Gaithersburg Archives - Page 250 of 426

Update on MoCo’s First Sheetz

Published April 26, 2023 at 10:56AM | Updated April 26, 2023 at 11:22AM

Construction is ongoing at the site of Montgomery County’s first Sheetz at 751 Progress Way, which will be located at Progress Labs off of N. Frederick Rd (355) in Gaithersburg. Progress Labs, which began construction in summer 2021, is a 44-acre property that directly fronts I-270 at the Montgomery Village Avenue exit and is located next door to the 300,000 square foot FedEx Ground facility, just south of the new Watkins Mill Interchange. Progress Labs will also be home to a new Chick-Fil-a, which is nearing completion and expected to open this summer. No opening date for Sheetz has been announced.

Opening Information for TaKorean in Kentlands

By Patrick Herron

Published April 25, 2023 at 9:14PM | Updated April 27, 2023 at 11:15AM

TaKorean, a Korean taco grill that is taking over the recently-closed Nalley Fresh location at 261 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg, has announced it will hold its soft opening on Thursday, May 4. There will also be a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Gaithersburg Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, May 9 at 10:30am and TaKorean will be offering free food for guests from 11am to 2pm. The restaurant offers Korean style tacos and bowls with options including chicken/Dak Halbi, steak/Bulgogi, pork/Bo Ssam, and tofu/Hoisin. This will be TaKoreans first location outside of 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.

Swastika and “Hitler” Graffiti Discovered Outside of Laytonsville Elementary School

By MCS Staff

Published April 25, 2023 at 6:55PM

Laytonsville Elementary School principal Maria Watson sent a letter to the Laytonsville community on Monday informing them of vandalism discovered on a bench outside of the school. According to the letter, the vandalism included a “drawing of a swastika with the name Hitler” drawn on a bench outside of the school. The full letter, with additional information, can be seen below:

“Dear Laytonsville Elementary School Community,

Watkins Mill Alumna Josepha Mbouma Awarded Fellowship at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE)

By MCS Staff

Published April 25, 2023 at 5:14PM

Baylor University’s  George W. Truett Theological Seminary is has announced that first-year Truett student Josepha Mbouma is among two students to have been awarded Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE). Mbouma, a native of Cameroon, grew up in Montgomery County, attending Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown and Watkins Mill High School in Montgomery Village where she excelled in the classroom and on the basketball court.

The FASPE is awarded to students pursuing professional degrees in business, journalism, law, medicine, theology, and technology as well as to early-career professionals. Through the program, fellows spend two weeks in Germany and Poland visiting Auschwitz and other key historical sites and participating in seminars led by experts in their respective fields of study. Award recipients are able to examine the roles their counterparts played in Germany and elsewhere from 1933-1945. They then draw on historical, cultural, philosophical, literary, and discipline-specific sources to explore the ethical issues facing their respective fields today.

Montgomery County’s Celebration of ‘Public Works Week’ Will Include Paint the Plow Contest and Truck Day Event on Sat., May 20

By Patrick Herron

Published April 25, 2023 at 4:06PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will kick off “Public Works Week” on Saturday, May 20, with Truck Day at the MCDOT Depot and Salt Barn in Gaithersburg. Truck Day is a free, family-friendly event that invites members of the community to touch, climb and explore the many first-response, construction and transportation vehicles that make the county run.

Truck Day will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 20 at the MCDOT Truck Depot and Salt Barn, which is located at 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Gaithersburg.

Opening Information for Kobe Japan Hibachi & Sushi in Montgomery Village

By Patrick Herron

Published April 25, 2023 at 3:21PM

Kobe Japan Hibachi & Sushi at 19226 Montgomery Village Ave, next to Moe’s Southwest Grill in the Montgomery Village Center, will open this Wednesday, April 25. Kobe Japan has additional Montgomery County locations at 1163 University Blvd E in Takoma Park and 13623 Georgia Ave. Suit A in Aspen Hill. The menu features sushi, sashimi, spring rolls, bento boxes and hibachi (full menu can be seen below).

