Franchising

Chaia opening DC pop-up location

Provided

July 22, 2021

Chaia, a plant-based concept headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, has signed the lease for its thirdlocation, a pop-up shop slated to open this fall in the heart of Bethesda at 7237 Woodmont Ave.

Since launching Chaia in 2013 as a "farm-to-taco" stand at DC area farmers' markets, female founders Suzanne Simon and Bettina Stern have been on a mission to inspire people to eat more plants to benefit not only their health but also the health of the environment.

"The enthusiasm and local following we've gained over the years have inspired us to bring our delicious, plant-forward tacos to Bethesda," Stern said in a company press release. "As entrepreneurs, our purpose is to come up with transformative, consistently new ideas that solve real problems and leave the world a better place. With our new shop's location near an array of fitness offerings — including its close proximity to where walkers, runners, and bikers access the Capital Crescent Trail — we're joining a community that's as passionate about health as we are, making it the ideal venue for us to test fresh ideas that will move our mission forward in a big way."

Like its Georgetown and Chinatown shops, the brand's third brick-and-mortar location will feature tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, sweet potato nachos and sides that include black beans and herby green rice. For the first time, the menu will offer a "kids' meal" with an emphasis on getting children to eat more vegetables.

"After the toll the past 18 months has taken on neighborhoods across the DMV, the presence of our mission-driven, locally-grown small business in downtown Bethesda, a center of commercial activity, sends an important signal that people are hungry to rebuild their communities in a meaningful way," Simon said. "We're honored to help lead the way, and will do so by continuing to ensure that our company culture — how we serve both our customers and our employees – reflects our values of quality, seasonality, sustainability and hospitality."