Signage is up for No Regrets Pizza Co. at 5454 Nicholson Lane in North Bethesda. The pizzeria/bar will be located on the lower level of the Harwood Flats apartment building. An opening date has not yet been set and we will update with additional information (menu, etc.) when it becomes available. The news of No Regrets Pizza Co. was first reported by Robert Dyer.

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Coming soon signage is up at the upcoming Chuck E. Cheese at 5238 Nicholson Ln in North Bethesda/Rockville. Chuck E. Cheese will be moving from its current Rockville location at 5270 Randolph Rd in Loehmann’s Plaza (10,500 SF) to the new, larger location (16,331 SF) in White Flint Plaza, taking over the space that was previously home to Retro Fitness. According to a representative at the Randolph Rd Chuck E. Cheese, the new location will feature a trampoline zone and is projecting a September opening. Images of a Chuck E. Cheese trampoline zone below, courtesy of @atlanticterminal on Instagram.

Chuck E. Cheese has an additional Montgomery County location at 1127 University Blvd E in Takoma Park. The children’s indoor entertainment arcade also had a location in Gaithersburg that closed in 2020 after being in business at Gaithersburg Square for over 30 years. Per the Biz Journals report, the new location will “feature a 17-foot digital wall and other technological advances over the older locations. There will still be some Chuck E. Cheese mainstays, including things like skee-ball, air hockey, and, of course, pizza.” The Rockville location has also matched pre-2019 numbers this year, hosting 289 birthday parties.

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The Pike District Partnership is hosting a free ‘Dog Days of Summer’ event at the Pike District Pop-up Park (Grand Park Avenue and Banneker Street) this Thursday, July 27 from 6-8pm. This event will feature live music from Chasing Autumn Duo, local food and beverage vendors including Lone Oak Brewing, lawn games, and a “Best Dressed Pet Contest” for prizes from local businesses. The Montgomery County Humane Society will also be promoting their adoption/foster programs and will have adoptable dogs on site.

Per Pike District, “This is the third season for the Pike District Thursdays in the Park, a free concert series at the Pike District Pop-Up Park. The concert series kicked off Thursday, June 1 and features local food trucks and, for attendees 21 and older a local Montgomery County brewery and spirits distillery will sell a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Picnic tables and Adirondack chairs are available for seating, but guests are welcome to bring chairs and/or picnic blankets. Other activities include lawn games, raffles and giveaways.”

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Per Montgomery County: A series of Summer Shady Hikes organized by Montgomery Parks will help people stay active in August, despite the heat. The hikes will be especially geared to help beginning hikers. The three hikes in August, designed for ages 8-and-older, wlll take place from 6-7 p.m.

Each one-hour hike ventures through a shady trail in a different park. The hikes are an excellent way to get comfortable with local trails, get in some physical movement and learn something new. The cost is $7 per person for each hike.
To register for any hike, go to ActiveMONTGOMERY – Activity Search (myvscloud.com).

Montgomery Parks Nature on Wheels mobile nature center will be available to provide seating, water and a bathroom accessible via stairs. A park naturalist will lead each hike and teach participants about the plants and animals that call the respective park home.
“Whether you are an experienced hiker or new to the activity, these summer evening hikes are a great opportunity for people to escape the heat and explore some of our beautiful, shaded trails,” said Nature on Wheels facilitator Alexandra Ralph. “And having the Nature on Wheels van there makes the hiking experience accessible to a wider range of people.”

The upcoming Summer Shady Hikes schedule:

• Tuesday, Aug. 1. Matthew Henson State Park, 13421 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
• Tuesday, Aug. 8. Potomac Horse Center, 14211 Quince Orchard Rd., North Potomac.
• Tuesday, Aug. 29. Valley Mill Special Park. 1620 E. Randolph Rd., Colesville

Nando’s Peri Peri is offering a free ¼ chicken in exchange for a donation of a new back-to-school item today, July 18, from 4-7pm at all its locations. The promotion is recognition of Nelson’s Mandela’s birthday.  Nando’s has Montgomery County locations in Gaithersburg, North Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton.

“July 18th is Nelson Mandela’s birthday. His birthday is recognized and celebrated world wide as Mandela day; a day for us all to inspire change and make a difference in our communities. At Nando’s we are proud of our South African heritage. We will join in celebrating his birthday on July 18th by following his example and giving back to our communities. Come to any Nando’s during this time and bring new school supplies to donate in exchange for a Free ¼ Chicken on us. All supplies will be donated to local schools and students.”

