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.

PROMISED BETHESDA CRAB SHACK REMAINS VACANT, BACK ON MARKET FOR LEASE (PHOTOS)

Seemingly disappointing news for fans of steamed crabs: the 4940 St. Elmo Avenue space that promised a crab shack nearly 18 months ago is back up for lease again. Formerly home of Zelaya Shoes, the storefront had signs first touting Bethesda Crab Shack, and later, The Happy Crab. There was even a Fall 2013 opening date floated at one point. Now the space's future is up to one's imagination - unless you've got the bucks to lease this space and open a store or restaurant here. 

Even a crab shack. You'll have a larger target audience for a restaurant now, with the opening of the Bainbridge Bethesda luxury apartments (so close, you can see it in the background of the above photo). The space is for lease by AMR Commercial, LLC.

2 NEW WOODMONT TRIANGLE RETAIL SPACES UP FOR LEASE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

 Two retail spaces are on the market in the Woodmont Triangle section of downtown Bethesda. A former salon/barbershop space at 7813 Old Georgetown Road, and the space currently occupied by Leahy Plumbing & Heating, Inc. at 4916 Cordell Avenue, had For Lease signs posted this weekend. Conley Management of Bethesda is the real estate firm for both properties.

NAKED PIZZA CAN'T COVER UP ANY LONGER: THEY'RE CLOSED, SPACE FOR LEASE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

The odd, indefinite closure of Naked Pizza on Del Ray Avenue in Bethesda got a lot of people wondering what the story was. Certainly, the chain was not saying, only redirecting customers to other area locations. But finally, the mystery is solved.

The Naked Truth: Rather than the promised "improvements," the restaurant is actually closed, and the space is up for lease.

Last evening, I spotted a crumpled sign on the floor inside which appeared to say "For Lease." The phone number led to confirmation that the Naked Pizza space is indeed for lease. I also found a Loopnet listing for the space, which describes it as a "former pizza delivery location," suggesting we've seen the last of Naked Pizza at this particular address. The chain has several Northern Virginia locations that are still open.

For Lease banner inside
Naked Pizza

LoopNet property listing
for the (former) Naked Pizza

JBG PROMISING BETHESDA'S NEXT GREAT RESTAURANT (PHOTOS)

The JBG Companies, the development firm that owns Artery Plaza at 7200 Wisconsin Avenue, is promising to bring "Bethesda's next great restaurant" to a Bethesda Avenue-side vacant space. An elaborate window display with this theme has been installed on the site, giving an artist's rendition of what the atmosphere might be like (indoors and out) with the addition of this eatery.

JBG has sought to modify the exterior architecture of the building, including removal of a large arch, to make it more appealing to a high-end restaurant tenant. The sizable space includes an 825 square foot outdoor patio area, which would go a long way towards animating the somewhat dark, dead block of Bethesda Avenue where it is located.

If they could somehow get a restaurant that squeezes the word, "American," in between "Great" and "Restaurant," that would be a sure winner. JBG actually did attract the first Great American Restaurant Group (Coastal Flats, Jackson's Mighty Fine Food, Sweetwater Tavern, etc.) location outside of Virginia to its Downtown Crown development in Gaithersburg. So maybe they have an inside contact they can work there? GAR has been part of a trend which has seen several hot restaurant brands leapfrogging over Bethesda, to go further out into the suburbs (Matchbox and Chef Geoff's to Rockville, Ted's Bulletin to Downtown Crown, for example). It's time to reverse the trend!

HYPOTHETICAL BETHESDA BREWPUB COULD DRAW INTEREST IN HAMPDEN LANE SITE (PHOTO)

A spacious, two-level space at 4800 Hampden Lane awaits an ambitious restauranteur in downtown Bethesda. To spur interest, leasing agent Cushman and Wakefield has commissioned an architect's rendering of what the restaurant could look like. The fictional "Bethesda Brew" actually looks and sounds like it would be a draw on quiet Hampden Lane, which is scheduled to get a massive new neighbor up the block, the Bainbridge Wisconsin building. (Click photo above to enlarge for greater detail)

But the eventual tenant obviously is not required to open a brewpub. The space and bilevel design certainly would allow for more than the standard restaurant concept. Another great element is the fact that both levels have outdoor seating areas. Let's hope someone takes note of this spot for a potential restaurant, upscale Las Vegas-style nightclub or...brewpub.

Rendering courtesy Cushman and Wakefield
and
GTM Architects

FRAME STORE SPACE OFFICIALLY FOR LEASE ON BETHESDA AVENUE (PHOTOS)

Well, you might expect a store's space to be up for lease after it closes and moves out. But the For Lease sign answers one lingering question, by confirming that there is no tenant already on the way in at 4835 Bethesda Avenue.

You may recall that ShopHouse was already on the way into the City Lights of China space across the street, even as the latter was moving out last year.

This means that hopes of getting something like Ted's Bulletin or Shake Shack can officially be raised again in downtown Bethesda!

PICTURE FRAME SHOP PACKS UP AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

As expected, the Picture Frame Shop packed up its inventory yesterday, as it moves out of its current 4835 Bethesda Avenue location. There has been some talk that the store owner may reopen the business at another address in the future. In the meantime, this is a prime retail/restaurant spot for lease at Bethesda Row.