district dabblelab

BETHESDA, MD

Emily Rubin had been running her process art studio, District DabbleLab from her home basement in Bethesda for four years when she knew that she desperately needed a dedicated brick and mortar space. Not only had her afterschool programs been maxed out for years, but Emily needed space for private parties and retail sales. Despite the fact that Emily was a Bethesda native and her business was already operational, her solo attempts to lease a space were unsuccessful over and over again, and Emily was losing patience fast.

Emily’s friend, another retail real estate broker, recognized the telltale signs of a first-timer being shut out of the system and referred her to Pedal. We worked together to create a Powerhouse Business Plan that explained in technicolor detail how District DabbleLab would evolve from a home-based business and thrive in a high-profile retail space in a busy Bethesda shopping center. When it came time to search for the perfect space, Emily had very tight criteria and her patience paid off when we signed an LOI on a space in between a Starbucks and a Giant in a nearby redevelopment.

The road from LOI to signed lease was anything but smooth, but Pedal stood by her every step of the way. Our dual-lens approach of realistic retail operations experience and best-in-class brokerage representation combined with some “real talk, always” and whole lot of “where there’s a will, there’s a way” kept Emily on track for almost three years, and in May 2025, District DabbleLab at Westbard came to life.

Working with Abby and Sheila at Pedal Retail Advisors was the best decision I made while launching District DabbleLab. They were more than brokers—they were true partners and advisors.

They took the time to understand my business and vision, and helped shape a strong business plan and financial projections that gave me the confidence and credibility to move forward. Their insight was invaluable, especially as a first-time retail tenant.

They guided me through every step—from evaluating locations to negotiating the lease—always focused on what was best for me and the long-term success of my business.

I’m now in a space that perfectly fits District DabbleLab, and I know I couldn’t have done it without them.

Pedal Retail Advisors is the gold standard.

emily yeskel rubin, owner