Belgian chocolatier Neuhaus Chocolates opened a store in Bethesda on Thursday, the company’s first location in Maryland.
The Bethesda Row location at 7123 Bethesda Lane will have pralines and truffles imported directly from Belgium every week.
The store is Neuhaus’ 16th boutique overall, and second in the Washington region, joining one at Union Station. The success of the Washington, D.C., boutique over the past decade led to the arrival of a second store in the area.
“Neuhaus opened its first Washington boutique in Union Station over a decade ago, and it’s been a great location for us,” Neuhaus U.S. Director of Marketing Avril Pendergast-Fisher said in a statement. “We’ve grown a wonderful, loyal following in the area.”
Pendergrast-Fisher added that the atmosphere in downtown Bethesda drew Neuhaus to that section of the region in particular.
“We knew we wanted it to be in Bethesda Row because of its vibrancy and absolute charm,” Pendergrast-Fisher said. “We really couldn’t be happier to become a part of this community.”
The 374-square-foot space was formerly occupied by home décor store Sabun Home, which moved to a North Bethesda location at Pike & Rose in March under the name Olive & Loom.
Neuhaus joins Sugarfina as a sweet-treat option at Bethesda Row. It marks another summer addition by Federal Realty Investment Trust, along with framing shop Framebridge and apparel companies Custom Ink and Marine Layer.
“We’re always searching for exceptional and unique brands to bring to Bethesda Row, and we’re excited to have Neuhaus joining the neighborhood alongside other new retail and restaurant concepts this year,” Federal Realty Senior Vice President of Leasing Stuart Biel said in a statement.
Federal Realty is a real estate group that owns and operates Bethesda Row.
Charlie Wright can be reached at charlie.wright@moco360.media
