Below is a list of restaurants and businesses that will be coming soon to Gaithersburg, MD.
Aloha Poke Co.
Chicago based Aloha Poke Co. has announced that it will be opening a Gaithersburg location. Aloha is a fast-casual style restaurant that serves “fresh-packed and tasty bowls filled with sushi-grade fish and Hawaiian-inspired raw ingredients.” Franchise operator Mary Grace Barnebey is currently considering several options for the location, according to a report by WTOP. Aloha has area locations at 1333 19th St and 50 Massachusetts Ave in NW, Washington, DC.
“Delicious and healthy are two things I aim to provide my family in every meal,” said Barnebey in a press release. “When I decided to bring Aloha Poke Co. to our community, I knew that the menu needed to be aligned with the way I think about taste and nutrition. I also like the franchise support system and the brand’s cornerstone belief of in fast, beautiful, sustainable foods. I am proud to that Aloha Poke Co. will dramatically expand our community’s access to health-minded food options.” An opening timeframe and location has not been announced.
The Container Store
The Container Store, which currently has one Montgomery County location at 1601 Rockville Pike in Congressional Plaza, will be opening a second Montgomery County location in Gaithersburg. The retailer specializes in storage, home office organizers and organization supplies, including custom closets and shelving systems. It provides an experience-driven shopping destination with more than 11,000 organizational products offered.
Representatives from the Rockville location were unable to provide us with any additional details about the exact location of the retailer, but we are told that the vacant space in Downtown Crown next to Woodhouse Day Spa is the likely lcoation. The Container Store recently announced that it will be opening six new small format stores in fiscal 2023 and three new stores in fiscal 2024, with Gaithersburg estimated to open in Winter 2023. The Rockville location is approximately 24,000 SF and the small format stores tend to be approximately 15,000 SF. Visit www.containerstore.com/locationsfor more information about store locations, the product collection, and the services offered. We will have an update with confirmation of the Gaithersburg location being in Downtown Crown as soon as we have it. Below is a list of the six new locations expected to open by the end of 2023.
dd’s DISCOUNTS
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.
EggMania
Opening soon signage is up at EggMania at 385 Muddy Branch Road (previously Curry Place) in Gaithersburg. While no opening date has been announced, representatives from the restaurant tell us they now plan to open this fall. The menu consists of egg-centric Indian street food, including a masala omelet, egg curry, and Goti Fry (sliced boiled eggs cooked with ginger, garlic and chili. Topped with American cheese and onion-tomato based gravy). The restaurant tells us, “There’s lots of misconception when it comes to “EggMania”. In American culture eggs based dishes are primarily used during breakfast whereas in popular Indian street food culture, eggs based dishes are made for entrees and served during lunch / dinner and full menu items, not just breakfast. EggMania is not breakfast place. Hope to serve the community and bring this delicious food options for our MoCo residents and surrounding very soon…!!”
F45
F45, which has been opening locations across Montgomery County with recent openings in Potomac and Olney, is coming to Gaithersburg with an upcoming Kentlands location. The company had pre-Covid plans to make a move into Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront, which fell through, but has signed on to take over the space that was recently closed for a few years and previously home to Subway (between Caspian House of Kabob and the recently closed Edible Arrangements). F45 offers consumers functional 45-minute workouts that are effective, fun and community-driven. F45 utilizes proprietary technologies including a fitness programming algorithm and a digitally-enabled delivery platform that leverages a rich content database of thousands of unique functional training movements to offer new workouts each day and provide a standardized experience across F45’s global franchise. Construction is currently ongoing and no opening date has been announced.
IKEA ‘Plan and Order’
IKEA will be opening a new urban-format concept, “which appear to be the first of their kind in the United States”, according to BizJournals. Per the report, IKEA will open “plan-and-order” points with pick-up at two locations in the DMV– Fairfax Corner in Fairfax and Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The Rio IKEA location will be taking over the space that was previously home to Charming Charlie at 101 Boardwalk Place #102 and could open by the end of the year.
Per IKEA, “Our Plan and Order points are smaller stores dedicated to kitchen, bedroom, and living room planning where you can find home furnishing advice and expertise to help design your ideal space.” You can book an appointment to start your design with a planning specialist, or use in-store, self-service tools to design your own solution. “Whilst there are no items to purchase in-store and take home on the day, for your convenience, purchases made at the Plan and Order points can be delivered to your home or picked up from one of our collection points.”
