Northwood News ♦ April 2003

Survey Responses for Proposed Burnt Mills Shopping Center

By Jacquie Bokow

In the last issue of the Northwood News, I requested input from the community about which stores we would like to see installed on Route 29.  A new shopping center with eight small stores (as currently envisioned) is to be built on Colesville Road just north of the Northwest Branch, in what was formerly a furniture store.  The property has been vacant for several decades and will soon be torn down (the sign indicating the new center will open this spring was a bit optimistic).

The planned center is being called Burnt Mills Shopping Center by Finmarc Management, Inc. (their office is in Bethesda), which is the property manager.  The land itself is owned by the Leisner Family Limited Partnership, the trustees for which live in New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange, Fla.  (I am currently in posession of the preliminary plans, sent to the NFCCA by the Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning, if anyone would like to see them.)  A new intersection, with a stoplight, is proposed at the southern end of the property, just next to the existing service station.

One popular request was for an ice cream parlor.  Eat-in/carry-out restaurants (such as Chicken Out or Chick-fil-A) were also mentioned.  Others requested a finer quality eat-in restaurant.  Obviously, we don’t want duplication of any type of service already available in either Four Corners or White Oak.

But, hands down, the number one request was for a Trader Joe’s.  The largest store planned at the center (12,973 square feet) would easily accommodate a Trader Joe’s and the 179 parking spaces planned would be more than adequate.  If you would support a Trader Joe’s at this location, please mention this to the management at any branch of Trader Joe’s the next time you shop there.

Finmarc has not yet signed a single tennant.  Perhaps if we work together, we can get what we want!   ■