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.

FREDDY'S LOBSTER CLOSES IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Freddy's Lobster has closed on Cordell Avenue in Bethesda. Open since May 2011, the restaurant appeared just as the lobster roll fad was taking off in the DC area. Since then, Luke's Lobster has opened at Bethesda Row, food trucks have muscled into the category, area restaurants have added lobster rolls to their menus, and a Las Vegas-based lobster roll chain will soon open at the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Freddy's was a side venture by next door neighbor Grapeseed's chef, Jeff Heineman. Known for its beer list and themed front patio, Freddy's will be missed even if lobster rolls aren't as exotic in Bethesda as they were in 2011.

SPRINGHOUSE OF WESTWOOD NURSING HOME TO CLOSE, FIRST DOMINO TO FALL IN WESTBARD REDEVELOPMENT

We've been hearing that the redevelopment of the Westwood Complex is several years off, especially given that the Westbard Sector Plan rewrite is only in the earliest stage. But the first major move on the game board is taking place now. I received a tip that the Manor Care Springhouse of Westwood assisted living residence at 5101 Ridgefield Road will close its doors this Friday. To confirm this, I contacted Manor Care yesterday. Ken Connelly, Director of Marketing Development for Manor Care, confirmed that the nursing home will close before the end of the year, but has yet to confirm Friday as a closing date. Connelly has not yet responded to a follow-up message. However, in his original response, he said the closure is "due to the re-development of the land in which Springhouse of Westwood is located."

Last night around 9:00 PM, all rooms appeared darkened on the Ridgefield Road side, with lights only on at entrances and windows on the ends of hallways. One light appeared to be on at the back of the building, and a car was parked by a door in the driveway.

I invited property owner Equity One to comment, but have received no response to my inquiries as of this writing. Equity One owns the Westwood Complex, which also includes the Westwood Shopping Center, Westwood Center II, two Citgo gas stations, Westwood Tower apartments, and the Bowlmor Lanes bowling alley. All are expected to be redeveloped in the coming decade.

What does this mean? I am hopeful to get further details from Equity One, and will bring that information to you as soon as I receive it. I followed up with Equity One's PR firm, as well, but also have not yet heard back as of this writing.

In the absence of such information, one can only speculate - and that speculation is quite troubling.

We are now facing the real potential of having a large abandoned building and grounds in a residential neighborhood for an extended period of time. That's not something you often - if ever - find in the 20816 zip code. I think most people assumed Manor Care would be allowed to continue to operate the home beyond its 2015 lease expiration, until Equity One and partner EYA were prepared to redevelop the site. Unless they have a secret project plan they've been discussing, and the public has been lied to at recent meetings held by the developers and county, this site will either be a vacant building or empty field (if the building were to be demolished) for at least several years. That has great potential for crime activity on the abandoned property, which would impact nearby residents. It could be a hangout, with plenty of places for people to hide at night. What would they do? Put a huge fence around it? That would only make an unacceptable situation seem even more ugly.

This site is likely to become an EYA luxury townhome development, if they and partner Equity One have their way. However, the development process of Montgomery County is lengthy. Nothing can be built without going through a long public process, even under the current zoning for the site.

Personally, I think the closure is a shame. Residents of the surrounding neighborhoods found the Springhouse facility a good way to keep relatives close to home, and the nursing home has been a "good neighbor." The building is still usable, and could easily be retrofitted for senior housing, of which there is a shortage in Montgomery County. Absent that, the most appropriate use of the land would be as single-family homes, the housing type that directly abuts the nursing home property. It could also figure into the green space equation in the overall Westbard-area redevelopment. Early missteps on that could rival the planning blunder of the Hoyt property decision, which has already preemptively hobbled any effort to extend a green stormwater buffer around the stream that flows through there.

What's up with this closure, and why won't anyone involved share the details of what is going on? I don't think keeping residents in the dark is good PR in the larger redevelopment process in Westbard. The Springhouse property is a gateway to the community, and its status is of great interest to that community.

VAPIANO CLOSES AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

Vapiano has closed permanently at Bethesda Row. Shocker! Right? Well, not exactly in my case. I've been aware that Vapiano's space has been for lease for about 10 days. During that time, I have attempted to confirm the status of Vapiano. Ralph Ours, Leasing Director at Federal Realty, replied on October 3 that "Vapiano is still operating at Bethesda Row."

I now have confirmation from Vapiano that their Bethesda Row location is indeed closed, and the space is up for lease by Federal Realty. In recent times, I've noticed less activity around the outside of Vapiano, but still always saw people in there when going past. The location is not the best for foot traffic, and now it faces a construction zone across the street. It will be interesting to see if the next tenant can make a go of it, or if this is going to be one of those tough spots like the one currently occupied by Tyber Bierhaus, where several businesses have come and gone in recent years.

