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2022’s Top Stories: Montgomery and Wheaton Mall Owner Plans to Sell All U.S. Properties By The End of 2023

Published December 30, 2022 at 2:14PM

As 2022 ends, we’re sharing a few of our most-read stories of the year, from April 2022: In March of 2021, it was reported that Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) planned to sell all of it’s US holdings in 2022. This would include Montgomery Mall and Wheaton Mall (Westfield Montgomery and Westfield Wheaton), both located in Montgomery County. Chief Executive Jean-Marie Tritant told investors last week that Unibail wants to shed most of its U.S. properties by the end of 2023, according to a Wall Street Journal report, which pushes things back about a year.

Shopping malls, which were already hurting due to the rise of online shopping, were hit especially hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Per the report, “Unibail’s exit from the U.S. after only four years shows that executives have concluded that even high-quality, marquee American malls aren’t worth holding on to as the Paris-based company works to slash its debt and to refocus on its flagship properties in Europe.” With White Flint gone and Lakeforest on its last legs, Montgomery, Wheaton and Ellsworth Place malls are the last three remaining in Montgomery County.

2022’s Top Stories: Rockville Town Square Sold for $33 Million

By MCS Staff

Published December 30, 2022 at 12:58PM | Updated December 30, 2022 at 2:15PM

As 2022 ends, we’re sharing a few of our most-read stories of the year, from September 2022: Morguard North American Residential REIT announced earlier this week that it has acquired the retail portion of Rockville Town Square. Having purchased Fenestra Apartments in 2017, this acquisition of the remaining retail in this mixed-use asset expands Morguard’s investment in the City of Rockville. The transaction closed at a purchase price of US$33.0 million, excluding closing costs. The news was brought to our attention by The MoCo Source earlier this month.

Per the press release: “Morguard is pleased to expand our investment in Rockville, Maryland by acquiring the retail space,” said K. Rai Sahi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Morguard North American Residential REIT. “This acquisition along with our ownership and management of Fenestra Apartments gives Morguard the opportunity to better execute on our long-term vision.” Connected to Morguard’s Fenestra apartments, Rockville Town Square at 30 Maryland Avenue encompasses 183,000 square feet of retail, dining, and municipal and financial services. The mixed-use pedestrian-friendly location offers public gathering areas, entertainment events, and serves as a neighbourhood hub in the affluent Montgomery County. A short drive from Washington D.C., Rockville Town Squarefeatures spaces to live, work and shop including:

2022’s Top Stories: Cookout Has Officially Opened its First DC Metro Area Location

By MCS Staff

Published December 30, 2022 at 10:37AM | Updated December 30, 2022 at 2:19PM

As 2022 ends, we’re sharing a few of our most-read stories of the year, from November: Back in May 2021, we let you know that fast food chain Cook Out is coming one step closer to MoCo, as a new location was expected to open at 8502 Centreville Road in Manassas Park– the first in the DC Metro area. The location, which was formerly home to a Roy Rogers, is now open according to a social media post by the fast food chain (seen below).

In 2020, the MoCo Show made the 60 mile trek down to Fredericksburg, VA to visit what was then the area’s closest Cook Out location. We left Gaithersburg, located in the approximate center of MoCo, at 6:14pm and arrived an hour and twenty minutes later, at 7:34pm. The Manassas Park location is a little over 30 miles from the center MoCo, about half the distance of Fredericksburg. Another location recently opened in Winchester, VA, but that isn’t considered part of the DC Metro area. There is also a location in Salisbury, MD but that is further than both of the Virginia locations mentioned.

‘Poke Bowl’ is Coming to Plaza Del Mercado

By MCS Staff

Published December 28, 2022 at 3:49PM

Maryland-based Poke Bowl, a restaurant serving poke bowls, bubble tea, a variety of appetizers, and more, is coming to 2229 Bel Pre Road in Plaza Del Mercado– replacing Smoothie King, between Pizza Stop and Aldi.

Poke Bowl has five locations in Maryland, primarily in the Baltimore region with one location in Frederick. Signage has just been posted on the window informing shoppers of the restaurant’s impending arrival, but an opening date is now available. Smoothie King, which closed permanently last month after four years at Plaza Del Mercado, has additional Montgomery County locations in Bethesda and Rockville (Fallsgrove and Congressional Plaza), and an upcoming location in Olney.

Smoothie King Closes After Four Years in Plaza Del Mercado

By MCS Staff

Published December 28, 2022 at 3:14PM

Smoothie King, which opened at 2229 Bel Pre Road in Plaza Del Mercado in September of 2018, closed permanently last month. Smoothie King will be replaced by Maryland-based Poke Bowl– a restaurant serving poke bowls, bubble tea, a variety of appetizers, and more.

Poke Bowl has five locations in Maryland, primarily in the Baltimore region with one location in Frederick. Signage has just been posted on the window informing shoppers of the restaurant’s impending arrival, but an opening date is now available. Smoothie King has additional Montgomery County locations in Bethesda and Rockville (Fallsgrove and Congressional Plaza), with an upcoming location in Olney.

Restaurants Opening in MoCo in 2023

By Patrick Herron

Published December 28, 2022 at 2:58PM | Updated December 30, 2022 at 2:09PM

The restaurant tells us, “There’s lots of misconception when it comes to “EggMania”. In American culture eggs based dishes are primarily used during breakfast whereas in popular Indian street food culture, eggs based dishes are made for entrees and served during lunch / dinner and full menu items, not just breakfast. EggMania is not breakfast place. Hope to serve the community and bring this delicious food options for our MoCo residents and surrounding very soon…!!”

