Last January we let you know that Java Nation would be moving in to 121 Market Street in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg, which was formerly a Starbucks. Starbucks opened a new Kentlands location at 160 Kentlands Blvd at the beginning of this year that features a drive-thru.

We have been told there were material and equipment delays by manufacturers, initially pushing the opening timeframe from August to October, then November, and more recently January. Yesterday, we spoke with representatives from the Rockville and Kensington locations, who told us that the Kentlands location has been pushed back to late February or early March.

Java Nation is best known for their house-roasted coffees, diverse food menu, and their wide variety of local craft beers, wines and artisan cocktails. From its website:

Curious about the “social house” signage that’s up in the window? Much like the Rockville location, the Kentlands location feature entertainment such as live music, comedy shows, dramatic readings and other community events.

Tutti Frutti is in the process of transitioning its Kentlands location at 200 Kentlands Boulevard in Gaithersburg to Kung Fu Tea.

The California-based chain frozen yogurt chain started in 2008 and has stores across the United States and in over 25 countries worldwide, and opened its Kentlands location in August 2020 .

The store is connected to neighboring restaurant, Bonchon. It has been offering both Tutti Frutti and Kung Fu Tea products, but today we were told that will be transitioning to be only a Kung Fu Tea in the coming weeks.

Kung Fu Tea is a bubble tea beverage franchise headquartered in New York. It was founder in 2010 and the company has over 250 locations across the U.S., including one less than 3 miles away in Rio.

Featured photo courtesy of David Peikin.

Earlier this week we let you know that construction started at Lapu Lapu, the sister restaurant of popular Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington restaurant Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly.

The restaurant recently announced a pop-up that’ll allow you to sample the breakfast sandwiches that’ll be served at the upcoming restaurant. It will take place this Sunday, January 23 from 11am until 3pm at Kuya Ja’s (5268-H Nicholson Lane) for takeout or delivery, as dine-in is not currently being offered.

The upcoming restaurant will be taking over the 325 square foot storefront that was formerly home to Tex-Mex restaurant Peppers, located next to Vasili’s. It will specialize in breakfast sandwiches.

Per the restaurant’s Instagram account, Lapu Lapu is currently hiring and anticipates to open prior to spring.

Featured photo by Lapu Lapu via @nnewgenn

We first reported in January of 2020 that Chopt would be opening a Kentlands location. A year later, the restaurant has announced opening plans.

Today, Tuesday, January 18th will allow customers to order ahead via the Chopt app or website for 100% of your sale to benefit Manna Food Center. The official opening will be tomorrow, Wednesday, January 19th.

More information below:

“We’re giving you an exclusive preview of Chopt before we officially open at Kentlands Market Square!

Please join us for Chopt Gives on Tuesday, January 18th, 2022 from 11:30am – 2:00pm & 5:00pm – 7:30pm. To participate, you’ll need to order ahead for pickup on our app or choptsalad.com. 100% of sales will benefit Manna Food Center.

We are proud to partner with Manna Food Center during #ChoptGives. The singular mission of Manna Food Center is to eliminate hunger in Montgomery County, Maryland. Through food distribution, education and advocacy, they are making strides on behalf of more than 60,000 county residents who experience food insecurity each year. Since 1983, Manna has worked to fight hunger, feed hope, and transition food recipients from a place of scarcity to prosperity.

🗓 Tuesday, January 18th
🕐 11:30am – 2:00pm & 5:00pm – 7:30pm
📍 141 Commerce Square Place, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878
🥗 Order ahead for pickup on our app or choptsalad.com only

If you can’t join us today for #ChoptGives, we’ll be open starting Wednesday, January 19th. We can’t wait to see you, Gaithersburg!”

Construction has started at Lapu Lapu in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg.

Back in October we let you know that Lapu Lapu, which will be the sister restaurant of popular Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington restaurant Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly, announced via Instagram that it was coming soon.

The new restaurant will be taking over the 325 square foot storefront that was formerly home to Tex-Mex restaurant Peppers, located next to Vasili’s. It will specialize in breakfast sandwiches.

Per the restaurant’s Instagram account, Lapu Lapu is currently hiring and anticipates to open prior to spring.

Sister restaurant Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly started as a pop-up at owner Javier Fernandez’ sister’s bakery– Gwenie’s Pastries (12113 Nebel Street in Rockville) in 2016, before opening at 5268-H Nicholson Ln 240-669-4383.

Signage has been up for a couple months now at the upcoming Chopt location in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg.

The new restaurant is located next to MOD pizza on Commerce Square and is now scheduled to open in January after Covid delays and permitting issues pushed the opening date back a few times. No exact date has been set yet.

We stopped by earlier today and saw that the interior is nearly ready to go, with lights on and menus lit up.

We first reported in January of 2020 that Chopt would be opening a Kentlands location but there have been several delays, starting with the pandemic.

