Darden Restaurants, Inc.  and Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. jointly announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Darden will commence a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Ruth’s for $21.50 per share, in an all-cash transaction with an equity value of approximately $715 million. Ruth’s, owner and operator of Ruth’s Chris Steak House (MoCo location in Gaithersburg’s downtown Crown and formerly in Bethesda), will complement Darden’s portfolio of differentiated brands which currently includes Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse (MoCo location in Germantown), Yard House (MoCo location in Gaithersburg), Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille (MoCo location in Chevy Chase), Seasons 52 (MoCo location in North Bethesda), Bahama Breeze and Eddie V’s. 

Per the press release: Ruth’s Chris was founded in 1965 in New Orleans, Louisiana, by Ruth Fertel and features signature USDA Prime steaks served sizzling on 500-degree plates, New Orleans-inspired sides and an award-winning wine list. Ruth’s Chris has 154 locations around the globe, including 80 company-owned or -operated restaurants and 74 franchised restaurants, generating systemwide sales of over $860 million, total revenues over $500 million, and average annual restaurant volumes for company-owned or -operated locations of $6.2 million in Ruth’s fiscal year 2022.


Chicken Basket at 30 N. Summit Ave. in Olde Towne Gaithersburg plans to open in “2-3 weeks”, depending on approval of all final inspections. We first reported in January 2020 that Chicken Basket would be reopening after a fire closed the restaurant back in April 2019. Chicken Basket’s menu consist of fried chicken, wings, subs, gyros, salads, wraps, burgers, and seafood. The restaurant will be open Mon – Thurs 11am to 8pm, Fri – Sat 11am to 9pm and closed on Sunday. Full menu can be seen below, as well as photos from Chicken Basket’s original 1978 menu.

 


Coming soon signage is up at the Red Door Escape Room at Rio. It will be occupying the 4,057 SF space at 125 Boardwalk Place that was recently home to Locally Crafted before it moved a bit down the street, and previously home to Ann Taylor (across from Potbelly). Construction began back in March and according to a post on the business’s Facebook page, Red Door will be opening this summer.

The participants loved the game and immediately requested another one be created. Because of the feedback, Dan began to consider how to bring this experience to even more people. After some research and brainstorming, Dan and his wife partnered with a long-time friend and together created Red Door Escape Room in Southlake, Texas. Their passion in providing communities with exciting memories and a new experience has grown so much over the years. Red Door Escape Room is constantly creating newer and better games – with plans to expand to many more locations to reach as many people as possible!”


Permanent signage went up last month at the upcoming Chick-Fil-A restaurant at 700 N. Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg, at Progress Labs.  Progress Labs, which began construction in summer 2021, is a 44-acre property that directly fronts I-270 at the Montgomery Village Avenue exit. and is located next door to the recently constructed 300,000 square foot FedEx Ground facility, just south of the new Watkins Mill Interchange. The restaurant is now aiming to open in June, according to its Google listing (photo below).

Chick-fil-A has additional MoCo locations in Bethesda, Gaithersburg (Kentlands), Germantown, Olney, Rockville, and Silver Spring. Prograss Labs will also be home to MoCo’s first Sheetz.


Shake Shake officially opens its Kentlands location in Gaithersburg today. The burger chain has hosted friends & family and training events since Monday, but today will be the restaurant’s first day opening to the public. Shake Shack has additional MoCo locations at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda and Cabin John Village in Potomac. The restaurant will be open from 10:30am until 9pm and offers a variety of burgers, fries, and other items.

Background: On July 8, 2021, Shake Shack was granted approval for the construction of a 4,700 square foot building with outdoor seating as the second of three commercial infill sites totaling 16,000 square feet along Kentlands Square Place. The burger chain was granted its license to sell beer and wine on the premises during its Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) hearing on January 6th of 2022, and prepared to break ground in February. Construction began in March, but stalled after flooding that occurred over the summer. The approval was for the first of three infill sites was granted for the construction of a 2,100 square foot Starbucks building with drive through and outdoor seating. Starbucks opened in January of 2021, a little over two years ago.


Permanent signage went up last month at the new Baskin Robbins at 1079 Seven Locks Rd in Potomac Woods Plaza, located in the space that was previously home to Ibhana Creations. Baskin Robbins has now set an opening date of Sunday, May 7th.

Last February, Baskin Robbins closed its doors at Cabin John Village and announced its plans to open in the nearby Potomac Woods Plaza shopping center this spring. Baskin Robbins was replaced in Cabin John Village by The Scoop, which was opened this past August by Timothy and Mitch Ryoo– Potomac natives and Winston Churchill High School Graduates (2010 and 2006). Baskin Robbins will also be opening a location later this year in the Montgomery Village Center. 


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Kusshi Sushi is offering 40% at all of its restaurants until Thursday, May 4th for teacher appreciation. Just show your teacher ID or email as proof to server or host. This applies for carry-out and dine-in. Kusshi has locations in:


To coincide with the release of the upcoming live-action Little Mermaid movie, Westfield Wheaton will be hosting a “Make a Splash with Real Mermaids” event on May 27th from 12-4pm in the mall’s lower level Macy’s Court. The event will feature “live” mermaids, a full custom designed mermaid cove, and live DJ.

Per Westfield Wheaton: “Everyone’s favorite little mermaid makes her return to the big screen at AMC theaters, but you’ll only find REAL LIVE MERMAIDS at Westfield Wheaton center! Come see the highly anticipated film at AMC and swim over to Macys lower court to meet real mermaids! Enjoy 3 live mermaids, with live music, get a little mer-makeover with face painters, and take home a keepsake photo from a professional photographer. Find out what’s in a mermaid’s purse by diving into deals in our many retailers surrounding the mermaid’s cove. Make sure to buy your cinema tickets HERE before they sell out.”


Montgomery Parks soliciting input on the renovation of one of the area’s most popular playgrounds : After 20 years of use, South Germantown Adventure Playground is ready for an update. Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is seeking public input on its plan to replace the South Germantown Adventure Playground. “Our goal is to provide fun and inclusive play experiences for kids of all age groups,” said Ching-Fang Chen, the project manager and landscape architect with Montgomery Parks. “With the new playground we are working to create a well-rounded play environment that offers exciting and challenging activities, opportunities for nature play, sensory play and multi-generational play, a lively space where kids can interact and let their imaginations run free.”  

Montgomery Parks is seeking the community’s input on the upcoming renovation through an online Open Town Hall survey: Open Town Hall Forum- April 27-May 29, 2023 https://communityfeedback.opengov.com/12781 In addition to upgrading the play area, the renovation will add accessible walkways, picnic areas, seating, a game/workout area and improved landscaping and stormwater management to the park.  Construction is expected to begin in Spring of 2024.  


The Greene Turtle in Burtonsville is saying THANK YOU to Teachers on Tuesday, May 2nd with a FREE Meal*! Greene Turtle Burtonsville is located at 15560 Old Columbia Pike. Details on the deal below:

*School Teachers who show a valid school issued Teacher ID will receive a free meal valued at up to $15. Valid Dine-In Only. Offer does not include beverages. Cannot be combined with other offers, discounts, Happy Hour or Greene Turtle Rewards.


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