Bethesda

A representative from Westfield Montgomery tells us that MacGuffins bar is very close to opening inside of AMC Theaters at the mall. MacGuffins is AMC’s in-house bar that offers beer, wine, and mixed drinks to moviegoers. According to AMC, “the term “macguffin,” coined by Alfred Hitchcock, refers to a plot device that propels a movie forward. Our specialty cocktails, craft beers and premium wines will be just the thing to turn this movie experience into a story worth remembering.”

A Drink Mighty Enough for a God!


Bethesda

Popular local food truck Malia’s Kitchen will be opening up inside the Montgomery Mall food court, taking over the space that was previously occupied by Lazzaro’s Authentic Italian Deli and Big Al’s Sub Shop. Malia’s Kitchen serves soul food and seafood, which they describe as the best “homemade” down home cooking in the DMV. Items on their menu includes crab cakes, fried chicken, fried fish, and BBQ.  No opening date has been announced.

Lazzaro’s confirmed its closing on Sunday morning when owner Larry Lazarro wrote the following in response to a post on the Support MoCo FB page: “Thank you for all you and everyone has done on this page. Business was great and so was the feedback. It was a personal family health matter. But this is not the end I’m looking to move into a brick/ mortar. This place fell into my lap. Goin into the mall was never my first choice. lol Thank you to everyone we’ll miss seeing your beautiful faces every day! We love you and appreciate what everyone has done for us in this group! And the family is doing fine now.


Bethesda

Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Joshua Wright, 17, of Bethesda, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for the death of Lawrence Wilson Jr. on December 19th, 2021. According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, Wright faces a maximum of 40 years in prison and is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on October 12th, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. Co-defendant, Antonio Lawrence, is set for trial beginning February 6, 2023.

Lawrence Richard Wilson, Jr. was a 2006 graduate of Watkins Mill High School in Montgomery Village.


Bethesda

Per Montgomery County:

On Thursday, County Executive Marc Elrich announced an innovative new development project that would transform two Bethesda Parking Lot Districts (PLD), Lots 25 and 44, to almost 300 affordable and deeply affordable housing units. The project is a joint venture with private partners and will also include a greenway between Highland and West Virginia Avenues as envisioned in the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan. The County Executive was joined at the announcement by Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson, whose district includes this area.


Bethesda

 Westfield Montgomery retailers Macy’sUnder ArmourFabletics, Nordstrom and others will be on hand to showcase the latest in summer and fall athleisure styles and trends. Each week participants can enter for a chance to win a free one-month membership to OneLife Rockville. There will be additional prizes, discounts, and tastings from select center restaurants.

 The classes are open to individuals ages 11 and up and no prior dance experience is necessary to participate (ages 11 to 15 must be accompanied by a parent, 15 and up can participate unaccompanied).  To sign up, visit the event website and for more information about other events and programs, visit the Westfield Montgomery website. 


Bethesda

All three DMV Dog Haus locations, Bethesda (7904 Woodmont Ave), Kentlands (644 Center Point Way), and Downtown Silver Spring (933 Ellsworth Dr), will be participating in “National Hot Dog Day” on Wednesday, July 20.  Simply text “Free Dog” to 833-440-1110 to redeem the promotion for one free Haus Dog. Offer valid for dine in only and while supplies last.

In May, Dog Haus announced today that the company has executed a development agreement with local franchisees Faizan and Adila Khan to to open 15 new Dog Haus locations over the next five years. Cities listed include Annapolis, Baltimore, Columbia, Frederick and Germantown.  No specific information has been released on dates and locations. Faizan Khan currently franchises three MoCo Dog Haus locations.


Bethesda

The idea of a business that made people happy though, never left his thoughts. While visiting a firemen’s carnival with his children in 1939, Frank saw what he thought might be the new business for him. He counted the people in line at the “Roll-O-Plane” and watched as the thrilled riders exited the ride, and got right back in line to ride again. He visited the carnival again each of the next three nights and paid even closer attention to the operation of amusement rides. He was now sure that this is where he would invest his savings.

Frank Joseph bought his first amusement ride, an Eyerly Aircraft, “Roll-o-Plane” in 1939. A few years later came an “Octopus” and “Spitfire’.  He operated these rides seasonally at local amusement parks, church bazaars, firemen’s carnivals, and county fairs throughout the late 1940’s. By now, his oldest son Pete was in his late teens and able to help his father with the business.


Bethesda

Suki Hana has opened up locations in both the Montgomery and Wheaton mall food courts, although the two locations appear to have completely different menus. The Montgomery Mall kiosk menu features sushi, rolls, salads, and bowls. Selections include Spicy Tuna Roll, Shrimp Tempura Roll, Black Dragon Roll, Seaweed Salad, and Green Poke Bowl. The Wheaton Mall location features chicken, beef, and shrimp Teryaki platters, as well as fried dumplings and tempura.

The signage at the Montgomery Mall location originally referred to the restaurant as “Sarku Hana,” but was quickly updated to ‘Suki Hana’, since there is no connection between the restaurant and Sarku Japan, which is also located in the Montgomery Mall food court.


Bethesda

Moorenko’s in Montgomery Mall has closed. The ice cream shop, which opened in 2020, was located in a kiosk (previously home to Cookie Dough & Co.) on the lower level of the mall.  All signage and equipment has been removed.  Moorenko’s still has scoop shops in Silver Spring (8030 Georgia Ave) and Capital Hill, DC, and their ice cream is also served at Henry’s Sweet Retreat at 4823 St Elmo Ave in Bethesda. Ice cream flavors the company makes includes Bittersweet Chocolate, Blackberry Chocolate Chip, Cherry Stracciatella, Cinnamon Cappuccino, Cotton Candy Gummy Bear, Honey Lavender, and White Chocolate Mint.

News of Moorenko’s closing was first reported by Robert Dyer.


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