This is certainly sad news, as it seems like yesterday I was attending the VIP party for the restaurant's grand opening. There's no such thing as too many pizza or pasta options, in my opinion.

FRAÎCHE CUPCAKERY CLOSES IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Fraîche Cupcakery has permanently closed in the Wildwood Shopping Center on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. The upstart bakery was a convenient alternative for cupcake lovers in the northern neighborhoods of Bethesda to driving downtown for Georgetown Cupcake at Bethesda Row. Hopefully they can find another space in the Bethesda area. On the shop's Facebook page, a farewell message to customers is posted:

it is with a heavy heart that we regret to inform you fraîche cupcakery has closed its doors.

thank you for your loyalty and for being a part of the fraîche family. we will certainly miss baking for and serving our community with sweetness.

greenWICH CLOSES IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Sandwich and salad shop greenWICH lasted barely 3 months in the former Quiznos space at 4817 St. Elmo Avenue. The restaurant has closed, after only opening in July. I don't recall much promotion of the business on social media - in fact, I never could find a Facebook page for greenWICH, or even a website. That's really essential to success in 2014.

The space is now for lease by Greenhill.

$150,000 REPAIRS PLANNED FOR WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL PARKING DECK (PHOTOS)

A parking deck outside of Macy's at Westfield Montgomery Mall has been closed since Friday, September 26. Westfield provided the following statement when I inquired as to the reason for the closure:

"The southeast edge of the one-level parking deck adjacent to Macy’s is temporarily closed for maintenance work. All other parking facilities remain operational/available for the use of shoppers and mall employees during regular business hours."

A permit has now been filed with Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services for $150,000 worth of repairs on the garage structure. The area in question is blocked off to the public, and a heavy mall security presence is patrolling around it. Parking did not seem to be an issue when I stopped by, as plenty of spaces were available in other lots and garages. Although a date has not yet been given for completion, I would suspect they'd like to get this done before the Black Friday crowds arrive in late November.

NAKED PIZZA CLOSES FOR RENOVATIONS (PHOTO)

Naked Pizza is the latest Bethesda business to temporarily close for interior renovations. They are directing customers to their other locations, although none of them are convenient to Bethesda (McLean, Reston, Pentagon Row and Ballston. No reopening date has been given at this point.

Naked Pizza

4914 Del Ray Avenue

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH BETHESDA MASSAGE PARLORS & " DO NOT OCCUPY " SIGNS?

For a second time this summer, a downtown Bethesda massage parlor has been quietly shut down. And for the second time, a "Do Not Occupy" sign has been posted in the window of the spa in question. In neither case has any illegal activity or arrest(s) been announced publicly. My guess is, many people walking past may be wondering or speculating as to what is going on.

In early June, Massage Express closed temporarily at 7135 Wisconsin Avenue, and the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services posted a Do Not Occupy notice in the window. I had not heard of any arrests or police activity there, but it's fairly unusual to see a notice like this in downtown Bethesda. I contacted the DPS, and the email response said, "There was some issue with Massage Express use and occupancy permit, which has been resolved. Massage Express has re-opened their business as of June 12, 2014." No details, but the business reopened as normal.

Massage Express on June 10

Now, the same sign has been posted at Bethesda Wellness Spa, at 4715 Cordell Avenue (top photo). Why massage parlors?

One factor may be legitimate businesses getting snagged by new County rules designed to fight human trafficking. DPS now requires documentation from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Services that certifies every massage practitioner has obtained a valid Board of Chiropractic Medicine Massage Therapist Certification. Until such is supplied by DLRS, no occupancy permit will be issued/re-issued. So just one therapist's credentials (or lack thereof) could potentially lead to a temporary closure, until the paperwork can be verified.

Given that there is no indication of any unlawful issues at either business online, or in the press, it seems likely that the issue is regulatory red tape.

Bethesda Wellness Spa
yesterday

Reviews on Yelp give
high marks for the
spa's atmosphere and
decor

PETER'S CARRYOUT TEMPORARILY CLOSED THIS WEEK IN BETHESDA

Peter's Carryout will be closed through Saturday, August 9, and reopen for normal business hours next Monday, August 11.

There's no need for alarm; this is an annual vacation break, as happens at several other small businesses around downtown Bethesda. Everybody needs a vacation, and that requires having the costly personnel to run your business while you're gone. The "best cheesesteak in Bethesda" will be back Monday at 8017 Wisconsin Avenue.

TASTY IMAGE HAS CLOSED IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Tasty Image, a chocolate gift shop and party destination at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, has closed after a year-and-a-half in business. Their space at the mall is shuttered, and the signage is gone. Perhaps known best as the place one could have their face immortalized on a chocolate candy, the Bethesda location is currently not listed on the international Tasty Image chain's website. Their Facebook has not posted an update since late April.