Permanent signage is now up at TaKorean, a Korean taco grill that is taking over the recently-closed Nalley Fresh location at 261 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg. The restaurant offers Korean style tacos and bowls. This will be TaKoreans first location outside of D.C and the company is aiming for an early May opening.

The line-style restaurant was operating five locations at once, a few years back, but now there are just two TaKorean locations open in Washington, D.C. According to RestaurantDive, TaKorean is currently looking to open one restaurant at a time with future franchisees, and wants to ensure success at its initial franchise locations to create a strong base for a burgeoning franchise program. The company is open to multi-unit deals, but isn’t seeking them out. TaKorean is currently casting a wide net for potential markets, and once it sees brand recognition and franchisee interest in a particular market, it expects to build up that area, Lenard said. TaKorean is flexible on potential restaurant sizes, depending on a market’s real estate conditions.


The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that the first Narcan product has been approved for use without a prescription.  Narcan is used to treat opioid overdoses in emergency situations. The FDA granted the over-the-counter approval of Narcan to Gaithersburg based Emergent BioSolutions.  Per the FDA: Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan, 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use – the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription. Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose and is the standard treatment for opioid overdose. Today’s action paves the way for the life-saving medication to reverse an opioid overdose to be sold directly to consumers in places like drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as well as online.

The timeline for availability and price of this OTC product is determined by the manufacturer. The FDA will work with all stakeholders to help facilitate the continued availability of naloxone nasal spray products during the time needed to implement the Narcan switch from prescription to OTC status, which may take months. Other formulations and dosages of naloxone will remain available by prescription only.


Josh Thurmond, a 1994 graduate of Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg native, is the inventor of LavaBox Portable Campfire– a new style of portable fire pit that’s built in a military-style ammunition can and was “created to combat climate change and reduce wildfires.” LavaBox has made waves, or fires, since its inception in late 2020, and now Thurmond will take it into the Shark Tank on Friday, March 31st at 8pm.

In addition to being the inventor of LavaBox, Thurmond is also the “Chief Eruption Officer” and in charge of making sure every LavaBox gets out the door to you. Per the LavaBox website, “When he is not making LavaBoxes, he develops outdoor adventure programs for people with disabilities at the National Sports Center for the Disabled. He also volunteers for Team River Runner and sits on the Board for the Colorado Whitewater Association. Needless to say, if you are looking for him, he is probably surfing on his SUP or doing enders on a sweet eddyline.”


Per the City of Gaithersburg: The City announced today that City Clerk Doris Stokes was named the Maryland Municipal Clerks Association (MMCA) Clerk of the Year for 2023. With more than 28 years of service in municipal government, Stokes demonstrates the qualities, experience, and characteristics deserving of this recognition.

A long serving member of MMCA, Stokes held the role of vice president from 2018-2022 and was part of the Region II Conference Planning Committee in 2014, 2018, and 2023. She was instrumental in planning MMCA’s 2018 Region II Conference, which was held in Gaithersburg, Md. In addition to MMCA, Stokes has dedicated time to the Maryland Municipal League and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks Association.


Per Montgomery County Public Schools: The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments:

Robert Sinclair Jr., currently Principal, James Hubert Blake High School, as Consulting Principal, Department of Professional Growth Systems, Office of Human Resources and Development, Office of the Chief Operating Officer


Jersey Mike’s, which has eight locations in Montgomery County, will be donating 100% of their sales nationwide to charity on Wednesday, March 29th. The promotion is a part of Jersey Mike’s “Month of Giving” and sales are expected to be over $20 million for the day. According to Jersey Mike’s, “Day of Giving is Jersey Mike’s busiest day of the year. Each location prepares by staffing up and ordering extra food, ensuring there is plenty of meat, cheese, bread, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and bacon to meet the high demand. The more you order, the more Jersey Mike’s gives. Whether in-store, through Jersey Mike’s app or through third-party delivery partners, proceeds from every single sale this Wednesday — including subs, chips, drinks, and catering orders — will go to local charities.”


Per MCDOT: On Thursday, April 13, starting at 7 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a hybrid public meeting to discuss the latest progress on the Washington Grove Connector project within the historic Town of Washington Grove, located within Gaithersburg, MD. The public will have an opportunity to attend in person or virtually to ask questions and provide comments.

The Washington Grove Connector project will evaluate the feasibility of a master-planned bike trail connection and allow MCDOT to collect public feedback. The project will help connect the terminus of Crabbs Branch Way to the Town of Washington Grove and the City of Gaithersburg. The project will also improve connectivity to the Shady Grove Metro as well as retail and commercial areas south of MD-200 / I-370. Public input is encouraged and may influence the design of the project.


Coming soon signage is up at the upcoming Pho 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. Pho Nom Nom has an additional location at 842 Rockville Pike. A representative from the Rockville location tells us the new store is still a few months away from opening. Pho Nom Nom specializes in authentic Vietnamese cuisine, including pho, banh mi, noodles and grilled dishes.


Miriam is 3-feet, 6-inches tall and weighs approximately 115 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white jacket and black/white tie dye pants.

Miriam may be traveling outside of Maryland with her 41-year-old grandmother, Karla Vanessa Martinez and an unknown male. It is possible they may be traveling in a white van. Karla is 5-feet tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.  Family and police are concerned for her welfare.  Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Miriam Garcia is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.


Residents can stop in anytime during the two-hour clinics to take a test ride and learn about how to use electric scooters. Participants must have a valid driver’s license or ID. No registration is required to attend a clinic and walk-ups are welcome. Check tinyurl.com/cycleclss for cancelations due to inclement weather.


Permanent signage has been up for a few months at the upcoming Shake Shake location in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood. A representative from the Potomac location let us know that the Kentlands location is currently scheduled to open at the end of April. Shake Shack has additional MoCo locations at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda and Cabin John Village in Potomac.

Background: On July 8, 2021, Shake Shack was granted approval for the construction of a 4,700 square foot building with outdoor seating as the second of three commercial infill sites totaling 16,000 square feet along Kentlands Square Place. The burger chain was granted its license to sell beer and wine on the premises during its Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) hearing on January 6th of 2022, and prepared to break ground in February. Construction began in March, but stalled after flooding that occurred over the summer. The approval was for the first of three infill sites was granted for the construction of a 2,100 square foot Starbucks building with drive through and outdoor seating. Starbucks opened in January of 2021, a little over two years ago.


View More Stories