Baronessa has announced that it will be permanently closing at the end of April. The restaurant, located at 1302 E Gude Drive in Rockville, made the announcement on its website earlier this week. The full announcement can be seen below, along with additional information courtesy of the restaurant’s website:

“There is no easy way to put this. We are extremely sorry to announce that Baronessa Italian Restaurant will be permanently closing its doors.  We would like to thank our loyal customers who have been patronizing Baronessa for their years of support. Also, we want to thank our landlord Promark Partners, but most of all. THANK YOU to our. wonderful staff. We would never be able to do this without you. Our last day will be Saturday, April 30th 2022.


Beginning the first week of June, Ridgefield Road will be closed between River Road (MD-190) and Westbard Avenue. An updated announcement states that Ridgefield Road will remain closed for approximately 16 months, meaning Ridgefield likely won’t reopen until at least October 2023.

Two separate posted detours will direct some traffic to Goldsboro Road, and others to Little Falls Parkway. Ride On Route 23 (Friendship Heights-Sibley Memorial Hospital) will also be detoured during the closure. One of the two sidewalks along Ridgefield is slated to remain open during the closure.


Alex Baby and Toys, a new concept from FYE, is now open in Montgomery Mall. The store is located downstairs next to Old Navy.  According to Westfield Montgomery, “from legos and baby essentials to LOL’s and STEM, they are your one-stop-shop for all things play.” We’re told the store offers toys for all ages, not just toddlers and young children.

According to Billboard, FYE was purchased by Sunrise Records in 2020. Sunrise paid $10 million to take over ownership of the 200-store chain. The purchase included assuming some of the chain’s liabilities including, accounts payable, store leases, and the chain’s frequent buyer membership program while also gaining a target inventory of $40 million. It also took on all FYE employees. FYE closed its Wheaton Mall location in January 2019 and its Lakeforest Mall location one year later in January of 2020. There is another Alex Baby and Toys listed as being in Holyoke Mall at Ingleside in Massachusetts, but the phone number is not currently active, so it may also be opening soon.


Dogfish Head Alehouse, which opened its first location at 800 W. Diamond Ave in Gaithersburg in 2005, announced it has donated a combined $1,000,000 to charity over the past 17 years between its three locations.

Dogfish Head Alehouses, which are owned and operated independent from the Dogfish Head brewery in Milton, DE through a licensing agreement, announced recently that it will be closing its Falls Church, VA location at 6220 Leesburg Pike in the Seven Corners Shopping Center.  The restaurant says it was unable to come to terms with the property owner when it came time to renew its lease.  The last day of service will be on May 15. The Dogfish Alehouse locations at 800 W. Diamond Ave in Gaithersburg and 13041 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy in Fairfax, VA will remain open.


Back in September we let you know that South Block, a smoothie and juice bar best known for their acai bowls, would be opening a new location in Pike & Rose. South Block has been aiming for a summer 2022 opening, and they seem to be on pace as signage has now gone up at the space that’s as formerly occupied by the Residences At Pike & Rose leasing office, right next to the recently opened Call Your Mother Deli (The leasing office has moved to the spot formerly occupied by Nava Health.)

Along with their acai bowls, South Block offers other fruit and vegetable-based bowls, a range of smoothies, and cold pressed juices. They currently have eleven locations throughout DC and Virginia– their Pike & Rose spot will be their first location in Maryland. In addition to their brick and mortar locations, South Block has an online storefront where they sell pre-blended smoothie bowl kits that they deliver throughout the continental United States.


The MCPS Elementary School 2022 All-County Art Show began at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, April 26 and will be available for anyone to walk through/view until 4:00 PM on Sunday, May 1. The display, which was entirely virtual last year, has returned to the mall, and can be seen spread across the lower level of the mall.

This exhibition highlights outstanding artwork created in 135 schools by students in Pre-K through Grade 5. We hope you share our pride in these students’ accomplishments! They demonstrated a high level of critical thinking, a sensitivity to design elements, and an ability to persevere that enabled them to create these incredible works of art.


Honeymoon Chicken (4201 Georgia Ave NW, DC) has received a “Bib Gourmand” award from the Michelin Guide. Started in 1997, the Bib Gourmand award has been given to restaurants that have “good quality and good value”. Honeymoon Chicken opened it’s standalone location in DC this past January, but is also available in Montgomery County from Ensemble in Bethesda. Ensemble is a digital food hall from Salis Holdings (Ted’s Bulletin, Sidekick Bakery, Federalist Pig), located 4856 Cordell Ave. Food from Ensemble is only available for pickup or delivery and you must order through their mobile app.  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.


Junction Bakery & Bistro, an American bistro boasting fresh-baked breads and pastries, unique and flavorful breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner offerings, is now open at 5471 Wisconsin Ave  Suite 206B in Chevy Chase. The restaurant opened its first location in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA and has since opened another location in Capitol Hill.

Per the Junction Bakery website: “Our simple food paired with homemade breads and baked goods makes our kitchen an extension of your kitchen. Whether you are grabbing Commonwealth Joe espresso and a pastry to go on your way to work or stopping in for lunch or dinner with friends, you will find a warm, comfortable and beautiful environment to welcome you.”


Last month we let you know that Goldberg’s Bagels would be closing its Cabin John Village location “in a few weeks, ” according to the store. Established in 1998 and serving the DC Metro area since 2004, Goldberg’s New York Bagels offers award winning bagels and deli style cuisine. The store has now closed, but has additional locations in Rockville and Silver Spring that will remain open.

What will be taking its place?


Coming soon signage is up at Taco Bamba in Quince Orchard Plaza in Gaithersburg. The new restaurant will be located in the space that was formerly home to Urban Crawfish at 670 Quince Orchard Road, next to the upcoming Miyaji Kebab and Rumali Rolls (which is next to Beers & Cheers Too).

Chef Victor Albisu opened the first Maryland location of Taco Bamba in Rockville’s Congressional Plaza in June 2021.  Albisu stated that Maryland is a “priority area of growth for Taco Bamba” citing the line at last year’s Rockville opening, according to a report by Bethesda Beat.  “We can’t wait to build a whole new food and cocktail menu for our friends in Gaithersburg. It’s a town with an eclectic mix of restaurants serving a diverse community that knows good food.” The news of Taco Bamba’s second MoCo location was first reported by Bethesda Beat.  Right now the restaurant is looking at a June or July opening.


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