Updated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday: Philz Coffee is opening in Bethesda Row on Wednesday, the first Maryland location for the full-service coffee bar.
The 2,535-square-foot store is next to French restaurant Mon Ami Gabi at 7247 Woodmont Ave. Founder Phil Jaber opened the first Philz Coffee 16 years ago in San Francisco. The chain now has upwards of 55 locations in California and the District.
“Bethesda matches the community environment that we think that we fit in well with,” Philz Coffee Store Leader Mike Bond said. “It’s a great atmosphere, we love the culture, we love the foot traffic. It’s definitely a walkable community, we think that we fit in great here.”
All beverages at Philz are handcrafted, the beans ground and beverages mixed with cream and sugar upon request. The store will have hot breakfast items, including burritos, along with other morning options such as scones, muffins and bagels.
Philz offers tea and sells coffee by the pound. The store has more than 20 customized blends available, and it’s the creative possibilities available to patrons that gets people through the doors, Bond said.
“We value customer service and putting the people first,” Bond said. “We do things a little bit differently than other locations, and some might call us crazy for it, but we think it’s the core characteristic of what we do.”
Customers are encouraged to bring in their own mugs, and Philz will make a large coffee for the price of a small as a thank you for choosing to conserve. Large coffees cost $4.60, with smalls running $3.60.
The company would like to grow in Maryland but is currently focusing on the Bethesda location, Bond said.
Editor’s note: The original version of this story had the address as 7247 Bethesda Ave. The story has been updated with the correct address.
