivate the streetscape and increase the appeal for a new bar or club here.
7770 Norfolk delivered in terms of evening restaurant hours with the very popular Medium Rare and Anthony's Coal-Fired Pizza; The Bainbridge and Cheval, not so much. This stretch of Fairmont therefore remains dark and lonesome later at night. Until Montgomery County election results have less "quality control" changes after voters cast their ballots than Iowa, this will continue to be the case.
