If you’ve driven through the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Plyers Mill Road in Kensington, you’ve likely watched that prime corner sit half-used for years. First a shuttered gas station, then a gravel lot pressed into service for seasonal retail sales, it spent a long stretch as Kensington’s answer to "what do we do with this space?" For a long time, the answer remained: nothing.
However, that corner was never destined to become a vibrant dining destination with Marathon Deli and Mezeh by default. Before any restaurant ever signed a lease, a developer tried twice to build a massive 141,433-square-foot self-storage facility on the site – and the town rejected the proposal both times.
What Almost Went There Instead
In 2019, a developer filed a conditional use application to construct a storage facility at 10619 Connecticut Avenue, featuring plans by an architectural firm. The application went before a Hearing Examiner, who denied it that October after finding the proposed industrial use inconsistent with the goals of Kensington’s 2012 Sector Plan. The developer pushed back and requested oral arguments before the Board of Appeals, but the Board reaffirmed the denial in November 2019, officially shelving the project.
That rejection carries far more weight than a typical zoning footnote. Kensington’s Sector Plan lays out a clear vision for a walkable, vibrant, mixed-use Town Center – a place where residents can park once and visit a bakery, a bank, and a bookstore on foot. A massive storage building at the town’s primary crossroads would have effectively walled off a crucial gateway with a structure that generates virtually no foot traffic. The 2019 zoning victory ensured that this key lot remained available until a more community-focused development came along.
What's Actually Moving In
What was once described by county planners as a vacant gas and service station has been transformed into Crossroads at Kensington. This new 11,000-square-foot retail development spans two modern structures, thoughtfully designed with storefronts set close to Connecticut Avenue and parking discreetly positioned in the rear – the exact opposite layout of a storage warehouse.
The tenant list, signed as construction progressed through 2024, includes:
- Marathon Deli, the Greek sandwich shop that has been a University of Maryland fixture in College Park for decades, returning to Montgomery County with a Kensington storefront
- Mezeh, the fast-casual Mediterranean chain known for build-your-own wraps and grain bowls
- Buffalo Wild Wings GO, a scaled-down takeout and delivery format rather than a full sports bar
- M&T Bank, which is not new to Kensington but is relocating from its current branch on Howard Avenue into the new building
The relocation of M&T Bank is particularly noteworthy. Moving a branch just a few blocks within the same town isn't about entering a new market; it's a strategic decision that a prominent, updated storefront is worth the investment even without expanding the customer base. It stands as a strong vote of confidence in this key intersection from an institution with high real estate standards.
A Different Kind of Turnover on Kensington Parkway
Just a few blocks away on Kensington Parkway, a distinct transformation unfolded on its own timeline. In April 2026, Breads Unlimited and Pizza opened its second location at 10303 Kensington Parkway – taking over the former Growing Years Consignment Shop right next to neighborhood staple The Dish & Dram.
Breads Unlimited is no corporate chain. Founded in 1981 by Steven Raab, it has long been a beloved fixture on Arlington Road in Bethesda. Today, under the ownership of Jose Roberto Molina – a former longtime employee who purchased the business – the bakery has expanded to Kensington. The new venue pairs the original Bethesda menu with an expanded line of breakfast and lunch sandwiches alongside a new pizza program.
This represents true business succession rather than typical chain expansion. Rather than a corporate strategy session, a local entrepreneur who built his career from within chose to invest in Kensington, establishing a footprint next to a thriving gastropub that has drawn locals since 2016.
Why Two Very Different Things Are Happening at the Same Time
These two openings highlight a compelling narrative. One location materialized after a multi-year zoning effort opened the door for national commercial tenants in a purpose-built retail center. The other came to life when an independent owner saw opportunity in a vacant consignment shop. Though driven by different paths, both arrived during the same period of growth.
Both developments reflect a core market reality: Kensington has a tight supply of commercial retail space. Built around a historic train station and a compact commercial core, the town leaves little room for excess inventory. When a prominent corner undergoes years of review and available spaces near established hubs are quickly claimed, it underscores how competitive local real estate remains. Businesses here aren't choosing from dozens of vacant storefronts – they must act decisively when prime opportunities arise.
For residents who watched this intersection sit behind chain-link fences and host temporary pop-up tents for years, seeing a permanent retail hub take shape is a welcome milestone. It also serves as a reminder that when commercial space becomes available in town, there is almost always a compelling story behind it.
If you’re watching these local shifts and considering what your own Kensington property is worth in a market where commercial space is closely watched and rapidly filled, the team at Corcoran McEnearney knows this corridor block by block. Reach out today to discuss how these local real estate dynamics impact your property goals.
