Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?

[Anonymous]

The area really does need a Home Depot or Lowe's though. The nearest ones are all 30 minutes away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a bakery and something like a cheese/wine shop would do well as part of the renovation. I know if I had a bakery in walking distance or on my way home from metro I would stop all the time.

They also need a county parking garage like the elm street garage in bethesda that is low cost and free at some times — it makes it so much more practical to drive over.

Paul’s — a long established wine shop — closed a few years ago, although Rodman’s has an extensive wine selection. With Whole Foods and the coming Trader Joe’s, that might be a lot of competition in a small area for wine as well as cheese. Or maybe multiple shops with different specialties would build more interest?

I’d love a good Deli — restaurant like Mel Krupins. And a bakery would be great. Years ago, I’d stop at Borders for international magazines, and pick up baguette sandwiches at Marvelous Market. Those were the days!

My dream though, would probably be a Zabars.

No offense…but a deli or bakery won’t move the needle at FH.

I would love a HD or a Costco to take over the Lord & Taylor site.

The new Mazza is supposed to be finished by Spring 2025…hopefully that starts the revitalization.

There's no way the neighborhood would not rise up in wild protest over a Costco or HD, which would bring in a lot more traffic to side streets than anyone there would want. But anyway, the site is supposed to be the new Metro bus garage.

I'm very curious to see what tenants they start announcing for the new Mazza, which will give a good picture of what direction things are heading.

Why would DC allow Metro to build a bus garage even closer to lower density residences?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The area really does need a Home Depot or Lowe's though. The nearest ones are all 30 minutes away.

There’s a Strosnider’s nearby in Bethesda though. Not the same, but there’s overlap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The area really does need a Home Depot or Lowe's though. The nearest ones are all 30 minutes away.

There’s a Strosnider’s nearby in Bethesda though. Not the same, but there’s overlap.

It's very much not the same. Strosnider's is great for what it is though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a bakery and something like a cheese/wine shop would do well as part of the renovation. I know if I had a bakery in walking distance or on my way home from metro I would stop all the time.

They also need a county parking garage like the elm street garage in bethesda that is low cost and free at some times — it makes it so much more practical to drive over.

Paul’s — a long established wine shop — closed a few years ago, although Rodman’s has an extensive wine selection. With Whole Foods and the coming Trader Joe’s, that might be a lot of competition in a small area for wine as well as cheese. Or maybe multiple shops with different specialties would build more interest?

I’d love a good Deli — restaurant like Mel Krupins. And a bakery would be great. Years ago, I’d stop at Borders for international magazines, and pick up baguette sandwiches at Marvelous Market. Those were the days!

My dream though, would probably be a Zabars.

No offense…but a deli or bakery won’t move the needle at FH.

I would love a HD or a Costco to take over the Lord & Taylor site.

The new Mazza is supposed to be finished by Spring 2025…hopefully that starts the revitalization.

There's no way the neighborhood would not rise up in wild protest over a Costco or HD, which would bring in a lot more traffic to side streets than anyone there would want. But anyway, the site is supposed to be the new Metro bus garage.

I'm very curious to see what tenants they start announcing for the new Mazza, which will give a good picture of what direction things are heading.

Why would DC allow Metro to build a bus garage even closer to lower density residences?

To gain access to the even more valuable bus barn property closer to Wisconsin Ave?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a bakery and something like a cheese/wine shop would do well as part of the renovation. I know if I had a bakery in walking distance or on my way home from metro I would stop all the time.

They also need a county parking garage like the elm street garage in bethesda that is low cost and free at some times — it makes it so much more practical to drive over.

Paul’s — a long established wine shop — closed a few years ago, although Rodman’s has an extensive wine selection. With Whole Foods and the coming Trader Joe’s, that might be a lot of competition in a small area for wine as well as cheese. Or maybe multiple shops with different specialties would build more interest?

I’d love a good Deli — restaurant like Mel Krupins. And a bakery would be great. Years ago, I’d stop at Borders for international magazines, and pick up baguette sandwiches at Marvelous Market. Those were the days!

My dream though, would probably be a Zabars.

No offense…but a deli or bakery won’t move the needle at FH.

I would love a HD or a Costco to take over the Lord & Taylor site.

The new Mazza is supposed to be finished by Spring 2025…hopefully that starts the revitalization.

There's no way the neighborhood would not rise up in wild protest over a Costco or HD, which would bring in a lot more traffic to side streets than anyone there would want. But anyway, the site is supposed to be the new Metro bus garage.

I'm very curious to see what tenants they start announcing for the new Mazza, which will give a good picture of what direction things are heading.

