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. ‘Coming Soon’ signage came and went, but the bakery now appears to be very close to opening based on interior construction looking to be nearly complete (photo below). We still don’t have an opening date, but fans may be enjoying sweet treats by the end of the summer. Google lists a September 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.


Arts

Metro will “Hold Up” the final train departing from Morgan Boulevard Station on Sunday night to give the #BeyHive a “Flawless” ride to and from FedEx Field. 

The last Silver Line train toward Ashburn on Sunday night will now depart Morgan Boulevard at 12:04 a.m. instead of 11:34 p.m., allowing concertgoers enough time to walk from the stadium to the station. Metro will make late trains available at transfer stations so customers aboard the final Silver Line train can rely on Metro to get them to their destinations on all lines. All customers in line at Morgan Boulevard at 12:04 a.m. will be accommodated.


Sponsored

Summer is heating up at Good Counsel Athletics!

Our summer camps are filling fast, and only a few spots remain! Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, stay active, or have fun with friends, now is the time to register.

Don’t miss your chance to train with Falcons coaches and athletes this summer. Register today before camps sell out! www.olgchs.org/camps


MoCo Recreation

Montgomery County Rec mourns the loss of former director, Gregory Bayor. In a career spanning 39 years, Greg provided thousands upon thousands of children and adults with quality programs and special events as Director of Recreation & Parks for the Cities of Rockville, MD; Elgin, IL; Baltimore, MD and Montgomery County, MD, culminating with his retirement in late 2017 from the City of Tampa after restructuring the Department, beginning with the redesign of the department logo.

He successfully guided the construction of the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. Some other projects included the renovation of the Roy Jenkins Pool; the creation of Water Works Park & the innovative Perry Harvey Park. He brought the Cal Ripken,Sr Foundation to Tampa to create two parks for At Risk Youth – Baseball at Sulphur Springs & a Multi-Purpose Field at the Glazer Family Field at NFL Y.E.T. Center.


Gaithersburg

Permanent signage is up at dd’s DISCOUNTS (18236 Contour Rd) in the Montgomery Village Plaza shopping center in Gaithersburg. The store will be located in the former space of Marshall’s, which relocated to Gaithersburg Square in 2021.  dd’s is owned and operated by Ross Stores, Inc and items for sale at its locations are similar to those found in other discount retailers. This will be the first dd’s location in Montgomery County.  While no opening date has been announced, the store is now hiring and construction on interior appears to be complete.

About: dd’s DISCOUNTS opened its first store in 2004 as the place to shop and save in your neighborhood. We’re part of the Ross Family, so our buyers know all about delivering great deals every day on clothing shoes home decor fashions toys and much, much more. We have the looks and brands you love at prices well below other retailers.


Restaurants

Sarku Japan will be returning to Wheaton Mall, opening in a location just outside of Costco, near the relatively new Sydney’s Burger. Sarku Japan is often found inside of malls and has a mall location in Bethesda’s Montgomery Mall. It’s other MoCo location can be found a standalone store (located within a strip mall rather than in a food court) in the White Oak shopping center. The chain offers made-to-order teppanyaki-style Japanese dishes cooked on sizzling grills as well as a limited amount of sushi rolls.

History of Sarku: “In Japan, lunches are often taken quickly from small stalls where freshness and quality are key. Shops value their reputations very highly. This was the same dedication of our founders when they opened the first Sarku Japan in 1987.


Beyond MoCo

Metro Transit Police has announced the arrest of Adrian Barnes, 29, by MTPD July 29 at Fort Totten Station. Barnes was charged with ‘Attempted Second Degree Rape’ that occurred at the Shady Grove metro station last week. According to police, he will also be charged with ‘Assault’ and ‘Fugitive from Justice.’

Prior to his arrest, Metro Transit Police provided the following information: “Victim reported the suspect, identified as Adrian Barnes, approached her from behind as she was getting in her car. The suspect forced her to the ground, then attempted to rape her. The victim fought off the suspect and ran from the garage to get help.”


Gaithersburg

First Watch, a tenant of the Muddy Branch Square Shopping Center, located at 802 Muddy Branch Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, was granted a major sign waiver by the City of Gaithersburg to accommodate a second principal sign. The major waiver is needed to allow the replacement of the secondary signage that First Watch has utilized since they opened their location. Current code only allows one sign per business.

The proposed second principal sign consists of internally illuminated channel letters mounted to a finished backer panel, installed on existing roof brackets. First Watch is in the process of investing more than $100 thousand in the renovation of their Muddy Branch location in an effort to drive business to their restaurant. The renovation includes new signage, replacement awnings, and an updated interior for diners to enjoy.


Maryland

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced $6.3 million in funding to protect against hate crimes and to enhance local police recruitment and retention efforts through the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services.

“Every Marylander has a role to play in combating racism, bias and hate and in keeping our communities safe,” said Gov. Moore. “Through this funding, we will help support both our community partners and our law enforcement partners as we work together to build a stronger, safer Maryland.”


Health

Maryland law requires students to be vaccinated against a variety of diseases. Students who do not have proof of the required vaccinations on the first day of school must show proof of a vaccination appointment scheduled within 20 calendar days. The back-to-school vaccine offerings include:

County-operated vaccination clinics are scheduled:


Maryland

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is pleased to announce appointments to the newly formed Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention. The Commission is composed of 20 stakeholders from a cross-section of law enforcement, state and local institutions, and organizations representing communities targeted by hate crimes.

During Attorney General Brown’s first 100 days in office, he successfully pursued several key legislative priorities focused on his mission of justice and equity, including the transformation of his office’s existing Hate Crimes Task Force into a permanent body known as the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention. In May, the General Assembly passed HB1066, creating the Commission that now offers Marylanders a permanent, long-term mechanism to address hate crimes at the state level. Governor Wes Moore signed the bill into law, and the Commission went into effect in June.