Marshall’s Moving to Gaithersburg Square and a Couple Other Openings in the Shopping Center
Last month we let you know that Gaithersburg Square would be undergoing a $6.6 million renovation. With any renovation comes many changes, and we have a few to report today.
Zengo Cycle Signage Removed in Kentlands
Signage at Zengo Cycle was removed today at the Kentlands location this morning.
Village Center Beer and Wine to Replace Splash and Dash in Montgomery Village
A sign posted on the door of the former Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique reveals the plans for a new beer and wine store in the Montgomery Village Center. This will be the second beer and wine store in the center.
12/5/20 UPDATE per the City of Gaithersburg
Due to the number of vehicles visiting the Winter Lights Festival, there is an excessively long wait to get into the event, especially on weekends.
MoCo Show in the Kitchen 11.20.20
Feta Spread with Honey
“Remember that guy that used to paint at Rio?” We sure do. If you ever walked through Rio between 2000-2016, you probably spotted George Petridis working on one of his beautiful paintings with a lot of his other artwork on display in the atrium of Rio just outside of the movie theater. For over 15 years, Petridis displayed his art and worked on new pieces surrounded by the bustle of the Rio crowd– often interacting with those who stopped to enjoy some of the work he had on display.
You’d be surprised to learn that Petridis didn’t actually live in MoCo, though he spent much of his time here while his art was on display at Rio. He was born and raised in Athens, Greece and didn’t pick up art until later in life while he was looking to become a cardiologist and fell in love with the daughter of a prominent artist in Belgium, who introduced him to painting. After participating in a show in Paris, he decided his passion would become his career and he joined his brother in Toronto, Canada.
Many of you may have spent a sun-splashed day roaming the 18.3-acre grounds of Nike Missile Park in Gaithersburg near Snouffer School Road. However, this site was not always the lovely green space that we see today – and the “Nike” is not referring to the Swoosh we’re all familiar with. Project Nike was an anti-aircraft missile initiative that traces its roots back to 1944, when the U.S. Department of War (now the Department of Defense) tasked its scientists and engineers to develop a widespread anti-aircraft missile system. During the Cold War, tensions were at a fever pitch, and the U.S. military sought to ensure that the nation was protected in the event of an attack.
Previously known as Site W-94 in the Washington-Baltimore Defense Area (BA, W), the Gaithersburg site was one of several Nike facilities across the capital region equipped with anti-aircraft infrastructure for use in the case of airborne attacks. The site was equipped with the Nike Ajax (MIM-3) missile systems, which were the main foundation of the Nike program until the mid-1960s. Once the technology advanced past the Ajax’s point, the Gaithersburg Nike Missile site was deactivated and demolished, with the core site being transferred to the National Park Service and the surrounding areas developed into residential lots. In 1997, the National Park Service then transferred the site to the Maryland-National Capital Park Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), at which point we gained the Nike Missile Park that we know today.
This Montgomery County native is an accomplished musician, a New York Times Best Selling author, and Twitch streamer. Born in Rockville, Maryland, he grew up in the West Deer Park neighborhood in Gaithersburg. He also worked at Joe’s Crab Shack in Rio and performed there a few times when he started off.
Originally under the name Psychological, he started performing professionally in 2009. As to why he called himself that, he said, “ I just loved this word because it was about the mind and I knew that’s what I wanted my music to consist of; something that really challenges the mind.” Years later, he would rise to international fame and receive 2 Grammy nominations.
Back in 1990 you could watch Back to the Future at the “Dive-in Move” at Stedwick Pool. In 2020, the classic film was shown at DC Party Box’s drive-in theater in Rockville.
Did you know that the very first Toys R Us was in Rockville?
Construction has recently begun at the former Montgomery Village Golf Course. Monument Realty is in charge of building the planned community that will be known as Bloom Village. The 150 acre site will consist of townhomes, single-family homes, walking paths, picnic areas, a dog park and an edible garden. The first homes are expected to be ready by Summer 2021.
You can read about how Montgomery Village will be incorporating the new homes in the Village News. Full site plans can be found at BloomMV’s website. Below are some photos of the golf course just weeks before construction began.
National pet supply chain Pet Valu will be closing all of its 358 stores due to the economic effects of Covid-19. They are now offering up to 20% off of everything in stores. Below is a list of the Montgomery County locations: