Options To Replace Closing Bethesda Row Barnes & Noble Discussed

BETHESDA, MD — With the announcement of the longtime Barnes & Noble on Bethesda Row closing, Bethesda Magazine reports that the co-owner of the Politics and Prose bookstore in upper Northwest DC — Bradley Graham, from Bethesda — said he will look into the possibility of opening a bookstore in Bethesda.

Graham said he'll “definitely look at the possibility," but "it's far from certain" that Politics and Prose would expand to Bethesda, especially considering their DC store at 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW is about three miles from downtown Bethesda.

The Barnes & Noble on Bethesda Row is closing when its lease expires with Federal Realty at the end of the year, according to reports. The three-level store opened in 1997 as one of the main draws of the first phase of the Bethesda Row development, which is now a prime destination for shopping and dining.

The store sits at the corner of Woodmont and Bethesda avenues and is 37,500 square feet. It's the second biggest retail space on Bethesda Row, competing only with the Giant Grocery store which occupies 40,000 square feet.

“We had discussions with the property owner in hopes of agreeing to an extension of the lease, but unfortunately, we were unable to come to an agreement,” David Deason, a Barnes & Noble vice president, said in an email to Bethesda Magazine. “It has been our pleasure to have served this community and we hope to continue to serve our valued customers at the nearby Rockville Pike and Clarendon Market Common stores.”

The announcement prompted over 3,500 residents to sign a petition to save the store on Change.org.

The petition description reads:

"For two decades, Barnes & Noble has been the heart and soul of Bethesda. It is the center of a community where restaurant goers, bicyclists, and families gather to enjoy the best of Bethesda. Now, with the rent unaffordable, the bookstore is being forced out of our neighborhood. However, if we come together to show our disapproval, we can stop this by persuading Federal Realty to strike a fair leasing deal with Barnes & Noble to allow it to stay in Bethesda. By promising to boycott Barnes & Noble's replacement, we can show Federal Realty how much our community cares for Barnes & Noble, and that we do not want another store to replace the crown jewel of Bethesda."

Residents commented supportive sentiments, such as: "Barnes & Noble is the lifeblood of Bethesda!" and "It's a vital center in Bethesda. Critical for local businesses and the community."

According to Council President Roger Berliner, Federal Realty worked for two years to try and arrange an agreement with Barnes & Noble.

The bookstore "said they couldn’t use all their space," Berliner told Montgomery Community Media. "They are struggling as these national bookstores are struggling across the country."

Berliner also said there is little to no chance that Montgomery County will step in to try and prevent the closing.

“I think if we were to try and step into this kind of … issue, that it’s unending," Berliner said. "These are national phenomena, as to how people buy books now. Do you want me to step into the taxicab business and save them from the Ubers of the world?”

The President and CEO of the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce, Ginanne Italiano, called the petition "really disappointing," considering there are still other bookstore options nearby.

"Federal Realty does an excellent job in promoting the downtown and their development and I have full faith that they’ll be attracting a retailer or whatever it is that they’re going to be doing that’s going to be just as great," Italiano told Bethesda Magazine.

Federal Realty is "powerfully motivated" to bring a bookstore to Bethesda, Berliner said.

Photo: Change.org Petition