Here’s a look at the latest openings, closings, and upcoming projects at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg.
J.Crew Factory is expanding in Montgomery County, with a new location planned for Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront. The retailer will take over the space previously occupied by Finewine.com (20 Grand Corner Ave., Suite A), which closed at the shopping and dining destination in March. Once open, the store will bring the outlet-style brand’s signature preppy aesthetic and lower-priced apparel options to the waterfront development. J.Crew Factory operates as the value-focused brand under the J.Crew Group umbrella. While it shares the same overall style and look as the main J.Crew brand, the factory line functions as a separate retail concept with its own designs and production.
Construction is underway for Kareem’s Lebanese Kitchen, taking over the former Bach to Rock space at 212 Boardwalk Place. The restaurant currently operates a location in Naples, Florida that opened in February 2018 and has earned a 4.6 Google rating with more than 900 reviews and a 4.4 Yelp rating with more than 300 reviews. Rio says the restaurant is known for its authentic Lebanese flavors, with a menu featuring dishes such as shawarma, fresh mezze, and other Mediterranean specialties.
Upcoming Event: Rio Lakefront will kick off its summer season with a family-friendly Season Opener on Saturday, May 2, featuring the return of its carousel and paddleboats along with a two-day artisan market and activities along the boardwalk. The event will run from 11am to 3pm at Rio Lakefront, while the carousel and paddleboats are set to officially open earlier in the day at 10am. As part of the celebration, visitors can browse more than 50 local vendors at an artisan market curated by Locally Crafted on Grand Corner Avenue. The market will continue for two days, running May 2-3. Other highlights include a Fantasticks mobile cart, a scavenger hunt with prizes, musical performances, kids activities, and interactive experiences by the lake. Guests can also enter onsite for a chance to win a season of carousel rides. The Season Opener is designed as a kickoff to warmer weather at the lakefront, with shopping, entertainment, and family activities throughout the afternoon.
White House Black Market at 129 Boardwalk Place permanently closed on Thursday, April 23. According to the company, White House Black Market is a women’s clothing retailer known for its modern, polished styles, often centered around black-and-white palettes with seasonal color accents. The brand offers a range of apparel including dresses, workwear, and accessories designed for both professional and everyday wear.
Possibly Coming Soon: Peterson Cos. has requested schematic development plan approval for up to 500 multi-family residential units and 43,000 SF of retail uses in four buildings located throughout the Washingtonian Center at Rio in Gaithersburg. Additional information on the proposal can be found here.
