RETAIL NEWS

CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND – The long-awaited Woodland Park Crossing mixed-use development in Herndon, Virginia, welcomed its first retail customers in recent weeks, with the opening of Starbucks, Panera Bread, Pei Wei Asian Diner, and Chevy Chase Bank.  The four retailers are just the first of 33 retail and professional businesses to bring life to the upscale, urban living environment to be anchored by grocer Harris Teeter, scheduled to open this fall.  In addition, shopping center leasing, management, and development company JBG Rosenfeld Retail (JBGR) has finalized new leases with Capital Area Pediatrics and DC-based Down Dog Yoga for approximately 8,500 square feet of professional space on the second level of the development, boosting commitment to the 143,000 square-foot retail component to nearly 90%.

“The residents of Herndon and the surrounding neighborhoods have been very patient awaiting the opening of Woodland Park,” said JBGR Principal Grant Ehat, “and we are pleased to bring them a collection of both destination and service-oriented retailers in an environment reminiscent of the city, but without the hassles of true urban shopping.  Starbucks, Panera and Pei Wei already are experiencing phenomenal sales, and we anticipate all of the forthcoming retail and professional tenants will enjoy similar returns.”  In addition to Harris Teeter, other retail and restaurant concepts scheduled to open at Woodland Park in the coming months include Dolce Pomodoro Italian Restaurant, Mylannie Day Spa, Quiznos, Ritz Camera, ZPizza, Moby Dick House of Kabob, dry cleaner Georgetown Valet, Hour Eyes, Next Day Blinds, and others.

Formed in 1998 by four primary care pediatric groups in Virginia, Capital Area Pediatrics is a network of “neighborhood pediatric practices” situated throughout northern Virginia focused on providing quality medical care with very personalized service.  The network of 41 doctors currently operates seven offices from Falls Church to Ashburn.  The Woodland Park Crossing office currently is scheduled to open this fall.

With two locations in the metropolitan area, Down Dog Yoga is the only studio in the area certified to teach Baptiste Power Vinyasa, a strong, flowing, style of yoga accessible to most individuals.  The studio offers a variety of group classes, as well as workshops and private instruction at its Georgetown and Bethesda locations.  Down Dog’s newest studio at Woodland Park Crossing will be located above ZPizza and the Art and Frame Depot in the Panera building.  Down Dog anticipates a fall opening.

Located at Sunrise Valley Drive and Monroe Street in Herndon, Woodland Park Crossing is less than a half-mile from the Dulles Access Road, and minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport.  When complete, the development will have an urban feel, featuring first-floor retail with 204 residential units above, plus pedestrian friendly walkways, brick and masonry building facades and structured parking.  The residential component, developed by Maryland-based Bozzuto Group, broke ground in March of this year.  Delivery is anticipated to begin during the third quarter of 2008.