Downtown Bethesda: Where did it all go wrong?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you guys like Pike and Rose?

Do you?

Better than Bethesda

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in a Bethesda neighborhood, just near the DC line. We love the neighborhood, community pool, schools, etc.

But downtown Bethesda really is a disaster. Very few good restaurants, most of the independent shops have closed, and there is generally not much going on. It feels like a cultural vacuum.

We were in Frederick, MD last week and it is the total opposite. It is vibrant, with independent stores, excellent bars and restaurants, diversity. We loved it.

So my question is how did Bethesda end up like it is now? Was it ever anything lie Frederick? Did it have rowhouses that were demolished?

Where and when did it all go wrong?

I love Frederick and live in Bethesda and wouldn’t compare the two. Downtown Frederick reminds me more of old town. Downtown Bethesda has really improved in the 10 years we have been here. I prefer the newer restaurants coming in -Planta, tatte, little sesame and the anthropologie I beautiful. I don’t really care for some of the other higher end stores. I think one boutique is plenty but Bethesda has too many stores where the price of a shirt starts at $100. I love that they close the streetery and hope it stays after covid. If I want a great meal I go to DC but Bethesda has plenty of decent options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Still plenty of great restaurants, little to no retail anymore, and no live music (used to be a major music scene in 70’s-80’s. Sad, rents are too high is the bottom line. And so much new build because of the Metro.

+1. Some good dive bars in the 80's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still plenty of great restaurants, little to no retail anymore, and no live music (used to be a major music scene in 70’s-80’s. Sad, rents are too high is the bottom line. And so much new build because of the Metro.

+1. Some good dive bars in the 80's.

Psyche Delly. Red Fox Inn. Dunmores

[Anonymous]

It's all gone downhill since Stromboli closed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's all gone downhill since Stromboli closed.

Amen to that. Best around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's all gone downhill since Stromboli closed.

Amen to that. Best around.

When? 50 years ago?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in a Bethesda neighborhood, just near the DC line. We love the neighborhood, community pool, schools, etc.

But downtown Bethesda really is a disaster. Very few good restaurants, most of the independent shops have closed, and there is generally not much going on. It feels like a cultural vacuum.

We were in Frederick, MD last week and it is the total opposite. It is vibrant, with independent stores, excellent bars and restaurants, diversity. We loved it.

So my question is how did Bethesda end up like it is now? Was it ever anything lie Frederick? Did it have rowhouses that were demolished?

Where and when did it all go wrong?

Why don't you move to Frederick then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you guys like Pike and Rose?

Do you?

Nobody likes that place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you guys like Pike and Rose?

Do you?

Nobody likes that place.

Agreed. Pike & Rose is a strip mall that has the rare distinction of having terrible parking. At least with the other strip malls along Rockville Pike, you don't have to do deal with garage parking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you guys like Pike and Rose?

Do you?

Nobody likes that place.

Then why is it always crowded?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you guys like Pike and Rose?

Do you?

Nobody likes that place.

Except that it’s always packed, especially on weekends. I have a teen and we live pretty close, so she hangs out with her friends at Pike and Rose a lot. There’s always tons of people there.

[Anonymous]

Bethesda: Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you guys like Pike and Rose?

Do you?

Nobody likes that place.

Agreed. Pike & Rose is a strip mall that has the rare distinction of having terrible parking. At least with the other strip malls along Rockville Pike, you don't have to do deal with garage parking.

If no one likes it, why is it packed to the gills practically every evening? I recently met my best friend at Julii for dinner on a random Thursday and there were young people and families everywhere.

I mean, I do agree the parking is freaking awful. I had to park on the very top of that horrible garage. But the dining options are solid and not having to drive to DC is priceless, since I have small kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda: Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded!

Same Pike and Rose