Governor Wes Moore and McDonald’s announced a plan to hire nearly 4,000 employees across 330 Maryland restaurants this summer, highlighting the company’s Archways to Opportunity education program, which has helped over 1,000 Marylanders advance their careers through tuition assistance and skills training.
FingerLicking SoulFood, a Jamaican-style restaurant that began as a food truck in Frederick County, is opening a location in the Westfield Wheaton Mall food court. (more…)
POP MART has launched its first Montgomery County vending machine at Westfield Montgomery Mall’s dining terrace (7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD, near CAVA), and customers have been lining up for a chance to buy its popular designer toys. While the machine has been a hit, some customers reported that a surge in purchases of Labubu figures caused it to shut down.
Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence (L.E.A.D.), a dedicated nonprofit committed to safeguarding communities, is set to host a carnival at Westfield Wheaton from Friday, May 16 through Monday, May 26, 2025. The carnival was held at Westfield Montgomery last week.
McDonald’s is opening its newest restaurant at 11710 Rockville Pike in North Bethesda, located in the former Arby’s site, which closed its last Montgomery County location in May 2021. This location, which started construction last fall, appears to be part of McDonald’s new “On the Go” concept, which includes a smaller/limited lobby and focuses primarily on delivery and pick-up services.
A McDonald’s-based social media account, McFranchisee, shared details about the first “On the Go” concept that opened in Los Angeles in December 2024:
Dollar Tree has signed on to replace the recently shuttered Party City at 5600 Urbana Pike Suite C, Frederick, MD 21704 in Key Plaza.
In December, we let you know that Sixty Vines– the restaurant known for its revolutionary wine on-tap program and vineyard-inspired cuisine, is making its move into Maryland with a Gaithersburg location. The location is now under construction with signage up in the windows (photos below).
Back in October we let you know that Trader Joe’s is set to open at 225 N. Washington St. in Rockville Town Square taking over the former Dawson’s Market space, which closed last summer after twelve years. This morning, community member Michelle Maurer Chite informed us that signage was being installed and we stopped by for a photo.
Andy’s Pizza is opening a new location at 145 Commerce Square Place in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood, taking over the space formerly occupied by MOD Pizza, which closed in March 2024. A representative from Andy’s noted, “The opening is a long way off, so we do not even have a date at this time. We will make an announcement on our social media for our grand opening when the time comes.” (more…)
Ice Cream Worx is coming soon to 20215 Goshen Rd in Gaithersburg, taking over the former New Fashion Nails space in the Goshen Oaks shopping center.
In October we let you know that Japanese retailer UNIQLO is coming to Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda. In February shared that the retailer received a permit valued at $1.425 million to build out the store, and now we know the store has set an opening date of Friday, May 23rd.