Restaurants

Filippo’s Deli (Formerly Marchone’s) in Wheaton For Sale, Owner to Retire

By Patrick Herron

Filippo’s Italian Specialties at 1226 Triangle Ln in Wheaton has been listed for sale. The store tells us that the deli is in great standing and the reason for the sale is that “Filippo is just ready to retire.”   Filippo’s, which operated as Marchone’s until 2014, opened in 1955.  Current owner Filippo Leo has worked at the deli for over 35 years and took over ownership back in 2012, a year after founder Thomas Marchone passed away. In 2020, Filippo’s won the TasteMoCo tournament for “Best Deli” in Montgomery County, beating out 31 other delis that had all been nominated by readers of the MoCoShow to win the award.

From the listing:  “An Absolute gem in the Wheaton community! A well known sub shop/deli that has an amazing and loyal customer base. The deli has stood the test of time with their famous subs and grocery section. The winner of the “Best Deli in Montgomery County” in 2020 by the MoCo Show, they strive to have continual excellence and give the best service they can. With a sizable walk-in fridge and walk-in freezer there is plenty of space for supplies. The store is always left clean and is in good standing with all vendors.”

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Potomac

Mark Wahlberg-Backed F45 Training to Open Potomac Location

By MCS Staff
Courtesy F45

F45 Training, an Australian franchisor and operator of fitness centers based in Austin, Texas, will be opening a new  Montgomery County location in Potomac, joining Germantown and Olney as upcoming locations, with current locations exist in Bethesda and Silver Spring (Google has listed Bethesda as “temporarily closed” for two years).

The fitness center will open at 1087 Seven Locks Rd in Potomac Woods Plaza, taking over the location that was previously home to BB&T bank. The space is currently being renovated and there’s not an opening date currently available.

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Germantown

Planet Fitness in Germantown Undergoing Renovations and Expansion

By Patrick Herron

Planet Fitness at 13031 Wisteria Dr in Germantown has recently begun renovations to the location. Part of the renovations include expanding next door into the former site of Eye to Eye, which relocated to 19520 Waters Rd in Germantown over a year ago. In addition to more gym space, the location will also be upgrading it’s Black Card spa area. We’re told the construction is scheduled to last 11 weeks and the gym will remain open during this time.

In July we let you know that Planet Fitness will be opening a new location at 5520 Randolph Rd in Rockville (Montrose Shopping Center) in the space that was formerly occupied by Gold’s Gym. Though an opening date has not yet been set, we were told today that the current Rockville location at 1776 E Jefferson St in Federal Plaza will close when the new location opens. The new location is currently under construction.

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MCFRS

Gus the Chocolate Lab Rescued From Little Seneca Lake at Black Hill Park

By MCS Staff

Gus, a chocolate lab, got away from his owner on Thursday afternoon and chased a beaver into Black Hill Lake in Boyds. He became distressed while returning to shore and units from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (Quince Orchard FS731, which was training nearby) assisted Maryland National Capital Park Police with the rescue. Gus was successfully rescued and reunited with his owner.

Gus, the dog, Dog chased a beaver into lake, couldn't make it back to land & became distressed. @mcfrs Crews from Quince Orchard FS731 (training nearby) responded, rescued Gus & brought him back for a happy reunion, but wet reunion! https://t.co/AiFbZlb8Xu pic.twitter.com/i5RRWhz60M

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Health

Montgomery County Announces Abortion Access Grants to Community Organizations and Service Providers

By Patrick Herron

Resolution 19-1357 provides grant awards from $50,000 to a maximum of $500,000 for an up to one year (12 month) performance period for the County’s FY 2023 Abortion, Reproductive Health, and Related Services Access (ARHRSA) grants program.   The target population for the grants are organizations that help women seeking access to abortion, reproductive health, and related services as well as the staff providing these services.

“As soon as the draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked in May, we knew that our reproductive rights and abortion providers were going to need additional support and we announced our intention to provide $1 million in County aid through grants to these organizations,” said County Executive Erich. “I am very pleased that we were able to get this grant process up and running so quickly and appreciate the work and input of the County Council, the Department of Health and Human Services and our new Office of Grants Management. These funds will help the women served by caring and compassionate organizations who are protecting their rights, their health, and their choices.”

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Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Taffer’s Tavern Now Open in DC

By Patrick Herron

Taffer’s Tavern, a new restaurant from Bar Rescue’s Jon Taffer, is now open at 700 6th St NW in DC, next to the Capital One Arena.  Known for turning “money pits into money makers” on his reality television series, Taffer promises to bring mouth-watering food, excellent customer service, and the “highest safety standards in the industry” to Taffer’s Tavern.  Jon Taffer is known locally for featuring Piratz Tavern on his show in 2012.  Piratz Tavern (8402 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring), which closed in 2015, was a pirate-themed dive bar where the staff dressed and acted like pirates (video below).

According to the restaurant’s website, “Taffer’s Tavern features unbelievably delicious comfort and elevated tavern foods with some surprises that are prepared using innovative cooking technologies that drastically improve the quality, flavor and consistency of every dish. Our approach is to provide our customers high-quality menu selections in the safest dining environment possible. That is why Taffer’s Tavern is home to the ‘Kitchen of the Future.’ On the way to creating this new concept, Jon recognized the advances in innovative cooking technology that could drastically improve the quality, flavor and consistency compared to the standard restaurant’s kitchen. The kitchen we have designed and created is truly revolutionary.”

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Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks Celebrates International Underground Railroad Month and Harriet Tubman’s Bicentennial

By MCS Staff

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Celebration takes place on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park

Montgomery Parks announces the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Celebration with programs at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park on Saturday, September 3, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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MoCo Government

County Council Seeks Applicants for the Merit System Protection Board

By Patrick Herron

Letters of application must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7.

In additional to Ms. Chiles (Democrat), other members of the Board are Harriet Davidson (Democrat), and Barbara S. Fredericks (Unaffiliated). By law, no more than two of the three members of the Merit System Protection Board may be of the same political party. The appointee for this position may be Republican, Democrat, someone who declines to affiliate with a party, or a member of another party officially recognized by the Board of Elections.

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Health

FDA Authorizes Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines for Use as a Booster Dose

By Patrick Herron

On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration  authorized the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines to be used as a booster dose. According to the FDA, these vaccines “include an mRNA component of the original strain to provide an immune response that is broadly protective against COVID-19 and an mRNA component in common between the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 lineages to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant.”

Regarding availability in Montgomery County, the Department of Health and Human Services tweeted: “Once the vaccines receive final approval from @CDCgov, we must wait for vaccine supply and written guidance from @MDHealthDept. We will keep you posted.”

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Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces Launch of Applications for Maryland’s Global Gateway Program

By Patrick Herron

“The Maryland Global Gateway program removes many of the risks that international companies face when exploring the U.S. market, and we are very pleased to launch this application process,” said Governor Hogan. “Maryland truly is open for business. Our state is worth the attention and investment of even more international companies, and now we look forward to making it easier than ever to forge closer ties with partners across the globe.”

Applications for the Maryland Global Gateway program will be accepted until Oct. 31, 2022. This initial $2 million investment will provide incentives for the first 50 eligible companies, including:

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