Why would DC allow Metro to build a bus garage even closer to lower density residences?

Why not? Do you think bus garages are ok next to multi-unit housing but not ok next to single-unit housing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The area really does need a Home Depot or Lowe's though. The nearest ones are all 30 minutes away.

Home Depots and Lowe'ses have buildings with big footprints, surrounded by big parking lots. That doesn't work where land is expensive, like in Friendship Heights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a bakery and something like a cheese/wine shop would do well as part of the renovation. I know if I had a bakery in walking distance or on my way home from metro I would stop all the time.

They also need a county parking garage like the elm street garage in bethesda that is low cost and free at some times — it makes it so much more practical to drive over.

Paul’s — a long established wine shop — closed a few years ago, although Rodman’s has an extensive wine selection. With Whole Foods and the coming Trader Joe’s, that might be a lot of competition in a small area for wine as well as cheese. Or maybe multiple shops with different specialties would build more interest?

I’d love a good Deli — restaurant like Mel Krupins. And a bakery would be great. Years ago, I’d stop at Borders for international magazines, and pick up baguette sandwiches at Marvelous Market. Those were the days!

My dream though, would probably be a Zabars.

No offense…but a deli or bakery won’t move the needle at FH.

I would love a HD or a Costco to take over the Lord & Taylor site.

The new Mazza is supposed to be finished by Spring 2025…hopefully that starts the revitalization.

There's no way the neighborhood would not rise up in wild protest over a Costco or HD, which would bring in a lot more traffic to side streets than anyone there would want. But anyway, the site is supposed to be the new Metro bus garage.

I'm very curious to see what tenants they start announcing for the new Mazza, which will give a good picture of what direction things are heading.

Why would DC allow Metro to build a bus garage even closer to lower density residences?

Why not? Do you think bus garages are ok next to multi-unit housing but not ok next to single-unit housing?

Why not leave the bus garage at the exiting location which is closer to commercial uses but so much to residential (single family and multifamily). By moving it to the Lord & Taylor site they are moving it closer to wheee people live. Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The whole neighborhood got old all of a sudden - Lord and Taylor and Mazza were in steep decline for a decade before Covid hit. It's still in a good location and could be appealing again in 5-10 years.

I'm convinced that retail/restaurant neighborhoods are inherently cyclical and whatever is hip and happening today will be Georgetown or White Flint Mall tomorrow.

Quite literally. I moved to this area on the MD side and was surprised to find out how old the residents are. It seems to be a retirement center - many of the “dense” high rises and condos are retirement communities, and the SFH neighborhoods have so many empty nesters in their 60s and above. Seems slightly younger on the DC side but that huge new development going up on Western is also a retirement home. This demographic does not demand nor would it sustain fun retail or a walkable urban center type of experience. They stay home, aren’t the most adventurous of shoppers or diners, and prefer to drive. I’m saddened to see the Heights thin out. When it first opened I thought it was a great addition and might attract more foot traffic, but it’s been looking sad and empty recently even on Friday and weekend afternoon/ evenings. Lunch is even worse. Just don’t think there is enough younger people who are seeking fun retail/dining outlets there to “revive” FH, and there’s not a solid office worker base either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a bakery and something like a cheese/wine shop would do well as part of the renovation. I know if I had a bakery in walking distance or on my way home from metro I would stop all the time.

They also need a county parking garage like the elm street garage in bethesda that is low cost and free at some times — it makes it so much more practical to drive over.

Paul’s — a long established wine shop — closed a few years ago, although Rodman’s has an extensive wine selection. With Whole Foods and the coming Trader Joe’s, that might be a lot of competition in a small area for wine as well as cheese. Or maybe multiple shops with different specialties would build more interest?

I’d love a good Deli — restaurant like Mel Krupins. And a bakery would be great. Years ago, I’d stop at Borders for international magazines, and pick up baguette sandwiches at Marvelous Market. Those were the days!

My dream though, would probably be a Zabars.

No offense…but a deli or bakery won’t move the needle at FH.

I would love a HD or a Costco to take over the Lord & Taylor site.

The new Mazza is supposed to be finished by Spring 2025…hopefully that starts the revitalization.

No offense taken. A Deli, a bakery, and a bookstore won’t move the needle by themselves — but they would increase street traffic and unplanned shopping at other businesses. Consistent street traffic plus destination options are both needed for sustainable economic growth — and would support a sense of safety for people eager to support local businesses.
Again, I’m comparing that with having to go out of the neighborhood for a service or purchase — and then spending time and money in that second neighborhood. If I do this as a pedestrian, it’s even more likely that people who typically drive will combine errands and activities at the destination they drive to vs also spending time and money in FH — even if FH actually offers some of the services and items that they plan to purchase.

