Contributor Opinion By John Cooper-Martin: Continuing the Dialogue on What Kind of Businesses People Want in Town Square and Parking in Town Square
Aug 3, 2009 8:00 - 25 Comments
I have been following the “Posts” on Rockville Central, which are the most active, by clicking the “Most Active” tab, which, as you know, is the second tab on the right of the “Tools” tab.
I have noticed that the “Town Square Business Closing Sad but Not Troubling,” article appeared on Rockville Central on 6-10-09 and the “Parking Transaction Time in Rockville Town Square,” that appeared on Rockville Central on 7-8-09 have consistently been among the highest number of posts, even considering how long it has been since they first appeared on Rockville Central.
The “Parking Transaction Time” article, obviously, dealt with parking, so I think there is a lot of continued interest in that issue, and the “Town Square Business Closing Sad but Not Troubling” had comments both about the kind of stores people wanted and also about parking, too.
Judging by the number of comments, and how long it has been since these articles first appeared on Rockville Central, I probably think people would like to express how they feel about these two issues more: parking in Town Square and the kinds of businesses wanted in Town Square.
Perhaps Rockville Central can run this contributor opinion to give people those opportunities to make their views heard, as I don’t think they were exhausted by the other two articles.
John Cooper-Martin
This is a contributor opinion. Rockville Central encourages readers to submit such opinions for consideration — the more voices the better. We especially welcome people who disagree with us. We ask that all such contributions be civil and we reserve the right to edit (in consultation with the author) or reject. Contributor opinions should not be seen as reflecting opinions held by Rockville Central editors, as they are just as frequently at odds with our own views. That’s the whole point!
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I think we need more high-end boutique clothing stores. My wife has a lot of rack space in her closet at home and just can’t find enough $300 sundresses to fill it with. Also, RTS doesn’t have enough restaurants. I need more places within walking distance to drop $50 on a mediocre meal for my family of 3. That’s what’s to be missed about the Graystone Grill. The food was just so-so, but the price made you feel that it was fancy dining!
Seriously, though… Ye olde cancer shop, a.k.a. the former tanning salon, would be a good place for a hardware store.
And, before anything else, get our &@#^ grocery store open!
I don’t know exactly what retail there goes for $/s.f. but clearly its low enough that selling donuts and handbags pays the bill.
LOL@Andrew. The lack of shops that our family would shop in is one of the reasons we don’t end up spending lots of money there. Toy Kingdom is a standout exception; they generally have a higher-quality selection than, say, Toys’R'Us, and we prefer to patronize a local business over a big chain.
I’d love to see a hardware store, although I’d really prefer to see it over where the old Giant was; lots of space there, and since it doesn’t seem to be useful for police stations, courthouses, or apartments after what, 7 or 8 years vacant, it may as well have more retail. Bigger site for more selection without having to be Home Depot-sized; something like the hardware store in Montgomery Village would be plenty large enough. (I still drive there for hardware when I can over Lowe’s or Home Depot, and it’d be nice to keep those $$ here in Rockville.)
If the Super Fresh falls thru, how about a branch of Whole Foods, or better yet, My Organic Market. Bookstore, especially a locally-owned one, might be nice.
I can’t believe there isn’t a dry cleaner in Town Square for all the residents there; I worked in a condo many years ago that sent out cleaning and made some good money on it. One with a good tailor wouldn’t be amiss.
Video rental close to all those residences might not be a bad thought.
FineWine.com does a nice business in Washingtonian and is almost always full; a store in RTS might be feasible.
A few random thoughts, anyway…..
Just a few random thoughts…..
John Cooper-Martin saw the need to further this discussion. We have offered up comments on this topic before, and in my opinion, we should systematically collect this data and offer it to Federal Realty. If we help steer town center, we can contribute to its success. And if the items we need become available, we can take traffic off of the road to neighboring towns. Who could put up a poll? Rockvilleliving, BuyRockville, or REDI?
@andrew: i for one was sad to see red orchard go. they had many items that would not fall into the $300 sun dress category–candles, picture frames, earrings, etc. the family owned business–with one other location in bethesda–really tried hard to make a go of it.
Rockville Central has a full Survey Monkey account and we would be happy to host a survey about Town Square businesses — what’s needed, etc.
Let’s flesh this out in the comments and we will gladly offer this as a public service.
Brad
I was never pleased with SuperFresh as the supermarket for RTS. I’d rather see a ROOTS (like the one in Olney) or a MOM (My Organic Market).
RTS has been fortunate in that the restaurants that served up the most repugnant fare have vanished: Greystone with its overpriced yet staunchly mediocre mains; Stonefish *Grill* with a menu featuring mostly heavily breaded and deep-fried fare; and Moe’s, where everyone was welcome to re-live burritos from their grade school camping days. (”Triple Lindy?” “Yeah, Lindy tripped over that one three times!”)
My picks for RTS:
– A steak house (Capital Grill?)
– A wine bar (ala Grapeseed?)
