Friday, March 22, 2013
Reddz owner Wendy Red will now operate Bethesda and Georgetown storefronts for the popular fashion resaler.
Woodmont Avenue favorite Reddz Trading, a high-end fashion resale store, is expanding into Georgetown. Wendy Red, the owner of Reddz, told Patch that she decided to open a shop in Georgetown because many of her customers come out to Bethesda from DC. "We also just feel like there’s a void there," Red said. The new shop will be coming to 1413 Wisconsin Ave. NW, which is currently occupied by Monarc Antique Rugs. It could be open by June. Unlike consignment shops, Red's resale model means you get paid up front for handing over your high-end bags or shoes. Reddz accepts clothes that are no older than two years, are in good condition and are in style. Their website explains the payment model: "We pick the desirable items that we think we can …
Friday, January 25, 2013
A fee of up to 4 percent of a credit card purchase could be added to your bill come Sunday.
Think twice when you pull out your credit card to pay for brunch this weekend. A controversial federal court ruling last year has given retailers the go-ahead to tack bank surcharges for credit card purchases on customer bills—starting Sunday. Bank fees between 2 and 4 percent of a credit card purchase had traditionally been covered by retailers making the sales, but smaller businesses without the backing of major corporations usually felt the brunt of these charges. Ten states prohibit passing fees on to credit card users, but Maryland isn't one of them, according to an announcement issued by the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center. Customers can avoid the charges by paying with debit cards or prepaid cards. According to a Time…
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
As Bruce Variety announces its closure, The Gazette reports on the plight of Bethesda business owners, who pay some of the highest rents in the county.
As the community grapples with the upcoming closure of Bethesda institution Bruce Variety, The Gazette reports that many Bethesda businesses are struggling with high rent and a down economy. Owners of Bruce Variety, a 60-year fixture on Arlington Road, announced that they would seek a new location because they could no longer afford the $22,000 monthly rent, Patch reported. Retail rates have risen in Bethesda and parts of Rockville in the last year and a half, The Gazette reported, and businesses along Wisconsin Avenue in Chevy Chase and on Bethesda Row pay the highest rents in the county. In Bethesda, retail space can cost anywhere from $30 per square foot to more than $100 per square foot, according to the report. “We’re all struggling…
Friday, November 30, 2012
The Bethesda Lane storefront served as a temporary location for the menswear guideshop, which will re-locate to Washington, DC after the holidays.
As quickly as it came, Bethesda Row’s newest menswear store Bonobos is on its way out. Bonobos opened its guideshop in early November, taking the spot of the recently departed Urban Chic on Bethesda Lane. When it opened, the company intended for the Bethesda Lane storefront to serve as a temporary location for the shop before relocating it to Washington, DC, according to the store’s senior public relations manager, Gina DiPietro. The guideshop will remain in that location for one more month -- until Dec. 25 -- before moving to its new location in DC. “The Bethesda Guideshop will be open through the holidays -- end of December -- and then will relocate to a DC location in January,” DiPietro told Patch in an email. “Exact location is to be …
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Bonobos opens on Bethesda Lane today.
Bonobos, a by-appointment men’s wear shop, opened today, taking the spot of recently departed Urban Chic on Bethesda Lane. The store originally launched as an e-commerce site, advertising a clothing line fitting men with more athletic builds. Since its launch, Bonobos has opened guide stores in several major cities, including New York and Boston. According to Jamie Johnson, a fit-guide with the brand headquarters in New York, the Bethesda location will primarily take appointments, but will welcome drop-in customers more typical of heavy Bethesda Row foot traffic. Johnson says that store fit guides will walk customers through the brand process, including trying on clothes and finding a correct fit, before helping a customer order …
Monday, June 18, 2012
Apartment building will take over site of former post office, the Washington Business Journal reports.
The former post office at 7001 Arlington Road could be torn down as soon as next month to make way for an apartment building, the Washington Business Journal reports. The two downtown Bethesda post offices at Arlington Road and Wisconsin Avenue were consolidated this month into a new facility at 6900 Wisconsin Avenue. A mixed-use apartment building with 145 units is planned for the Arlington Road site, Patch reported in January. Associated Estates Realty Corp. bought the post office from USPS for $12.2 million in May, the Business Journal reported, and plans to tear down the building to pave way for the $50 million project next month. Plans for the 172,000 square foot development include 7,000 square feet of retail space, and 15.2 percent …
Monday, December 19, 2011
Owner Tony Zelaya says economy driving force behind decision.
For more than 30 years, Tony Zelaya has had a love affair with shoes, telling Bethesda Magazine recently that he "started selling shoes because I love shoes. I didn't have a lot of money. I depended on my sales for money." Zelaya features a selection of designer shoes - for women, men and children - along with accessories such as handbags and jewelry. The majority of reviews on Yelp’s website are extremely positive, raving about the store’s selection, as well as the personalized service from Tony. However, that is not enough, as Zelaya says that he can no longer remain competitive in this economy and will be slowly liquidating his merchandise over the next few months. The boutique is scheduled to close in mid to late February. The …
38.988321
-77.097879
Zelaya Shoes
4940 Saint Elmo Ave, Bethesda, MD
/articles/st-elmo-avenue-s-zelaya-shoes-to-close-in-early-2012
465823
/locations/6035585
Bob
6:12 pm on Sunday, January 27, 2013
So you can be charged up to 4% for using a credit card, which is on top of any interest you may accrue on the charge. Your alternatives are a debit card, which has a fee, or a pre-paid card, which already has a fee (I've seen more than 6% on a $100 card). Use a check, which has its own fees. There are no other-than-cash alternatives, although probably there are some retailers who will also charge… more ›