Luxury Chocolate Shop Brings A Taste Of Belgium To Bethesda Row

BETHESDA, MD — Bethesda Row just got a whole lot sweeter.

Neuhaus — a luxury chocolate shop originally founded in Belgium in 1857 — has opened a location at Bethesda Row. It's the brand's first store in Maryland.

Located at 7123 Bethesda Lane, Neuhaus has taken the space formerly occupied by Sabun Home —which recently moved to North Bethesda's Pike & Rose development under the name Olive & Loom.

The 374-square-foot store serves pralines and truffles imported weekly from Brussels, Belgium. Can't decide what you want? Neuhaus offers complimentary chocolate tastings.

The Belgian chocolatier is one of the Bethesda Row's newest additions, according to Federal Realty Investment Trust — the developer that owns the complex.

"We're always searching for exceptional and unique brands to bring to Bethesda Row, and we're excited to have Neuhaus joining the neighborhood alongside other new retail and restaurant concepts this year," Federal Realty Investment Trust Senior Vice President of Leasing Stuart Biel said. "With its focus on craftsmanship to create luxury chocolates, Neuhaus continues to complement the special mix of destination retail at Bethesda Row."

Neuhaus has one other store in the D.C. metro area. Avril Pendergast-Fisher, the U.S. director of marketing for Neuhaus, says the success at the Union Station store led the company to open a second location in Bethesda.

"Neuhaus opened its first Washington boutique in Union Station over a decade ago, and it's been a great location for us," said Pendergast-Fisher. "We've grown a wonderful, loyal following in the area. People who live and work here are very worldly, of course, and many of our customers first discover us in Belgium — where our chocolates are still made to this day — and are thrilled to find us back home in their own city. When we decided to open our second D.C.-area boutique, we knew we wanted it to be in Bethesda Row because of its vibrancy and absolute charm. We really couldn't be happier to become a part of this community."