For a variety of reasons, Costco or Home Depot or anything other than Metro are unlikely to happen at the L & Taylor site. Stores like that are also unlikely to help smaller neighborhood businesses. Costco and Bloomies? Maybe —but it seems unlikely when they’re about 2 blocks apart. Home Depot and picking up dinner at the Heights and an outfit from Eileen Fisher? Again, seems unlikely as a combination goal. I agree with the PP who said that the mix of options at the Mazza site will suggest the direction of the neighborhood culture and growth.

Agree that the residents would oppose a Costco. The irony is most of them shop there. I know, because I live there…..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole neighborhood got old all of a sudden - Lord and Taylor and Mazza were in steep decline for a decade before Covid hit. It's still in a good location and could be appealing again in 5-10 years.

I'm convinced that retail/restaurant neighborhoods are inherently cyclical and whatever is hip and happening today will be Georgetown or White Flint Mall tomorrow.

Quite literally. I moved to this area on the MD side and was surprised to find out how old the residents are. It seems to be a retirement center - many of the “dense” high rises and condos are retirement communities, and the SFH neighborhoods have so many empty nesters in their 60s and above. Seems slightly younger on the DC side but that huge new development going up on Western is also a retirement home. This demographic does not demand nor would it sustain fun retail or a walkable urban center type of experience. They stay home, aren’t the most adventurous of shoppers or diners, and prefer to drive. I’m saddened to see the Heights thin out. When it first opened I thought it was a great addition and might attract more foot traffic, but it’s been looking sad and empty recently even on Friday and weekend afternoon/ evenings. Lunch is even worse. Just don’t think there is enough younger people who are seeking fun retail/dining outlets there to “revive” FH, and there’s not a solid office worker base either.

Again, I’ve said this before. They really need to advertise their presence. I live within walking distance of the Heights. I was there on opening day — because there was one particular food stall that I was following. AFAIK, they have done nothing to reach out to the thousands of people living in Friendship Heights Village to alert the residents to what they offer — or even that they’re open. No coupons, no posters in the mailrooms of the apartment buildings, no articles in the FHV newsletter or on the website. Nothing really at The Whole Foods store a level below the Heights. It sucks.

I’m glad that they’re there — after an exceedingly long wait. And I really don’t get why they haven’t reached out to the community. No one who drives would know that the Heights is even there. No one who last visited that level for PF Changs would know that they’re there. No one who shops at the stores directly behind the Heights would know that they’re there. It’s bizarre to me that they spent years putting the food hall together, and that they’re located in a neighborhood of densely packed apartments— and haven’t bothered to tell us that they’re there. Vent.

[Anonymous]

[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The area really does need a Home Depot or Lowe's though. The nearest ones are all 30 minutes away.

Home Depots and Lowe'ses have buildings with big footprints, surrounded by big parking lots. That doesn't work where land is expensive, like in Friendship Heights.

The L&T site has lots of parking…but I guess isn’t available. The Saks site is massive…is the Saks even popular?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a bakery and something like a cheese/wine shop would do well as part of the renovation. I know if I had a bakery in walking distance or on my way home from metro I would stop all the time.

They also need a county parking garage like the elm street garage in bethesda that is low cost and free at some times — it makes it so much more practical to drive over.

Paul’s — a long established wine shop — closed a few years ago, although Rodman’s has an extensive wine selection. With Whole Foods and the coming Trader Joe’s, that might be a lot of competition in a small area for wine as well as cheese. Or maybe multiple shops with different specialties would build more interest?

I’d love a good Deli — restaurant like Mel Krupins. And a bakery would be great. Years ago, I’d stop at Borders for international magazines, and pick up baguette sandwiches at Marvelous Market. Those were the days!

My dream though, would probably be a Zabars.

No offense…but a deli or bakery won’t move the needle at FH.

I would love a HD or a Costco to take over the Lord & Taylor site.

The new Mazza is supposed to be finished by Spring 2025…hopefully that starts the revitalization.

No offense taken. A Deli, a bakery, and a bookstore won’t move the needle by themselves — but they would increase street traffic and unplanned shopping at other businesses. Consistent street traffic plus destination options are both needed for sustainable economic growth — and would support a sense of safety for people eager to support local businesses.
Again, I’m comparing that with having to go out of the neighborhood for a service or purchase — and then spending time and money in that second neighborhood. If I do this as a pedestrian, it’s even more likely that people who typically drive will combine errands and activities at the destination they drive to vs also spending time and money in FH — even if FH actually offers some of the services and items that they plan to purchase.

