Openings

Gaithersburg

Opening Information for TaKorean in Kentlands

By Patrick Herron

TaKorean, a Korean taco grill that is taking over the recently-closed Nalley Fresh location at 261 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg, has announced it will hold its soft opening on Thursday, May 4. There will also be a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Gaithersburg Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, May 9 at 10:30am and TaKorean will be offering free food for guests from 11am to 2pm. The restaurant offers Korean style tacos and bowls with options including chicken/Dak Halbi, steak/Bulgogi, pork/Bo Ssam, and tofu/Hoisin. This will be TaKoreans first location outside of D.C.

According to RestaurantDive, TaKorean is currently looking to open one restaurant at a time with future franchisees, and wants to ensure success at its initial franchise locations to create a strong base for a burgeoning franchise program. The company is open to multi-unit deals, but isn’t seeking them out. TaKorean is currently casting a wide net for potential markets, and once it sees brand recognition and franchisee interest in a particular market, it expects to build up that area, Lenard said. TaKorean is flexible on potential restaurant sizes, depending on a market’s real estate conditions.

Go to Opening Information for TaKorean in Kentlands Read more
Montgomery Village

Opening Information for Kobe Japan Hibachi & Sushi in Montgomery Village

By Patrick Herron

Kobe Japan Hibachi & Sushi at 19226 Montgomery Village Ave, next to Moe’s Southwest Grill in the Montgomery Village Center, will open this Wednesday, April 25. Kobe Japan has additional Montgomery County locations at 1163 University Blvd E in Takoma Park and 13623 Georgia Ave. Suit A in Aspen Hill.  The menu features sushi, sashimi, spring rolls, bento boxes and hibachi (full menu can be seen below).

In other Montgomery Village Center news, last week we let you know that Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, which was scheduled to open in the space next to Kobe Japan, appears to no longer be coming to the shopping center. The space is now listed as available again on the shopping center’s leasing website.

Go to Opening Information for Kobe Japan Hibachi & Sushi in Montgomery Village Read more
Rockville

Paris Baguette To Open Rockville Town Square Location This Week

By Patrick Herron

Paris Baguette, “the neighborhood bakery café where communities come together over expertly crafted baked and brewed goods,” has announced it will hold the grand opening of its Rockville Town Square location at 101 Gibbs Street on Friday, April 28. Paris Baguette offers cakes, gourmet sandwiches, salads, and an assortment of baked goods such as croissants and donuts.

The company detailed its expansion plans back in August: “Paris Baguette currently operates in 14 states with a focus on expanding to a nationwide footprint in top-tier markets through a combined strategic approach of corporate-owned and franchise locations; franchise agreements have been signed to expand across 25 states. “The increased interest we’ve seen in franchise agreements and rapid expansion through new store openings at Paris Baguette is a testament to the success we’ve seen by focusing on the elevated bakery café experience and creating an emotional connection with our guests,” said Darren Tipton, Chief Executive Officer, Paris Baguette America. “We set an aggressive goal to open 1,000 locations in the U.S. by 2030 and we’re on track to exceed this plan with strategic direction on growth, quality products, customer experience, and innovation.”

Go to Paris Baguette To Open Rockville Town Square Location This Week Read more
Gaithersburg

New Cake and Dessert Shop Coming to Kentlands

By Patrick Herron

Signage is up for Ed Studio at 360 Main St in Gaithersburg, the former site of SPAGnVOLA chocoltier.  We’re told the store is named after its owner, Ed. The bakery specializes in birthday cakes and is expected to open next month. Ed Studio joins Neal’s Bagels, Poke Bros, Potomac Cookie Co, and TaKorean on the list of restaurants/bakeries coming soon to the Kentlands. Additional information on each location below. The news of Ed Studio opening in the Kentlands was first reported by @pike.and.rozay.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqS_iC2Our9/

Go to New Cake and Dessert Shop Coming to Kentlands Read more
Germantown

Update on Upcoming Germantown KPot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

By Patrick Herron

Last summer we let you know that KPot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot will be opening a second MoCo location, taking over the space that was previously occupied by Honey Pig at 19727 Frederick Rd #1337 in the Fox Chapel shopping center. According to representatives at the restaurant, KPot is currently scheduled to open in two months. The restaurant, which is not owned by the same franchisee as the Rockville location, had its hearing for a Class B, Beer, Wine & Liquor License back in January. Honey Pig closed permanently in November of 2021 after five years at the location.

