Coming Soon to Rio in Gaithersburg (Spring 2024 Edition)

Below is a list of businesses that are coming soon to Gaithersburg’s Rio.

Copper Canyon Dining Pier on the Lake
Construction is underway on Copper Canyon Grill’s 1,012 square foot covered dining pier to be located on the RIO Lake.  Access to the outdoor dining area/pier will be via two gangways attached to the existing boardwalk. The plan is for the dining pier, referred to as an annex barge by Copper Canyon Grill, to be ready “just in time for the warmer months.” Renderings of the pier, as well as a photo of the construction can be seen below.

Per Copper Canyon: “Our Gaithersburg location is undergoing some exciting renovations! Pretty soon you’ll be able to enjoy all your Copper Canyon favorites right on the water. We regret that the view from our patio will be obstructed while we improve your dining experience, but the main restaurant is still open and operating normally in the meantime and we can’t wait to serve you!”

TOUS les JOURS
Coming soon signage is up for TOUS les JOURS, a French-Asian bakery that will be taking over the space previously occupied by Corner Bakery in Rio. Corner Bakery closed back on February 22nd after nearly 25 years in business at the location.

Last year, TOUS les JOURS opened a location inside of New Grand Mart (13069 Wisteria Dr) in Germantown. The majority of TOUS les JOURS are independently owned and operated and the Germantown and upcoming Gaithersburg location are not affiliated. The French-Asian Bakery features a variety of breads, pastries, and cakes that are baked in-store daily, as well as a wide selection of coffee/espresso based drinks and teas.  There is no word yet on when the bakery plans to open.

Courtesy @touslesjoursusa on InstagramHan Spot
Coming soon signage is up for Han Spot. The restaurant will be located in the space that was previously home to Union Jack’s until June 2020. Han Spot is being opened by Chris Zhu, owner of popular dim sum restaurants China Garden (Rockville) and Han Palace (Tysons, Woodley Park, Barracks Row). Construction began a few months back with the previous interior being removed and now the restaurant is working on constructing the new space.

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.

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
In November, we let you know that Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is coming to 201 Boardwalk Place in Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront. Construction recently began at the space (photo below). It will be taking over the space that is currently the temporary home of Locally Crafted and was previously home Joseph A. Bank. An opening timeframe is not yet available, but a summer or fall opening is possible if construction progresses in the coming months.

Lobster rolls, lobster (or shrimp) salads, lobster BLT, lobster grilled cheese, lobster mac and cheese, potato salad, lobster bisque, clam chowder, and more are all part of the fast-casual restaurant’s menu. Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls has been rapidly expanding since opening its flagship Annapolis, Md., location in 2014. The fast-casual franchise has made lobster-lovers out of seafood fans by opening additional locations in Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C., Washington state, Texas, Virginia, and more. For more information, please visit Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls site.

Locally Crafted
Locally Crafted closed its doors  storefront at 201 Boardwalk Place in Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront on December 24th, 2023. At the time they announced a new location coming in the spring and now we know they’ll be moving in to 9 Grand Corner Ave.- the space that was recently home to Francesca’s, which closed permanently on February 3rd.

About Locally Crafted: “Locally Crafted is a community space where artists can showcase their unique products.  Customers will experience seeing the items in person, rather than through an online store, giving them the opportunity to feel and see the quality in person.  Locally Crafted appeals to customers who value unique items and prefer supporting makers from their own community over national corporate big chain stores.

“We are THRILLED to announce our new storefront location! In April, we’ll be re-opening Locally Crafted at 9 Grand Corner Avenue @riolakefront (the space formerly occupied by Francesca’s)

No exact re-opening date yet, but we’re hoping to be back in business sometime in April and will definitely keep you all posted!

Although we’ve really missed our customers and vendors during this break, we’re so excited to have a brand new permanent home at Rio. And we’re looking forward to making our space even better than before!