Rio Fire Lounge Opens Tomorrow, 11/25
Seating is reduced from its max capacity due to social distancing protocols and the fire lounge will be open daily from dusk until 10 pm.
Rio
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“Remember that guy that used to paint at Rio?” We sure do. If you ever walked through Rio between 2000-2016, you probably spotted George Petridis working on one of his beautiful paintings with a lot of his other artwork on display in the atrium of Rio just outside of the movie theater. For over 15 years, Petridis displayed his art and worked on new pieces surrounded by the bustle of the Rio crowd– often interacting with those who stopped to enjoy some of the work he had on display.
You’d be surprised to learn that Petridis didn’t actually live in MoCo, though he spent much of his time here while his art was on display at Rio. He was born and raised in Athens, Greece and didn’t pick up art until later in life while he was looking to become a cardiologist and fell in love with the daughter of a prominent artist in Belgium, who introduced him to painting. After participating in a show in Paris, he decided his passion would become his career and he joined his brother in Toronto, Canada.
Rio Updates
Roosters Men’s Grooming Center is now open in Rio. It took over the old Omaha Steaks location at Grand Corner Avenue, across from Barnes & Noble.
Spirit Halloween Now Open in Rio
Back in January Pier 1 Imports announced it’ll be closing hundreds of stores across the country, including both MoCo locations (Rio and Rockville).
Starbucks in Rio to Close Permanently
We were informed this morning that Starbucks in Rio will be closing permanently.
True Food Kitchen Making Progress in Rio
It has been over a year since we let you know that True Food Kitchen would be taking over the old Joe’s Crab Shack location in Rio.
Work is about to get underway on the rio’s Phase II of renovations, as the fire pit lounge is now under construction.
The second phase features more enhancements along Rio’s lakefront, which will include a cozy fire pit lounge and an expansive and inclusive playground (which will require more permits before construction can begin).
Fantasticks, a customizable gelato bar and pop shop that will be taking over the old 16 Handles/Moorenko’s location, is currently available on the Rio boardwalk.
The dessert spot allows you to choose your toppings, cover your bar in chocolate, and cover it with a drizzle.
Roosters Men’s Grooming Center, a National chain that provides an authentic barbershop experience in a modern, upscale, and unpretentious environment, is coming to Rio.
It will be taking over the old Omaha Steaks location at Grand Corner Avenue, across from Barnes & Noble.
What does shopping look like during COVID-19? Different areas have taken unique approaches to keeping shoppers safe. Locations such as Rockville Town Square, Pike and Rose, and Bethesda Row offer curbside pickup for retail items, as well as food. Rio Lakefront and Downtown Silver Spring, in addition to curb-side pickup, are offering shopping by appointment only. This ensures that stores remain uncrowded and allows for social distancing. Customers are able to call stores that they wish to shop at and set up a time to visit. Masks are required.
Photo courtesy of Rio Lakefront Facebook.
Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg has found creative ways to make social distancing a little more fun.
In order to promote carryout from local restaurants, they have drawn ‘picnic circles’ on the open grass areas, providing expansive seating 6 feet apart with a view of the water.