McLean - Chesterbrook Shopping Center

[Anonymous]

Ten years from now will the Chesterbrook Shopping Center still be the dump it is today?

[Anonymous]

It is improving every day. Do you remember when there was a McDonald's?

Seriously, look at the neighborhood across the street, having lived in Langley, Franklin park is boo yah- if you are thinking about it, then do it. No comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ten years from now will the Chesterbrook Shopping Center still be the dump it is today?

Chesterbrook Shopping Center was "the" place about 20 years ago. As the population of McLean aged, so did the shopping center and the stores. There is a revitalization underway in McLean -- starting with Franklin Park -- and the demographics will soon switch to place more like the Starbuck's at one end of the center. But I love the Safeway because you can get in and out quickly because so few shoppers.

[Anonymous]

They should try and copy N Arlington's Lee Harrison shopping center. That place is nice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ten years from now will the Chesterbrook Shopping Center still be the dump it is today?

Chesterbrook Shopping Center was "the" place about 20 years ago. As the population of McLean aged, so did the shopping center and the stores. There is a revitalization underway in McLean -- starting with Franklin Park -- and the demographics will soon switch to place more like the Starbuck's at one end of the center. But I love the Safeway because you can get in and out quickly because so few shoppers.

Maybe 30 or 40 years ago. 20 years ago it was about the same. At least twice Safeway has tried to upgrade the facility and been caught in county snags- so they opt to update other stores instead (near the new McLean metro and at 7 Corners for example).

The demographics have been changing for the past 20 years and still nothing has changed- the first new wave is now in college. Too many options elsewhere. It is too big for the needs of the area- the new sections across the parking lot and near the gas station added too many store fronts. The continuous robbing of the bank that used to be there drove it away- don't know why it was a perennial target. Franklin Park has been being "revitalized" for at least 20 years- it is a slow process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ten years from now will the Chesterbrook Shopping Center still be the dump it is today?

Chesterbrook Shopping Center was "the" place about 20 years ago. As the population of McLean aged, so did the shopping center and the stores. There is a revitalization underway in McLean -- starting with Franklin Park -- and the demographics will soon switch to place more like the Starbuck's at one end of the center. But I love the Safeway because you can get in and out quickly because so few shoppers.

Maybe 30 or 40 years ago. 20 years ago it was about the same. At least twice Safeway has tried to upgrade the facility and been caught in county snags- so they opt to update other stores instead (near the new McLean metro and at 7 Corners for example).

The demographics have been changing for the past 20 years and still nothing has changed- the first new wave is now in college. Too many options elsewhere. It is too big for the needs of the area- the new sections across the parking lot and near the gas station added too many store fronts. The continuous robbing of the bank that used to be there drove it away- don't know why it was a perennial target. Franklin Park has been being "revitalized" for at least 20 years- it is a slow process.

Oh and we call the Safeway the Soviet Safeway as it has trouble keeping things in stock. Others call it the Rushin Safeway, because people only rush in and out to buy one or two things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should try and copy N Arlington's Lee Harrison shopping center. That place is nice!

It is solid.

[Anonymous]

"The continuous robbing of the bank that used to be there drove it away- don't know why it was a perennial target."

The BB&T is still there. I use it all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: "The continuous robbing of the bank that used to be there drove it away- don't know why it was a perennial target."

The BB&T is still there. I use it all the time.

I was talking about the Walkalloverya

[Anonymous]

It's fine as is with a few amenities like the Safeway, Starbucks and Mylo's. Franklin Park is gorgeous and nicer than the adjacent Arlington neighborhoods, but it isn't dense enough to generate the demand for much more than is currently at Chesterbrook..

[Anonymous]

God, I hope not. If they could just do something about that crappy Safeway I feel like the rest of it would follow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ten years from now will the Chesterbrook Shopping Center still be the dump it is today?

Chesterbrook Shopping Center was "the" place about 20 years ago. As the population of McLean aged, so did the shopping center and the stores. There is a revitalization underway in McLean -- starting with Franklin Park -- and the demographics will soon switch to place more like the Starbuck's at one end of the center. But I love the Safeway because you can get in and out quickly because so few shoppers.

Maybe 30 or 40 years ago. 20 years ago it was about the same. At least twice Safeway has tried to upgrade the facility and been caught in county snags- so they opt to update other stores instead (near the new McLean metro and at 7 Corners for example).

The demographics have been changing for the past 20 years and still nothing has changed- the first new wave is now in college. Too many options elsewhere. It is too big for the needs of the area- the new sections across the parking lot and near the gas station added too many store fronts. The continuous robbing of the bank that used to be there drove it away- don't know why it was a perennial target. Franklin Park has been being "revitalized" for at least 20 years- it is a slow process.

Wrong. Perhaps FP demographics has changed; but THINK about it - Vinson Hall (elderly who are former military officers and wives) just expanded. The old people don't care about updating the Safeway, or anything else for that matter. Let's face it, they are used to shopping at the PX - so high end anything is certainly *not* a priority.

[Anonymous]

I would live in FP and shop at Harris Teeter, mentioned upthread, since you asked. Are you considering FP, OP? It is the nicest neighborhood in McLean, if you are in the market under $3m (new).

[Anonymous]

I live in FP. At first, I hated the Safeway...but over time, it has really grown on me. It's quick to get in and out.

That said, we still do most of our shopping over the weekend at Wegmans and WF. Plus a weekly drop-off service (for veggies, fruit, milk and eggs) from a local farm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ten years from now will the Chesterbrook Shopping Center still be the dump it is today?

Chesterbrook Shopping Center was "the" place about 20 years ago. As the population of McLean aged, so did the shopping center and the stores. There is a revitalization underway in McLean -- starting with Franklin Park -- and the demographics will soon switch to place more like the Starbuck's at one end of the center. But I love the Safeway because you can get in and out quickly because so few shoppers.

Maybe 30 or 40 years ago. 20 years ago it was about the same. At least twice Safeway has tried to upgrade the facility and been caught in county snags- so they opt to update other stores instead (near the new McLean metro and at 7 Corners for example).

The demographics have been changing for the past 20 years and still nothing has changed- the first new wave is now in college. Too many options elsewhere. It is too big for the needs of the area- the new sections across the parking lot and near the gas station added too many store fronts. The continuous robbing of the bank that used to be there drove it away- don't know why it was a perennial target. Franklin Park has been being "revitalized" for at least 20 years- it is a slow process.

Wrong. Perhaps FP demographics has changed; but THINK about it - Vinson Hall (elderly who are former military officers and wives) just expanded. The old people don't care about updating the Safeway, or anything else for that matter. Let's face it, they are used to shopping at the PX - so high end anything is certainly *not* a priority.

The demographics of the entire surrounding neighborhoods have changed. Not just FP and not just Vinson Hall (El Nido, Potomac HIlls, Chesterbrook Woods......). Chesterbrook ES has grown considerabley and many more are sending their children to private school.