In other Montgomery Village Center news, last week we let you know that Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, which was scheduled to open in the space next to Kobe Japan, appears to no longer be coming to the shopping center. The space is now listed as available again on the shopping center’s leasing website.

Gaithersburg/Takoma Park Police Departments Each Collect Over 120 Pounds of Prescription Drugs

By MCS Staff

Published April 25, 2023 at 7:01AM

The Gaithersburg and Takoma Park Police Departments have each announced a successful “Prescription Drug Take Back Day’ that took place on Saturday, April 22nd. Residents had the opportunity to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs by bringing unused medications to the police station for disposal.

Though all police departments in Montgomery County participated in taking back prescription drugs, Gaithersburg Police and Takoma Park Police announced that they collected 135lb and 123lb of prescription drugs, respectively. Both police departments, along with Rockville Police, collect prescription drugs year-round. Additional year-round disposal sites can be seen below:

So What Else?, A Non-Profit That Serves 150,000 Meals Per Week to Those in Need, Finds New Home After Being Forced to Leave Lakeforest

By MCS Staff

Published April 24, 2023 at 5:59PM

In January, So What Else received the devastating news that its lease at Lakeforest Mall was being terminated due to the recent purchase of the space for redevelopment. The Rockville-based non-profit operated its food pantry out of Lakeforest, but was required to vacate by March 31st. They’ve now moved their pantry headquarters to a new location at 4924 Wyaconda Rd in North Bethesda to continue serving 150,000 meals a week without disruption. So What Else? mentions that this move comes with a 1300% rent increase and will be holding a “Forced to Move Fundraiser”’in May.

So What Else’s mission is “to improve the lives of children and families living in underserved communities in the Baltimore-Washington Metro Area by providing food security, access to basic necessities, and high-quality out-of-school time programs in literacy, athletics, and the visual and performing arts while inspiring young people to give back to the community by creating volunteer opportunities for individuals of all ages.” So What Else’s new distribution schedule, starting May 1st, can be seen below.

Gaithersburg’s Housing Element Public Forums Scheduled for May 4

By MCS Staff

Published April 24, 2023 at 3:11PM

The City of Gaithersburg will host two virtual public forums on May 4, 2023, where staff will present the draft Housing Element of the City’s Master Plan. These forums will take place from noon to 1 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m., and will include Spanish and English real-time closed captioning options. During these events, staff will discuss the contents and recommendations of the Housing Element and answer questions from participants. The day and evening forums include the same information. No registration is required; simply use the following links to join:

The Housing Element is required, at a minimum, to address the need for affordable housing. The City’s draft Housing Element also discusses other facets of housing and includes goals and recommendations meant to address future housing needs in the City. The Joint Public Hearing on the draft Housing Element is on June 5, 2023. Further information is available on the Housing Element project page.

The Montgomery County Fair Has Announced its 2023 Dates

By MCS Staff

Published April 23, 2023 at 8:28AM

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair has announced its 2023 dates for this upcoming summer. This will be the 74th annual fair and it’s third year back after having to cancel for the first time in its 70+ year history in 2020 due to Covid restrictions. This year opening day for the MoCo Fair will be on Friday, August 11th and it will go until Saturday, August 19th.

Founded in 1949, the Montgomery County Agricultural Center has been home to the Montgomery County Fair since its creation. Sitting on 62 acres, the Fair has more than 50 buildings that are filled with more than 5,000 animals every year. The Fair has animals, entertainment, food, commercial, home arts, arts and crafts exhibits, and many others for the whole family to enjoy.

~55 Firefighters Respond to Fire Saturday Afternoon

By MCS Staff

Published April 22, 2023 at 2:56PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Serviced (MCFRS) responded to a fire at a two-story farmhouse on the 4200 block of Sundown Road between Sunshine and Laytonsville on Saturday afternoon.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, approximately 55 firefighters responded to the call. Upon arrival, fire and smoke was coming from the house, which is located in a non-hydrant area with a limited access driveway. Live wires were reported down in the area and all occupants and pets were reported out of the house.