WHP Global, parent company of Toys “R” Us, has announced plans to open up to 24 Toys”R”Us flagship stores across the U.S. beginning in 2024. In addition to traditional brick and mortar stores, the expansion will also involve opening locations in airports and on cruise ships. According to WHP, Toys “R” Us marked its return in the U.S. when it opened a 20,000 sq ft. location in East Rutherford, NJ in 2021, followed by the launch of 452 Toys “R” Us shops at Macy’s stores in 2022. Exact locations for the upcoming stores have yet to be announced.
The first Toys “R” Us was located in Rockville, MD. In 1948, Charles P. Lazarus opened a baby furniture store named Children’s Bargain Town in DC. Two years later, in 1950, he introduced a few select toys to his inventory. It didn’t take long for him to realize that toys, unlike furniture, either broke or fell out of favor with kids rather quickly…so he added more toys and cut back on the furniture.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to an overturned heavy equipment/excavator with fuel spill at the C&O Canal, about one mile north of Swains Lock in Travilah. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the incident resulted in fuel spilling into the canal and HazMat is currently assisting. There were no injuries reported. We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.
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!
Montgomery Parks’ 300-year-old historic linden oak tree was loved by many. The tree was taken down in July due to declining health, however, the wood salvaged from the tree will carry on its legacy as a park bench. Local chainsaw artist Colin Vale will begin carving the wood from the tree the first week of October. Once complete, the bench will be placed at Ken-Gar Palisades Local Park.
Relax Station is now open at Westfield Montgomery, located on the lower level near the Cheesecake Factory. This is Relax Station’s second location, as they also have a location in Westfield Wheaton mall. They offer messages from 15 minutes to 120 minutes ranging from $25 to $125. The owner, Sophia Pang resides in Montgomery County.
In other Montgomery Mall news, realty starts Ashley Darby and Gabby Prescod will headline a special event on Saturday, October 7 with a fireside chat from 1pm to 2pm in the Nordstrom Wing on the Lower Level. “Fresh off the latest season of runway shows from New York and Paris Fashion Week, Fashion editor Gabby Prescod will lead a lively discussion with fan favorite and Montgomery County native, Ashley Darby. Get a sneak peek into their lives and behind-the-scenes tales of their most memorable fashion statements. Beyond the glitz and the glam, discover the heart, passion, and sensibilities that drive their styles.”
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time for commemorating our ancestors. Rather than a period of mourning, it is an occasion for celebrating with family—both living and dead—and honoring the cycle of life. Learn about La Catrina and her joyful view of life and mortality. Enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the day, including dance performances, coloring activities, and paper marigold and mask making. Visitors are invited to leave photos and mementos of their loved ones on the ofrenda (altar) or commemorate them by writing their names on a butterfly to attach to the memorial arch.
The MoCo Epic is a festival celebrating mountain biking, natural surface trails, and the community that makes this region a great place to ride! 2026 marks the 16th anniversary of the MoCo Epic.
Policy addresses adequacy of Montgomery County’s public facilities as part of the development approval process; community invited to October 17 informational meeting
The Montgomery County Planning Board approved the Scope of Work for the 2024-2028 update to the county’s Growth and Infrastructure Policy at its meeting on Thursday, September 28, 2023. The Growth and Infrastructure Policy (GIP) must be updated every four years and is the county’s most important policy for ensuring infrastructure is adequate to support growth. It is also vital to advancing the goals established in Thrive Montgomery 2050, the recently approved and adopted General Plan for Montgomery County.
Urbana is 3-1. They played a very good Middletown team in Delaware and lost which wasn’t unexpected. They edged out a Middletown-MD team which is looking like the weakest Middletown team in years (admittedly the Knights have played admirably so far). They had a decent 28-0 win over TJ. Then last week they went into DC and outlasted Ballou in a 37-34 shootout. Based on their other results, Ballou looks like an average team in DC. It’s definitely been an interesting schedule for the Hawks, and one that’s tough to gauge based on final scores alone. We’ve been hunting for film but it’s been hard to come by; NFHS only has tape from the Middletown-DE and TJ games and we are much more interested in seeing how Urbana looked against the other two teams.
Urbana appears to be predominantly a rushing offense. The QB looks like a decent passer but can contribute to the ground game with his legs. This is good news for a Churchill defense coming off a pretty impressive performance against QO and Iverson Howard, which forced the Cougars to air it out more to score. Alas for Urbana, Keegan Johnson is gone. On the flip side, David Avit has not disappointed whatsoever in regards to his preseason hype, currently sitting at 4th on the state rushing yards leaderboard, tops in MoCo. Even against QO’s ferocious defense he clawed his way to 73 yards on the ground and made some big plays as a receiver too. Perhaps Middletown-DE has a comparable player or two, but it’s looking like he’ll be the best player the Hawks D will line up against at this point in the season. Overall, provided Churchill plays up to their potential, I see the ingredients shaking out for them to pull out a statement win. Prediction: Churchill by 21
A letter was sent home to the Rosa Parks Middle School community (19200 Olney Mill Rd. in Olney) on Wednesday, September 27th, informing them of a “live pistol round” that was found on a luggage bus upon arrival to the school’s outdoor education site. A weapon was not found and there were no students present or on the bus. The full letter to the community can be seen below:
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School program, which encourages students who have a safe path and live near their elementary school to walk to school, will join in the national recognition of “Walk and Roll to School Day” on Wednesday, Oct. 4. Most County elementary schools will participate, with a special event starting at 8:15 a.m. that day at Brooke Grove Elementary School in Olney.
The walking groups, led by MCDOT’s Zeal the Safety Zebra and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s Sparky the Fire and Rescue Dog, will meet at the front of Brooke Grove Elementary School. The event will commence with fanfare including music, balloons, giveaways, police officers, firefighters and firetrucks. Students will be singing and carrying signs.
Concealed Carry-Restricted Areas: “While lawmakers this year removed the “good and substantial reason” language from Maryland law that the Supreme Court found unconstitutional, Maryland is tightening gun laws to prevent someone from carrying a concealed handgun in certain areas. For example, the law will generally prohibit a person from wearing, carrying or transporting a gun in an “area for children or vulnerable adults,” like a school or health care facility.” (Per the Associated Press)
Police Prosecutions: “Maryland’s attorney general will have independent authority to bring criminal charges against police officers after investigating deaths when officers are involved. The law is an expansion on a package of police reforms approved two years ago in response to concerns about police accountability after the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minnesota.” (per WBAL)