For a variety of reasons, Costco or Home Depot or anything other than Metro are unlikely to happen at the L & Taylor site. Stores like that are also unlikely to help smaller neighborhood businesses. Costco and Bloomies? Maybe —but it seems unlikely when they’re about 2 blocks apart. Home Depot and picking up dinner at the Heights and an outfit from Eileen Fisher? Again, seems unlikely as a combination goal. I agree with the PP who said that the mix of options at the Mazza site will suggest the direction of the neighborhood culture and growth.

Agree that the residents would oppose a Costco. The irony is most of them shop there. I know, because I live there…..

What residents? There aren’t many right there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole neighborhood got old all of a sudden - Lord and Taylor and Mazza were in steep decline for a decade before Covid hit. It's still in a good location and could be appealing again in 5-10 years.

I'm convinced that retail/restaurant neighborhoods are inherently cyclical and whatever is hip and happening today will be Georgetown or White Flint Mall tomorrow.

Quite literally. I moved to this area on the MD side and was surprised to find out how old the residents are. It seems to be a retirement center - many of the “dense” high rises and condos are retirement communities, and the SFH neighborhoods have so many empty nesters in their 60s and above. Seems slightly younger on the DC side but that huge new development going up on Western is also a retirement home. This demographic does not demand nor would it sustain fun retail or a walkable urban center type of experience. They stay home, aren’t the most adventurous of shoppers or diners, and prefer to drive. I’m saddened to see the Heights thin out. When it first opened I thought it was a great addition and might attract more foot traffic, but it’s been looking sad and empty recently even on Friday and weekend afternoon/ evenings. Lunch is even worse. Just don’t think there is enough younger people who are seeking fun retail/dining outlets there to “revive” FH, and there’s not a solid office worker base either.

Again, I’ve said this before. They really need to advertise their presence. I live within walking distance of the Heights. I was there on opening day — because there was one particular food stall that I was following. AFAIK, they have done nothing to reach out to the thousands of people living in Friendship Heights Village to alert the residents to what they offer — or even that they’re open. No coupons, no posters in the mailrooms of the apartment buildings, no articles in the FHV newsletter or on the website. Nothing really at The Whole Foods store a level below the Heights. It sucks.

I’m glad that they’re there — after an exceedingly long wait. And I really don’t get why they haven’t reached out to the community. No one who drives would know that the Heights is even there. No one who last visited that level for PF Changs would know that they’re there. No one who shops at the stores directly behind the Heights would know that they’re there. It’s bizarre to me that they spent years putting the food hall together, and that they’re located in a neighborhood of densely packed apartments— and haven’t bothered to tell us that they’re there. Vent.

Did you try the speakeasy? The drinks were kind of wobbly (but maybe they've improved - just seemed odd for a speakeasy to not have perfect drinks). The food was great - can from the Heights!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a bakery and something like a cheese/wine shop would do well as part of the renovation. I know if I had a bakery in walking distance or on my way home from metro I would stop all the time.

They also need a county parking garage like the elm street garage in bethesda that is low cost and free at some times — it makes it so much more practical to drive over.

Paul’s — a long established wine shop — closed a few years ago, although Rodman’s has an extensive wine selection. With Whole Foods and the coming Trader Joe’s, that might be a lot of competition in a small area for wine as well as cheese. Or maybe multiple shops with different specialties would build more interest?

I’d love a good Deli — restaurant like Mel Krupins. And a bakery would be great. Years ago, I’d stop at Borders for international magazines, and pick up baguette sandwiches at Marvelous Market. Those were the days!

My dream though, would probably be a Zabars.

No offense…but a deli or bakery won’t move the needle at FH.

I would love a HD or a Costco to take over the Lord & Taylor site.

The new Mazza is supposed to be finished by Spring 2025…hopefully that starts the revitalization.

There's no way the neighborhood would not rise up in wild protest over a Costco or HD, which would bring in a lot more traffic to side streets than anyone there would want. But anyway, the site is supposed to be the new Metro bus garage.

I'm very curious to see what tenants they start announcing for the new Mazza, which will give a good picture of what direction things are heading.

Why would DC allow Metro to build a bus garage even closer to lower density residences?

They're already allowing this, Metro has purchased the site. And anyway, Lord & Taylor is already zoned for commercial (and had a massive parking lot), so it's not a huge use change. I live right near this site, basically equidistant between the two bus locations, and I don't have any objection to it.