Per Nando’s: No purchase necessary. One per guest. While supplies last. Can choose from either a ¼ chicken leg or ¼ breast. Dine-in or takeout. Only valid on July 18th, 2023 from 4pm – 7pm local time. Must exchange a new back to school item or financial donation in exchange for free meal.
Featured image courtesy of Nando’s Peri Peri on Facebook.

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Per MCPD:  Six suspects involved in a string of retail store pack thefts have been arrested. The six suspects; two adults and four juveniles, all from Washington, D.C., are accused of entering retail stores in groups and stealing large amounts of items from eleven Montgomery County stores between April 28 to June 15, 2023.

They are also suspected of pack thefts in D.C., and Anne Arundel County. During each of the thefts, the suspects used vehicles that were stolen or carjacked from D.C. The first of the two adults, 28-year-old Shaquille Pittman, is being held without bond. He is accused of stealing from Target on Western Ave (4/29/23), Ulta in the Congressional Shopping Center (5/8/23) and (6/15/23), Sephora in Pike and Rose (5/31/23), and The Nike Store on Arlington Road (6/8/23).

The second adult, 21-year-old Regina Christmas is Pittman’s sister. She is accused of hitting the same stores and dates as her brother, as well as Sephora on Western Avenue (6/1/23). The juvenile suspects range in age between 13 and 17-years-old. Pittman and the 13-year-old suspect were arrested on Thursday, June 15 after stealing from the Ulta in Rockville. Two 16-year-olds were arrested on Wednesday, July 5 & 12, and a 17-year-old was arrested on Friday, June 28. Christmas was arrested on Friday, June 21 and released in D.C.

Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes, Robbery detectives received several tips following the distribution of a news release and through the course of the investigation, were able to identify some of the suspects. One of the juvenile suspects is also connected to multiple armed robberies and carjackings. The losses for all the stores in Montgomery County combined is approximately $49,000.00.

List of stores and dates hit:
4/28 Sephora (7 suspects) Western Ave
4/29 Target (7 suspects) Wisconsin Ave
5/5 Target (3 suspects) Wisconsin Ave
5/5 Sephora (3 suspects) Western Ave
5/8 Ulta (8 suspects) Congressional Shopping Center
5/9 Target (3 suspects) Wisconsin Ave
5/31 Sephora (4 suspects) Pike and Rose
6/1 Sephora (4 suspects) Western Ave
6/1 Nike (4 suspects) Arlington Rd
6/8 Nike (3 suspects) Arlington Rd
6/15 Ulta (4 suspects) Congressional Shopping Center

Ulta’s losses in Montgomery County and other jurisdictions totals $78,000. The suspects are accused of hitting over 80 stores combined in Washington, DC, including CVS, with an estimated loss of over $22,000 and Macy’s at $24,000. This is an active and ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information regarding these suspects is asked to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-455-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s). Callers can remain anonymous. Featured images courtesy of Google Maps.

Shaquille Pittman (Original Image)

Regina Christmas (Original Image)

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This week (May 8th), Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) contractors began resurfacing Parklawn Drive in North Bethesda. Crews will be working on weekdays from 9AM to 4PM, resurfacing all lanes of Parklawn Drive between Randolph Road and the CSX Rail bridge (just East of Nebel Street).

Montgomery County-based M. Luis Construction Co., Inc. is performing the work. Crews will be removing the top layer of asphalt and paving a new asphalt surface on top of the existing base course. Work is expected to wrap up in June, as long as the weather cooperates, according to the Montgomery County Department of Transportation.

Montgomery County Police responded to reports of a shooting Saturday night at Pike & Rose. According to MCPD,  “At approximately 11:50 p.m., MCPD responded to the area of Pike and Rose for the report of a shooting. Preliminarily investigation revealed a dispute occurred inside a restaurant. The male subjects left the restaurant. Shots were fired. No injuries were reported. Items of evidentiary value were recovered at the scene. No one is in custody at this time. This is an ongoing investigation.”

