Pop-Up Vendor Shops Open At Grosvenor Strathmore Metro Station

From Chesapeake Public Strategies: Nearly one dozen local businesses are taking part in a new, pop-up pilot program to bring ease and entertainment to those who exit and live near the Grosvenor Strathmore Metro Station, says Fivesquares Development LLC.

On a rotating schedule every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoon, from 3:30 – 7:30 PM, from May 17 through June 30, 2017, nearly one dozen local, small businesses will share a series of pop-up kiosks located in a newly created vendor plaza at Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station. Among the local retailers who will open at the station are: Bell Flowers, Galley Foods, Borekg Turkish Bakery, Grandma Vera's Bakery, Great Harvest Bread, Ibhana Creations, Juice Fresh, Radost by Martina Sestakova, and The Red Bandana Bakery.

The pop-up program is being managed by Fivesquares Development, LLC, in partnership with the Washington Metropolitan Transit Agency Authority (WMATA) and Strathmore and is part of a larger, long-term plan to redevelop the eight-acres surrounding the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station into a transit-oriented, multi-family, residential community called Strathmore Square. Strathmore Square will combine local retail, transit and the arts together at Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station and create a sense of place and community connection.

“Metro is pleased to have Fivesquares Development as our joint development partner for Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station and to support this innovative project to give one of our retired 4000-series railcars a new life as a retail space,” said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld.

Speaking at the pop-up grand opening celebration, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett said, “It’s wonderful to see small businesses like these expand their footprint in Montgomery County and open new outposts close to Metro and within walking distance of people’s homes. Congratulations to WMATA, Fivesquares Development and Strathmore for introducing this innovative concept which combines transit and the arts, and reduces our dependence on cars by bringing the community a unique approach to transit-oriented development.”

In addition to the retail pop-ups, a new entertainment stage has been added to the plaza at Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station, where regularly scheduled musical and dance performances by local artists and school groups will take place, offering the local community a new gathering place for free concerts and live entertainment. Performing at the grand opening celebration was noted Strathmore artist-in-residence alumna, Margot McDonald.

“Strathmore is proud to be bringing some of our area’s most talented musicians to the stage for the ribbon cutting and everyFriday evening while the pop-ups are in place,” said Strathmore CEO Eliot Pfanstiehl. “We believe that the arts add immeasurable value to our lives, even in small doses, so we always celebrate the opportunity to weave artistic experiences into the lives of our neighbors. What a joyful way to begin or end your commute!”

Strathmore Square also features a strong connection to the visual arts, as the structures which house the retail vendors were created from a retired Metro railcar. Fivesquares acquired a decommissioned, 4,000-series Metro railcar, and worked with metals artist and fabricator Robert Mojo of Rusted Rebels to slice the vehicle into seven parts, each forming the shell or housing for the retail kiosks. Other interior parts of the railcar are being repurposed for the project too, including the former interior seats for outdoor benches and mechanical parts for sculptures.

“To highlight the role of mass transit in our past, as well as its importance to managing future growth in this region, we decided to repurpose and reuse a Metro railcar that was being taken out of service,” explained Ron Kaplan, Fivesquares Development Principal. “The railcars not only serve as the housing for our pop-up vendors, but function as a living museum and create an even stronger connection between this Metro station, Strathmore’s high-quality arts programming, and our plans for the future Strathmore Square.”

Fivesquares Development was selected by WMATA to plan and develop a new transit-oriented, residential community surrounding the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station called Strathmore Square. ###a name="m_-2817797305651190695_m_5816306904871445890__GoBack"> The overall plan for Strathmore Square features an attractive mix of buildings, architecture and heights, in addition to a large village green, where neighbors can relax for a picnic or day at the park; a village square with small cafes and places to meet friends; improved access to green space, including connections to Rock Creek Park; and coordinated programming with Strathmore to bring regularly scheduled outdoor performances and increased access to the arts. The Montgomery County Planning Board is currently undergoing a Minor Master Plan Amendment Process for the site to determine how best to bring transit-oriented development to one of the only remaining developable sites on the Red Line. More information about Strathmore Square can be found at: www.StrathmoreSquare.com

Photos courtesy of Strathmore Square