Gaithersburg Archives - Page 228 of 411

Gaithersburg Book Festival Will Feature More Than 135 Authors—Including Humorist Dave Barry—This Saturday, May 20

Published May 17, 2023 at 3:17PM

Per Montgomery County: The Gaithersburg Book Festival, which since its inception in 2010 has evolved into one of the nation’s premier book festivals, will offer the opportunity to hear more than 135 authors for free from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. Among this year’s feature authors will be humorist Dave Barry.

Among this year’s featured guests at the festival’s numerous pavilions will be the author of dozens of best-seller humor books Dave Barry (4:15 p.m.); poet Fran Abrams (4:15 p.m.); romantic comedy author Sarah Adler (11:15 a.m.); children’s authors M.T. Anderson (10:15 a.m.), Tom Angleberger (10:15 a.m.) and John David Anderson (11:15 a.m.); thrillers author E.A. Aymar (2:15 p.m.); mystery writers Andrea Bartz (1:15 p.m.) and Julia Bartz (4:15 p.m.); and fiction writer Louis Bayard (12:15 p.m.).

Update: Aldi and Sheetz Coming to the Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Published May 17, 2023 at 1:59PM

Earlier today, we reported that the Walnut Hill shopping center in Gaithersburg (16529 S Frederick Ave) is “at lease” with a new grocer to take over the 21,000 SF spot that has previously been home to Weis, Bottom Dollar, and Food Lion. We can now confirm that both Aldi and Sheetz have finalized deals to come to the shopping center.

Granite Canyon Partners, a local real estate investment group, is partnering with Standard Properties, the original/current owners of Walnut Hill, with the redevelopment of the shopping center. Granite Canyon tells us that bringing a grocery store back to the shopping center was their number one priority and that the redeveloped Walnut Hill will have a modernized look and feel that includes a large mural facing 355 and nine electric vehicle charging stations.

Contents of Lakeforest Mall to Be Auctioned in June

By MCS Staff

Published May 17, 2023 at 12:31PM

If you’ve ever wanted to own a piece of Lakeforest Mall, you will have your chance in late June as items from the mall will be available via auction, per Capital Auctions. The listing posts soon, so it is unclear what items will be available, but you may be able to purchase fixtures from stores, decorative pieces, and more. Interested parties will be able to preview the items on Wednesday, June 21st and pick up items they win via the auction between June 26 and June 30th. We’ll have additional information once the auction goes live.

Lakeforest Mall closed permanently to the public on March 31st, after almost 45 years. The mall first opened on September 12, 1978. At that time, the mall’s anchor stores were JCPenney, Sears, Woodward & Lothrop, and Hecht’s. The mall was one of the first in the United States to feature an indoor ice skating rink on the lower level, in the “H section”, along with being the biggest indoor shopping mall in the county at the time of grand opening. The ice skating rink was replaced by a NTI Theaters movie theater in 1984, later renamed Cineplex Odeon Lakeforest 5, then by a food court, which now occupies the space. The mall was built on top of Lake Walker, a park on the property prior. The mall opened with approximately 30-50 stores, with some of the first stores being relocated from the then nearby indoor Village Mall (now an outdoor strip mall called Montgomery Village Center since 1991) and absorbed onto the property.

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 15-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published May 17, 2023 at 11:16AM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Emily Velasquez, a missing 15-year-old from Gaithersburg.

Emily was last seen on Monday, May 15, 2023, at approximately 11 p.m., in the 19300 block of Pointsetta Court in Gaithersburg. Emily is approximately 5-feet, 5-inches tall and weighs 150. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Gaithersburg Teen Donates Nearly 15,000 Books to Pediatric Cancer Patients

By Patrick Herron

Published May 17, 2023 at 10:08AM | Updated May 17, 2023 at 4:43PM

After her father was diagnosed with stage four thyroid cancer in 2019, Emily Bhatnagar began For Love and Buttercup, a pediatric book drive for children with cancer. Bhatnagar, a 2022 graduate of Quince Orchard High School, purchases books by using the tips she earns from working at her parents’ small bread shop, Monsoon Kitchen in Gaithersburg. A large portion also come from donations made through her Amazon Wishlist.

If you would like donate, visit the For Love and Buttercup Amazon Wishlist or send a direct message to @forloveandbuttercup on Instagram.

City of Gaithersburg Accepting Applications For W. Edward Bohrer Memorial CHARACTER COUNTS! Scholarship Program

By MCS Staff

Published May 17, 2023 at 7:24AM

Scholarships are awarded each spring to deserving high school seniors based on the embodiment of the Six Pillars of Character, personal merit, financial need, and the student’s commitment to further education. Since the program’s inception in 1998, 95 students have received more than $170,000 to help with their continuing education costs.

