Germantown

Bed Bath & Beyond at 12940 Middlebrook in the Germantown Commons shopping center has confirmed that the store will be closing permanently on Sunday, April 23. “Store Closing” signage was placed on the store windows back in February. A representative from the Germantown location tells us that the nearby Rockville and Frederick stores will remain open.

The Gaithersburg location closed a couple years back in Gaithersburg Square and has been replaced by Marshalls. The Wall Street Journal reports that the company is expected to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy in the coming days.


Gaithersburg

Update: Amazon Fresh is once again coming soon.

Signage has been removed and it appears that the planned Amazon Fresh location at 15790 Shady Grove Road (former Office Depot location) in Gaithersburg will no longer be opening in the 270 Center. Construction on the location had been completed for months (shelving and signage inside the store, freezers/refrigeration up and running) and charging stations for electric vehicles had been installed in the parking lot. Like other Amazon Fresh stores, the Gaithersburg location was scheduled to be outfitted with Amazon’s cashierless “Just Walk Out” technology. The 270 Center is on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville and is home to Best Buy, Home Depot, and Nordstrom Rack.


Gaithersburg

The Flagship Carwash locations at 87 Bureau Dr in Gaithersburg and 785 Hungerford Dr in Rockville are temporarily closed for renovations.  A representative from the company tells us they expect to reopen both locations in about 60 days. The Germantown location at 11620 Middlebrook Road remains open.  Flagship has over 20 locations across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

About: “Flagship Carwash is a professional car wash services company with several locations throughout the DMV area. Flagship offers the optionality of full-service, express service and self service washes. This location offers brushless full service, express detailing and self service interior and exterior wash options. The full service wash includes three different levels of wash options, ultimate, super or full serve, so you can customize your wash based on your needs. Our tenured customer service team is there to handle all the details. We also offer express detailing services and a 24/7 self service wash option. All of our locations offer the same speedy, high-quality car wash customers have come to expect from Flagship.”


Rockville

A change.org petition has been created to oppose a vape/tobacco shop that has signed a lease to take over the former bank space at 1101 Nelson St in the Woodley Gardens Shopping Center in Rockville. Woodley Gardens is home to Carmen’s Italian Ice, Hard Times Café, and Z&Z – Manoushe Bakery. According to the petition,  “a shop of this nature would have a direct and negative impact on the community that frequents the current businesses in the shopping center and family amenities in the park.” Full text from change.org/p/oppose-the-vape-tobacco-shop-in-woodley-gardens below:

“The Woodley Gardens Shopping Center has signed a lease with a “tobacco shop” to be the new tenant in the old bank location. This business will likely be selling tobacco products and vaping supplies (which are often targeted at minors) among family-friendly retailers and across from the Woodley Gardens park. It is highly concerning that a shop of this type could open in such close proximity to an ice cream store, playground, park, sports fields/courts, family swimming pool and future early childhood education center.


Silver Spring

Tastee Diner at 8601 Cameron St. in Silver Spring permanently closed today, March 22, at 2pm. According to a report from the Washington Business Journal, the diner was sold on March 21 to D.C. based Roadside Development for an undisclosed price.  Roadside Development, which purchased the adjacent Capital One bank lot back in August, plans on creating a “multifamily mixed-use” redevelopment at the two sites. According to a press release, the original dining car from the diner will be incorporated into the future project.

“As a Silver Spring native myself, I have a deep appreciation for the history and culture of this vibrant community. It is a true privilege to be able to showcase Roadside’s passion for the community by incorporating Tastee Diner’s original dining car into the project,” said Jeff Edelstein, Partner at Roadside Development. “It has been a pleasure to get to know Gene over the last year. He has entrusted us with this opportunity and Roadside is honored to be able to breathe new life into the block and continue to grow this dynamic part of Silver Spring’s ever-evolving downtown.”


Takoma Park

People’s Book, a woman-owned general purpose bookstore, has announced it will be opening at 7014-A Westmoreland Ave in Takoma Park in the late spring/early summer. According to People’s Book, “the store will have a diverse selection of over 12,000 books, with a special focus on children’s literature, local interests, new releases and independent magazines. The inventory will also include book-themed gifts. Locally roasted drip coffee, kombucha, and other beverages and treats will be available.”

“Takoma Park is our family’s forever home, and we’re excited about providing readers of all ages opportunities to explore, learn, and connect with their neighbors,” said Megan Bormet, store owner and former elementary school educator.  “Helping kids and adults find books they love is what I like to do best, and I’m thrilled that we can do this at People’s Book.”


Bethesda

Bethesda based Marriott International has announced that current Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Anthony “Tony” Capuano, has been appointed as President and CEO of the company effective February 24. Capuano became CEO in February 2021 after Arne Sorenson passed away due to pancreatic cancer. Capuano has been with Marriott since 1995.

Marriott announced back in December that it’s current President, Stephanie Linnartz, will be stepping down to become CEO of Under Armour. “It is with very mixed emotions that I share the news that Stephanie Linnartz, a 25-year veteran of Marriott, has decided to step down as President to become President and CEO of Under Armour,” said Anthony Capuano, Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International. “On the one hand, I am excited for this next chapter in Stephanie’s career. On the other, I am saddened by the departure of such an incredible executive. Beyond the collaborative relationship that Stephanie and I enjoy in our roles, we are good friends, having rooted for each other for more than two decades as we grew in our careers at Marriott and in our lives outside the company. I admire so much about Stephanie – she has this great combination of grit, grace, and humanity – qualities that make her an exceptional leader. To say she will be missed is an understatement – but she will always be part of our Marriott family.”


Gaithersburg

The 14,316-square-foot facility now features a new PF Black Card® Spa area with HydroMassage beds, massage chairs and tanning beds. Coming soon will be its latest amenity, the Recovery Lounge. To help members relieve pain, recover and improve circulation, the lounge offers a multi-sensory experience combining hot, cold and compression therapy to kickstart the recovery process. Additional improvements include new locker rooms, new cardio equipment, new entrance way tile and new rubber flooring on the upper level.

“We are committed to reinvesting in the Gaithersburg community and are thrilled to unveil our brand-new Judgement Free facilities to our existing and soon-to-be members,” said Victor Brick, co-owner of Ohana Growth Partners (OGP), a franchise division of Planet Fitness. “Already, we’ve experienced an outstanding response from the community and encourage everyone to come check out the club, meet our friendly staff, get a tour and see what the Judgement Free Zone® is all about.”


Germantown

New Grand Mart, a Korean grocery chain with several locations across Maryland and Virginia, is coming to 13069 Wisteria Drive in the Germantown Plaza shopping center. It is taking over the space previously occupied by Lotte Plaza, which closed in November. According to its website, “New Grand Mart carries a variety of fresh produce, fish, meats, and ethnic specialty items that is hard for other markets to match.”  No opening date has been announced.

About: “New Grand Mart, a subsidiary of Green Paradise Enterprises, opened its first store in Falls Church, Virginia in August 2013 by acquiring the former Grand Mart – Seven Corners. Following the acquisition of its second store, the former Grand Mart – Alexandria, VA, in November 2013. New Grand Mart opened its third store in Langley Park, MD in July 2014, fourth store in North Chesterfield, VA in May 2015, fifth store in Henrico, VA in Oct 2017, and sixth store in New Carrollton, MD in March 2018.”


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