WHP Global, parent company of Toys “R” Us, has announced plans to open up to 24 Toys”R”Us flagship stores across the U.S. beginning in 2024. In addition to traditional brick and mortar stores, the expansion will also involve opening locations in airports and on cruise ships. According to WHP, Toys “R” Us marked its return in the U.S. when it opened a 20,000 sq ft. location in East Rutherford, NJ in 2021, followed by the launch of 452 Toys “R” Us shops at Macy’s stores in 2022. Exact locations for the upcoming stores have yet to be announced.

The first Toys “R” Us was located in Rockville, MD.  In 1948, Charles P. Lazarus opened a baby furniture store named Children’s Bargain Town in DC. Two years later, in 1950, he introduced a few select toys to his inventory. It didn’t take long for him to realize that toys, unlike furniture, either broke or fell out of favor with kids rather quickly…so he added more toys and cut back on the furniture.


Relax Station is now open at Westfield Montgomery, located on the lower level near the Cheesecake Factory. This is Relax Station’s second location, as they also have a location in Westfield Wheaton mall. They offer messages from 15 minutes to 120 minutes ranging from $25 to $125. The owner, Sophia Pang resides in Montgomery County.

In other Montgomery Mall news, realty starts Ashley Darby and Gabby Prescod will headline a special event on Saturday, October 7 with a fireside chat from 1pm to 2pm in the Nordstrom Wing on the Lower Level. “Fresh off the latest season of runway shows from New York and Paris Fashion Week, Fashion editor Gabby Prescod will lead a lively discussion with fan favorite and Montgomery County native, Ashley Darby. Get a sneak peek into their lives and behind-the-scenes tales of their most memorable fashion statements. Beyond the glitz and the glam, discover the heart, passion, and sensibilities that drive their styles.”


The City of Rockville will hold two meetings in October to present a report on community outreach and engagement for the Town Center Master Plan. An in-person meeting will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 in the Buchanan Room on the second floor of VisArts, 155 Gibbs St. A virtual meeting via WebEx will be held 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. To register, visit engagerockville.com/towncenter.

Rockville staff will present findings from four months of intensive community outreach and engagement on the Rockville Town Center Master Plan. A master plan is a long-range document that establishes a vision for future growth and development. The goal of the master plan is to create a cohesive vision for the Town Center area that meets the city’s goals regarding climate action, bicycle and pedestrian safety, racial equity and social justice, and more.


Beginning October 9, McDonald’s is a adding Mambo Sauce to its menu for a limited time. Mambo sauce, also know as Mumbo sauce, is a sweet, sour, and spicy condiment that originated in Washington, DC carry-out restaurants and can be found across Montgomery County in restaurants like Kenny’s Sub Shop (Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Wheaton).

McDonald’s describes its Mambo sauce as a “tomato-based, sweet, spicy and vinegary sauce; inspired by the regional Washington, D.C. area sauce staple.” McDonald’s will also be adding a Sweet & Spicy Jam Sauce, a “jammy red pepper sauce with a tongue- numbing Szechuan peppercorn kick and extra heat from cayenne pepper; finished with apple cider vinegar,” that the company claims is the first-ever breakfast-inspired dipping sauce to hit US restaurants.


Red Ribbon Bakeshop, a Filipino bakery chain, opened its new Wheaton location last Saturday, September 23 at 9am just as heavy rains moved through the area with Tropical Storm Ophelia. That didn’t  stop hundreds of customers from showing up to support the bakery’s first Maryland location– arriving as early 3:30am. One customer, Mr. Eugie Ariaga of Rockville, became Red Ribbon’s first-ever Maryland customer. He won “one year of sweetness”– a Mango Supreme Cake every month for a year.

The bakery is located at 2501 University Blvd W, right next to the Anchor Inn sign that still stands. Currently, Red Ribbon Bakeshop has over 200 locations across the Philippines and 39 in the United States. In 2005 it was acquired by Jollibee Foods Corporation, which opened its first D.C. area Jollibee location at Wheaton Mall in 2021.


