Loehmann’s Plaza, a shopping center in Rockville/North Bethesda, is moving forward with its planned redevelopment into a mixed-use residential and retail community, and a new grocery store is a key part of the project.
The developer, Rosenfeld Investments, has secured a letter of intent (LOI) with a prospective grocer to anchor the new development, according to a Maryland Newsletters report. While the name of the grocery chain has not yet been publicly disclosed, the move marks a major step forward for the project, which aims to transform the property from a car-centric shopping plaza into a walkable community.
In a sign of the commitment to a future grocer, the Montgomery Planning Board recently approved an amendment to widen Lauderdale Drive from 65 to 68 feet to accommodate the large delivery trucks a grocery store would require.
The plaza, located at 5200-5296 Randolph Road, is named after the Loehmann’s department store chain, which went out of business in 2014. Despite the namesake tenant’s closure, the plaza has continued to operate, with current businesses including City Dance and Furniture & Rug Depot. The new plan calls for a phased demolition of the existing structures and their vast surface parking lots.
The full-scale redevelopment will include up to 680 residential units, consisting of both townhomes and multifamily buildings. The retail component is expected to total up to 40,000 square feet, with the new grocery store serving as a major anchor. A new Sardi’s restaurant is also planned for the site.