Last week we let you know that Sheetz submitted a Final Site Plan for its first MoCo location. Today, Gaithersburg’s Office of Economic Development confirmed that the site plan has been approved. It will be located at 751 Progress Way, which is currently being constructed off of N. Frederick Rd (355) in Gaithersburg. Timing will depend on a lot of factors, but the convenience store/gas station could open as early as 2023.

The Triumvirate of Convenience is here. Final site plan approved.
Sheetz Freakz welcome. pic.twitter.com/7RYkZgS0AU


One Central LLC has submitted a schematic development plan that proposes 72 stacked townhouse (2-over-2) units along with green amenity space in Gaithersburg. Per the plans submitted to the City of Gaithersburg, the Property is located at the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Central Avenue with South Frederick Avenue. Nearby and vicinal uses (on the north) include the Devol Funeral Home and surface parking lot; (on the west) South Frederick Avenue; (on the south) single family housing structures believed occupied by office/employment use;, and (on the east) Unity of Gaithersburg Church, Rockville Evangelical Church, and single family residential.

South Frederick Avenue in this location is a six lane divided highway with an additional turning lane at W. Deer Park Road. Nearby uses across South Frederick Avenue from the Property include the Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, Epworth United Methodist Church and preschool, large surface parking lots, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Crystal Community Church, the Deer Park Office Center and the Barkley Apartments. South of and within 1⁄4 mile of the Property are a variety of retail uses accessible via an existing sidewalk along South Frederick Avenue including the Walnut Hill Shopping Center and the former Weis Food Market, banking services and other retailers and restaurants.


UPDATE: Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department – Investigative Section have arrested and charged 61-years-old, Ricky Stevens of Gaithersburg, MD with First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault and Reckless Endangerment. Ricky Stevens was transported to the Central Processing Unit and is being held without bond.

Original release by Gaithersburg Police: Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department – Investigative Section are investigating a stabbing that occurred in the 18700 block of N. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg.


Opening soon signage is up at BooBoo Pho at 19230 Montgomery Village Ave. in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center. While no opening date has been announced, the restaurant is in the early stages of its buildout so it will likely be several more months. The restaurant will specialize in Vietnamese cuisine.

Last week we reported that Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken is also coming to the Montgomery Village Shopping Center. Hangry Joe’s will be located next to the upcoming Starbucks. Earlier this year Hangry Joe’s opened a location at 2533 Ennals Ave in Wheaton and has additional locations opening at 10050 Darnestown Road in the Travilah Square shopping center and at 718-B Rockville Pike.


We first let you know the news of Wawa’s first planned MoCo location in May of 2019.  Since then, the first MoCo Royal Farms was announced, constructed, and opened in Gaithersburg. Recently, the first MoCo Sheetz location was announced. So what’s the hold up with Wawa?

The convenience store/gas station will be taking over the old Becraft Antiques location on 355, across from Gaithersburg High School at 405 S Frederick Ave. Nearly 3 years after its announcement, in March 2022, fencing went up and the building was demolished has in preparation for construction start. Construction appeared to be imminent, but hasn’t begun nearly 5 months after demolition. Today we were informed that the City of Gaithersburg is waiting for a resubmission from Wawa. The final site plan was previously approved by the Planning Commission on December 1, 2021, so it appears that the ball is in Wawa’s court. Construction for the recently opened Royal Farms location in Gaithersburg took just under one year from start to opening day, so we still expect a 2023 opening for Wawa if construction begins this year.


Chain Store Ageone of the nation’s leading provider of retail news and analysis for retail headquarters executives across all sectors of the industry, has recently released part of its list of 2022’s ‘Top 10 Retail Experiences’ and MoCo’s very own Rio Lakefront came in at #10. CSA reports on and analyzes trends and strategies in all areas of store operations and store development, including technology, marketing, human resources, finance, store design & construction, facilities management and real estate. They are releasing the top 10 one at a time with only numbers 10 and 9 currently available, so it’s unknown if any other MoCo retail centers will be included on the list.