Mackie’s Barbecue is now open at 5500 Olney Laytonsville Rd in Olney (most recently Umberto’s). The restaurant is in its soft opening phase with a limited menu for dine in, takeout, and delivery via DoorDash, Ubereats, and GrubHub. A preview and first look video is available below.

Per Mr. MoCo, “The restaurant features a beer cave, similar to the ones found at Shoppers grocery stores, and a wall of retail wine that features local vendors (a wide variety of beer and wine is coming soon, with some already there). The restaurant will also eventually have a full bar.


According to a report by Source of the Spring, construction is now underway at the future home of Taco Bell Cantina at 8662 Colesville Road, next to the Fillmore Silver Spring and across the street from Ellsworth Place in the space that was most recently home to Pollo Campero until it closed in late 2021. Taco Bell Cantina is known for its fast-paced environment, tech-forward innovations like kiosks and digital menu boards, and a variety of alcoholic beverages to go along with traditional Taco Bell fare.

The Taco Bell Cantina alcoholic drink menu “features an assortment of beers, wines, sangria and Twisted Freezes, including your favorite fermented alcohol”, but the exact drink menu varies by location. An opening timeframe is not yet available.


Last November we let you know that Sodexo committed its U.S. headquarters to 915 Meeting Street, a new 276,000-square-foot trophy office building currently under construction at the award-winning mixed-use development of Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, Maryland. Sodexo’s headquarters are currently located at 9801 Washingtonian Blvd in Gaithersburg (next to Rio Lakefront). According to a recent Maryland Newsletters report, the firm pulled a permit toward a $5.59 million fitout of 51,907 square feet at the North Bethesda building.

Sodexo will be taking 52,000 square feet, along with Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), which signed a long-term lease to occupy 105,000 square feet. Sodexo is a leading global provider of catering, facilities management, employee benefits and personal home services to 100 million daily consumers in 56 countries. It will be moving from its current location in Gaithersburg to Pike & Rose in Spring 2024 (renderings are available below courtesy of Federal Realty).


Dunkin’ has submitted a site plan proposing to turn an existing building at 17700 Muncaster Rd. (off of Muncaster Mill Rd.) into a new Dunkin’ location in Derwood, Luis Group confirmed today. The proposed restaurant would be 2,500SF and there is no word yet on if it will include a drive-thru.

Dunkin’ has recently opened various stores across the county with two Chevy Chase locations in the works as well as a Rockville/N. Potomac location coming soon. A new location recently opened in the Layhill Center (14328 Layhill Rd) in Silver Spring. Dunkin’ also recently opened in the Goshen Crossing Shopping Center in Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village, where it has taken over the former Capital One Bank building at 20000 Goshen Rd.


Spirit Halloween is now open at 30 Grand Corner Ave. in Gaithersburg’s Rio. This will be the only Montgomery County Spirit location for 2023. The planned locations at 12940 Middlebrook Rd. (formerly Bed Bath & Beyond) in Germantown and 2210 Veirs Mill Rd., (formerly CVS) in Rockville will not be opening, according to a representative from the company.

New at Spirit this year will be a buy online/pickup in-store option, as well as delivery through DoorDash. A sneak peak of the Rio location can be seen below. During the Halloween season, Spirit operates over 1,400 stores in North America. The Spirit Halloween website is open year-round, offering its in-store products online. The store usually open 30-60 days prior to Halloween.


Torchy’s Tacos is coming to 12266 Rockville Pike in Federal Plaza, taking over part of the space that was recently home to Chuy’s and previously home to Ruby Tuesday (photos below). Kura Revolving Sushi Bar will be taking over the other part of the space.

Torchy’s Tacos, featuring “the most unique tacos, coveted queso and refreshing margaritas in the game, and the rotating Taco of the Month,” will open its first location in the DMV in 2024. The 3,961 square-foot restaurant will be located at 12266 Rockville Pike. With more than 115 locations across 14 states, Torchy’s Tacos serves tacos, sides, and drinks from scratch, made-to-order.


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