Gaithersburg

Shake Shake officially opens its Kentlands location in Gaithersburg today. The burger chain has hosted friends & family and training events since Monday, but today will be the restaurant’s first day opening to the public. Shake Shack has additional MoCo locations at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda and Cabin John Village in Potomac. The restaurant will be open from 10:30am until 9pm and offers a variety of burgers, fries, and other items.

Background: 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 of 2022, and prepared to break ground in February. Construction began in March, but stalled after flooding that occurred over the summer. The approval was for the first of three infill sites was granted for the construction of a 2,100 square foot Starbucks building with drive through and outdoor seating. Starbucks opened in January of 2021, a little over two years ago.


Gaithersburg

MBW and Haris Design and Construction Co. submitted Concept Site Plan application (SP-9149-2021) on December 16, 2021, to demolish the buildings located at 9, 11, and 15 Park Avenue and 201 Brookes Avenue in anticipation of redevelopment into a pair of four-story multifamily buildings totaling 151 units with 182 parking spaces. The Planning Commission deferred the Concept Site Plan at its December 7 meeting. The revised plan will return to the Planning Commission today, May 3.

The Historic District Commission initially reviewed SP-9149-2021 at its June 22, 2022 meeting for potential historic or architectural significance. The application was deferred to its next meeting so the HDC could receive more historical information on the properties. At its July 27 meeting, the HDC determined there was reasonable probability 9, 11, 13, and 15 Park Avenue and 201 Brookes Avenue could be locally designated as an historic district, or, in the alternative, 9 and 15 Park Avenue and 201 Brookes Avenue could be locally designated as individual sites. The HDC directed Staff to prepare a petition resolution to the Mayor and City Council, and the HDC approved the resolution at its August 24 meeting. At its October 3 meeting, the City Council voted not to accept the HDC’s petition to designate the properties as historic. The HDC provided a nonbinding courtesy review of the Concept Site Plan (SP-9149-2021) at its October 26 meeting.


Potomac

Permanent signage went up last month at the new Baskin Robbins at 1079 Seven Locks Rd in Potomac Woods Plaza, located in the space that was previously home to Ibhana Creations. Baskin Robbins has now set an opening date of Sunday, May 7th.

Last February, Baskin Robbins closed its doors at Cabin John Village and announced its plans to open in the nearby Potomac Woods Plaza shopping center this spring. Baskin Robbins was replaced in Cabin John Village by The Scoop, which was opened this past August by Timothy and Mitch Ryoo– Potomac natives and Winston Churchill High School Graduates (2010 and 2006). Baskin Robbins will also be opening a location later this year in the Montgomery Village Center. 


Maryland

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is continuing a northern snakehead tagging program in an effort to spur removal of invasive fish from our waters. This spring, up to 500 tags will be put on snakeheads from Gunpowder River, upper Chesapeake Bay tributaries, and Mattawoman and Nanjemoy creeks of Potomac River.

 


Event

Online event (see link)

Free Lunch & Learn: The 10 Financial Mistakes New Entrepreneurs Make

Starting a business is exciting, but financial mistakes can create costly challenges at any stage of growth. Join K. Graham Accounting & Advisory, LLC for a free Lunch & Learn designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners build a stronger financial foundation and make more informed business decisions.


Crime

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit identified and charged a man in connection with a fatal shooting in February. The suspect is 25-year-old Luis Marquez of Silver Spring. He’s charged with murdering 38-year-old Maurice Chase Jr. of Takoma Park.

Per PGCPD: On February 20, 2023, at approximately 12:40 am, officers responded to the 6700 block of New Hampshire Avenue for a shooting in the unincorporated section of Takoma Park. Officers located the victim inside of an apartment building suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital where he died several hours later. The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect shot the victim during an altercation. Marquez is charged with first and second degree murder and additional charges. He is in custody of the Department of Corrections. Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512.


Maryland

“These two programs are incredibly important in supporting our small, minority and veteran-owned businesses throughout the state,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson. “Not only are we proud to assist these businesses with their growth, but we are also thrilled to see them support dozens of jobs and provide good opportunities for Marylanders in the process.”

The businesses receiving assistance through the military loan program include Escape Proving Ground, a Pasadena adventure and entertainment company specializing in interactive escape rooms; Patuxent Pride Inc., a franchised PrideStaff business that provides temporary, temporary-to-hire, and direct hire staffing services in Columbia; and the Brunch House, a startup barbeque restaurant with plans to locate in Glen Burnie. Together, these business owners have more than 32 years of experience in the Maryland National Guard, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Army National Guard.


Maryland

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today attended the 2023 Anti-Defamation League National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.. The governor participated in a plenary discussion with Chief Executive Officer and Anti-Defamation League National Director Jonathan Greenblatt about standing up to antisemitism and hate; the role of education in protecting against extremism; and working together to reduce hate, improve public safety, and ensure that hate has no home in Maryland.

“The recent rise in antisemitic incidents in Maryland is unacceptable,” said Gov. Moore. “We need to stand up and make it known that hate has no place in our state. My team has been working closely with ADL leadership to counter violence and prejudice with strategy and wisdom–by bolstering public safety and investing in education. I look forward to continuing this critical partnership.”


WMATA

Per WMATA: Starting Monday, May 8, Red Line trains will arrive every six minutes during the busiest weekday periods from 6 – 9 a.m. and 3 – 7 p.m. The change will help relieve crowding during rush hours when Red Line trains are at or near capacity. During the midweek 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. hours most trains between Union Station and Metro Center have more than 90 people packed in each railcar, with some trains reaching 150 passengers per car.

Outside of peak periods, Red Line trains will continue to run every 8 minutes during the daytime and evening hours, and every 10 minutes after 9:30 p.m. seven days a week. Metrorail ridership continues to show strong growth month-over-month as service improves. In April, average weekday ridership hit 324,500, a pandemic-era high and 50 percent of pre-pandemic ridership during the same period.


Bethesda

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Kusshi Sushi is offering 40% at all of its restaurants until Thursday, May 4th for teacher appreciation. Just show your teacher ID or email as proof to server or host. This applies for carry-out and dine-in. Kusshi has locations in: