Saints Row Brewing is now open at 15 Fulks Corner Ave, Suite 101, the former site of Brawling Bear Brewery. Saints Row was previously located on Taft St. in Rockville.  The new location gives Saints Row twice the brewing capacity than at their previous location, as well as a “more robust customer experience with enhanced and improved taproom functionality.” The breweries expansion will include wholesale distribution throughout Montgomery County.  Like their previous location, they will have a rotating schedule of food trucks and special events. As part of the grand opening there will be a Hops and Shop” Makers Market event this Saturday, May 21, from 12-5pm in the breweries parking lot.

Photos of the new location below:


BoBaPop Tea Bar has opened up inside the Kyoto Matcha location at 33 Maryland Ave Unit A in Rockville Town Center.  According to a post on Kyoto’s Instagram page, “We’re so excited to announce that we have Bobapop-Teabar joining our Rockville location! Come and try our refreshing drinks and pair it with a delicious dessert from Kyo Matcha.” BoBaPoP opened its location at 312 Main Street in the Kentlands in 2018 and was the first of the Vietnamese based company’s stores to open in the United States. BoBaPop opened their second MoCo location at 19847 Century Blvd, Unit J in Germantown, the former site of August 32, back in November.  The company has over 150 stores worldwide.

Kyoto Matcha opened its Rockville location in 2019. Their menu features ice cream, cakes, soba, mochi, and more flavored with matcha, purple sweet potato (ube), rose, maple, and other Japanese delicacies.  According to their website, Kyoto Matcha, is an international chain of Matcha desserts that is “dedicated to creating top-quality raw materials. Due to the influence of the Japanese-style matcha culture, the Kyoto Matcha is based on the brand mission of “Let the Tea Return to the Forest”, rooted in the traditional Japanese tea culture and dedicated to the promotion of Matcha culture.”  Kyoto has an additional MoCo location at 967 Rose Ave in North Bethesda.


Last November we let you know that Willie T’s Seafood Shack and BRB (be right burger) are both moving in to 9326 Georgia Avenue (joint restaurant), between Islands Tropical Ice Cream and Goldberg’s New York Bagels, in the location that was formerly home to Andy’s Restaurant. Willie T’s is now planning a June Opening, according to a report by Bethesda Beat.There is no word yet, however, on if Be Right Burger will be opening at the same time.

The dual restaurant had an ABS Hearing set on February 3rd for a “Class BD, Beer, Wine, and Liquor License, On and Off Sale for Beer and Wine and On Sale Only for Liquor, for the premises known as Willie T’s Seafood Shack-BRB which premises are located at 9326 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910”, which was approved.


Chef Rob Sonderman from DC’s Federalist Pig won Good Morning America’s Ultimate Pitmaster competition, a nationwide competition to look for the best barbecue in the U.S. While Federalist Pig’s original standalone location is at 1654 Columbia Rd in DC, their Michelin award winning BBQ is also available at Ensemble in Bethesda.   Ensemble is a digital food hall from Salis Holdings (Ted’s Bulletin, Sidekick Bakery, Federalist Pig), located 4856 Cordell Ave. The menu features items from four the different Salis Holdings restaurants that can be mixed and matched. You can get a brisket sandwich from Federalist Pig, side of French toast from Ted’s Bulletin, fried chicken from Honeymoon Chicken, and dessert from Sidekick Bakery all at the same spot. You can order from their mobile app or website for pickup or delivery.

 


Last April we let you know about North Pointe at Flower Hill, a new 16,000 SF retail and restaurant center located at 18251 Flower Hill Way in Gaithersburg. The project is located behind the new Gentleman Jim’s location, which is a sister property to this project and other Flower Hill properties.

We’re told the site has had a slow start with a several major delays related to utilities (PEPCO) and other underground site infrastructure due to the supply chain issues. They are now making some progress and hope to get the site building ready by late summer or early fall.


Just over five years after opening its first location in Georgetown, Boulangerie Chritophe has opened its first Montgomery County. The bakery is located in a new building in Cabin John Village.

The first location, in Georgetown, opened in February of 2017.  At the time of its opening, the first floor of that location is a casual cafe, serving light lunch fare and a wide selection of pastries. The second floor of Boulangerie Christophe was more — and offered can enjoy a sit-down meal in a relaxed atmosphere.


Back in January we let you know that Loft was closing its Congressional Plaza location in Rockville and that J.Crew Factory would be its replacement at 1637 Rockville Pike. The clothing store is now open. Prior to its opening, a Federal Realty Representative told us that they are “excited to welcome yet another favorite brand to Congressional Plaza. J.Crew will join a robust retail line-up including most recent additions Athleta and Lands’ End. J.Crew is expected to open in summer 2022, and will be located between Ulta Beauty and Appalachian Springs.”

The J.Crew Group  filed for bankruptcy in 2020 after a few years of struggles and being further battered by coronavirus store shutdowns. The company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September with Anchorage Capital Group, L.L.C. as its majority owner. As of last year, the New York-based J. Crew Group operates 161 J. Crew retail stores, 144 Madewell stores, and 168 J.Crew Factory stores in the United States as well as websites for each brand. J.Crew has an existing location in Montgomery Mall and a J.Crew Factory location at the Clarksburg outlets.


Burtons Grill & Bar at 109 Commerce Square Pl at the Kentlands in Gaithersburg, which was originally scheduled to open in late May, will now be opening in mid-June, according to representatives from the location. We’re told the delay is due to shipping issues with some of the restaurant’s equipment. The restaurant is currently hiring and permanent signage was installed on the building earlier this month.  Menu items will include braised short ribs, filet mignon, chicken risotto, and market fresh seafood.


A representative from the Ladurée Paris location at 3060 M St in NW, DC tells us the upcoming Bethesda location at 4808 Bethesda Ave will be opening in about two weeks. Permanent signage was installed on the building earlier this spring. The French café and pastry shop has U.S. locations in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and currently has a pop-up/kiosk location inside of Montgomery Mall.

Dating back to 1862, Ladurée is known worldwide for their macarons.  The Bethesda menu will also feature chocolates, pastries, teas and more. Feature photo courtesy of @pike.and.rozay on Instagram. Photos below courtesy of the Ladurée Facebook page.


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