A former Chevy Chase coffee shop will soon be alive with the welcoming smell of freshly baked bread and pastries. Kneads Bakeshop & Cafe, already a Baltimore favorite, is preparing to open its first location outside of that city, and DC foodies will be thrilled to learn the chain has chosen the District for its next home, reports the Washington Business Journal.
Kneads will be opening its newest and fourth overall storefront at 5400 Wisconsin Avenue in a 2,000 square foot space previously occupied by Peet’s Coffee. The bakery is family-owned and operated, helmed by Adam, Kira, Shawn and Ryan Paterakis. Kira Paterakis Nissley was kind enough to fill What Now DC in on Kneads’ Chevy Chase debut and why the area appealed to the team, saying: “We like mixed use neighborhoods and the fact it’s a very family friendly area. It’s also less saturated compared to Bethesda.”
Chevy Chase is also in near proximity to Harbor East, where Kneads’ flagship location completes all the baking. Kira explains that the chain is actively expanding to areas in a close driving distance to Harbor East.
Kneads follows the quick-service restaurant model. Guests come in, place their orders at the counter, and grab a seat to enjoy their food.
While DC has its share of great bakeries, Kira is confident Kneads will stand out from the crowd. She explains: “Kneads is an all-day artisan bakery/breakfast/lunch/coffee shop concept. We bake everything fresh every morning. Our quality outdoes any other competitors. We also cook with fresh ingredients, no frozen foods.”
DC diners will be able to taste for themselves next year; Kira says the Chevy Chase location is on track to open in Q2 of 2026.