We will post an update if additional information is available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

REPORTS OF SHOTS FIRED AT PIKE & ROSE: ~11:50PM Saturday in the area of Towne Road & Rose Avenue (North Bethesda, MD). Multiple callers reported shots fired. Montgomery County Police speaking with several individuals in the area. As of now, nobody found shot… https://t.co/Q7NrbKlzt6

— Cordell (@CordellTraffic) April 16, 2023

Below is a list of restaurants that have opened in Montgomery County so far in 2023!
Asian Cuisine and Seafood – Gaithersburg
Asian Cuisine and Seafood is now open at 8035 Snouffer School Rd in Gaithersburg, the former site of China King.  Menu items includes “bangin wings with DC mumbo sauce,” traditional Chinese carry-out options like Beef with Broccoli and General Tso’s Chicken, and seafood combination platters with Snow Crab Legs, Crawfish, and Mussels.  Asian Cuisine and Seafood is located between 7-Eleven and El Salvadoran restaurant El Encanto in the Horizon Center shopping center.

B2J Fish Soup – Gaithersburg
B2J, which specializes in traditional Szechuan-style fish soup, is now open at 9629 Lost Knife Rd in the Montgomery Village Crossing shopping center in Gaithersburg. The menu include a variety of soups where you choose the broth flavor, protein, and add-ons, including tilapia, bass, and Waygu beef. B2J has additional locations in New Jersey, Texas, and Washington State.

Black Diamond Restaurant & Lounge – Silver Spring
Black Diamond Restaurant & Lounge opened in the space that was formerly home to TTT and Buena Vida at 8407 Ramsey Ave in Silver Spring on January 26.The restaurant is described as an “Afro fusion restaurant and lounge.”

Black Lion Café – Silver Spring
Black Lion Café opened at 8240 Fenton St in Silver Spring in January. The cafe opened its first location at the Traville Gateway shopping center in late 2016. Black Lion Café sources its coffee from three regions of Ethiopia known for producing some of the best tasting coffee beans in the world. Keffa, the region of Ethiopia that gave the name ‘coffee’ to the bean, Yergacheffe, and Harrar.

BooBoo Pho – Montgomery Village
BooBoo Pho is now open at 19230 Montgomery Village Ave. in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center.  Menu items include spring rolls, Pho (noodle soup), sandwiches, vermicelli bowls, salads, and stir fry.

Brew House Kentlands – Gaithersburg
Brew House Kentlands at 325 Main Street in Gaithersburg will opened on March 4. Per its logo, it touts itself as being the “best coffee shop in Kentlands.” Brew House Kentlands is taking over the previous home of Clear Skies Meadery, which has opened its new meadery at 15201 Display Ct in Rockville. In addition to coffee, the menu also features beer, wine, and cocktails, as well as breakfast and lunch options.

Chef Tony’s at Amalfi – Rockville
In November we let you know that longtime MoCo restaurant Amalfi Ristorante Italiano at 12307 Wilkins Ave in Rockville was bought by the owners of Chef Tony’s Restaurant in Bethesda. The restaurant, now known as Chef Tony’s at Amalfi, reopened in January.  The menu features a rotation of “Amalfi Classics”, many starters, tapas, salads, and pastas, and a variety of seafood entrees. The promenade location at Pooks Hill in Bethesda is now ‘Chef Tony’s Italian Kitchen’ and most of their seafood menu has moved over to Chef Tony’s at Amalfi. The restaurant is currently only open for dinner service. Additional information can be found via the Facebook page.

Downtown Brew’s
“Downtown Brew’s” opened at 5751 Fishers Lane in Rockville on January 26th at the former site of Downtown Beer and Wine. According to the store, “We have on and off premise service so people can come here and enjoy a glass of wine and beer or take them with them.” “Downtown Brew’s” will also offer beer and wine home delivery services and plans to eventually offer charcuteries, gourmet toast and coffee. 
Dunkin’- Silver Spring
Dunkin’ is now open at 14328 Layhill Road in Silver Spring. According to Dunkin, “The 1,500-square-foot restaurant employs 12 crew members and is open Monday through Saturday 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Next Gen location features a convenient drive-thru, indoor seating, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Including the new Silver Spring Dunkin’, Jesse Luis of Luis Group Management, LLC currently owns and operates 25 Dunkin’ locations throughout Maryland.”

Eerkin’s Uyghur Cuisine – Rockville (Reopening) 
Eerkin’s Uyghur Cuisine has reopened in its new Rockville location at 6 N Washington Street in Rockville’s Courthouse Center, at the former home of Amici Miei. It was previously located at 1701 Rockville Pike # B1 in The Shops at Congressional Village, which recently auctioned for $44 million. Eerkin’s announced a temporary closure following a kitchen fire that occurred at the restaurant on Mother’s Day last year. Soon after, the restaurant posted a message on social media on announcing a temporary closure, “Dear Loyal Eerkins Customers our Rockville, Location is currently closed until further notice please visit our running locations in Washington DC and Fairfax Virginia thank you for your support ”

Grandma’s Ice Cream and Waffles – Rockville
Grandma’s Ice Cream and Waffles at 389 E. Gude Dr in Rockville, next to the former Branded 72/O’Brien’s restaurant space, is now open. Grandma’s is owned and operated by the same owners as “Grandma Kona’s” Kona Ice franchise in Gaithersburg/Germantown. Additional information, as well as a $1 coupon, below:
“Grandma Kona is happy to announce that Grandma’s Ice Cream and Waffles will be opening on Monday January 23, 2023!  We will be opening for breakfast at 7am till 1030am then transitioning to a great lunch till 2pm. The ice cream and waffles dessert menu will be available until 9pm. Offering liege waffles sandwiches with a variety of options including Vegan! Grandma’s Ice Cream will be an experience like non other.  Soft serve ice cream with unbelievable flavor (including dairy free options) with Grandma’s twist of injecting flavor into the ice cream and if wanted dipped in chocolate or caramel. Come use your imagination with all the different combinations you can make.”

Isaac’s Poultry Market – Gaithersburg
Isaac’s Poultry Market at 12167 Darnestown Rd in Gaithersburg, the former site of Pizza Hut, opened on February 23. The restaurant was opened by Rob Gresham, a lifelong MoCo resident and the former Director of Operations at CAVA and features American roasted chicken, wings, sandwiches, and salads. 

Jersey Mike’s – Aspen Hill
Jersey Mike’s opened at the Northgate Plaza in Aspen Hill on February 15in the location that was formerly home to Body & Brain Tai Chi– between Dunkin’ and Roy Rogers. Jersey Mike’s was founded as Mike’s Submarines in Point Pleasant, New Jersey in 1956. Peter Cancro started working at the restaurant in 1968 when he was 14 and the shop was on its third hour. Three years later the shop went up for sale again and with the help of a local high school football coach who was also a banker, Cancro was able to pull together $125,000 to buy it at age 17. He began to franchise the restaurant in 1987 and now has over 2,000 locations with various locations across Montgomery County, including in Burtonsville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, Rockville, and Wheaton.

Kung Fu Tea- Olney
Kung Fu Tea is now open at 3128 Olney Sandy Spring Road, in the space that was recently home to Yogi Berry, next to Starbucks in the same shopping center as Cava Mezze, CVS, and Cafe Rio. The Olney Kung Fu Tea also offers TKK Fried Chicken and Tutti Frutti frozen yogurt. TKK Fried Chicken is a Taiwanese chain that specializes in fried chicken. They’ve been around since 1974 and have locations across Taiwan, China, and the United States. The menu consists of fried chicken, chicken tenders, fried chicken sandwiches, and more. Tutti is a frozen yogurt chain that has had several locations in Montgomery County.
Laperaux – Germantown
Laperaux, the Journeymanchef’s Bistro,  is now open at 18056 Mateny Rd in Germantown- the former home of Gumbo Ya Ya, Dickie’s BBQ Pit, and Cafe Mileto (located in the Cloppers Mill shopping center, in the same strip as Shoppers). The French bistro was opened by Chef Gregory Webb, who has earned such accolades and awards as “Chef of the Year 1998” in Houston, Texas, “Winner all Categories” at the Texas Open Wild Game Cookoff, “Top Chefs of Mexico City” and many others. The restaurant offers high casual cuisine created by Webb, who has competed against Bobby Flay on The Food Network, and won numerous ‘chopped style’ competitions put on for various local charity and fund raising events, including DC Central Kitchen’s Chefs Cook Off.

Los Amigos – Gaithersburg
Los Amigos opened at 9631 Lost Knife Rd in Gaithersburg on February 14, at the former site of Texas Parillada Texas Parillada had a long run in the Montgomery Village Crossing shopping center, which is home to BLT Grill, Hook & Reel, and Roy Rogers. The restaurant offered menu items that included Tex-Mex staples like burritos, carne asada, enchiladas, and tacos.

