2023 was a great year for Potomac’s retail and restaurant scene: plenty of openings, few closings, and one very close call.
CABIN JOHN VILLAGE NEWS:
Much of the action happened at Cabin John Village, which continues its transformation from sleepy neighborhood shopping center to retail and restaurant hotspot.
Newcomers on the Cabin John restaurant scene:
- Salad eatery Chopt
- Sandwich spot Capo Deli
- Pizzeria Colony Grill
- Sushi restaurant Kema by Kenaki
- High-end restaurant The Grove, successor to Lahinch
- Also: Rockville’s Mykonos Grill announced plans for an ambitious sister location in the former Broadway Pizza space
Newcomers on the Cabin John retail scene:
- New boutique Jurisdiction Clothing
- Locally owned franchise boutique Apricot Lane
- D.C.-based plant store Rewild
- Cosmetic derm spa Ever/Body
- The short-lived pop-up boutique Ron David Studio also made for an interesting story
Biggest story of the year at Cabin John Village: When our local McDonald’s was expected to close after its franchisees failed to reach a deal with the shopping center’s owners. After a huge public outcry and a grassroots community petition, McDonald’s owners say the restaurant is staying put after all.
PARK POTOMAC NEWS:
- Local pet store Elysiem opened.
- Local boutique Gym & Tonic closed.
- Construction of the new Gregorio’s did not appear to make any progress.
- Developer Foulger Pratt got the green light to build another residential high-rise.
- Around the corner, Potomac Woods Plaza welcomed Baskin Robbins after the ice cream shop lost its lease at Cabin John Village.
POTOMAC VILLAGE NEWS:
- Potomac Pizza owner Adam Greenberg was the year’s big newsmaker. He bought Hunter’s Bar & Grill in August, then announced plans to open a third location of his breakfast-and-lunch spot Bagels & Grinds.
- Longtime restaurant Lock 72 closed.
- Beer/wine store and bar combo Whelan’s opened.
NORMANDIE FARM UPDATE:
Another year passed without any sign of construction at the much-missed Normandie Farm restaurant on Falls Road. The Potomac landmark changed hands in 2022, but new owners have still haven’t revealed anything about their plans.
Drl3
The Potomac Village is STILL a fine dining desert. A chef who has a top 10 rated restaurant by The Washingtonian Magazine came to check out the former Lock 72 space and said “the rent was too high and the space too small” to turn a profit for a classy dining place there. So we are stuck with fast food chains like 5 Guys, Moby Dicks, Chipotle and a typical Asian food place. And quite honestly, I am tired of Renato’s Italian, I prefer Gregorio’s at Cabin John. We will probably just get another bank…..
Karen Greenberg
I always look forward to your information! Thank you. Happy healthy new year to you and yours!