The sale of marijuana for recreational use in Maryland begins today, July 1. Below is a list of all the cannabis dispensaries located in Montgomery County. Visit the Maryland Cannabis Administration website for information on dispensaries across the state of the Maryland.
Bethesda:
According to Montgomery County Police, “On Friday, June 23, 2023, at approximately 1:05 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to City Place Mall (Ellsworth Place) at 8661 Colesville Rd. in Silver Spring for the report of a kidnapping that occurred in the playground of the mall.
The investigation has revealed that 32-year-old Jeffery Akame picked up a two-year-old child victim (male) from the playground. The mother of the victim intervened and took away her child from Akame. Akame then ran away and left the scene.
A representative from CVS at 18080 Mateny Rd in the Cloppers Mill shopping center has confirmed that the store will be closing in the “coming months.” Signage indicating the store will be closing has not yet been posted, according to the representative. CVS also recently closed its locations at 9140 Rothbury Drive in the Goshen Crossing shopping center in Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village and at 10113 New Hampshire Ave in the Hillandale Shopping Center. In 2021, CVS announced that it would be closing approximately 900 stores “over the next 3 years due to changes in population, consumer buying patterns, and future health needs.” CVS locations at Rockville Town Square (360 Hungerford Drive) and Twinbrook Center (2210 Veirs Mill Rd) both closed last year as well.
CVS has recently opened locations at 311 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg and at 22701 Gosnell Farm Dr in Clarksburg. CVS is also expected to open a location in the new Westside at Shady Grove Metro development, in the area across from the strip that contains Starbucks, Inspire Nails, Kids Ground, and more (Crabbs Branch Way and Gramercy Blvd). Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.
It has been approximately six years since Pat’s Hallmark Shop closed its Olney location, leaving local residents to rely on grocery stores and CVS for its greeting cards, ornaments, gift wrap, home decor and gift ideas. Hallmark has decided to return to Olney, however, with a new store signed on to take over the space recently vacated by My Little Gym at 18217 Village Center Dr in the Olney Village Center.
While there’s no available opening timeframe, construction is expected to begin soon inside the 4,000 SF space. Hallmark was founded in 1910 by teenage entrepreneur J.C. Hall, and remaining a private company with family members on the board of directors today, Hallmark’s businesses employ more than 20,000 people worldwide. “While there are many ways to experience Hallmark, the experiences that matter most to the company are the ones our customers are able to share with their friends and loved ones. We strive each day to help those experiences – and those connections – come to life. In each of our businesses we aim to be good community partners, we believe embracing diversity and inclusion is the best way to understand and serve our employees and consumers, and we strive to be environmentally responsible. This all helps to fulfill our purpose of inspiring meaningful relationships and enhancing lives.” Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.
In April we let you know that Copper Canyon Grill is requesting approval for a 1,012 square foot covered dining pier to be located in the RIO Lake. At its regular meeting on June 7, 2023, the Planning Commission made the recommendation to the Mayor and City Council for approval (5-0 vote) of Schematic Development Plan SDP-9003-2021, based on the evidence and testimony submitted to the record and the findings in the Final Staff Analysis, to the Mayor and City Council.
Per the City of Gaithersburg: The Schematic Development Plan would add commercial as an allowed use on the RIO lake parcel. The Planning Commission was supportive and complimentary of the project, noting that this is an exciting new way to enjoy the existing lake. The Mayor & City Council Record was closed at 5 pm on June 14, 2023 with the anticipated Mayor & City Council Final Action to be presented on July 3, 2023 during the Mayor & City Council Meeting. Below are renderings of the proposed piers:
Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg was included in a list of the “Top 10 Retail Experiences” in the country in 2022. With a beautiful lake/boardwalk and long-time favorites like the AMC theaters, Dick’s, Guapo’s, Target, and others still going strong, the retail area has recently welcomed new additions and plans to welcome more in the coming months. Below is a list of newer stores and restaurants as well as some that are coming soon.
Auntie Anne’s Cinnabon: Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon combination restaurant is now open at 220 Boardwalk Place in Rio, taking over the location that was recently home to Lilly Magilly’s– as the cupcakery is still preparing for a move to a new location. The two brands, popular for their presence in malls, are co-branding to open locations across the country. In recent years, Cinnabon left then returned to Montgomery Mall. There’s also an existing Cinnabon location in Wheaton Mall. Auntie Anne’s has locations at the outlets in Clarksburg, Ellsworth Place Mall, Montgomery Mall, and Wheaton Mall in MoCo.
Red Door Escape Room is opening its 14th location at 125 Boardwalk Place in Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront Shopping Center today. The Grand opening event will take place on Friday, June 9th from 6pm-8pm. “We are excited to bring the Red Door Escape Room experience to all of our guests and cannot wait to get involved in the local community surrounding Gaithersburg,” said CEO Nick Madden.
“At Red Door Escape Room, we combine technology and puzzles to create a truly collaborative and mentally-stimulating experience for families, friends, and coworkers alike. We want our guests to successfully decipher the codes and complete the challenges; but more importantly, we want them to talk and laugh about their experience on the ride home.”
Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen at 229 Boardwalk Pl. in Gaithersburg opens today, Friday, June 9. Miss Toya’s is located in the 2,741SF space that was previously occupied by BGR and will serve southern-influenced dishes such as red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese, and a southern fried chicken sandwich.
The restaurant is part of Jeffeary Miskiri’s Miskiri Hospitality Group, which describes itself as a unique collective of Black, family and woman-owned products and restaurants in the DC area. Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen in Rio will be a fast-casual restaurant, while the Miss Toya’s Creole Kitchen at 923 Ellsworth Dr in Downtown Silver Spring is full-service (wait staff, etc.). Hours of operation (dinner only for now): Sunday – Thursday 4pm- 10pm, Friday and Saturday 4pm- 11pm.
Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen at 229 Boardwalk Pl. in Gaithersburg will open this Friday, June 9. Miss Toya’s is located in the 2,741SF space that was previously occupied by BGR and will serve southern-influenced dishes such as red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese, and a southern fried chicken sandwich.
The restaurant is part of Jeffeary Miskiri’s Miskiri Hospitality Group, which describes itself as a unique collective of Black, family and woman-owned products and restaurants in the DC area. Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen in Rio will be a fast-casual restaurant, while the Miss Toya’s Creole Kitchen at 923 Ellsworth Dr in Downtown Silver Spring is full-service (wait staff, etc.)
Red Door Escape Room has announced the opening date of its 14th location at 125 Boardwalk Place in Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront Shopping Center. The Grand opening event will take place on Friday, June 9th from 6pm-8pm. At the event, once the reservation system goes live, you’ll be able to book your “episode” for 50% off.
“We are excited to bring the Red Door Escape Room experience to all of our guests and cannot wait to get involved in the local community surrounding Gaithersburg,” said CEO Nick Madden. “At Red Door Escape Room, we combine technology and puzzles to create a truly collaborative and mentally-stimulating experience for families, friends, and coworkers alike. We want our guests to successfully decipher the codes and complete the challenges; but more importantly, we want them to talk and laugh about their experience on the ride home.”
Based out of L.A, Day & Night Cereal bar featured bowls of cereal, ice cream, and milkshakes. Menu items included the Unicorn Breath (Fruity Lucky Charms, Fruity Pebbles, whipped cream, and strawberry drizzle) and the Rooooby Snacks (Cinnamon Toast Crunch, graham cracker, Oreo bits, and peanut butter and chocolate drizzles.)
According to its website, Day and Night has additional locations in Los Angeles, CA, Charlotte, NC, Springfield, VA, and Rock Hill, SC. H/t @lillymagillys