According to KPot, the restaurant was started by four friends from different backgrounds who decided to share their mixed cuisine over the same table. KPot combines traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavors. Hot pot, also known as “soup-food” or “steamboat,” is a communal pot of simmering broth that is stuffed with raw ingredients like meat and vegetables to cook in the pot.

Go to Update on Upcoming Germantown KPot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot Read more
Gaithersburg

Update on TaKorean in Kentlands

By Patrick Herron

Permanent signage is now up at TaKorean, a Korean taco grill that is taking over the recently-closed Nalley Fresh location at 261 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg. The restaurant offers Korean style tacos and bowls. This will be TaKoreans first location outside of D.C and the company is aiming for an early May opening.

The line-style restaurant was operating five locations at once, a few years back, but now there are just two TaKorean locations open in Washington, D.C. According to RestaurantDive, TaKorean is currently looking to open one restaurant at a time with future franchisees, and wants to ensure success at its initial franchise locations to create a strong base for a burgeoning franchise program. The company is open to multi-unit deals, but isn’t seeking them out. TaKorean is currently casting a wide net for potential markets, and once it sees brand recognition and franchisee interest in a particular market, it expects to build up that area, Lenard said. TaKorean is flexible on potential restaurant sizes, depending on a market’s real estate conditions.

Go to Update on TaKorean in Kentlands Read more
Gaithersburg

Coming Soon Signage Up at Pho Nom Nom in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Coming soon signage is up at the upcoming Pho Nom Nom at 18509 N Frederick Ave at Gaithersburg S.C. (that’s the name of the shopping center), at the former site of Pho Viet Saigon. Pho Nom Nom has an additional location at 842 Rockville Pike. A representative from the Rockville location tells us the new store is still a few months away from opening. Pho Nom Nom specializes in authentic Vietnamese cuisine, including pho, banh mi, noodles and grilled dishes.

Go to Coming Soon Signage Up at Pho Nom Nom in Gaithersburg Read more
Gaithersburg

Lum Thai Now Open in Muddy Branch Square

By Patrick Herron

Lum Thai is now open in the Muddy Branch Square shopping center in Gaithersburg (video below).The Thai restaurant is located in the space previously occupied by Roggenart and Canela Bakery at 806 Muddy Branch Road. Other restaurants in Muddy Branch Square include First Watch, Paisano’s, and Royal Tandoor.

According to its website, the Lum Thai is open daily from 11am until 9pm. The menu features a variety appetizers (all priced below $10), soups, salads, entrees/curries/noodles (all priced at $13.95), chef specialities  (going as high as $20), and desserts.

Go to Lum Thai Now Open in Muddy Branch Square Read more
Wheaton Mall

Five Below Now Open in Wheaton Mall

By Patrick Herron

Five Below is now open on the top level of Westfield Wheaton Mall at 11160 Veirs Mill Rd.  The discount chain plans to add  to open 200 new stores in 2023, bringing its total to over 1,500, according to Bisnow. Five Below has additional MoCo locations in Gaithersburg (Gaithersburg Square and Kentlands), Germantown, Rockville, and Silver Spring.

In other Wheaton Mall news, last week we reported that Moe’s Southwest Grill had closed its location in the food court. The restaurant opened in 2019.

Go to Five Below Now Open in Wheaton Mall Read more
Silver Spring

Chipotle Opens New Digital Kitchen Concept

By MCS Staff

Chipotle has opened a new digital-only restaurant at 13801 Outlet Drive at the Briggs Chaney Marketplace in Silver Spring, according to a report by WTOP. The new concept, also known as “Chipotlane,” has no dining room and requires you to order through the Chipotle app, rather than the traditional assembly line format Chipotle is famous for. According to Chipotle, “guests and delivery drivers can collect their digital orders through the Chipotlane drive-thru or walk-up window.” We first reported that Chipotle would be taking over the Little Caesers location in Briggs Chaney Marketplace back in June.

Other “digital kitchen” restaurants in Montgomery County include Ensemble at 4856 Cordell Ave in Bethesda, CAVA at 19865 Century Blvd in Germantown, and Flip’d by IHOP at 8537 Georgia Ave in Silver Spring. 

Go to Chipotle Opens New Digital Kitchen Concept Read more
View More Stories