Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's sad that such a nice area can't support the high-end stores. I loved all the department stores back in the day - the best selection. All supported despite having a thriving Montgomery Mall and White Flint close by.

+1
I grew up here and have great memories of shopping for formal dresses and having nice lunches afterwards with my mom. The week before Christmas my dad and I would go shopping at neimans for my mom. Everything was decorated perfectly for the holidays.

When is the last time you went to a real store for shopping, and then a nice lunch afterwards? And where?

I honestly cannot remember - obviously pre-Covid but I miss this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online shopping killed it. Should bring in kids play places, water fountains, cafes, gyms like rock climbing, library or bookstore, senior center or other community center, farmers market, etc to regrow traffic. Not very walkable though. Need to make parking more convenient.

How much more convenient can the parking be?!?!

Also you can either have convenient [free] parking, or you can have a walkable area, but there's no such thing as a walkable area with convenient [free] parking.

Exactly. FH is neither. Parking is not terrible but can be inconvenient. Not fun to walk there either for all the reasons PPs pointed out.

For as long as I've lived in DC no one "goes" to that area for anything. You live there to get away from DC crime, and because you can afford to.

Except the crime is there now too. FIRE the entire City Council and Bowser!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My theory is when bookstores close, neighborhoods die. Borders was the first nail in the coffin.

Bethesda was dumb to lose B&N. I no longer go there.

+1

I loved the Barnes and Noble in Bethesda. I would go to browse or read in the coffee shop and end up eating lunch somewhere or going to see a movie across the street. I never go to Bethesda anymore since it closed.

Same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online shopping killed it. Should bring in kids play places, water fountains, cafes, gyms like rock climbing, library or bookstore, senior center or other community center, farmers market, etc to regrow traffic. Not very walkable though. Need to make parking more convenient.

How much more convenient can the parking be?!?!

Also you can either have convenient [free] parking, or you can have a walkable area, but there's no such thing as a walkable area with convenient [free] parking.

Exactly. FH is neither. Parking is not terrible but can be inconvenient. Not fun to walk there either for all the reasons PPs pointed out.

For as long as I've lived in DC no one "goes" to that area for anything. You live there to get away from DC crime, and because you can afford to.

The crime is there now too. Why risk it?

So what’s stopping the people who do live there from being out and about and enjoying live??

[Anonymous]

FH and gtown used to be great, but Bethesda row is where I go now

[Anonymous]

The GOOD news is that Barnes and Noble is coming back to its old space in Georgetown! I AM SO EXCITED! And hopefully the thieves see no interest in bookworms!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My theory is when bookstores close, neighborhoods die. Borders was the first nail in the coffin.

Bethesda was dumb to lose B&N. I no longer go there.

+1

I loved the Barnes and Noble in Bethesda. I would go to browse or read in the coffee shop and end up eating lunch somewhere or going to see a movie across the street. I never go to Bethesda anymore since it closed.

I like bookstores also, but let's not kid ourselves. The B&N was never that busy, and it certainly did not have enough customers based on its size. Downtown Bethesda is as crazy busy as ever.

[Anonymous]

Do all of you honestly not understand that it’s currently under redevelopment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was dying before Covid. Expensive stores, no parking.

?? There was plenty of parking!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do all of you honestly not understand that it’s currently under redevelopment?

We do. But most of us have no idea what that redevelopment will actually look like. If you have knowledge of the specifics, please share your knowledge and insights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The GOOD news is that Barnes and Noble is coming back to its old space in Georgetown! I AM SO EXCITED! And hopefully the thieves see no interest in bookworms!

That will help a lot -- I can't imagine there will be a lot of theft at B&N. The only place equally immune to mass theft is Talbot's and Ann Taylor.

[Anonymous]

Woman murdered at Embassy Suites by Hilton at Chevy Chase Pavillion last night. Not the kind of excitement anyone was hoping for to start 2024.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was dying before Covid. Expensive stores, no parking.

?? There was plenty of parking!

City Center was a big blow. With all the high dollar thefts, maybe some of the stores will move back up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve lived in DC for 9 years, the only time I had to go to FH was for a root canal because I couldn’t get a sooner appointment elsewhere. Had never seen so many old people per square feet.

Try McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online shopping killed it. Should bring in kids play places, water fountains, cafes, gyms like rock climbing, library or bookstore, senior center or other community center, farmers market, etc to regrow traffic. Not very walkable though. Need to make parking more convenient.

How much more convenient can the parking be?!?!

Also you can either have convenient [free] parking, or you can have a walkable area, but there's no such thing as a walkable area with convenient [free] parking.

Exactly. FH is neither. Parking is not terrible but can be inconvenient. Not fun to walk there either for all the reasons PPs pointed out.

For as long as I've lived in DC no one "goes" to that area for anything. You live there to get away from DC crime, and because you can afford to.

So what’s stopping the people who do live there from being out and about and enjoying live??

Older people don't spend money. Young families spend money.