Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria Napoletana will be opening its long awaited Montgomery Mall location in mid to late March, according to a social media post by WTOP’s Neal Augenstein.

Frank Pepe’s is located in the old Bobby’s Burger Palace location on the lower level across from Cheesecake Factory.


In December, we let you know that Sharetea, a bubble tea cafe located at 13012 Middlebrook Road in Germantown Commons, would be coming to Germantown.

The international bubble tea brand was established in Taiwan in 1992 and has since grown to over 300 stores worldwide. This will be its first Montgomery County location and first in Maryland.


Shake Shack has fenced off site of its upcoming Kentlands location as it prepares to break ground for its third location in Montgomery County.

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.


Lenscrafters will be opening two new MoCo locations in the coming months, with new locations coming to Pike & Rose and Rio. The eyewear retailer has posted signage at both locations indicating they are “coming soon.”

LensCrafters offers eye exams and sells prescription glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. “Customers can expect to find innovative technology, the newest styles, and unparalleled personalized service. They offer a wide range of prescription lenses for eyeglasses and sunglasses, perfectly tailored to your lifestyle.”


Back in August of 2020 we let you know that HalfSmoke would be opening a Rockville location in Rockville Town Square. Though it hasn’t opened yet, it’s still in the plans for the DC-based restaurant.

Now we know of a new location, HalfSmoke Bethesda, which will be opening in the Montgomery Mall food court, as first reported by The MoCo Source on Instagram. It will be located in the former home of Coldstone Creamery and more recently Gelato Galaxy.


Montgomery County Police and the Gaithersburg Police Department are investigating an aggravated assault that occurred at 10:52am Monday morning outside of the food court at Lakeforest Mall (701 Russell Ave) in Gaithersburg.

An adult male has been transported to an area hospital following the assault, according to the Gaithersburg Police Department.


There will be a liquor license hearing on Thursday, March 3rd at 1pm for the premises known as Barriles Restaurant and Sports Bar.

The upcoming restaurant, located at 7637 New Hampshire Ave in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads shopping center in Takoma Park, will be taking over the spot formerly occupied by Mogotillo- a Salvadoran and Mexican restaurant that occupied the space for nearly a decade.


Back in September we let you know the popular DC restaurant The Salt Line would be making its way over to Bethesda Row, taking over the location at 4900 Hampden Lane that was going to be home to The Riggsby.

The Riggsby is no longer coming and local restaurant owner Wesley Yao has let us know that construction has began at the upcoming Bethesda location of The Salt Line and could be open later this year. The space was formerly home to Kapnos, a Greek restaurant that announced it was closing its doors in December of 2018.


Summer House Santa Monica, a restaurant with a beach-house inspired decor and West Coast cuisine meant to “offer a laid-back vibe reminiscent of California,”  opened at 11825 Grand Park Avenue  sharing the location with artisanal pizza spot Stella Barra Pizzeria back in early 2015.

Now, the restaurants have officially “joined forces” as guests are able to book reservations and order online through the Summer House website. Per the announcement, seen below, big changes in regards to renovations are also coming soon.


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