Kabob N Karahi
Coming soon signage is up Kabob N Karahi at 18232 Flower Hill Way (Previously Aaron’s) in Gaithersburg. We’re told the restaurant should be opening “within the next month.” Kabob N Karahi is a Pakistani restaurant (that serves some Indian cuisine), and its menu consists of a variety of kabobs, curries, stews, and tandoori naan. The Cloverly Village Center location at 15521 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring., opened in 2008 and has become a staple in Cloverly. Per Kabob N Karahi: “Welcome to Kabob N Karahi, Maryland’s best family restaurant to find fresh, casual, authentic Pakistani-Indian kabob and curry cuisine. KNK is completely a Halal restaurant. We use only Halal meat, house sauces and salads are made fresh daily. We specialize in delicious chicken, beef, lamb, kofta kabobs and tikkas as well as Karahi. We provide catering for all the occasions (Birthday,Wedding and Engagement etc).”
Pho28 & Grill, a Vietnamese and Pho style restaurant is coming to 18222 Flower Hill Way (previously Kick’s Karate location). The owner has a sister fast food carry out place called Li’s BBQ located inside of Great Wall Supermarket in Rockville and will expand his Pho concept to a full service sit down restaurant in Gaithersburg. No opening date has been announced.
Pho NOM NOMPho Nom Nom at 18509 N Frederick Ave at Gaithersburg S.C. (that’s the name of the shopping center), at the former site of Pho Viet Saigon is planning on opening in the next few weeks. Pho Nom Nom has an additional location at 842 Rockville Pike. The restaurant specializes in authentic Vietnamese cuisine, including pho, banh mi, noodles and grilled dishes.
Poke Bros
In January we let you know that Poke Bros will be opening its first Maryland location in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood. The restaurant, which opened its first location in 2016 and has since expanded to over 75 restaurants across the country, will be taking over the space that was previously home to Next Day Blinds at 107 Market St W until 2020. Permanent signage was installed earlier this summer.
More bout Poke Bros: After the founders were introduced to the Hawaiian staple on a trip to California. The appeal of this fast and casual—while healthy—concept immediately inspired the founders to begin thinking how they could bring this unique dish to the midwest. From its inception, we were confident the foodies of Columbus would love the poké concept, but wanted to provide an inexpensive and accessible product in the larger market. After some intense research and trial and error, the Poké Bros founders developed their own brand of poké bowl flavor they are proud to share and call their own. Modeling similar assembly line casual dining concepts, we developed a unique way to build your “sushi in a bowl” and have fun doing so! As the poké movement has caught on, Poké Bros has rapidly expanded into multiple states across the Midwest and East Coast, offering the same fresh and authentic cuisine to a wider range of customers. We will continue to stick to our roots, as Poké Bros continues to grow, and offer only the best fresh ingredients that fill you up but don’t slow you down.
Le Macaron
Permenent signage recently went up for French pastry shop Le Macaron at 7 Grand Corner Ave (next to BurgerFi) in Rio. Menu items will include macarons (available in 20 flavors), gourmet chocolates, French gelato, specialty European style coffees, classic French pastries, and homemade candies. According to its website, “Founders, Rosalie Guillem, who was living in Florida and her daughter, Audrey Guillem-Saba, living in France, had a dream to share delectable French macarons with the world and to reunite their family. The family, originally hailing from France, were surprised to find that the American take on the “macaron” was often simply sugar spun into a cookie shape or confused with the familiar coconut cookie “macaroon”. They knew that with a little consumer education, and by treating the American palate to true French macarons, they could bring
Peter Chang
Peter Chang is coming to 637 N Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg, the former location of Ichiban Restaurant. Ichiban closed in September 2021 after 35 years in business. Chef Peter Chang’s signature dishes include Boneless Whole Fish, Dry Fried Eggplant, Crispy Pork Belly, Cilantro Lime Fish, Duck In Stone Pot, and Beef in Sichuan Chili. Peter Chang opened its Rockville location at 20A Maryland Ave in 2016, and Q by Peter Chang opened at 4500 East-West Hwy in Bethesda in 2017. The restaurant is hoping to open by the beginning of February 2024.
