Chase continues its expansion into the DC Metro area, and Montgomery County specifically, with a new branch coming soon to Derwood’s Red Mill Shops. The new branch will be taking over the space previously occupied by Verizon at 7250 Muncaster Mill Rd. Verizon moved about 100 feet away next to the main strip of the shopping center. Chase is also building new branches in Rockville, at the former Meixin supermarket space, and in Gaithersburg at the former Boston Market location.
In 2022, JPMorgan Chase cut the ribbon to its newly renovated regional headquarters, the Bowen Building at 875 15th St. NW at the corner of McPherson Square in Washington D.C. This acquisition “reinforced the firm’s commitment to Washington D.C. and the Greater Washington region” as it is one of the only banks expanding its physical footprint in our area. “This region – stretching from Richmond to Baltimore – is one of the largest economies in the country,” said Peter Scher, JPMorgan Chase Vice Chairman and Chair of the Mid-Atlantic. “With the opening of our Mid-Atlantic headquarters, and our continued philanthropic and business commitments, JPMorgan Chase is supporting the future of Greater Washington. Our hope is to provide more economic opportunity for all people no matter the neighborhoods where they live and work.”
Last week we reported that Z-Burger and Maman Joon will be taking over the space that was previously home to Taco Bar and Jerry’s Subs & Pizza at 181000 Georgia Avenue in Olney. After speaking with representatives from the restaurant, we have learned that the goal is for the restaurant to open in mid-October, likely beating out the Bethesda Z-Burger location as the first for the DMV-based regional restaurant (by a couple weeks).
Z-Burger is a local, DMV-based chain that describes itself as “a Washington DC landmark! Home to the area’s most delicious handcrafted burgers with endless toppings, fresh cut fries and 75 varieties of hand spun milk shakes and concretes made with premium Wisconsin custard.” Z-Burger has multiple locations in DC, a few in Northern Virginia, and three in Maryland– with more to come. Its first location opened in Tenleytown in 2008. Earlier this year, its first Montgomery County location was announced. Prior to starting Z-Burger in 2008, founder Peter Tabibian was the general manager at a Jerry’s Subs & Pizza in Maryland.
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival is coming to Montgomery County on November 7 & 8, 2026, at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, Maryland. Get ready to sip, sample, shop, and enjoy a full weekend of family-friendly fun!
Sip, Sample & Shop
Get ready to explore a festival floor filled with top chocolate makers, coffee roasters, bakeries, specialty food vendors, artisan brands and small businesses from across the region and beyond. Sample new flavors, meet the people behind the products and shop directly from the talented makers and businesses who created them.
Experience Chocolate History
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is a large-scale chocolate sculpture of George Washington on horseback, created by award-winning chocolate artist Paul Joachim.
The sculpture will be part of a special exhibit exploring chocolate’s place in early American history. Guests can see the sculpture up close, sample colonial-style drinking chocolate, and shop the exclusive Collector’s Heritage Box inspired by the historic drink. It’s a unique opportunity to experience chocolate through art, history, and taste all in one place.
Seminars, Demonstrations & More
Visit the Sip & Share Seminar Classroom for educational sessions and demonstrations throughout the weekend, all included with your festival admission. Explore topics ranging from ancestral cacao in the Ecuadorian Amazon and the realities of starting a coffee business to craft chocolate and festival trivia. Learn directly from experts and makers as they share their knowledge, demonstrate their craft and offer a closer look at how their products are made.
Fun for All Ages
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival offers an experience the whole family can enjoy. Kids under 12 receive free admission with a ticketed adult and can get creative at our complimentary kids’ craft tables. Festival mascots Chunk & Bean will also be on-site for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities throughout the weekend. Families can even shop for Chunk & Bean plushies, children’s books and other kid-friendly items.
Whether you’re a serious chocolate lover, a coffee enthusiast, a foodie or simply looking for a fun fall outing, there’s something for everyone to see, taste, shop and enjoy.
Save on Tickets
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival Maryland Edition takes place November 7 & 8, 2026, at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, Maryland.
MoCo Show readers can use code MOCO10 at checkout to save 10% on online festival tickets. Grab your tickets and get ready to sip, sample and shop at one of the sweetest weekends of the fall!
Champions Sports Bar will be transitioning to Mercury Lounge in the coming weeks. The bar/restaurant opened in Silver Spring this in October of 2020 and is located at 9433 Georgia Avenue, in the former home of Action House Vape & Hookah (same strip at La Casa Del Mofongo) and was recently listed for sale for $185,000. The sale is now pending, according to the listing, but a representative confirmed the change will be occurring soon.
Montgomery County’s Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) will hold a hearing on the application by Teko Clavet, on behalf of Destiny Real Estate Holding Company, LLC, for the transfer of a liquor license to the new tenant, which will be known as Mercury Lounge. The hearing will take place on Thursday, October 19th at 10:30am as the restaurant/bar prepares to make the change.
The museum’s annual Native Art Market features award-winning and innovative Indigenous artists from across the Western Hemisphere. This event invites lovers of art and craftsmanship to meet Indigenous artists and learn about the traditional arts and contemporary Indigenous creativity. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase traditional and contemporary handcrafted artworks, including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture.
We ❤️ Teachers 5K celebrates educators through movement. On race day, runners and walkers across the country will participate in host city races, school celebrations, and virtual events — all in support of teachers and educator wellness. We'll be in beautiful Wheaton Regional Park, Join Us!
Walk it. Run it. Move for the teacher who moved you.
VinoRita Wine Slushies, the pop-up that arrived in the Montgomery Mall food court in early August, closed as summer came to an end. VinoRita popped up at the kiosk space that was previously home to HalfSmoke, Gelato Galaxy, and Coldstone Creamery.
VinoRita offered wine slushies with alcohol-infused flavors including the best selling “Black San,” which is a Blackberry Sangria, Peach Frose, Strawberry Daquiri, and Blueberry Pomegranate. Non-alcoholic options included Blue Raspberry and Lemonade. The plan for the store, which has locations in North Carolina and Georgia, was to remain until the end of summer. A new location has recently opened, or will open soon, in Orlando.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) responded to The Grand Condos at 5801 Nicholson Ln in Rockville around 7pm on Saturday, September 30 for the initial report of smoke in the building. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, firefighters located a dumpster on fire in a basement trash room which led to smoke on several upper level floors. The fire was extinguished and the basement is being ventilated.
There were no injuries and no residents have been displaced. Code Enforcement and the alarm/sprinkler company has been notified. We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision involving a scooter rider on Saturday, September 30 in Layhill. According to police, “MCPD responded to the area of Bel Pre Road and Layhill Road at approximately 7:44 p.m., for the report of a two-vehicle collision involving a scooter. The adult male driver of the scooter has been transported to an area hospital with life threatening injuries. The driver of the striking vehicle remained on scene.”
MCPD posted the following on Twitter at 8:41pm: “TRAFFIC ADVISORY: A traffic collision has eastbound Bel Pre Road closed at Layhill Road. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route. Expect delays.”
Detectives are on the scene of a shooting that occurred Saturday, September 30 in Wheaton. According to safety reporter Cordell Pugh, a male was shot in the leg around 7:20PM at Wheaton Forest Local Park. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries and Montgomery County Police 4th District Officers applied a tourniquet prior to EMS arrival. Montgomery Parks Police in handling the investigation.
We will post an update if additional information becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Prativ Jani is asked to call the Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).
