BETHESDA CONVENIENCE STORE FOR SALE (PHOTOS)

Want to buy a convenience store? There's one for sale in Bethesda, and - based on photos in the sale announcement - it appears to be the Norfolk Mini Mart at 8006 Norfolk Avenue. 

You don't get the building, just the business, its equipment, and the current inventory of merchandise. The store currently holds a 6-year lease for the space, according to the Craigslist ad. Among the draws is that the store currently is a licensed lottery operator.

If you're a fan of Norfolk Mini Mart, there's no need to be alarmed - the store is still operating, and will continue operating as usual if another owner purchases the business. Competition is fairly high in the Woodmont Triangle, with chain stalwart 7-Eleven squaring off against Norfolk Mini Mart, Aria Beer Wine and Deli, News Express and other smaller stores. At the same time, residential construction is booming in the Triangle, with more customers on the way. So this could be a good opportunity for someone with management skills, and a sense of what products apartment dwellers want most in 2014.

BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: SANDY SPRING BANK

The new Sandy Spring Bank branch in the ground floor of the 7550 Wisconsin office building is finished. Here are some preview shots of the bank's interior taken over the last two weeks; as you'll notice, the furniture has been added in the latest photos near the bottom:

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY AT ANGLO DUTCH POOLS AND TOYS IN BETHESDA THIS SATURDAY

After Black Friday comes Small Business Saturday. One of many popular small businesses in the Westwood Shopping Center on Westbard Avenue is Anglo Dutch Pools and Toys. It's one of only 2 Bethesda small businesses named Neighborhood Champions this year by American Express (the other is Creative Parties, LTD), and they'll be hosting a special event this Saturday, November 29, from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

There will be fun for both kids and adults. For kids, balloon virtuoso James Creel will entertain from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and after that there will be craft activities, and all Playmobil sets will be 15% off. Adults, and more specifically women, may like the fact that all shoppers on Saturday will receive a Rebecca Minkoff-designed American Express tote bag.

Anglo Dutch Pools and Toys

5460 Westbard Avenue

(in the Westwood Shopping Center)

(301) 951-0636

L'OCCITANE RETURNING TO WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

From Provence to Bethesda: L'Occitane en Provence is bringing its beauty, hair and skincare products back to Westfield Montgomery Mall. Founded in 1976, the company's products are inspired by - and manufactured in - Manosque, Provence. L'Occitane does not employ animal testing in development of its products, and its products are certified organic by ECOCERT.

VAPE/CIGAR STORE CLOSES AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTOS)

Well, that was short. J.Cigar, a tobacco and vaping shop in Westfield Montgomery Mall, has closed after only 2 months in business. The store was one of 3 such retailers to recently open in our area, with the other two being Bethesda Vapor Company and Vape Ink (the latter of which is in Rockville).

Also closing is - well, if you can pronounce the name of this store, you're ahead of me this morning - some children's clothing store which was called something more pronounceable when I reported it opening a year ago.

CONVENIENCE STORE OPENS AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTO)

While much attention is focused on the new and upscale Dining Terrace addition at Westfield Montgomery Mall, one new addition to the retail center is serving more practical needs. Montgomery Market Place is a convenience store located in the Old Navy wing of the mall, and probably a welcome addition for residents of nearby apartment buildings in an area of Bethesda underserved by convenience stores - or just mall patrons who want to grab a bag of chips on their way home after a shopping spree.

BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: YOGASO BOUTIQUE (PHOTOS)

Bethesda entrepreneur Alem Bashir's Yogaso Boutique has been online since 2011. Now it's expanding to brick and mortar at Pike & Rose. Carrying labels like Persnickety and Room Seven, Yogaso also features the Aleme line, designed by Beshir herself.

BANG & OLUFSEN SET TO MOVE OUT OF BETHESDA STORE (PHOTOS)

As I exclusively reported in May, Bang & Olufsen is moving out of its Bethesda store, and consolidating with its sister store at Logan Circle in the District. Operations at the Bethesda shop are winding down, inventory is moving out, and hours may be limited and sporadic until the final day in Bethesda, November 20.