– A BBQ place (anyone been to Willard’s in Chantilly?)
– A *real* sushi restaurant
Hey, I can dream, can’t I?
Sure, a hardware store is nice, but not in the middle of RTS. If we have to have one, I agree with Deb that the old Giant lot would do. (BTW, it’s hard for me to fathom how that lot could sit vacant for so long. Is Giant still paying for it? The opportunity costs over the years can’t be trivial.)
Deb…there is a dry cleaners next to the back door of Five Guys…on the N. Washington St. side of TS. There is also a great tailor and alterationist behind the Exxon on N. Washington…Fantastic Fit. She has been there for as long as I can remember, and that’s at least 20 years. (I can actually remember more than that).
Thanks, JJ, I’d forgotten about that cleaners over there.
I don’t get out in that direction often.
Me, I’d patronize a DINER. Booths, a counter, relatively inexpensive good food in a no-frills place that doesn’t have a band I have to shout to be heard over with food choices my kids won’t fight us over, but that is NOT McDonald’s (and is better than IHOP).
grapeseed would be redundant. baci is on the next street over from rockville town center.
Before RTS opened I remember there being talk about moving the farmer’s market there on Saturday mornings. I could imagine the square bustling with people walking between all the booths. Seems like an easy and enjoyable way to get more foot traffic for the businesses there.
I might be a 15-yr old kid but Greystone’s was reasonably priced and best hamburgers anywhere. Y’all can keep the current restaurants……bad food, high prices, terrible service…..just what (to paraphrase HL Mencken) y’all deserve.
I’d love to see a Trader Joe’s in the grocery story slot. If superfresh is coming, where is it?
@saul, would be so nice to read a post from you that didn’t always contain some snide comment or insult.
Oh, a Trader Joe’s I didn’t have to drive to would be nice, although the one in Federal really isn’t so far away. Failing that, I can still hope for a MOM’s or similar.
Speaking of Federal Plaza, their Massage Envy must be doing well since I usually have to wait several days to book a massage; I’d LOVE to have one I could walk to and from!
And I LOVE the idea of having the Farmer’s Market there, although in its current location it’s probably easier for the trucks to get in and out with the produce.
I have heard of empty stores in places in Fairfax County being used by crafters on weekends for impromptu craft shows; they rent space by the day (Saturday or Sunday or both) and set up tables. That might be something for the realty folks to consider for any stores that are empty between the end of Summer and the Holiday season – not a permanent store per se, but at least a use of space and some income in the meantime.
Theresa, in my not so humble opinion, you are a total insult. And it’s Dr Parket to you!!!
Something I always end up driving for: art/craft supplies above and beyond what CVS carries. A place like Pla-Za – an art supply chain but not a big one like Michaels or ACMoore and relatively local to this part of the country – would be nice to have, especially in proximity to VisArts. Already one in Rockville, across from Congressional and behind the Pier One, although rent may be much more affordable for them back there.
It’d be nice to have a Staples back in town too; I still miss the one on N. Hungerford – service was always friendlier than in the Congressional North store. Failing that, Office Depot or even a smaller locally-owned office supply store would be great.
And perhaps in the area of the old Giant, along with the hardware store, how about a Post Office with adequate parking AND space to stand in line with more spaces at the counter for service? At the moment it’s worth the drive for me to go down to Twinbrook or even to Shady Grove and bypass the Rockville branch entirely for easier parking and quicker (not to mention friendlier) service.
I second Brenda Dunham’s comments on a Roots or MOM’s in lieu of SuperFresh!
Brad, I finally admit you are a gentleman and a scholar…….thanks for all you do!!!
If y’all haven’t tried Mi Rancho on The Pike, they have a great menu and a great plato grande for 1 and/or 2. Not as good yet as the one in Germantown but getting there. And Brad, I was hoping to attend next Roundtable and add some “spice” to the conversation, however unfortunately or otherwise, I’m otherwise engaged. Perhaps next time……..love being a 15 yr old kid.
I love Mi Rancho! I have not yet been to the Rockville one and I am excited to give it a try.
KenS
Branda (Comment #6) and Bryan (#18) recommended Roots Market for RTS. I third that and would add Great Sage, the Conscious Corner neighbor of Roots in Clarksville. How green would that be: to walk to my favorite restaurant.
KenS
Branda (Comment #6) and Bryan (#18) recommended Roots Market for RTS. I third that and would add Great Sage, the Conscious Corner neighbor of Roots in Clarksville. How green would that be: to walk to my favorite restaurant.
Cindy – Re #s 21 and 22. I submitted a misspelled Brenda. Sorry
Like Deb, I think a bookstore is essential to create a desire to linger in Town Square.
I also think restricting Maryland Ave and Gibbs St within Town Square to pedestrian traffic only is an idea worth exploring.
love the idea of a bookstore and more child/family friendly dining options.(The diner idea was good) We have done a good job enticing families to come in the warm weather to play in the square and listen to entertainment, but they need other options for the cooler weather including a place selling kids clothes or shoes.