Chevy Chase lands two new restaurants

The Collection at Chevy Chase has been getting a makeover for the past two years, and we’re finally learning more about some of its new tenants.

The former Ralph Lauren store at the Collection will be leased by two tenants: a craft beer-focused restaurant out of New York — more on that in a future story — and Junction Bakery & Bistro of Alexandria.

Junction and the brewpub restaurant will be part of a revamped pedestrian entry point owner Chevy Chase Land Co. is trying to activate at the overall site between Saks Fifth Avenue and Giant.

Plans call for outdoor restaurant seating along the pedestrian pathway off Wisconsin Avenue, which will lead people back to a new central plaza area being constructed behind the retail buildings. That area is undergoing a $15 million renovation.

The Junction will have between 75 and 100 seats inside, with additional seating outside. Junction owner Noe Landini predicts the Chevy Chase location will open in November or December. The restaurant will still have a fast-casual counter for ordering at breakfast and lunch, but it will also have a full-service area for dinner at the bar.

Landini is also outfitting a retro ice cream truck for the Chevy Chase development that will sell Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, ice cream from another brand he owns in Alexandria.

Unlike the original Junction in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, the Chevy Chase store will have a full bar and more seating but less kitchen space. That’s because the Del Ray Junction has a large baking operation and serves as a commissary of sorts, making bread and other baked goods that can be delivered daily to subsequent Junction locations.

Junction is also opening a third bakery and bar at 238 Massachusetts Ave. NE, above Gina Chersevani’s Buffalo & Bergen.

Neighborhood Retail Group represented Junction in this transaction.

By  – Senior Staff Reporter, Washington Business Journal
Updated