New and Coming Soon to Rio in Gaithersburg (November 2023)

Patrick Herron November 21, 2023 at 7:40pm

Below is a list of businesses that have recently opened, or are coming soon to Gaithersburg’s Rio.

Now Open: Sportrock Climbing Centers
Sportrock Climbing Centers is now open at 9811 Washingtonian Blvd suite 300 (former Sport & Health location). Sportrock opened the first commercial climbing gym in the DC metro area approximately 28 years ago in 1994, when it opened its Rockville. That location closed in 2006, but Sportrock has continued to operate successfully in Alexandria, Virginia. Now, it’s brought rock climbing back to Rio, where many remember the much smaller walls that were a part of Sportland in the 90s. The Sportrock founders met while training together at Zich’s (pronounced Zeke’s) Garage, a handmade climbing gym in Washington, DC. When Zich was 19 he was looking for a place to train in the wintertime. Zich convinced his supportive parents to let me build a DIY climbing space in their freestanding car garage. When the demand outgrew the space, Sportrock founders broke off and formed Sportrock’s first location in Rockville (14708 Southlawn Ln) so they would continue to have a place to climb and train together. An opening date is not yet available.

The Sportrock founders met while training together at Zich’s (pronounced Zeke’s) Garage, a handmade climbing gym in Washington, DC. When Zich was 19 he was looking for a place to train in the wintertime. Zich convinced his supportive parents to let me build a DIY climbing space in their freestanding car garage. When the demand outgrew the space, Sportrock founders broke off and formed Sportrock’s first location in Rockville (14708 Southlawn Ln) so they would continue to have a place to climb and train together.

Per Sportrock, “We strive to be a teaching gym that delivers world-class routesetting, exceptional educational programs, and high quality fitness options to support climbers now…and for the future of the sport. That commitment began in 1994 and continues today. And it is the reason we offer:

the TALLEST walls in the Mid-Atlantic
the ONLY IFSC Regulation speed wall in the region
the ONLY multi-pitch training ledge in the country
a BRAND NEW 3,200 square foot fitness center
and the MOST HIGHLY CERTIFIED routesetting team in the industry!

From the group of founders who were simply interested in having an indoor climbing gym they could use year-round – to the incredible staff, extraordinary routesetters, remarkable members, and curious guests – our community is the reason we keep the lights on 363 days out of the year.

We love fostering and supporting our local community and are committed to making climbing accessible to everyone through inclusive and adaptive events. We also donate our services to hundreds of schools and organizations each year.“

Coming Soon: Han Spot
Back in May we let you know that the owner of popular dim sum restaurants China Garden (Rockville) and Han Palace (Tysons, Woodley Park, Barracks Row) announced that she is bringing a new restaurant to Rio– taking over the space that was previously home to Union Jack’s until June 2020. It has now been confirmed by Rio that the restaurant will be known as Han Spot. Construction recently began on the interior of the restaurant, with much of the previous interior being removed (photos below).

Zhu made the initial announcement via social media in May, “Another milestone. New baby from Han Palace coming to Rio Gaithersburg. Next to AMC theater & Guapo’s.” One of Zhu’s other restaurants, Han Palace, offers an all-day dim sum menu. Scallops, shrimp, pork/crab dumplings, rice rolls, barbecue pork buns, lobster sticky rice, Han-style filet mignon, and Peking duck are included on the Han Palace menu. An opening timeframe is not yet available, we anticipate a mid to late 2024 opening being a likely scenario.

Coming Soon: Le Macaron
Permanent signage is up at Le Macaron at 7 Grand Corner Ave (next to BurgerFi). The shop is expected to open in the coming months, and is owned by MoCo residents Natalia Mejia and Camilo Beltran. Le Macaron, a Florida-based pastry shop now has more than 70 locations across the US, with more locations on the way as franchisees are opening in shopping centers like Rio, food trucks, and kiosks in malls. Menu items at the upcoming Rio location will include macarons (available in 20 flavors), gourmet chocolates, French gelato, specialty European style coffees, classic French pastries, and homemade candies.

Coming Soon: Copper Canyon Dining Pier on the Lake
In April we let you know that Copper Canyon Grill is requesting approval for a 1,012 square foot covered dining pier to be located on the RIO Lake. The restaurant submitted its final site plan back in July and the planning commission approved it unanimously in September. Renderings of what the pier will look like can be seen below.

Access to the outdoor dining area/pier will be via two gangways attached to the existing boardwalk. The new structure projects 10′-2″ from the boardwalk and will be 12 feet tall from the finished floor. Gaithersburg Planning Staff supports the proposal for a dining pier in the Rio Washingtonian Lake, finding it in compliance with the approved sketch plan and Schematic Development Plan SDP- 9462-2023. “The dining pier will provide additional outdoor seating for Copper Canyon and will enhance the use of lake. There remains adequate parking for the proposed commercial addition and all applicable development standards have been met.” No timeframe for the pier has been announced.

Coming Soon: IKEA Gaithersburg: Plan & Order Point with Pick-Up
Earlier this year, IKEA announced plans to open new format IKEA stores in Fairfax, Virginia (now open), and Gaithersburg, Maryland, in fall 2023. Right now, it does not look like the location will be ready in 2023.

Signage is up at the Gaithersburg location located at 101 Boardwalk Place Ste 102- the former home of Charming Charlie. This new customer meeting point, called a Plan & order point with Pick-up, will include home furnishing inspiration and personalized interior design planning, with the addition of an IKEA Pick-up point, allowing customers to pick up their purchases made online or purchased at either Plan & order point location. Purchases made at IKEA Fairfax and Gaithersburg can also be arranged to be conveniently transported to a customer’s home or to another convenient point of delivery.