Business & Tech

Rocklands Confirms Expansion into Max's Ice Cream Space

The barbecue restaurant in Glover Park has long been interested in expanding next door.

Rocklands Barbeque, 2418 Wisconsin Ave. NW, is planning an expansion into the Max's Best Ice Cream space, 2416 Wisconsin Ave. NW, when the ice cream shop closes June 30, according to a post on the Rocklands website and as first reported on neighborhood blog Hyperlocal Glover Park

Max's Best Ice Cream owner, Max Keshani, received a written notice Friday that his lease was being terminated after some 20 years in business at the location.

  • READ: Max's Ice Cream Lease Being Terminated

Keshani speculated to Patch that the neighboring barbecue joint had its eyes on his space.

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In an interview with Hyperlocal Glover Park, Rocklands owner John Snedden confirmed that he will be expanding into the ice cream shop space:

"He says that he has never made a secret of his interest in expanding, if the Max’s building ever came available, but he made no special push to oust the ice cream shop. Rather, the property manager came to him this spring and asked if he were still interested in the space. 'I said absolutely,' Snedden says. 'I’ve been saying that for 22 years.'"

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By Monday afternoon, Rocklands had posted a press release announcing its upcoming expansion.

In a prepared statement Snedden said:

"Since we opened more than 22 years ago, we’ve been barbequing for our customers in a space about the size of a one-bedroom apartment. We are sorry to see Max’s Best Ice Cream go; we’ve always enjoyed having Max’s Best as a neighbor. We are thrilled, however, to be able to offer our guests more space so they can sit with family and friends to eat their barbeque.”

Several neighbors commenting on the community listserv have suggested finding an alternate location for Max's or to help Keshani fight the landlord.

When Patch asked Sunday what he would do if he had to leave, Keshani had no answer.

"I have no alternative," he said.

What do you think about the Max's lease situation? Are your loyalties torn between two local businesses? Tell us in the comments.

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