Panera Bread has permanently closed at 219 E. Middle Lane in Rockville Town Center. Customers are being directed to "other Rockville locations," including the Fallsgrove Village Center. I broke the news about Panera's shocking exit from this prime location back in February, when the property owner began marketing the restaurant's space for lease. The chain is closing underperforming locations as it undergoes a corporate reorganization.
One of its problem was that it was impossible to park to just get a loaf of bread or some bagels. There was some years ago when it opened but that has been built over
ReplyDeleteThe founding fathers envisioned bicycle riders as customers.
ReplyDeleteCrime and dereliction and unsafe people lurking around that area now,definitely not good for business.
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DeleteThe case of 'A Bread Too Far.'
ReplyDeleteDowntown Rockville seems to have difficulty attracting and sustaining businesses, compared to Pike and Rose or Reston Town Center. [And of course Bethesda, which is thriving.]
ReplyDeleteI also realize that restaurants go out of business frequently. One local example is the former Peter Chan, which became Kung Fu Panda when employees bought and renovated it. The food was excellent. Was the name too much like Panda Express? Or was it a lack of foot traffic, or competition with the two nearby Chinese restaurants? Now it's Dolan Uyghur, which might be more unique, so more of a destination?
While free garage parking *is* available [for a couple of hours] I understand why someeone wouldn't drive out here if they don't have other errands in the immediate area....
is there anything the City can do to help with all the vacancies? it's such a shame there are now like 5-6 anchor spots completely empty.
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