Call it a one-stop-shop for apartment dwellers. Aria, the new combination beer and wine store, deli, convenience store and dry cleaner plans to open Monday.
On Wednesday, owner Peter Byun was beginning to fill shelves at the 2,500-square-foot space with snacks. The shop is located on the ground floor of the new Gallery Bethesda apartment building at 4800 Auburn Ave.
“We’re just happy to be here,” said Byun, who has been working off and on in the deli business since his parents started a deli 40 years ago after moving to the United States from South Korea. “My intent is to keep costs down and offer quality products.”
The store is basically broken into five sections. There’s a convenience store, a beer and wine shop, a deli, an espresso and breakfast bar, and a dry cleaner. Gallery Bethesda residents will have direct access to the store from the building, and there’s a public entrance between Auburn and Del Ray avenues in the apartment building’s courtyard.
Byun, who lives in Centreville, Va., said he expects to finalize the deli and breakfast menu by Monday.
Byun said the shop will have outdoor seating in the courtyard outside. The convenient store has a frozen yogurt machine, smoothies, a soda machine and a selection of cheeses and snacks.
The store will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner items. Store hours will be from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends, Byun said.
Byun said the store had all the necessary permits to open two weeks ago, but the opening was delayed after problems with shop's air conditioning unit, which has since been fixed.
