Tenant-Landlord Disagreement Leads to Closing Downtown McLean Store

UPDATE: Marvelous Market, a long-time popular business in downtown McLean closed a week ago to the great surprise of its customers and neighboring merchants.

Mina Choukri, the former McLean manager who now works at the MacArthur Blvd. location, said the store closed because they were "unable to come to an agreement with the landlord."

A sign on the door said the Market, located in the Langley Shopping Center,  closed a week ago and moved to MacArthur Boulevard in Washington, D.C.

The Market, in McLean for more than 20 years, met the needs of today's time-starved society. The Market offered sandwiches, salads, cheeses, soups and entrees. You could also pick up wine, bread, cheese, olives and spreads.

Customers could also get a cup of coffee. Read the newspaper or lunch with friends.

They "are looking for another location in McLean," Choukri said. The move is temporary.

Most of the staff from McLean also moved to MacArthur location, which has been open for 12 years, she said.

The landlord is Dan Smoot, who also owns the Salona Shopping Center on the other side of Chain Bridge Road from the Langley shopping center. McLean Patch is trying to reach Smoot.

Marvelous Market's neighbors said they were shocked and saddened by the closing.

Chip Frederick, owner of Flowers & Plants Florist: We are always sad to see any merchant go."

He recalled that this is the third business to leave the Langley Shopping Center in the past few months. Langley Photo moved across the street. McLean 1910, a restaurant, closed two weeks ago.

Arun Pinnamraju, a sales associate at Music and Arts Center: "They had a lot of loyal customers and people were sad to see them go. It was out of the blue. We have customers stopping by and asking what happened," he said.

Molly Gilroy, sales associate, Barston's Child's Play: "It's definitely a sad day for McLean. . . I wish they had given us some notice."

Adam Zemel, sales associate, also of Barston's Child's Play:"Last Sunday I bought a soda from there . .  We are just as surprised as anyone else. . . It was super nice to have a coffee shop next door."

Frederick recalled that more than 20 years ago Marvelous Market was the Baker's Place where they baked fresh bread daily.

Original Story: 11:30 am. Marvelous Market, a long-time business in downtown McLean closed its doors a week ago.

Customers were still arriving at the market Monday morning, a favorite lunch and coffee spot in the Langley Shopping Center. They were surprised to find it gone.

A note in the window says simply they are moving to a new location on MacArthur Boulevard in Washington, D.C.

"We have been privileged with 25 years serving the McLean community," the sign says.

Marvelous Market was located two doors from McLean 1910 which also closed recently.

More details to follow.