Former Gaithersburg Mayor Ed Bohrer was enthusiastic about CHARACTER COUNTS! Representing the City, he joined staff in advocating for the program and sharing Gaithersburg’s experiences with other communities in Maryland. Sadly, Mayor Bohrer passed away in office in 1998. In tribute to his commitment to character education, the W. Edward Bohrer, Jr. Memorial CHARACTER COUNTS! Scholarship Program was established with the support of his family that year. The scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the City’s Educational Enrichment Committee.

Gaithersburg’s Walnut Hill Shopping Center Negotiating a Lease With a New Grocer

By MCS Staff

Published May 17, 2023 at 7:21AM

The Walnut Hill shopping center in Gaithersburg (16529 S Frederick Ave) is “at lease” with a new grocer to take over the 21,000 SF spot that has previously been home to Weis, Bottom Dollar, and Food Lion. We will let you know as soon as the lease is fully-negotiated between the grocer and soon-to-be renovated shopping center.

Additionally, the shopping center is negotiating with a pad site that will be built in the parking lot close to 355 on the south side of the shopping center, in front of New Fortune and H&R Block. While there is no confirmation on who the grocer and new pad site will be, there has been speculation that it will be Aldi and the city of Gaithersburg’s (and Montgomery County’s) second Sheetz location, according to The MoCo Source (see posts below). Featured photo courtesy of klnb.

Update on Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen in Rio

By Patrick Herron

Published May 16, 2023 at 7:28PM

Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen at 229 Boardwalk Pl. in Gaithersburg has announced it will open in two weeks. The restaurant posted the following message on its Instagram page on May 16: “We are excited and proud to announce that we are two weeks away from opening. Join our constantly growing team. Please send all resumes to the email address above. We will be accepting in-person interviews starting next week. Be a part of the Miskiri Hospitality Group and join our 7th location!”

The restaurant is part of Jeffeary Miskiri’s Miskiri Hospitality Group, which describes itself as a unique collective of Black, family and woman-owned products and restaurants in the DC area. Miss Toya’s will be located in the 2,741SF space that was previously occupied by BGR and serve southern-influenced dishes such as red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese, and a southern fried chicken sandwich. . Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen in Rio will be a fast-casual restaurant, while the Miss Toya’s Creole Kitchen at 923 Ellsworth Dr in Downtown Silver Spring is full-service (wait staff, etc.) We will post an update when the opening date is announced. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

Carnival Returns to Lakeforest This Month

By MCS Staff

Published May 16, 2023 at 11:13AM

The Jolly Shows Carnival will be at Lakeforest (701 Russell Avenue) in Gaithersburg from May 17th through May 28th. There will be over 30 attractions, including carnival rides, games, and food wagons.

According to the Jolly Shows Carnival website, “We are a new generation of carnival operators who strive to be more progressive and professional. We realize that we must produce a premium product for our customer’s hard earned money. We won’t forget our proud traditions, but we are committed to overcoming the stigmas which have hindered our industry for far too long.” Ticket information below:

Kentlands Baby Bar Aiming For June Opening

By MCS Staff

Published May 16, 2023 at 7:31AM

Back in April, we let you know that Kentlands Baby Bar was coming soon to the Gaithersburg neighborhood. Signage is up and the cafe for babies and toddlers is planning a June opening. It will open at 375 Main St. in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood.

Carolynne Nowrouzi, founder/owner of Baby Bar, was raised in MoCo. She wanted to provide a space where parents can go with their young children to enjoy a space where they can each grab a bite and just play. The space will offer “food, fun, and socializing” where “you enjoy a coffee and a bite, while your little ones get yummy food and a baby-friendly place to play!” Baby Bar Kentlands will offer fresh fruits and veggies and will have options for babies (puréed or chopped), food for kids like grilled cheese, egg bites, croissants, and more, and food for adults like bagels, muffins, fruit bowls, and more.

Gaithersburg Announces Plans to Acquire Building in Olde Towne

By MCS Staff

Published May 15, 2023 at 7:03PM

Per the City of Gaithersburg: Gaithersburg is pleased to announce its plans to acquire the vacant parcel 8 S. Summit Ave. and the building at 12 S. Summit Ave. in Olde Towne. The Mayor and City Council will vote on the resolution to acquire the locations at tonight’s Mayor and City Council meeting. The public may attend in-person at City Hall or virtually. Registration is required to watch and comment via Zoom. Register online here. Registration is not required to comment in-person.

“The opportunity to acquire 8 and 12 S. Summit Aves. came at a perfect time,” said City Manager Tanisha Briley. “We anticipate that the City’s workforce will continue to grow, and this new location will give us the opportunity to modernize our workspace and meet the needs of our growing team and community.” The acquisition of 12 S. Summit Ave. will also allow the City to co-locate various public facing services that are currently spread throughout various facilities, resulting in a better and more accessible customer experience for residents, businesses and visitors. This investment further demonstrates the City’s commitment to Olde Towne and its residents.