Wetzel’s Pretzels has officially begun construction on its upcoming location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. In May, we shared that the pretzel chain was on the way, with signage posted at the site indicating a fall opening. The timeline has shifted slightly, but progress is now underway after Wetzel’s Pretzels recently received its permit to begin building out the space.
Update: Toys “R” Us will open on Wednesday, November 26th. More info here.
A new Toys“R”Us flagship store is expected to open at Arundel Mills mall in Hanover by the end of the month, according to a mall employee who spoke with us on Sunday. While an exact opening date has not yet been announced, the store is described as opening “very soon,” placing Maryland among the first states to receive one of the brand’s new full-scale locations.
Last week, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed legislation authorizing up to $420 million in tax increment financing bonds to help finance Viva White Oak, a $2.7 billion investment featuring more than 3 million square feet of lab space, office/medical office, retail, and over 4,400 quality residences. The 280-acre site, which is located adjacent to the FDA headquarters and near Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center, is expected to begin construction this fall.
“This is a project that has been discussed and planned for a long time, and now we are getting to the point where people will actually begin seeing it take shape,” said County Executive Elrich. “VIVA White Oak will bring thousands of homes, good jobs, restaurants, stores, and other amenities to an area of the County that has needed this level of investment for decades. We found a financing approach that allows us to build the infrastructure needed to make this development possible while using the new tax revenue generated by the project to repay the bonds. I appreciate the Council, our State partners, MCB, and especially the East County residents who kept pushing to get us to this point.”
Anchored by Costco and with a focus on innovation and research and development, Viva White Oak represents one of the largest development opportunities in Montgomery County in recent years. Once completed, the development is expected to generate $4.9 billion in annual economic output and give the County $21 million year in new revenue. Additionally, the new development is projected to generate 19,000 construction jobs and 9,000 permanent jobs.
“Viva White Oak demonstrates the County’s continued commitment to supporting growth and investment in Montgomery County,” said Jared Smith, President & CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “The County’s first TIF gives us another important tool to compete for investment, attract businesses, and create jobs. Montgomery County has tremendous assets and opportunities, and using tools like this strategically will help us translate those strengths into long-term economic growth.”
Viva White Oak is expected to take place in two phases. In phase one, which is expected to be completed by 2031, it will deliver over 960 townhomes, 1,000 apartments, 470,000 square feet of retail space, a 175-room hotel with meeting space, up to 1,279 permanent on-site jobs, and 92,000 square feet of medical office space. Phase two, which will take place between 2033 and 2044, will deliver 1.3 million square feet of life sciences office and lab space, 400,000 square feet of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) life sciences manufacturing, almost 2,500 additional housing units delivered, a 150-room hotel dedicated to supporting innovation, and over 3,800 permanent on-site jobs.
Viva White Oak represents the County’s first use of a TIF and follows a push by Montgomery County to remove barriers and create new opportunities for businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs. In July, the Montgomery County Council approved the Job Creation Project zoning initiative, which is expected to cut permitting time in half for development projects that are in Montgomery County’s key industries—including life sciences and technology— or are expected to create at least 200 local jobs, further showcasing the County’s commitment to powering economic growth in target industries.
The Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) is investigating an incident in which two individuals approached a woman in a parking lot on the 700 block of Hungerford Drive and stole her necklace. The incident occurred at approximately 4:19 p.m. on November 16, 2025, as the victim was getting into her vehicle. (more…)
The Montgomery County Council will hold public hearings on Dec. 2, 2025 and Jan. 13, 2026 to gather testimony on multiple proposed supplemental appropriations, capital budget amendments and program funding changes across several County departments and schools.
We are so excited to be in our new location at 4833 Rugby Ave, Suite 200, Bethesda,MD
Spectrum Acupuncture & Wellness has been serving the MoCO community for over 20 years. We specialize in Women’s Health, Pelvic Floor Care & Chronic Pain. Whether you have been experiencing migraines or neuropathy, insomnia or anxiety, are going thru fertility treatments or in the midlife peri/menopause transition, we are here for you! Call or text for your complimentary consultation and let’s make a plan together to get you where you want to be.
The Ultimate Showdown of Illusion & Hilarity: THE MAGIC DUEL
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Good Counsel alumna and Silver Spring native Margaret “Midge” Purce capped off a remarkable comeback season by helping lead Gotham FC to a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Championship. Purce, who played every minute of the title match, was a major part of Gotham’s run despite suffering a torn ACL just last year.
The Washington Spirit lost a hard-fought NWSL Championship 0-1 to Gotham FC on Saturday night. Gotham’s Rose Lavelle netted the game-winner in the 80th minute.
DC-area television stations NBC4, FOX5, ABC7, and WUSA9 have all released their 2025-2026 winter outlooks, giving residents an early look at what the season may bring. As we do each year, MoCoSnow has compared the four forecasts to highlight similarities, differences, and who is calling for the most, or least, snow across the region.
The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) has released additional information regarding a homicide that occurred Friday in Silver Spring. (more…)
Maman Joon, the fast-casual Persian restaurant known for its home-style kabobs and family recipes, is preparing to open a new location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda within the next week. Preview photos, courtesy of Maman Joon, available below.
Washington Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos has been called up to the Colombia Women’s National Team to continue 2025-26 CONMEBOL Women’s Nations League play, Colombia Football announced recently. The side will take on Bolivia in its third match of the competition.