Potomac Cookie Co
Potomac Cookie Co is coming to 109A Market St in the Kentlands Square, near Moby Dick and the upcoming Poke Bros. Potomac Cookie is known for its “giant size” 4oz cookies. Flavors include Choco-delight, Da Fudge, Dorothy’s Slippers, Double Dutch, Peebee ‘n’ Yay!, and S’more Love. No opening date for Potomac Cookie Co has been announced. Feature photo courtesy of @potomaccookie on Instagram.
Sportrock Climbing Centers
Sportrock Climbing Centers is coming to Rio, taking over part of the space that was previously occupied by Sport & Health (Dave & Buster’s now occupies the other part of the space). Sportrock opened the first commercial climbing gym in the DC metro area approximately 28 years ago in 1994, when it opened its Rockville. That location closed in 2006, but Sportrock has continued to operate successfully in Alexandria, Virginia. Now, it’s bringing rock climbing back to Rio, where many remember the much smaller walls that were a part of Sportland in the 90s.
WaWa
After initially breaking ground at the site in March 2022, construction of MoCo’s first Wawa at 405 S Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg finally began back in June. The convenience store/gas station will be located at the site of the old Becraft Antiques on 355, across from Gaithersburg High School. We first let you know the news of Wawa’s Gaithersburg location in May of 2019. Competitors Royal Farms and Sheetz have both opened nearby locations.
Update: All travel lanes have reopened on southbound I-270 near Exit 22 for MD-109/Old Hundred Rd. Expect residual delays.
All southbound lanes of I-270 near Exit 22 are currently blocked due to a traffic accident. According to Alert Montgomery, “Severe Traffic Alert – SB I-270 Traffic incident blocks all southbound lanes of I-270 near Exit 22 for MD-109/Old Hundred Rd. Expect significant delays and follow police direction. Seek alternate route.” We will post an update when additional information is available.
Traffic incident blocks all southbound lanes of I-270 near Exit 22 for MD-109/Old Hundred Rd. Expect significant delays and follow police direction. Seek alternate route. #MdTraffic pic.twitter.com/EyJ4x56K0K
— Montgomery Co OEMHS (@ReadyMontgomery) August 31, 2023
Montgomery County Police are investigating a collision that occurred on Wednesday, August 30, in the area of Frederick Road and Gunners Branch Road in Germantown. According to MCPD: “At approximately 9:49 p.m., 5th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for the report of a collision involving a bicyclist. The preliminary investigation revealed that the bicyclist was struck by a silver Acura traveling northbound on Frederick Road.
Detectives are investigating the involvement of additional vehicles in the collision. The driver of the Acura remained at the scene. The bicyclist, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating the collision. A news release will be distributed later today, once more information becomes available. The name of the deceased will be released following proper notification of next of kin.”
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Auto Crime Enforcement Section (ACES) are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two auto theft suspects. On Sunday, August 27, 2023, 2nd District officers responded to the victim’s Bethesda home for the report of a stolen 2018 Black Nissan Rogue. The victim stated that sometime between 6 p.m., on Saturday, August 26 and 1 p.m., on August 27, her car was stolen.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives determined that the suspects used the victim’s credit card at multiple locations. Detectives obtained surveillance photos of the suspects.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect(s) or this crime is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Tips may remain anonymous.
The following message regarding COVID-19 procedures for the 2023-2024 school year was emailed to MCPS staff on Monday, Aug. 28.
“Dear MCPS Staff Members,
Please note that updated COVID-19 procedures for the 2023-2024 school year have been posted on the MCPS website and can be found at the COVID-19 Information Portal, and summarized in the Back-to-School Message linked on that page. I encourage everyone to review district procedures and the additional resources so they can understand their own health risks and make informed decisions. Information about accessing testing and vaccines is also on the MCPS COVID-19 Information Portal. A few points specifically for staff members:
- COVID-19 Vaccination
- Vaccination is strongly encouraged for staff members; documentation of a COVID-19 vaccination or exemption is no longer required. Routine COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated staff members is not required.
- If you are sick with COVID-19
- Employees with a new COVID-19 infection are required per CDC recommendations to isolate at home for a minimum of five days. They can return as early as day 6 if they are feeling well enough, and have not had a fever in >24 hours, and can mask through day 10. After day 6, anyone with two daily consecutive negative COVID-19 rapid tests can end the masking period.
