Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?

[Anonymous]

There used to be a hardware store at Tenley. Hechingers. It was in the place where that CVS is located. It was a local chain from MD and it was pretty much like Lowes and Home Depot. I think they moved over to the lower level of the old Sears across the street at one point. Strosniders is ok, but its Bethesda. There was an ACE Hardware located where Amazon Fresh is at one point. Before that it was a Blockbuster Video. There was a Hudson Trail Outfitters up at Tenley as well. Kind of a nicer version of REI so you could get all your outdoor gear and biking/kayaking stuff without the drive out to MD. It was a shame they closed all their stores.

[Anonymous]

It is empty and lame because the highrises are too far from Wisconsin Ave. It needs residential over commercial on Wisconsin. They should also figure out a way to add street level commercial where the high-rises are.

[Anonymous]

If the new bus garage is entirely enclosed then how they position the entrance, and the route to get there, will determine whether it disturbs nearby residents.

[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?

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.

So DC thinks it’s fine to build a noisy nuisance with bus exchaust right next door to single family houses? Bowser must really hate Northwest.

[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?

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.

Does Matt Frumin actually support this? Maybe he should lay more attention instead of focusing mostly on pickle ball.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

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.

So DC thinks it’s fine to build a noisy nuisance with bus exchaust right next door to single family houses? Bowser must really hate Northwest.

The buses are supposed to be all electric, so no exhaust. But buses have to go SOMEWHERE. Why can’t they go near my house but they can go near someone else’s apartment building in another neighborhood?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There used to be a hardware store at Tenley. Hechingers. It was in the place where that CVS is located. It was a local chain from MD and it was pretty much like Lowes and Home Depot. I think they moved over to the lower level of the old Sears across the street at one point. Strosniders is ok, but its Bethesda. There was an ACE Hardware located where Amazon Fresh is at one point. Before that it was a Blockbuster Video. There was a Hudson Trail Outfitters up at Tenley as well. Kind of a nicer version of REI so you could get all your outdoor gear and biking/kayaking stuff without the drive out to MD. It was a shame they closed all their stores.

There is an Ace Hardware right now in Tenleytown, in the basement of the building with the Target.

[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?

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.

This is why it is a shame to move the bus depot to L&T. It seems prime for a larger format store to move in.

I guess I don’t understand the logic of moving the bus depot two blocks. Seems like a huge waste of money.

I guess the existing site will then be developed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

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.

This is why it is a shame to move the bus depot to L&T. It seems prime for a larger format store to move in.

I guess I don’t understand the logic of moving the bus depot two blocks. Seems like a huge waste of money.

I guess the existing site will then be developed?

I think L&T is historically designated
they can put something in it, but it won't be 'developed' in the sense you are likely thinking of (razed and something multi story put in like Mazza?)
I thought it was a shame they razed Mazza. It was more architecturally fascinating than the now empty (except for the hotel) building across the street.

[Anonymous]

So basically the L+T site will stay exactly the same, plus a bunch of buses rather than an empty parking lot is my understanding.

[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.

They have a sign up newsletter on the website--I presume it would let you know about any pop up events. I agree that they could push their presence more. The few good restaurants up there really need to get together and figure out how to do events or days that draw a crowd. Maybe a band in that plaza by Bloomies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So basically the L+T site will stay exactly the same, plus a bunch of buses rather than an empty parking lot is my understanding.

I think they can also redevelop the actual store — but could be wrong, maybe they need a building that large for the mechanic shop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

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.

This is why it is a shame to move the bus depot to L&T. It seems prime for a larger format store to move in.

I guess I don’t understand the logic of moving the bus depot two blocks. Seems like a huge waste of money.

I guess the existing site will then be developed?

Developers want to Metro bus garage site for vibrant dense mixed use. So it needs to go somewhere. If the SF homeowners are affected by the new facility, they can always sell their homes for redevelopment. This would have the upside of expanding density into the legacy SFH zones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

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.

This is why it is a shame to move the bus depot to L&T. It seems prime for a larger format store to move in.

I guess I don’t understand the logic of moving the bus depot two blocks. Seems like a huge waste of money.

I guess the existing site will then be developed?

A commercial site on Wisconsin fits the overall plan for the neighborhood better than a big-box store on Western would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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!

Not yet. So far I’ve tried the barbecue place - which is very good, the Cuban place, and the deli. I’ve yet to try the speakeasy or the Mexican restaurant. I’ll plan to check out the speakeasy soon!