Laperaux, the Journemanchef’s Bistro- Germantown

Chef Tony’s at Amalfi Hopes to Open in the First Week of January

By MCS Staff

Published December 28, 2022 at 9:15AM

Last month we let you know that longtime MoCo restaurant Amalfi Ristorante Italiano at 12307 Wilkins Ave in Rockville was bought by the owners of Chef Tony’s Restaurant in Bethesda. The restaurant had a hearing for a liquor license on Thursday, December 15 at 10:30am and hopes to reopen in the first week of January, according to a social media post. Full statement from Chef Tony’s can be seen below:

“🥰 Hey everyone, just wanted to give you a brief update. First and foremost I hope everyone enjoys their holiday time and spends quality quality time with people at home. Often times in the Christmas season and the holiday season we can get wrapped up and so many worries about doing this and doing that and buying this and buying that that we missed the point of it. Spend time with family spend time with those that you love and just relax. We all need some time like that in our life.

New Pizza Hut Location Now Open in Germantown

By MCS Staff

Published December 27, 2022 at 9:06PM

A little over a year ago, in December 2021, we let you know that Pizza Hut is moving into the Cloppers Mill shopping center in Germantown. The new restaurant, located at 18070 Mateny Rd, between Shoppers and Popeyes, is now open.

The location is a smaller version than traditional Pizza Hut locations of the past– focusing solely on carry out and delivery orders. In September 2021, David Gibbs (CEO of Pizza Hut parent company Yum Brands), told investors, “We closed a lot of the dine-in stores that didn’t belong on the portfolio over the last 18 months in the United States,” according to a transcript on the financial services site Sentieo. “But for the most part, the stores we have in the portfolio now are good, long-term stores.”

French Bistro By Award-Winning Chef to Open in Germantown This January

By MCS Staff

Published December 27, 2022 at 5:27PM

Back in April we let you know of the impending arrival of Laperaux, the Journeymanchef’s Bistro, the new restaurant coming to 18056 Mateny Rd in Germantown- the former home of Gumbo Ya Ya, Dickie’s BBQ Pit, and Cafe Mileto (located in the Cloppers Mill shopping center, in the same strip as Shoppers). The French bistro has made a lot of progress, adding an illuminated sign and awning covered patio, with plans to open in January. Chef and owner Gregory Webb, who has earned such accolades and awards as “Chef of the Year 1998” in Houston, Texas, “Winner all Categories” at the Texas Open Wild Game Cookoff, “Top Chefs of Mexico City” and many others, will be bringing a French bistro to the location (menu available below).

The restaurant will offer high casual cuisine created by Webb, who has competed against Bobby Flay on The Food Network, and won numerous ‘chopped style’ competitions put on for various local charity and fund raising events, including DC Central Kitchen’s Chefs Cook Off. Webb decided on the location because it’s close to his Gaithersburg home. Previously, he spent 7 years as the executive chef at Downtown Crown’s Paladar. The menu will consist of the “Daily Chalk Board,” which will feature “the best product of the season straight from today’s market.” Seafood fruits de mer, including chilled shrimp, lobster, octopus, and salmon crudo. Soups like onion soup gratinee and crawfish bisque. Starters such as escargot, steak tartare, and more. Entrees like Steak au Poivre, Coquilles St Jacques, Coq au Vin, and more (full menu below).

MoCo-Based Catalyst Hot Dogs to Take Over Kitchen at Denizens Riverdale Park

By MCS Staff

Published December 27, 2022 at 2:27PM

“Just a kid from Jersey with a dream.” Chris Van Jura opened Catalyst Hot Dogs in late 2020 as a new food truck/trailer that serves New Jersey style hot dogs. The trailer has operated across Montgomery County and surrounding areas for two years and starting January 5th Catalyst Hot Dogs will be taking over the kitchen at the Riverdale Park location (4550 Van Buren St., River Dale Park, Prince George’s County) of MoCo-based Denizens Brewing. The food trailer will continue to operate. Photos of the hot dogs available below.

Per Catalyst Hot Dogs when the trailer first opened: “Owner/operator, Chris Van Jura, has been a member of the Hospitality Industry for nearly 20 years. Over this time he has, on a daily basis, done what every Hospitalian does, which is put the attention and focus on the guest. During this time, he has relocated to the DMV, found love and started a family. He has devoted hundreds of hours to the needs of others—and now, through the pandemic and two furloughs, he has made a choice: We’re getting into the Hot Dog business!”

Hulu Skewers Announces Soft Opening in Rockville

By Francesca Luca

Published December 26, 2022 at 4:23PM

Back in March, we let you know that Hulu Skewer House would be moving in to 1488-B Rockville Pike, the former location of Mi Rancho and On The Border before that, next to Yekta. The restaurant has just announced that it will hold its soft opening on Saturday, December 31. The restaurant asks that you send a direct message via Instagram to get invited to the soft opening (see post below).

Hulu Skewer House touts “the most authentic Chinese BBQ experience in Maryland.” It will offer a variety of skewers, appetizers, and Chinese cuisine. They will also have karaoke available on the second floor, which is currently being constructed. The space has been vacant since Mi Rancho closed its Rockville location since September 18th. Mi Rancho continues to operate its Germantown and Silver Spring locations.