Gaithersburg

Dan Bell, a filmmaker from Baltimore,  is best known for his Dead Mall documentary series, cataloguing the 2010s urban decay phenomenon of foreclosured upon/abandoned shopping malls. After years of fans clamoring for Bell to visit Lakeforest, he released his video highlighting the soon-to-be demolished mall in February (video below). The video has been viewed 63k times since it’s release nine days ago. Plans to redevelop the mall were recently recommended for approval by City of Gaithersburg planning staff.


Restaurants

In December we let you know that Red Ribbon Bakeshop, a Filipino bakery chain, is coming to Wheaton. The bakery will be located at 2501 University Blvd W right next to the Anchor Inn sign that still stands. Currently, Red Ribbon Bakeshop has over 200 locations across the Philippines and 39 in the United States. In 2005 it was acquired by Jollibee Foods Corporation, which opened its first D.C. area Jollibee location at Wheaton Mall in 2021. Red Ribbon Bakeshop announced on its social media in November that it is hiring a General Manager for the location and has since added coming soon signage, but there is still plenty of construction left to go inside (photo below). Though we don’t have an opening date, we suspect the bakery to be at least a couple months away from opening.

More about Red Ribbon: In 1979, Amalia Hizon Mercado, husband Renato Mercado together with their five children, Consuelo Tiutan, Teresita Moran, Renato Mercado, Ricky Mercado and Romy Mercado established Red Ribbon as a small cake shop along Timog Avenue in Quezon City. The cakes developed by daughter Teresita Moran are what gave Red Ribbon its prominence in the dessert market of the Philippines. In 1984, it opened its first overseas outlet in West Covina, California. The company began franchising in 1999. Today, there are more than 200 branches all over the Philippines and 39 in the United States as it continues to expand.


Celebrities

https://mocoshow.com/blog/national-cherry-blossom-festival-returns-to-dc-in-april/Lisa Ann Walter, MoCo native and actress who is perhaps best known for her roles as Chessy in the romantic comedy film The Parent Trap and her current role as Melissa Schemmenti on the ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary, has been named the honorary Marshal of this year’s Cherry Blossom Parade that will take place on April 15th (per MyMCMedia)

Walter was born in Silver Spring on August 3, 1963. She grew up in the area and was a 1979 graduate of Blair High School. She later graduated with a theater degree from Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, in 1983. Below you’ll see yearbook photos of Walter, sent in by her former teacher, Carole Chansky Goodman (who is also Blake High School’s first ever principal).


DMV

The Nation’s Springtime Parade, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is returning to Constitution Avenue on Saturday, April 15, 2023. Grand colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers burst down the Parade route in a spectacle of music and showmanship celebrating spring in Washington, DC.

Portions of the Parade (Constitution Ave between 9th & 15th Streets) are free to the public along the route and are first-come, first-serve. The Grand Marshals for the parade will be Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and Montgomery County native Lisa Ann Walter will be an honorary marshal.


Arts

Daniel Ross is an Emmy-winning actor and producer, who is perhaps best known as the third person to ever officially voice Donald Duck. The actors was born in DC, but raised in Montgomery County– where he has quite the “MoCo history.”

Ross has lived in Silver Spring, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Olney, Germantown, and just outside of MoCo in Frederick. He graduated from Springbrook High School and attended Montgomery College in Germantown. Growing up, he frequented Wheaton Plaza and worked for many years at Wheaton Plaza, Target in Rio, and as a store manager of the Blockbuster on Goshen Road in Montgomery Village.


Crime

On March 4 at 10:28 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7100 block of Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland, for the report of an armed carjacking.  The suspect ordered the victim out of her vehicle at gunpoint.  The victim complied and the suspect fled with her vehicle.  The suspect was described as a Black male, skinny, 5’6 to 5’8, 18-22 years old, last seen wearing all dark clothing and a black ski mask.  The suspect’s handgun was described as a small compact black handgun.

The victim’s vehicle was described as a 2023 black Toyota.  The victim was not seriously physically injured. At approximately 4:08 pm, through investigation, the vehicle was located intact in the District of Columbia. Investigation continues under case #230010692 Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


Beyond MoCo

Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal tanker truck crash that occurred early this afternoon in Frederick County. Shortly before noon, troopers from the Maryland State Police Frederick Barrack responded to US-15 North, approximately a half mile north of Rosemont Avenue, for a report of a tanker truck that crashed into a tree and caught fire.

The driver of the tanker truck, whose identity has not been confirmed at this time, was declared deceased at the scene. According to a preliminary investigation, six homes and five vehicles suffered damage from the fire that originated from the tanker truck crash. No other injuries or fatalities were reported as a result of the crash or the subsequent fires. US-15 was temporarily closed in both directions following the crash. The southbound lanes were reopened by 2:30 p.m., while the northbound lanes will remain closed for several hours.


Gaithersburg

The Planning Commission, based upon the findings presented herein and the evidence in the record, recommend approval (with conditions) of Z-9444-2022, the Lakeforest Mall Rezoning & Sketch Plan, to the Gaithersburg Mayor & City Council earlier this week. The Mayor & City Council hold their record open until 5 p.m. Friday March 10, 2023 with anticipated Policy Discussion April 3, 2023 (photos of what’s to come available below).

In a January meeting, WRS Inc. stated plans to demolish “as soon as they can.” Financing requires the mall to remain as an option in case “things go really sideways”, which would have cause WRS to have to look at re-tenanting the mall, but things are looking very optimistic following the recommendation. Previously, WRS mentioned 2024 as a target date for demolition to occur and new construction to begin.


Beyond MoCo

Big Greek Cafe has officially opened its seventh location with the Laurel store, located at 13600 Baltimore Ave, now open daily from 11am until 9pm. This is the local restaurant chain’s second location outside of Montgomery County after opening a restaurant in Urbana in 2022.

Big Greek Cafe opened its first location in Downtown Silver Spring in 2009 and has quickly grown to become a favorite across the county. In addition to Urbana and Downtown Silver Spring, there are currently locations in Bethesda, Hillandale, Kensington, and Rockville. More on the history of Big Greek Cafe:


WMATA

Starting next week, customers and the general public have four opportunities to publicly provide feedback on Metro’s Fiscal Year (FY 24) 2024 budget proposal. All are invited to participate in person, via video or via telephone. Below are details for each hearing date:


Crime

On Friday, March 3, at approximately 7:30 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7700 block of Maple Avenue for the report of a stolen auto.  The victim’s vehicle was stolen from in front of her residence on March 2 at 8:54 pm (per video surveillance).  The outstanding stolen vehicle is described as a 2019 Hyundai Sonata, MD Tag #7FG7703.  Case #230010496

Additionally, on Thursday, March 2 at approximately 8:40 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 6700 block of Prince George’s Avenue for the report of an attempt auto theft.  Two suspects attempted to pry open the driver’s door of the victim’s 2017 Hyundai Elantra without success.  The suspects fled the scene after a resident saw them.


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