- Online reporting of new positive COVID-19 cases through the MCPS Self-Report tool is no longer required. Staff members should notify their supervisor if they are absent due to COVID-19 and provide documentation of their positive COVID-19 test.
- Staff absence due to COVID-19
- COVID-19 leave expired June 30, 2023.
- Employees should use sick leave if absent due to COVID-19, or other leave as appropriate if due to family member illness or if leave has been exhausted.
- To take sick leave due to COVID, employees should provide documentation of their positive COVID-19 test. For COVID-19 specifically, MCPS Form 440-35 (Certification of Physician or Health Care Provider) will be required for absences 10 days or longer. A reminder that for all other cases of absence due to illness, this form is required for five days or more.
- For more information on leave procedures, visit the ERSC website.
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy school year!
Patricia Kapunan, M.D., MPH
School System Medical Officer”
Churchill has re-established themselves as a very good team over the last two years, going 17-6 and making it to the state quarterfinal last year. They did have an easier schedule that cycle though, and this year they will be put to the test against MoCo’s best. However, early signs seem to indicate they’re up for a fight. David Avit is a human bowling ball and one of the top RBs in a year full of talent at that position. He will be guided by one of the best in the biz, as Dave Mencarini has returned to MoCo after a decade-long absence as the Bulldogs’ OC. Given the RB talent he coached at QO from 2004-13, it should be interesting to see what he will be able to get out of Avit. Junior QB Vasi Hallas looks to be the next man up under center, and senior WR Layton Johnson Jr., who’s picked up a few D3 offers, looks to be his top weapon aside from Avit.
Seneca Valley has managed to reassert themselves as a consistent top 6 team following the opening of their new building, and if it was business as usual for them this past offseason, I’d take them in this matchup in a heartbeat. SV should still field a competitive team this year. Their strength is their backfield, which is probably the most experienced in the county: senior QB Elijah Frazier and RB Jorden Hungerford will both be 3-year starters. Frazier is a frontrunner for all-county QB, and Hungerford is a highly underrated RB who would probably be much more well-known if he wasn’t contemporaries with the likes of Iverson Howard, Gideon Ituka, David Avit, and several others.
Ultimately, the key to this game will likely be who plays better in the trenches. A lot of SV’s biggest losses came from their lines. The overall quality of Churchill’s lines aren’t clear quite yet, but they do have a star OL in senior Jackson Rood who has picked up some D1 FCS offers.
Prediction: Churchill by 13
Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore this week hosted the U.S. Climate Alliance Secretariat for a meeting at the State House in Annapolis. During the meeting, the governor and the alliance discussed the Moore-Miller administration’s action to combat climate change and the path toward reaching Maryland’s ambitious climate goals.
“I see the climate crisis in our neighborhoods every day—it’s why we’re working to supercharge clean energy manufacturing and why we’re working to make our communities more resilient,” said Gov. Moore. “We must do all we can, and we must do it in partnership, to ensure a cleaner, greener Maryland–now and for future generations.”
Governor Wes Moore this week hosted the U.S. Climate Alliance Secretariat for a meeting at the State House in Annapolis.
The United States Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of states and unincorporated self-governing U.S. territories that are committed to upholding the objectives of the 2015 Paris Agreement within their borders. The alliance is working to achieve the U.S. goal of reducing greenhouse gas economy-wide emissions 26-28% from 2005 levels by 2025 and meeting or exceeding the targets of the federal Clean Power Plan.
The Moore-Miller administration made clear its first official step towards combating climate change in January when Governor Moore announced that Maryland joined the U.S. Climate Alliance. That same month, the governor proposed a $422 million investment in protecting Maryland’s environment through programs to support land preservation and operations and capital projects in state parks—along with another $129 million in General Funds to support the transfer tax repayment provision as revised by the Great Maryland Outdoors Act.
In March, Governor Moore announced major offshore wind energy initiatives to build a more economically competitive state. To move Maryland toward achieving its 100% clean energy goal by 2035,the governor announced that Maryland will significantly increase its offshore wind output and prioritize wind energy partnerships to position Maryland to be the country’s leader in offshore wind production.
