Gaithersburg Archives - Page 274 of 401

Late 2023 Opening Expected for Sportrock Climbing Centers in Rio

Published October 21, 2022 at 4:16PM | Updated October 25, 2022 at 9:59AM

Back in July we let you know that 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). Per an update provided to us by Rio today, Sportrock is aiming for a late 2023 opening. 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.

The Sportrock founders met while training together at Zich’s (pronounced Zeke’s) Garage, a handmade climbing gym in Washington, DC. When Zich was 19 he was looking for a place to train in the wintertime. Zich convinced his supportive parents to let me build a DIY climbing space in their freestanding car garage. When the demand outgrew the space, Sportrock founders broke off and formed Sportrock’s first location in Rockville (14708 Southlawn Ln) so they would continue to have a place to climb and train together.

Le Macaron is Coming to Rio

By Patrick Herron

Published October 21, 2022 at 11:55AM | Updated October 24, 2022 at 8:10AM

French pastry shop Le Macaron is coming to 7 Grand Corner Ave (next to BurgerFi) in Gaithersburg’s Rio. Menu items will include macarons (available in 20 flavors), gourmet chocolates, French gelato, specialty European style coffees, classic French pastries, and homemade candies. The store is scheduled to open in spring 2023. La Macaron joins Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen and Charley Prime Foods on the list of restaurants coming to Rio.

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 a taste and texture sensation to the marketplace.

Coming Soon to Gaithersburg (Restaurants, Retail, and More)

By Patrick Herron

Published October 21, 2022 at 10:31AM | Updated October 21, 2022 at 11:42AM

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 serve southern-influenced dishes such as red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese and a southern fried chicken sandwich. It will be joining the recently announced Sportrock Climbing Centers and Charley Prime as well as the recently opened Donutchew, as locally-based businesses opening in Gaithersburg’s Rio. No opening date has been provided.

Snow Plow Obstacle Course, The “Snow Road-Eo”, Took Place in Gaithersburg on Thursday

By MCS Staff

Published October 21, 2022 at 12:29AM

The team-building event is geared towards snow removal preparedness for the upcoming winter weather season. The “Snow Road-eo” returned to the Activity Center at Bohrer Park on Thursday, October 20, 2022. The team-building event is geared towards snow removal preparedness for the upcoming winter weather season.

Seven teams, each consisting of a snow plow driver & a navigator, competed in a timed obstacle course where they negotiated their way through eight stations along a plotted route. The course especially challenges the participants to operate large machinery in very tight spaces, something they encounter regularly when plowing courts & newer developments with on-street parking. Crew members completed pre-trip plow truck inspections and a written exam prior to the obstacle course event.

Demo/Construction at Lakeforest has 2024 Target Date; Dining Area With Boardwalk in the Early Plans

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 8:49PM | Updated January 5, 2023 at 10:05AM

WRS Inc., a real estate investment firm based out of South Carolina, that purchased Lakeforest Mall and all four anchor sites, held an informational meeting on Thursday evening to share some early plans for what will take the place of the mall. WRS purchased the core, ponds, and forest conservation of the mall back in 2019 and added the four anchor sites earlier this year, spending a total of $75 million to acquire Lakeforest Mall. This evening they announced that they have worked with the City of Gaithersburg since March and plan to submit their zoning application and sketch plan in the next couple weeks.

The target date for demolition of the mall and the start of new construction is currently 2024, with a more specific date to come after the approval of sketch plans. The sketch plan requires at least 35% “green space” and WRS stated that initial sketches are currently at a little more than 35%. Green space is defined as trees, grass, walking/biking areas, etc. The current retention pond will be “cleaned up” and a boardwalk is in the plans for a dining experience on the water that was described as being similar to what is available at nearby Rio Lakefront. WRS has also heard from several different movie theaters that are geared towards adults with food offerings and a bar, mentioning one that has a very robust civic program that would allow community groups to use one theater per week for their own functions. No specific names were given and it was noted that a discussion “doesn’t mean it’ll happen.”

Día de los Muertos Altar Exhibit on Display in Gaithersburg Beginning October 30

By Patrick Herron

Published October 20, 2022 at 5:26PM

The Multicultural Affairs Committee & DeColores Mexican Folk Dance Company will be presenting a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) alter exhibit at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park (506 South Frederick Ave) in Gaithersburg. The display will run October 30 through November 5 and viewing hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and the City of Gaithersburg advises that early voting & Election Day voting taking place at the Activity Center October 27 through November 3 and to anticipate crowds.

The rituals are rife with symbolic meaning. The more you understand about this feast for the senses, the more you will appreciate it.

