Eastham’s Auto Service Center, the repair shop that’s been in downtown Bethesda since 1929, will close its temporary location this week to make way for construction of a high-rise condominium building.
Eastham’s hopes to re-open for the long term in a new Bethesda location in the next two or three months, said General Manager Steven Embrey.
Embrey said he’s negotiating with the owners of two properties, one that would include a 10-year lease that could put to rest the uncertainty the business has faced over the last five years.
“I don’t know exactly which one we’ll be going to, but we’re going to try to move into one of those locations,” Embrey said. “Hopefully, we can get it solved and open up again soon.”
Eastham’s opened at 7100 Wisconsin Ave. in 1929 and developed a large following from Bethesda and Chevy Chase residents. Some of the mechanics have worked there for three decades. Current owner George Zinkler first worked at the shop under original owner and future father-in-law Robert Eastham about 60 years ago.
The shop had to move from the Wisconsin Avenue location in spring 2014 to make way for construction of the Solaire Bethesda, a 12-story, 139-unit apartment building. To many longtime Bethesda residents, it was a vivid reminder of just how much Bethesda is changing.
There are now just four gas stations remaining in downtown Bethesda. At least four, including the Exxon that used to be at Eastham’s Wisconsin Avenue spot, have been closed to make way for redevelopment in the last five years.
When Eastham’s moved to the shuttered gas station at the corner of Old Georgetown Road and Fairmont Avenue in April 2014, it knew the arrangement would be temporary.
That site was already set for a 17-story, 70-unit luxury condominium. Embrey said Wednesday that demolition of the property’s existing buildings is finally slated to start, meaning Eastham’s must be out by Friday.
“I would say in the last six to eight months, we retained most of our older customers and we got a bunch of new customers because of the buildings around here,” Embrey said. “We did very well. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”