What’s up (or down) with Friendship Heights?

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure that my mom's death 13 years ago was what doomed both Neiman Marcus and L&T there. 😁

[Anonymous]

A couple observations.

Mazza/Friendship was always a little off. It is not really a pleasant place to walk/stroll around, even though it has/had a lot of good individual stores over the years.

I miss the movie theater.

Bethesda Row ate its lunch. And (stupidly) some of the really expensive shops moved to City Center. (Does anyone actually shop there? I worry a a bit.)

Is the food court doing OK? Went their once and it is fine but also just kind of odd.

Hope the Mazza redevopment provides some new life to the DC side.

[Anonymous]

Mazza Gallery has taken a LONG time to complete, but that will be a nice addition alongside the much awaited Trader Joe's.

We live in the Westbrook neighborhood and enjoy the whole grouping of FH/AU/Tenleytown/Spring Valley/Westbard. We're close to Metro, can walk to dinner and soon there will be more to explore.

The schools are solid and neighbors are friendly.

I think it's a pretty nice place to live =)

[Anonymous]

What will happen to the two Trader Joe’s in Bethesda, especially the one and the same complex as “little” Target? It’s always full no matter what time of day or evening but hard to imagine the need for three down a one mild stretch of Wisconsin.

[Anonymous]

GEICO moving out Q1 next year - 2026. Not a rumor (I work there - we are currently building out our new space). Should help with revitalization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What will happen to the two Trader Joe’s in Bethesda, especially the one and the same complex as “little” Target? It’s always full no matter what time of day or evening but hard to imagine the need for three down a one mild stretch of Wisconsin.

Imagine wine and beet at TJ's

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What will happen to the two Trader Joe’s in Bethesda, especially the one and the same complex as “little” Target? It’s always full no matter what time of day or evening but hard to imagine the need for three down a one mile stretch of Wisconsin.

Well, 2-mile stretch, but I agree, and assume that the little TJ's in that nightmare of a shopping center will close when the new one opens in Chevy Chase Pavilion. It being full most of the time isn't saying much, because it doesn't take a lot of people to fill it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What will happen to the two Trader Joe’s in Bethesda, especially the one and the same complex as “little” Target? It’s always full no matter what time of day or evening but hard to imagine the need for three down a one mile stretch of Wisconsin.

Well, 2-mile stretch, but I agree, and assume that the little TJ's in that nightmare of a shopping center will close when the new one opens in Chevy Chase Pavilion. It being full most of the time isn't saying much, because it doesn't take a lot of people to fill it up.

I remember when that TJ's was the only one around. We drove over from Takoma Park then. It was a nightmare to navigate that place. Both in a car and walking through the store with a cart.

I'd be shocked if Trader Joe's hadn't done the research to make sure all three could succeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What will happen to the two Trader Joe’s in Bethesda, especially the one and the same complex as “little” Target? It’s always full no matter what time of day or evening but hard to imagine the need for three down a one mile stretch of Wisconsin.

Well, 2-mile stretch, but I agree, and assume that the little TJ's in that nightmare of a shopping center will close when the new one opens in Chevy Chase Pavilion. It being full most of the time isn't saying much, because it doesn't take a lot of people to fill it up.

I remember when that TJ's was the only one around. We drove over from Takoma Park then. It was a nightmare to navigate that place. Both in a car and walking through the store with a cart.

I'd be shocked if Trader Joe's hadn't done the research to make sure all three could succeed.

If you add in the one in Glover Park, there soon will be four TJ’s in a 4.5-mile stretch of Wisconsin Avenue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Wish a Costco could replace the Geico area which would serve as an anchor to bring in the crowds…of course, that would never happen.

OMG that would be amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ Maxx and Marshall's have the same parent company.

Parent company is betting on improved results in a revived location.

If there's only 1 of the 2, instead of both, that's not a big financial add to the community. Just stronger results for the parent corporation.

TJ Maxx has been doing pretty well with the kind of shopper who browses as a pastime and buys more than expected. I do shop at TJ Maxx myself. However, it's pretty downscale. I've never been to any of the rumored high-end TJ Maxxes that have real designer stuff. This isn't going to get FH to where it used to be.

There's Tiffany, Saks, Brooks Brothers and a Porsche showroom in FH. Fancy enough for you?

Don't you find it odd to have a TJ Maxx near a Saks?

Nope. Everyone likes bargains. Lots of people shop High /Low, especially people who know how to shop for quality products, not just labels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ Maxx and Marshall's have the same parent company.

Parent company is betting on improved results in a revived location.

If there's only 1 of the 2, instead of both, that's not a big financial add to the community. Just stronger results for the parent corporation.

TJ Maxx has been doing pretty well with the kind of shopper who browses as a pastime and buys more than expected. I do shop at TJ Maxx myself. However, it's pretty downscale. I've never been to any of the rumored high-end TJ Maxxes that have real designer stuff. This isn't going to get FH to where it used to be.

There's Tiffany, Saks, Brooks Brothers and a Porsche showroom in FH. Fancy enough for you?

Don't you find it odd to have a TJ Maxx near a Saks?

I think it's perfect. I go to Tiffany for anniversaries and baby showers. Brooks Brothers for DH's work clothes, Saks for mine. TJ Maxx for the kids and our everyday clothes. It's all in the mix!

It was even wilder when Neiman Marcus used to be there as well.

My #1 complaint about FH is that it is impossible to create a coordinated plan that includes both the DC and MD side and each little area has different owners.

You have the random parking lot behind the new Mazza which has never been used, the massive parking lot for Saks that could be used…now the GEICO plaza that can be redeveloped.

Kind of a crazy amount of space so close in to the city.

Wish a Costco could replace the Geico area which would serve as an anchor to bring in the crowds…of course, that would never happen.

If we’re talking about the same space, the now rarely used parking lot across from Lord & Taylor was their second lot. Lord & Taylor and Saks — which has lot space on each side of the store, both pre-date Metro. Those stores — along with Woodies and Hecht’s — each had separate, ample parking for their customers. It is a lot of space, but Friendship Heights — and, actually, most of DC, was very different before Metro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What will happen to the two Trader Joe’s in Bethesda, especially the one and the same complex as “little” Target? It’s always full no matter what time of day or evening but hard to imagine the need for three down a one mild stretch of Wisconsin.

Imagine wine and beet at TJ's

This. The other 2 TJ’s are in MD and no beer, wine.

[Anonymous]

Friendship Heights is the best kept secret/best place to raise kids. Best childcare/preschool options. Best schools. Best playgrounds. Best commute options. Best groceries. Best shopping too, but really it's about online shopping and not having the packages stolen from your porch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Friendship Heights is the best kept secret/best place to raise kids. Best childcare/preschool options. Best schools. Best playgrounds. Best commute options. Best groceries. Best shopping too, but really it's about online shopping and not having the packages stolen from your porch.

Really? I feel like it's overpriced for the housing quality and soulless. And there are closer commutes from Woodley Park and Cleveland Park. To each their own.