The MoCo Senior Field Hockey All-Star Game, Brought to you by Koa Sports, Will Take Place on 11/13/2022

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 4:06PM

Koa Sports is spotlighting the top senior field hockey players from Montgomery County Public Schools. Players will be split into two teams and compete in a celebratory all-star game. Seniors are nominated by their high school coach based on the following criteria: team players, talent, and working hard both on and off the field.

Koa Sports is sponsoring this event (2^nd annual) and incurring all costs including field, officials, food, shirts, etc… to celebrate these seniors. Koa’s goal is to increase field hockey awareness and participation in Montgomery County. While there are All Star Games in MoCo for other sports (such as lacrosse & basketball) field hockey has never been represented. All are welcome to attend the free event and watch these talented players compete one final time in their high school uniforms. Event Details:

Former Nike Missile Site in Gaithersburg Not Deemed Historic; Buildings Likely To Be Demolished

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 3:58PM | Updated October 20, 2022 at 9:17PM

The former Nike Missile site at 770 Muddy Branch Road was not deemed historic in an August 24th meeting by the Gaithersburg Historic District Commission (HDC), which allows for the buildings on the site to be demolished in preparation for new development. The property is located next to Muddy Branch Square, which is currently home to Giant Food, Starbucks, Subway, First Watch, and more.

We are told the former 13.71 acre Nike Missile site was purchased earlier this year in a GSA auction (sold for 12,050,006) by a company owned by Pleasant Developments, who is interested in clearing the site. Plans have not yet been submitted to the City of Gaithersburg, so it’s unknown what could potentially go in, but the area is zoned for mixed-use.

Great Seneca Plan Visioning Session to be Held on October 26 by Montgomery Planning

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 9:24AM

The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will hold an in-person community visioning session for the Great Seneca Plan: Connecting Life and Science on October 26 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Rosemont Elementary School (16400 Alden Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877). During this visioning session, community members can provide ideas for the future of the Great Seneca area of the county, an area that borders the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville, and includes the Universities at Shady Grove, Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove, and surrounding areas.

Planning staff will begin with a presentation about the planning process to date and share information about the plan area as it exists today. Afterwards, the community will engage in small group conversations about what they like about the area as it exists today and what they might hope to improve in a vision for the area’s future. Through the visioning session, the community can learn more about the plan and its goals and provide feedback on the strengths, opportunities, and challenges for the Great Seneca Plan area. RSVPs are encouraged. RSVP for the October 26 Community Visioning Session. All persons attending the community visioning session must be vaccinated and may be required to show proof of vaccination. To request translation assistance or accessibility accommodations, please contact Maren Hill at [email protected] or 301-650-5613 by October 20, 2022.

10 Great Places in MoCo for Fall Foliage

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 9:03AM

We are about a month into fall and the colors around us are changing. Whether it’s the taste of a warm pumpkin-flavored latte, the cool breeze of a crisp fall morning, weekends full of football, or the yellow glow of the sun on a tall birch tree, autumn is often a contender for MoCo residents’ favorite season (however short it may be). Many locals are looking forward to combining all the best parts of fall and enjoying the foliage outdoors, so we’ve put together a small list of 10 where you can enjoy the foliage across the county:

Agricultural Reserve: A drive through the rural areas that the 93,000 acre Agricultural Reserve encompasses, along with the larger rural communities of Damascus and Poolesville and small crossroad communities such as Beallsville, Sunshine and Dickerson, are sure to give you your fill of fall foliage.

MoCo’s Only 24-Hour Starbucks Reopens

By Patrick Herron

Published October 19, 2022 at 6:21PM | Updated October 19, 2022 at 8:26PM

MoCo’s only 24-hour Starbucks location at 505 Quince Orchard Rd. in the FirstField Shopping Center (Gaithersburg) has reopened. The store closed back on September 9th for renovations. The store now features an expanded workspace for the baristas and no longer has an area inside for customers to sit and drink coffee (photos below). The Starbucks located at 300 Spectrum Ave in Gaithersburg temporarily moved to 24-hours while the FirstField location was closed, and has now resumed normal business hours (5:30am-10:30pm).

Also in FirstField Shopping Center news, Roaming Rooster is coming to 511 Quince Orchard Rd. The restaurant will be located in space previously occupied by Duck Donuts, which permanently closed in August. Roaming Rooster is known for its variety of buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches that vary in heat depending on the diner’s preferences – mild, medium or hot. In addition to its free-range, grain-fed, antibiotic-free and Halal chicken, Roaming Rooster offers an all week breakfast menu, salads and sides including wings, chicken tenders and hand-cut fries.