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Vapiano has closed in Bethesda.
The cafeteria-style pasta, pizza, salad and antipasti eatery that took up a big chunk of Bethesda Row announced it “is closed for business” with a sign on the front door Monday night.
The chain started in 2002 in Germany and has grown to more than 100 locations across Europe and North America, including two in downtown D.C.
The Bethesda location opened on the corner of Hampden Lane and Woodmont Avenue (4900 Hampden Lane) in September 2010.
Customers were given “Vapiano cards” to scan once they picked out a dish. A cook would then custom-make the selection and customers paid by scanning the card again before leaving.
Across Woodmont Avenue, the vacant former Kraze Burgers space remains empty after the burger place closed in January.