Store manager Torsten Severtson said previously that Bethesda customers would not have cause for concern with product support, as B&O representatives will travel to them as needed. The store at 5001 Wilson Lane, in the distinctive Peripoint building, has been for lease by Bethesda real estate firm Streetsense for about six months.

During the remaining days in Bethesda, the store says it is best to call 303-951-5870 before venturing in, so you can be assured of an appointment if the store is not open full hours. Alternatively, you can go to the Logan Circle showroom at 1604 14th Street NW in the District.

NEW RETAIL SPACE UNVEILED AT BETHESDA ROW, AVAILABLE FOR LEASE (PHOTOS)

A new retail space has been constructed on Bethesda Lane near the entrance to the Upstairs at Bethesda Row apartments. Much like Roosters near Lebanese Taverna on Arlington Road, this was apparently a potential retail space that was activated by Federal Realty. It would be a good fit if your target demographic is the residents of Upstairs, as they will be passing your door each day.

FRANCESCA'S OPENS AT PIKE & ROSE (PHOTOS)

The first retail has opened at Federal Realty's Pike & Rose development in White Flint. Women's apparel boutique Francesca's debuted Saturday on Grand Park Avenue, off of Old Georgetown Road. This is the third Francesca's location in Bethesda, with existing stores at Bethesda Row and Westfield Montgomery Mall.

STEPHEN STRASBURG TO APPEAR AT MICROSOFT STORE OPENING IN BETHESDA #NATITUDE

Microsoft has just announced that Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg will be a VIP guest at the Saturday, November 22 Grand Opening of the Microsoft Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The first 200 customers in line at 10:30 AM that morning will receive a ticket for a chance to play Xbox One with the Nats ace, who will appear from 4:00-6:00 PM.

Grand opening attendees will also get special deals, including a Toshiba Encore 8-inch 32GB tablet for just $99, or an Xbox 360 for only $99.

Microsoft will present technology grants to community organizations during the 10:30 AM ribbon-cutting ceremony. In addition to products, the store will also feature an Answer Desk where customers can receive expert advice on their Microsoft gadgets and software.

FIRST IMAGES FOR REVAMP OF SAAH BUILDING IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

The architecture firm of Steven J. Karr, AIA, Inc. has posted the first renderings of what the Saah Building at 7813-7817 Old Georgetown Road will look like, when its exterior renovation is completed in August 2015. Aside from one vacant space, the building's tenants currently include Sports Extra and Sandy Nails.

From the renderings it appears the shop window and entrance of Sandy Nails will switch places, but the first level spaces will generally remain about the same in glass coverage. Upstairs, the distinctive street-facing glass will be replaced with a 3-segment window facade that appears to allow more light into the space. Upstairs side windows are similar in layout, but a black segment that matches the color used on parts of the streetfront design will be added. Finally, a public art mural is shown for the side wall of Sports Extra.

Overall it appears to be an overdue refresh for the building, which was constructed in 1954. Karr's firm is also working on several other projects in the Woodmont Triangle, including the former men's shelter on Cordell Avenue, and Greenhill Capital's Lot 667 project along St. Elmo, Norfolk and Fairmont Avenues.

All images courtesy of Steven J. Karr, AIA, Inc.
All rights reserved.

MORE DETAILS ON NEW ART DECO POP-UP STORE IN BETHESDA

The windows have been covered at the Art Deco pop-up store expected to open this Friday at 7920 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda. But a notice posted on the storefront contains new details about the store, which may (or may not) be called As Time Goes Buy.

Open through January 3, 2015, the store will feature "a collection of historic artifacts that reflect 'a moment in time,' as seen through the artistry of famous and also little-known, often obscure, brilliant artists and designers of the day."

The "Dare to Deco" collection will also feature works from the 19th and 20th century, as well as replicas made from the artists' original molds.