According to the article, “This year it has put the finishing touches on its transmogrification of RIO, a 610,000-sq.-ft. center in Gaithersburg, a suburb north of the nation’s capital that mixes White House Black Market, Target, and two Marriott hotels with eateries like Yard House, Silver Diner, and True Food Kitchen on the shoreline of a 9-acre lake.“The lake is a unique attraction that has worked great for our food and beverage offerings, which have outdoor seating lakeside,” said Paul Weinschenk, Peterson’s president of retail.”


UPDATE: Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department – Investigative Section have arrested and charged 61-years-old, Ricky Stevens of Gaithersburg, MD with First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault and Reckless Endangerment. Ricky Stevens was transported to the Central Processing Unit and is being held without bond.

Per the Gaithersburg Police Department: Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department – Investigative Section are investigating a stabbing that occurred in the 18700 block of N. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg.


Update: Opening date has been pushed back to Monday, August 15th, according to a new sign on the door.

The first announced Hangry Joe’s in MoCo (Wheaton already opened, but was announced later) will open in the Travilah Square shopping center on Saturday, August 13th, according to a sign placed on the front door.


A recent listing on LoopNet, an online marketplace for commercial real estate, shows that the Home Depot located at 15740 Shady Grove Rd. in the 270 Center in Gaithersburg is available through a 13.5-year NNN lease. Per Investopedia, “a triple net lease (triple-net or NNN) is a lease agreement on a property whereby the tenant or lessee promises to pay all the expenses of the property, including real estate taxes, building insurance, and maintenance. These expenses are in addition to the cost of rent and utilities. In contrast, in standard commercial lease agreements, some or all of these payments are typically the responsibility of the landlord.” Home Depot and Best Buy have anchored the property since its inception in 1994. An Amazon Fresh grocery store is expected to open in September.

Per the listing: CBRE’s National Retail Partners and Net Lease Property Group are pleased to present the opportunity to purchase a 13.5 Year NNN Home Depot in Gaithersburg, MD, one of the most affluent and sought-after markets in the nation. Home Depot is a co-anchor of 270 Center, an extraordinary shopping destination shadow-anchored by a powerful mix of destination retailers including Best Buy, Nordstrom Rack, and soon, a brand new Amazon Fresh grocer. The property benefits from a solid lineup of destination shadow anchors featuring high historical occupancy, impressive sales, and long-term leases. Nordstrom Rack has been at the property for ±10 years and is ranked the 2nd busiest Nordstrom Rack in the state of Maryland by customer foot traffic. Best Buy has co-anchored the property since its inception in 1994. The property benefits from a solid lineup of destination shadow anchors featuring high historical occupancy, impressive sales, and long-term leases.


The upcoming Taco Bamba location in Gaithersburg is now projecting to open this fall, although no opening date has been announced. The new restaurant will be located in the space that was formerly home to Urban Crawfish at 670 Quince Orchard Road, next to the recently opened Miyaji Kebab and Rumali Rolls (which is next to Beers & Cheers Too).

Taco Bamba had its hearing with Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services on June 2nd, for a “Class B, Beer, Wine and Liquor License, On Sale Only.” The restaurant was origin planning a June or July opening for the location.


The DC Hot Air Balloon Festival is coming to the Montgomery County AG Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg on September 17 and 18, with gates opening at 3pm. Tickets for entry are $20/adult and $8/child and can be purchased at https://www.freshtix.com/events/dcballoonfest. Tethered hot air balloon rides will cost and additional $25.

For the Grand Finale each night after dark (about) 9pm the event will feature “the fantastic Hot Air Balloon Glow & Laser show” where all the balloons will be lit up in unison with crowd participatory “Count Downs”! This show incorporates Music and visually stunning coordinated burns by the Hot Air Balloons & Lasers- creating a Glow. Bring your blankets, chairs and umbrellas and set up your own “perfect” viewing spot!


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