Anine Bing has closed at 7243 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row. The windows have been covered with brown paper. Anine Bing is the latest victim of the moribund Montgomery County economy, the flight of the rich from MoCo, and the anti-business policies of the Montgomery County Council. This is the only Anine Bing boutique closing in America. In fact, the brand is currently expanding, with new locations opening soon on Long Island and at the Ala Moana Center in Hawaii, as well as two boutiques in China.
The Bethesda location was already showing some signs of struggling by 2023. That July, the boutique reduced its operating hours. It had only been open for a few months at that point.
Federal Realty already has a solid replacement lined up for Anine Bing's space, however. Southern California lifestyle brand Johnnie-O will open there this spring. Johnnie-O is considered a premium apparel brand, but its prices are typically half or a third of Anine Bing's, and therefore may be a better fit for the changing demographics of Montgomery County.
16 comments:
Nothing to do with anti-business MoCo policies. Anine Bing sells jackets for $600 and up, the demographics of Bethesda have changed, and the overall economy has plunged. People became more frugal with their spending, I personally would rather shop in places like H&M and Zara than overpriced brands like Jenny Kayne or Anine Bing. All these fancy stores in Bethesda Row are always empty and pretty soon they will all be replaced with more affordable options, similarly to Pike & Rose. I can’t wait for this change to happen!
Yup, i literally have never seen a anyone in that store. And i walk past it pretty much 3 times a day!
Once more...this store is closing because of the Moribund MoCo economy...and the landlord already has a replacement ready to go...into the same moribund MoCo economy.
Robert...I challenge you to propose some area of the country that you regard as the most dynamic, amazing economy and also show that no businesses ever close in those places.
6:54am Bethesda and Chevy Chase are considered wealthy areas. Extraordinarily expensive to own or rent a home in the area. The restaurants and shops are accordingly very expensive at Bethesda Row.
7:31: I recommend re-reading the article again, as it explains the dynamic that is happening with the departure of Anine Bing and the arrival of Johnnie-O. Of course businesses close everywhere. But then you have to look at the factors involved, and the fact is that this was the only Anine Bing store that was struggling in America. Ergo, we can see the moribund Montgomery County economy and anti-business County Council are indeed to blame. Occam's razor.
All Rodeo Drive refugees.
Maryland’s own tax data shows a 19% jump in filings making over $500,000 in Montgomery County compared to the year before. Average taxable income for that subgroup is $1.25 million.
@7:39 - @7:43's mind is hellbent on this being a "moribund" economy because it's not far right fixated for his political taste. He as a terminal case of Elrich EDS.
You will find the same dynamics happening literally everywhere in the country...everywhere. You know that. Do a simple search of the Anine Bing store closings and you will see in the last 2 years they closed a store in LA, a store in Miami, etc. They only operate 40 stores currently, so clearly this is a small boutique brand.
Have you ever owned or operated a business in Montgomery County, the State of Maryland, or the Commonwealth of Virginia?
You're spot on. Anine Bing was too expensive. Never saw anyone in the store. Same as Bethesda Ave. Most of those stores are empty of customers as well.
8:24: No recent closures besides Bethesda. The chain is currently growing, not shrinking.
8:13: Gaslighting in progress.
I don't think we have a smoke shop in Bethesda Row yet. And the Hookah Cafe is a bit of a hike. So those could be options.
He has no idea about running a business. I am not sure he has had a real job.
More like Asinine Bing, amirite? ha.
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