Woodland’s Vegan Bistro will take over the space next to The Frame Mender, on the same strip as The Board and Brew, in February, according to College Park Economic Development Coordinator Michael Stiefvater.
The property was once the site of The Maryland Smokehouse, which closed after less than a year because of a lack of customers, Stiefvater said. Woodland’s Vegan Bistro, however, should attract a different crowd, he said.
The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner every day and brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. Its menu offers a wide selection of vegan salads and sandwiches for less than $10.
“From what I’ve read, their vegan food is really good,” Stiefvater said. “They have really outstanding reviews.”
Woodland’s Vegan Bistro has another location on Georgia Avenue Northwest in Washington and serves a broad customer base, assistant manager Lenora Sharp said.
“We have people from all different cultures and ethnic groups coming here,” Sharp said. “We attract people from all over the DMV, as veganism is becoming more popular among all ethnic groups. People are becoming more health-conscious.”
Because the site was previously a restaurant, little work needs to be done other than updating the design, Stiefvater said, meaning Woodland’s Vegan Bistro should open on schedule.
Despite the restaurant positive reviews from Yelp and The Washington Post, freshman Benjamin Studnicky, who lives in the University View, was skeptical.
“I’m sure it’s a good idea for vegans,” said Studnicky, an environmental science and technology and natural resources management major. “I don’t really know many vegans though. I don’t know if it’s a good business plan.”
But Faith Champion, who lives in The Varsity, said this restaurant would be a refreshing change.
“It’s definitely different than having another pizza place,” said Champion, a sophomore enrolled in letters and sciences. “I’m not a big fan of meat, so I’d definitely consider going there, but it would depend on price.”
Though the restaurant serves all vegan-oriented items, it attracts meat-eating and vegetarian customers, too, Sharp said.
“Our menu covers one’s transfer from a carnivore to a vegetarian to a vegan,” Sharp said. “We have a lot of items on our menu that assist our customers in making that transformation, whether it’s a 30-day cleanse or for the rest of their lives.”
Sharp said the restaurant will be a beneficial resource to students.
“I do think location will be very good for students,” Sharp said. “I know [the owners] are trying to reach a broad range, but I think it’ll be good for students because it’s a healthy alternative for them to fast food, and it’s not too pricey.”
Woodland’s Vegan Bistro will be located close to Sweetgreen, which serves make-your-own salads. There is some expected overlap between these menus, Stiefvater said, but the restaurants’ differ enough that they will not compete too much.
Sharp said people from all over the region come to Woodland’s’ Washington location, and she expects a similar attraction to the College Park restaurant.
“Our customer base as it exists now is very excited about the College Park location because it’s closer for them,” Sharp said. “We’re going to maintain the things that make us great: customer service, great food and a great homely environment.”
