New Retail Enhances Kensington’s Streetscape (PHOTO)

More than 10 new businesses recently have opened in the Town of Kensington, enhancing its walkable downtown district. Town leaders say the retailers — which include home furnishing stores, interior design centers, clothing boutiques, restaurants, spas, a barber shop and a coffee shop — reflect the community’s diverse and inclusive nature.

“The Town of Kensington continues to grow as a regional destination for unique, independently owned shopping and dining,” said Kensington Mayor Pete Fosselman, who was recently elected to an unprecedented fifth term. “As more businesses emerge within Kensington, they enhance the quality of life not only for our residents but for all of Montgomery County. I look forward to seeing even further change in our Town.”

Kensington’s renowned Antique Row, a destination for shoppers throughout the region, is located on the east side of Howard Avenue and surrounding streets, including Fawcett Street and Armory Avenue. The community’s broader business district encompasses Howard Avenue on both sides of its intersection with Connecticut Avenue, including an emerging interior design community on Howard’s west side.

New businesses in Kensington include:

Alight Spa Wellness Center
Alight Spa is focused on providing high quality stress relief services such as facials, Thai healing massage and body wraps, paired with the most rejuvenating and effective products like Dermalogica. Visit Alight to see why clients are raving about our products and services, including our Brazilian waxes. Our calm and relaxing atmosphere will melt your stress away!
10335 F Kensington Pkwy
240-406-9033
www.alightspa.com

Bonjour Mama
Located within Kensington Row Bookshop, Bonjour Mama offers a wide range of French-language books and other resources for children of all ages. Because we believe adults set an example for children by reading for our own pleasure, we also carry a small selection for les grands! We serve the French-speaking, -learning and -loving population of the Washington, D.C., area and also carry several books in Spanish and a few in Italian, Mandarin and Arabic. Join us for French playdates, book clubs and other store events.
3786 Howard Avenue
240-383-9163
http://www.bonjourmama.com/

Decorating Den Interiors Carol Donayre Bugg and Team
Imagine the fun and convenience of having everything you need for the decor of your home brought to you! Decorating Den Interiors can help you pull everything together on any size project – all under the oversight of Washington’s Carol Bugg, a designer and author with more than 40 years’ experience in making the world more beautiful, one room at a time. There is no charge a consultation; only for products purchased. Visit Decorating Den Interiors Carol Donayre Bugg and Team for all of your decorating needs.
301-933-7900
10426 Fawcett Street
http://ktown.decoratingden.com/index.html

HomeWorks
Nestled in the heart of Kensington’s renowned Antique Row, HomeWorks sells new accent pieces, new and vintage painted furniture, lamps, prints and other decorative items. HomeWorks is proud to welcome designer Susan Thompson and her line, Re.Enchanted, which features vintage pieces reinvented with a whimsical flair. Come to HomeWorks for a wonderful shopping experience, great ideas and a fun afternoon!
3740 Howard Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895
(240) 669-6773
http://www.kensingtonantiquerow.com/shops/homeworks-kensington/

Java Nation
Located on Connecticut Avenue in Kensington, Java Nation reflects owner Henry Cabana’s South American heritage and love of European-style cafes. By working with local roasters Vigilante Coffee and Room 11, Java Nation offers house blends, single origins and fair trade coffees in addition to teas and a full selection of lunch and dinner items. Now under the direction of Chef Brian Arnoff, Java Nation is proud to offer pastries, desserts and more from Cakelove, Paisley Fig, Puja Satiani Chocolates and Kreider Farms.
10516 Connecticut Avenue
301-327-6580
http://www.java-nation.com

Metro Barber
Founded by trained barber Nam Le, Metro Barber is a traditional barber shop that offers a range of services beyond haircuts to care for today’s man. Visit Metro Barber Mondays through Saturdays to try our razor cuts and facial massage or for all your beard care and trimming. We are dedicated to offering our clients great service at a great value – experience the Metro Barber difference first-hand!
10515 Metropolitan Avenue
301-919-1636

Modern Mobler at Kensington
Mobler at Kensington specializes in Danish & American Mid Century Modern home furnishings — all vintage pieces, primarily from the 1950s to the 1970s. As an extension of Mobler’s flagship store in Washington, D.C., Mobler at Kensington also showcases a carefully curated selection of fine wood furniture for every room, not to mention lamps, paintings, and other vintage decor. Visit often so you can find your perfect piece.
3730 Howard Avenue
571-594-2201
http://www.modernmobler.com/

Nirvana Reflexology Spa
Our reflexologists are skilled in locating stress points to cure common symptoms of anxiety, stress, tension, fatigue, and more. Nirvana Reflexology Spa’s unique combination of natural herbs and special foot rub techniques also detoxifies and purifies your system; try our popular acupressure deep tissue! We offer an upscale, clean, relaxing setting, thorough wellness services and extremely competitive prices. We are sure you will be satisfied!
10534 Connecticut Avenue
301-881-8555
http://NirvanaReflexologySpa.com/#home

On the Purple Couch, A Place to Create
On the Purple Couch is a store with a purpose — to reuse, renew and conserve. An authorized dealer for the internationally known Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan, On the Purple Couch offers workshops taught by store founder Bahia Akerele, a certified Annie Sloan stockist. Specializing in painted furniture, vintage one of a kinds and home décor, On the Purple Couch also features a thoughtful selection of furnishings.
4228 Howard Ave
301-896-0010
www.OnThePurpleCouch.com

Red Persimmon Imports
Red Persimmon Imports sells toys, décor, clothing and other products made in India, Bali, Mexico and Madagascar by socially conscious businesses and traditional artisans. Beyond products, Red Persimmon offers its clients a selection of knitting, embroidery and hand-sewing classes in Kensington and offers unique opportunities to join store founder Katrina Ulrich on guided tours of India.
3800 Howard Avenue (upstairs)
301-676-5826
http://www.redpersimmon.net

Regan & Meaghan
Regan & Meaghan specializes in interior design, furniture rehab, faux painting and all things home decor. Founded by Regan Billingsley of Regan Billingsley Interiors and Meaghan McNamara of McNamara Design, the design studio and boutique features fair trade and USA-made artwork, home accessories, furniture, jewelry and textiles. Regan & Meaghan also offers design and art classes.
4216 B Howard Avenue
301.509.1098
www.ReganAndMeaghan.com

Sage Style
Sage Style specializes in vintage clothing for men and women as well as jewelry and accessories from the 1930s through the 1970s. Stocked with unique, fun and funky finds, Sage Style is the stop for discerning shoppers. Sage Style and its adjacent sister home furnishings store Sage Consignment offer shoppers a unique retail experience: transforming used objects into personal expressions of style!
3730 Howard Avenue
301-530-5723
http://www.sageconsignment.com

Urban Thrift
Urban Thrift offers upscale, nearly new and secondhand clothing, accessories, furniture, music, books and more. Shoppers can browse for bargains and feel great about supporting a worthy cause, because all profits from Urban Thrift are used by The Arc Montgomery County to build inclusive communities which support children, youth, adults and families affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities.
10730 Connecticut Avenue
301-984-5777
www.thearcmontgomerycounty.org

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