In April, Governor Moore announced a new partnership between the Maryland Department of the Environment and The Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland to model Maryland’s pathway toward a greener, cleaner state. The announcement came during a roundtable discussion at the State House with climate goal stakeholders including representatives from the Maryland Department of the Environment, University of Maryland, League of Conservation Voters, Maryland Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, and Blink Charging.
The governor also signed several major environment bills into law at the Tradepoint Atlantic facility in Sparrows Point with Ørsted, including the POWER Act, the Clean Trucks Act, and the Clean Transportation and Energy Act
In May, Governor Moore signed an executive order doubling Maryland’s energy conservation goal through state government greenhouse gas reductions, shifting from from a 10% decrease by 2029 to a 20% decrease by 2031. Under the order, all units of state government will, in support of their core missions, implement projects and initiatives to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In June, Governor Moore announced Maryland’s entry into the Biden administration’s National Building Performance Standards Coalition. The coalition will help deliver better buildings for 74 million people while eliminating an estimated 624 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Maryland is one of only three states with statewide building performance standards. The state will require commercial and multifamily buildings that are 35,000 square feet and larger to reduce direct emissions by 20% by 2030 and reach net zero direct emissions by 2040.
In July, Governor Moore announced a major policy shift in how Maryland will deploy state resources to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and other waterways to restore the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays. Under the Moore-Miller administration, Maryland will become the first state in the Bay watershed to embrace the latest scientific recommendations to improve our land and clean our waterways, taking a proactive healthier waterways that are more accessible for Maryland’s communities, more resilient to climate change, and benefit the important industries that depend on the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays.
Maryland’s Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 calls for 60% in emissions reductions by 2031—the most ambitious target in the country. The act requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting more aggressive state goals; requires electric companies to increase gross energy savings; develops energy efficiency and emissions reduction requirements for certain buildings; establishes zero-emission vehicle requirements in the state fleet; and establishes an electric school bus pilot program.
The Maryland Department of the Environment is currently welcoming public input on climate change strategies for Maryland to create a final policy framework and plan that will be delivered at the end of 2023.
According to Gaithersburg Police, “On August 26, 2023 at 3:22 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Bralan Lane for the report of a theft from vehicle.
Responding officers observed two suspects running from the area and pursued after them on foot. One of the suspects was apprehended. Further investigation revealed that the suspects entered and rummaged through multiple vehicles in the area. Located on the suspect who was apprehended was a loaded 9mm handgun. While checking for additional targeted vehicles, officers located a Toyota SUV with out of state registration plates that had bullet holes in it. After conducting a stolen check of the vehicle, it was revealed that the vehicle was stolen out of Montgomery County in July 2023 and was used in an armed robbery in Prince George’s County in August. Any potential connection between this vehicle and the suspects is under investigation.
The suspect, 17-years-old, male from Washington D.C. was arrested and transported to the Central Processing Unit for processing and formal charging.”
Per the City of Rockville: The city is seeking community input as work on Rockville’s first Pedestrian Master Plan continues this fall. The plan will guide the development, construction and maintenance of safe, convenient, and equitable walking and rolling facilities across the city. Walking and rolling describes mobility that does not use motor vehicles, e-scooters or bicycles. This includes walking with or without a white cane, audio-assistance device or walker; running; or using a wheelchair, knee-walker, mobility scooter or stroller. Find video of a staff presentation of the draft plan with the June 28 Planning Commission meeting listing at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter.
View the draft plan and submit comments to city staff via email or through the Pedestrian Master Plan Draft Survey at engagerockville.com/pedestrian-master-plan. The survey asks community members to identify what parts of the plan work well, what changes are needed and what’s missing. All comments will receive a response and will be shared with the city’s Planning Commission and Mayor and Council for their public hearings.
The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the plan on Wednesday, Sept. 13 and vote Wednesday, Sept. 27 on recommendations to the Mayor and Council. The Mayor and Council are scheduled to hold a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 16, a discussion Monday, Oct. 23, and a vote to adopt the plan Monday, Oct. 30.
The Pedestrian Master Plan is a recommendation of the city’s Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan and is included as an action item in the city’s Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate traffic and pedestrian deaths and serious injuries. Learn more about Vision Zero at www.rockvillemd.gov/visionzero.
