On February 28th, WRS Inc., a real estate investment firm based out of South Carolina, purchased Lakeforest Mall’s four anchor sites. The firm previously purchased the core, ponds, and forest conservation of the mall back in 2019. Last week, Gaithersburg’s Office of Economic Development released the dollar amount the properties were acquired for, per Maryland Land Records.
A total of $75 million was paid to acquire Lakeforest Mall.
Back in January, we let you know that Pollo Campero would be taking over the location that was home to KFC until December 2020 at 426 N Frederick Rd in Gaithersburg.
The building has been fenced off and construction has been ongoing since then. The exterior of the building has also been repainted as the restaurant moves closer to opening.
Galito’s Flame-Grilled Chicken is now open in the spot that was formerly home to Nirvana Reflexology Spa at 15918 Shady Grove Road in the Shady Grove Center (shopping center that is home to The Melting Pot). The restaurant offers chicken with “bold African flavors” and has been compared to international fast-casual restaurant Nando’s Peri Peri.
Galito’s currently operates in over 16 countries, with more than 150 stores– across Africa into Malaysia, Pakistan, the UAE, India and Canada. This is the South African chain’s first restaurant in the United States.
In December we let you know that the founder of Sweet Frog, Derek Cha, will be bringing his take on the Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich to MoCo with Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken. The restaurant will be located in the Travilah Square Shopping Center (the shopping center is anchored by Trader Joe’s) in Rockville, between Pholuscious and Tropical Smoothie Cafe, in the 1,600 sf location that was home to El Mexicano at 10050 Darnestown Road, per H&R Retail.
Construction has started, but there is plenty of work left to do. A late spring or summer opening is expected. A location is also coming soon to 2533 Ennals Ave in Wheaton, in the spot that was formerly home to El Pollo Kiki Riki. That location is expected to open later this Spring.
Back in December, after a little over a year of the property remaining vacant, H&R Retail listed Holy Cross Health as the new occupant of the space formerly occupied by Flower Child.
Construction has now started at the upcoming urgent care center.
Yes, it is open, and there are still over forty retailers/shops open for business inside.
A few updates:
Fidel’s Peruvian Chicken has opened in Colesville at 13439 New Hampshire Ave in the same shopping center as Quench Craft Beer & Wine.
In addition to Peruvian chicken, the restaurant offers a variety of dishes off the grill (pork chops, shrimp, carne asada, etc.) and a Tex-Mex portion of the menu.
After 33 years, Hakky Shoe Repair in Lakeforest Mall has closed. In addition to professional shoe repair, the location also repaired handbags and leather goods, as well as provided on-site key copying services.
We’re told the owners are retiring and moving back to Korea to enjoy living with family and friends.
The Jolly Show Carnival is returning to the Westfield Wheaton Mall parking lot at 11160 Veirs Mill Rd. in Wheaton.
The carnival will run April 6-18, Monday though Friday 5p-11pm, Saturday 1-11pm, and Sunday 3-11pm.
Hello Betty announced in February via Instagram that it was planning to open a Pike & Rose location in April. Today the restaurant announced that it will be open on Friday, April 8th and is accepting reservations for its grand opening. The seafood-focused restaurant aims to bring California beach, surf, and skate ambiance to their establishment.
A few months ago, a mysterious boat was seen in Pike & Rose being lifted by crane into Canopy. Hello Betty confirmed that this boat will be part of their restaurant’s decor. Hello Betty will open inside of Canopy by Hilton in Pike & Rose, replacing the Canopy Central Cafe– the restaurant that was there previously.
MoCo’s newest Chopt location opened in the Kentlands neighborhood in Gaithersburg earlier this year, and a new location is now set to be announced in Potomac.
According to a report by The Daily Record, “Chopt plans to open new restaurants in Towson and Potomac in the fourth quarter of 2022 as part of its growth in the Southeast region.”