MCPS

Per MCPS: Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) strongly condemns the abhorrent and unacceptable behavior that occured at the football game last night – on Friday, September 16, 2022 – between Northwest and Gaithersburg at Gaithersburg High School.  The district is swiftly moving to develop and implement enhanced measures for safety at any athletic event and will communicate those to our community in the coming days.

As agreed upon by MCPS and both schools, all football operations at those two schools will be suspended temporarily, to assist in the ongoing investigation. The district will pursue disciplinary actions against any individuals who are found to have participated in this large altercation, while working to bring communities together around the importance of upholding safe and respectful environments.


Colesville

Earlier this month we let you know that Fryer’s Roadside, described as “a traditional walk-up window Chicken Shack/Ice Cream Stand”, was available for sale for an asking price of $150,000. The restaurant has been sold to Chef Ed Reavis and Jennifer Meltzer, owners of All Set Restaurant and Money Muscle BBQ, according to a report by Source of the Spring (statement available below). Details of the sale are currently unavailable.

The restaurant is located at 12830 New Hampshire Ave (former location of Chopaan Kabob House) in Colesville’s Meadowood Shopping Center and has been open for a little over a year. Below you’ll see a statement by the new owners, per Source of the Spring:


Business

Per Governor Hogan:  The governor highlighted the announcement that UNDBIO—a Korean pharmaceutical company with unique proprietary insulin production technology—has leased 25,000 square feet of laboratory space in Rockville and committed $100 million for the research and development and preliminary production of insulin. The company has signed a lease with Twinlabs—a Rockville life science real estate company—to develop a state-of-the-art lab where scientists will produce insulin samples that will require U.S. FDA approval, and eventually enter the U.S. and global markets.

“Maryland is proud to be home to hundreds of life sciences companies that set the bar for biotechnology innovation and fuel our region’s innovative economy, and we are excited to welcome the life-saving work of UNDBIO to Rockville,” said Governor Hogan. “This is yet another shining example that Maryland is open for business and further evidence of our state’s special bond with the Republic of Korea.”


Restaurants

Back in April of 2021, we let you know that Firepan KBBQ started construction at the old Pete’s New Haven Style Pizza location at 962 Wayne Avenue Suite L-B in Downtown Silver Spring. Firepan had its Montgomery County ABS alcohol license hearing on November 4, 2021 previously announced an August 1st, 2022 opening date on its website. That date was then changed to Mid-September, and now just to “2022” according to the website. Not to worry, as Source of the Spring reports the restaurant is now hiring ahead of a planned early October opening.

Per its website, Firepan KBBQ offers a varied KBBQ menu, including both unmarinated and marinated meats, seafood, vegetarian selections like kimchi pancakes, and more adventurous options like beef intestines. The restaurant opened its first location at 6793 Wilson Blvd #c in Falls Church, VA in the first half of 2019. They offer appetizers, meat & grill options, combos, lunch specials, and all-you-can-eat options that range from $24.99 per person to special options for up to $69.99 for 2 people.


Aspen Hill

Tuesday Morning, an off-price retailer of home goods and décor that has Montgomery County locations in Rockville and Aspen Hill, announced that it has entered into an agreement to secure $32 million in convertible debt financing from a special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) formed by Retail Ecommerce Ventures LLC (“REV”), the owner of a diverse portfolio of consumer brands that includes Pier 1 Imports (“Pier 1”), Linens ‘n Things, Stein Mart, Modell’s Sporting Goods, and Ayon Capital, LLC (“Ayon”). Additionally, certain members of Tuesday Morning’s management team, including Chief Executive Officer Fred Hand, are providing $3 million in convertible debt financing.

The deal will lead to Pier 1 products being sold in Tuesday Morning stores, something that hasn’t happened since Pier 1 closed all of its stores in 2020. The proceeds from the parties’ investments (collectively, the “Transaction”) are expected to strengthen Tuesday Morning’s balance sheet and allow it to begin executing an omni-channel strategy, which will now include an ecommerce presence and digital activations to complement the Company’s store footprint over the long-term. The Transaction’s terms also provide for the following:


Retail

Target has announced an exclusive multiyear agreement with iconic toy brand FAO Schwarz to ignite even more magic and inspiration across Target’s unrivaled toy assortment. Starting mid-October, FAO Schwarz toys will be available exclusively at Target stores, Target.com and FAO Schwarz stores. In addition, Target announced the 10th annual Bullseye’s Top Toys list, presented by FAO Schwarz, which includes the most anticipated toys and games from a wide variety of brands available at Target.  Per the press release: With a curated assortment of toys at a variety of affordable prices, more exclusive items and only-at-Target experiences with FAO Schwarz and Disney store at Target, Target will provide guests a one-stop shop for all of their toy-buying needs this holiday season and beyond at all Montgomery County Locations.

“One of the reasons families love shopping at Target is because of our incredible assortment of toys, and that selection is only getting better with our new exclusive agreement with the beloved FAO Schwarz brand,” said Jill Sando, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Target. “From hot new items to time-tested favorites, we’ve curated our annual list of Bullseye’s Top Toys to create an easy, fun and affordable way for guests to find just the right gift for every toy lover on their list. Simply put, there’s only one place parents and gift givers need to shop for toys this holiday season — and that’s Target.”


Events

Field of Screams Maryland, the metro area’s definitive haunted attraction, opens Saturday, Sept 24 and runs through October 31, 2022. Located in Olney, Maryland, this Hollywood-level production includes well-trained actors and an intense fright experience with decor and props not seen outside the movie industry. The event is currently vying for the #1 spot in USA Today’s 10 Best Haunted Attractions in the country.

Field of Screams Maryland has long been lauded as the best Halloween attraction in the DMV, with creative accomplishments that have resulted in multiple #1 rankings across the region. In addition, the creators famously won A&E’s Haunted House Design/Build Competition in 2018. Its flagship attraction is the one-hour walk through the Super Screams Haunted trail, which combines the Haunted Trail and Trail of Terror that features 27 terrifying stations in the darkest of woods as they navigate Chainsaw Hill, the City Morgue, the Catacombs, Laser Alley, and a finale that most run from crying for help.


Gaithersburg

Police were called to Gaithersburg High School at approximately 8:23 p.m. for a fight between the two football teams (video below). Additional units were requested for crowd control and dispersal.

One person was arrested that was in possession of a knife. We don’t have information on whether that person is a juvenile or adult. The game was cancelled and police are working right now to make sure people are leaving the area. We’ll have additional information as soon as it’s available.


Restaurants

Update: Opening date has been delayed

Over a year ago we let you know that Black Lion Café, which has a location in Rockville, will be opening a new location in the Fenton Silver Spring apartments at 8240 Fenton St in Silver Spring. Source of the Spring now reports that the cafe will open its new location on November 1st.


MCFRS

Per Montgomery County: In partnership with Montgomery County’s public safety departments, its Office of Human Resources will hold a two-session Public Safety Career Fair for job seekers 18-and-over on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the County’s Public Safety Training Academy in Gaithersburg. The County is seeking to fill more than 100 positions across the County’s public safety cluster.

The Public Safety Training Academy is located at 8751 Snouffer School Rd. in Gaithersburg. The Public Safety Career Fair will have a morning session from 9-11 a.m. and an afternoon session from 1-3 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/JOBFAIR.


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