Last January we let you know that Java Nation would be moving in to 121 Market Strert in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg, which was formerly a Starbucks. Starbucks opened a new Kentlands location at 160 Kentlands Blvd at the beginning of this year that features a drive-thru.

We have been told there were material and equipment delays by manufacturers, initially pushing the opening timeframe from August to October and then November.

This morning we spoke with representatives from the Rockville and Kensington locations, who told uso that the Kentlands location would be opening in January.

Java Nation is best known for their house-roasted coffees, diverse food menu, and their wide variety of local craft beers, wines and artisan cocktails.

Curious about the “social house” signage that’s up in the window? Much like the Rockville location, the Kentlands location feature entertainment such as live music, comedy shows, dramatic readings and other community events.

More information about Java Nation can be found here.

Construction at the upcoming Shake Shack (150 Kentlands Square Place) in the Kentlands neighborhood has not begun just yet, but the burger chain will have its Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) hearing, which would give them a license to sell beer and wine on the premises, at 9:30am on January 6th.

Included in the site plan were renderings (shown below) of what Shake Shack will look like when it’s built as a standalone restaurant between the new Starbucks and the existing Chipotle across the parking lot from Lowe’s. Plans were approved this past summer.

 

The restaurant will not have a drive-thru, but will have a carry-out pick up window and ample outdoor seating. It is expected to open by the end of 2022.

The building, totaling 2100 sq. ft of commercial use on site E, was approved on October 16, 2019. In response to interim development opportunities, this Application proposes to develop the FSP Area with one additional infill building totaling ±4,300 square feet of commercial use on Site ‘D’. Site D is primarily accessed from the eastern parking lot.

Secondary access is proposed along Kentlands Square Place. The Application proposes a new concrete sidewalk along the drive aisle on the northern portion of the project, continuing along the eastern parking lot. The proposed commercial site will replace existing lawn area, along with the addition of street tree to existing islands within the parking lot. No changes to any existing commercial buildings are proposed by this Application.
In summary, the Application contributes as an interim step towards the greater vision of the Kentlands development; is in compliance with SDP‐7712‐2017, in accord with City Code §§ 24‐160D.9.(b) and 160D.10.(b); and conforms with the applicable 1988 Master Plan.

The upcoming Montgomery Mall location recently announced an opening date.

A previous version of this article referred to the newspaper published by The Town Paper as The Town Crier, which is the HOA published newspaper for the Kentlands.

Kentlands Photography Café Opening December 14

The Kentlands Photography Cafe will be open for retail business starting Tuesday December 14. This new venue will serve as a photography gallery, cafe, photography bookstore, wine bar, as well as a space for classes and lectures. The cafe and wine bar will start operating at a later date, which has not yet been announced. 

Per their website, the gallery will be the focal point of the space. They will display a permanent collection of work, plus new photography exhibitions every 6-8 weeks with art from local, national, and international photographers. They plan to host events including opportunities to meet the artists, workshops, book signings, and more. 

The cafe will serve ready-made sandwiches and salads from local chefs, plus house-brewed coffee and wine curated by a local sommelier. They plan to host pop up dinner nights featuring local chefs in addition to wine tasting events. 

The bookstore will offer photography tutorial books, “coffee table” photography books, photography prints, posters, reproductions, and photography magazines. 

The Kentlands Photography Cafe is located at 309 Main St in Gaithersburg and is replacing the Wellspring Skin Care Clinic.  

While they were remodeling, the owner discovered the original signage for the office that used to occupy that space– the Town Paper (publisher of The Town Courier from 2003-2020).  

Kentlands Photography Café will be open from noon-8pm Tuesdays-Fridays and 10 am- 5 pm on Saturdays. The Cafe and gallery will be closed on Sundays and Mondays.

You can learn more about the Kentlands Photography Cafe by checking out their website , Instagram, and facebook. 

Featured photo courtesy of Seth Steinberg. 

By Michelle Katz @pike.and.rozay

Signage is now up at the upcoming Chopt location in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg. The new restaurant is located next to MOD pizza on Commerce Square.

Previously, the Kentlands Chopt aimed to open in October. We spoke to representatives from the Rockville Chopt today and were told us the new Kentlands location is now scheduled to open in January.

We first reported in January of 2020 that Chopt would be opening a Kentlands location but there have been several delays, starting with the pandemic.

Two weeks ago, CVS announced that it planned to close around 900 stores over the next three years. Last week, demolition of the building started at the location that was home to O’Donnell’s, Tommy Joe’s, Boulevard Tavern, and Brasserie Beck in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg.

Gaithersburg Councilmember Neil Harris told us that CVS is moving forward with the plan back in 2019. Yesterday he confirmed that CVS would be moving in to the property, where a new building will be erected.

There’s no timetable for when it’ll be ready to open, but construction will start soon after demolition (photos below).