Rockville Archives - Page 196 of 366

Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream Moves Closer Toward Opening in Rockville

Published August 20, 2023 at 7:36AM

Back in May we let you know that Mimi’s Handmade ice cream is coming to Rockville’s Federal Plaza. It will be taking over the location that was recently home to Yogi Castle (12274 Rockville Pike Suite E). Yogi Castle closed permanently this spring and Mimi’s Handmade took possession of the space in May. Permanent signage is up and some renovations have taken place (photo below), but it remains to be seen on if the ice cream shop will open by the original goal of end of summer.

It appears that the Mimi’s Handmade location in The Heights food hall, which is stated to open later this month in Chevy Chase, will be the first Montgomery County location for the ice cream shop that opened its first location in Arlington in the summer of 2021.

Wendy’s is Temporarily Closed on Rockville Pike

By MCS Staff

Published August 19, 2023 at 2:15PM

Wendy’s has temporarily closed its location at 808 Rockville Pike for renovations. The almost castle-shaped fast-food restaurant is already in the process of getting a complete makeover (photos below$”) similar to the recently remodeled Gaithersburg and Derwood locations.

An exact date for the reopening is not yet available, but look for giveaways that include items like “Free Wendy’s for a year” to be included during the Grand Reopening celebration. We will have details on the date and the celebration as soon as they are available. Willoughby Construction and Consulting is performing the renovation work for Wendy’s.

Rob DiSpirito Resigns as Rockville City Manager; Barack Matite Named Acting City Manager

By Patrick Herron

Published August 18, 2023 at 3:24PM

Per the City of Rockville: Rob DiSpirito has resigned as Rockville’s city manager. DiSpirito submitted his resignation to the Mayor and Council on Thursday, Aug. 17. It became effective at 5 p.m. that day.

The Mayor and Council accepted his resignation and appointed Deputy City Manager Barack Matite as acting city manager, effective immediately. DiSpirito had served as Rockville’s city manager since January 2017.

Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream is Coming to Fallsgrove

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2023 at 7:00PM

Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream will open its third Montgomery County location in Rockville’s Fallsgrove Village Center. The ice cream shop, which was recently ranked #1 in “Mr. MoCo’s 15 Favorite Ice Cream Spots in MoCo” list, has two existing locations in Bethesda– The Wildwood Shop (10219 Old Georgetown Road Bethesda, MD 20814) and River Road Shop (5241 River Road Bethesda, MD 20816). Sarah’s Handmade aims to open its Fallsgrove location by the end of the year, with additional information to follow.

Per the ice cream shop, “Sarah’s Handmade was created by a Bethesda mother-daughter team, Sarah and Annie Park. When Sarah retired in 2018, she suddenly found herself with time to indulge in her old hobbies. She began to experiment and create original ice cream recipes for her family, friends, and neighbors, fit for each occasion. Soon enough, she was receiving calls and orders from strangers for her handmade ice cream! With strong enthusiasm from friends and wide support from neighbors, Sarah and Annie decided to bring the homemade flavors to a River Road storefront in Bethesda. To stay true to Sarah’s commitment to the highest quality ice cream that she would “feel proud feeding my family,” Sarah uses only the best, local-whenever-possible ingredients and sticks to her small-batch, all-natural recipes.”

True Respite Brewing Company to Close

By Patrick Herron

Published August 17, 2023 at 4:35PM

True Respite Brewing Company at 7301 Calhoun Place Suite 600 in Rockville has announced it will be closing on Saturday, September 2. True Respite owners Brendan and Bailey O’Leary opened up shop in 2018 and the brewery made a name for itself in the local beer community by winning multiple Maryland Craft Beer Awards and hosting community events. In June, we reported that the brewery’s location had been made available to lease.

True Respite posted the following message on their social media accounts on Thursday afternoon:

Coming Soon Signage Up at Chuck E. Cheese in White Flint Plaza; New Location Will Have Trampoline Zone

By Patrick Herron

Published August 17, 2023 at 1:06PM

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.

Gun Buyback Event to be Held August 26; $100/$200 Visa Gift Cards Offered for Functioning Guns Including Assault Style Weapons and “Ghost Guns”

By Patrick Herron

Published August 16, 2023 at 1:27PM

The Rockville City Police Department will be holding a gun buyback event on Saturday, August 26, from 9am-1pm at RedGate Park in Rockville. Last year over 300 hundred guns were turned at similar event. Full details below:

The Rockville City Police Department, in partnership with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and Montgomery County Public Schools, will host a gun buyback event from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at RedGate Park – 14500 Avery Road, Rockville, MD 20850.

Last Five Days of Service For Popular MoCo Food Truck Slider Rider

By MCS Staff

Published August 16, 2023 at 9:57AM

In June we let you know that popular burger truck Slider Rider announced it will be relocating to Jacksonville, Florida. This week will be the food truck’s last week of service at 8600 Zetts Ave in Gaithersburg, as it closes up locally on August 20th.

“While we’ve had a blast being part of the community, the time has come for Slider Rider to take off. With only 5 days of service left, we are teaming up with @MOCOSOFTEE to end the 4th quarter. We hope to see all the familiar faces one last time.” The truck is open on Wednesday-Friday from 12pm-7pm, Saturday from 2pm-8pm, and Sunday (with Mr. Softee) from 2pm-7pm.

Furniture & Rug Depot to Close Permanently; Liquidation Sale Happening Now

By MCS Staff

Published August 15, 2023 at 9:41PM

Furniture & Rug Depot is holding a liquidation sale at 5230 Randolph Rd in Loehmann’s Plaza. The furniture and rug store is located in the long time home of the department store the shopping center is named for (Loehmann’s closed in early 2014), and has announced that it will be closing permanently amid the likely redevelopment of the shopping center.

Per a social media post, the store is offering “immediate liquidation prices on quality home essentials for every room in your home.” There are plans to redevelop the shopping center, which was also the longtime home of Chuck E. Cheese until it announced its move a couple miles away earlier this year. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Strathmore Square Set To Deliver First Two Buildings in 2024

By MCS Staff

Published August 15, 2023 at 1:08PM

The first buildings at the upcoming Strathmore Square development, designed by Deborah Berke Partners, will deliver early 2024. This project is aimed to develop the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station in North Bethesda, adjacent to the renowned Music Center at Strathmore, from a surface parking lot into “a visionary community centered on the arts, culture, a beautiful central open space and bikeways for engaged, healthful living.” The first buildings will consist of a combined total of 220 units across the first two buildings, offering amenities including a pool deck, state-of-the-art gym, sauna, treatment room, and spaces for work, relaxation, and socializing. They will also offer up to 9,000 sf of ground floor retail space. Strathmore Square will ultimately be over 2 million SF of multi-family, office, and neighborhood shops, cafes, and services surrounding a 1.25 acre civic green with ongoing activities, performances, and “serene spaces for connection and enjoyment”, designed by the landscape architect Hargreaves Jones.

Per developers WMATA and FiveSquares Development: The Strathmore Square joint development will create a mixed-use development to transform the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station into a 2.2 million square foot, primarily residential mixed-use development that incorporates open space, public transit, incredible views, and arts and culture.

Ming’s Chinese Restaurant is Coming to King Farm

By MCS Staff

Published August 15, 2023 at 12:21PM

Ming’s, a new restaurant serving Chinese cuisine, is coming soon to 800 Pleasant Dr. Suite 120 in Rockville’s King Farm neighborhood. Permanent signage is up and the restaurant is currently making interior improvements as it prepares to open in the space that was previously home to Imperial Chinese Gardens. An opening date has not yet been set and we will update with additional information (menu, etc.) when it becomes available.