Lil’ Cakes & Creamery – Rockville
Lil’ Cakes & Creamery opened its newest location at 844 Rockville Pike, the former site of Sam’s Cafe & Market, on March 11. Lil’ Cakes & Creamery offers a rotating selection of cupcakes and ice cream, as well as macarons, pupcakes, cookies, cookie sandwiches, pushpops, and milkshakes. Lil’ Cakes & Creamery opened its first location in Gaithersburg Square back in October 2019 and have additional locations in Urbana and White Marsh.

Naz’s Halal – White Oak
Naz’s Halal at 11209 New Hampshire Ave in White Oak, the former location of White Oak Dry Cleaners, held its grand opening on March 11th. Naz’s Halal offers rice platters, sandwiches, gyros, wings, salads, and more. The first location outside of New York was also in MoCo, at the Burtonsville Town Center, next to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. That location opened in August 2020 and has become a local favorite with late night hours. The restaurant has since opened locations in Rockville and Germantown with an additional MoCo location planned for Takoma Park (7653 New Hampshire Ave).

Oliva’s Kitchen – Bethesda
Oliva’s Kitchen opened February 22 at 4708 Highland Ave in Bethesda, the former home of Taco Fresco. Taco Fresco opened in the location in November of 2021 and was available for sale approximately 6 months later. Breakfast options include egg sandwiches, Belgian waffles, breakfast tortes, Huevos Mexicanas, and more. Lunch sandwiches include the Cubano, Torta Milenasa, Buffalo Chicken, Steak & Cheese, and others.

Rakugaki – Bethesda 
Rakugaki at 10223 Georgetown Road, near Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream at the Shops at Wildwood, held its soft opening on March 11. When deciding on a new location, co-owner Marcel The said, “We love the Bethesda community which we have served for the past 25 years. We feel that Wildwood is the perfect choice for our newest restaurant where we will feature favorite menu items as well as introduce new offerings.” Raku’s Bethesda and Cathedral Heights locations as well as Rakuya at Dupont Circle remain open.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Raku team to Wildwood and expect Rakugaki to share the same success as its sister location at Bethesda Row,” said Ralph Ours of Federal Realty. “We are always on the search for delicious exclusive brands to complement our merchant mix and this new dining destination will be an excellent addition to the Montgomery County restaurant scene.”

Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken – Gaithersburg/Rockville
Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken at 16248 Frederick Rd (on the border of Gaithersburg/Rockville), opened on February 19. The North Carolina-based biscuit chain is known for their buttermilk-brined chicken and has additional Maryland locations in Columbia and Towson. Menu items include biscuit sandwiches, biscuits & gravy, fried chicken strips, and donuts.

Roaming Rooster – Gaithersburg 
Roaming Rooster at 511 Quince Orchard Rd in Gaithersburg (former Duck Donuts location) opened in the Firstfield Shopping Center in January.  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.

Sweetgreen – Gaithersburg
Sweetgreen opened at 299 Copley Place D100 in Downtown Crown on January 20. Sweetgreen currently has three additional MoCo locations, in Bethesda, Downtown Silver Spring, and Pike & Rose. Crown has been without a fast-casual salad restaurant since Chopt closed in early 2020 and has since moved that location to the Kentlands neighborhood.

Tacos El Pariente (food truck)- Olney
Tacos El Pariente opened a new food truck at 18000 Georgia Ave (Exxon) in Olney on February 13. Menu items include birria tacos with consome (their specialty), tortas, burritos, enchiladas, and esquite.
You will still be able to find the original Tacos El Pariente truck at 20220 Frederick Rd in Germantown. Additional details below courtesy of Tacos El Pariente on Instagram. 

We are super excited to announce our second Location!
We are coming to Olney starting Monday February 13th, 2023! Make sure to stop by and visit our second and new location located in 18000 Georgia Ave, Olney MD 20832!
Order ahead by calling 240-676-5830!
We will still be in Germantown as well!
Thank you for your preference and always choosing Tacos El Pariente!

Taco Loco – Silver Spring
Taco Loco is now open at 8417 Georgia Ave in Silver Spring, the former site of Guavaberry Dominican Restaurant and The Greek Place.  Menu items include tacos, tortas, gorditas, soups, tamales, elote loco, birria pizza, and more. According to a report from Source of the Spring, Taco Loco began in White Oak as a mobile catering business. You can view the restaurant’s Facebook page here.

Public testimony for the Superintendent’s Recommendation to Relocate Burtonsville Elementary School to the Northeast Consortium Elementary School #17 Site and the Superintendent’s Recommendation for the Boundary Study Scope for the Reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School.