Gaithersburg

Teen accessory chain Claire’s new location in Gaithersburg Square is scheduled to open Tuesday,  May 31. It is taking over the former Grog’s Beer and Wine location between AT&T and Ashley Furniture Homestore. The Claire’s located a quarter of a mile away inside of Lakeforest Mall is now closed. As malls across the nation are closing, Claire’s is opening more locations in strip malls, as well as “store-inside-store’s” at Wal-Marts.

Claire’s has been the go-to spot for teen ear-piercing, jewelry, and accessories since the 60s. The company has experienced some rocky years, declaring bankruptcy, which it emerged from in 2018. Claire’s also has MoCo locations inside of Montgomery and Wheaton malls, and at the Clarksburg Outlets.


Gaithersburg

American Fashion is now open at 50 Bureau Dr in the Diamond Square Shopping Center in Gaithersburg, the former location of the Computer Place.  American Fashion was previously located at 9639 Lost Knife Rd in Montgomery Village Crossing. Diamond Square is also home to George’s Hot Pot, Diamond Sushi & Buffet, Madras Place, Giant, Massage Season, and Play More Games.

American Fashion sells discount “off-brand” clothing and accessories. Below are photos of the kind of items you can find in the store:


Bethesda

Bacall & Bogie, an “experiential, luxury fashion boutique” that is part art gallery, part sustainable clothing shop, is now open at 8001 Wisconsin Ave Suite 202 in Bethesda. According to the store, “We offer an edited selection of chic, versatile, and sustainably produced garments and accessories from Spain, France, Portugal, Denmark, and more. Committed to quality over quantity, we’re on a mission to make our clientele’s closets easier to shop by providing new, interesting designs for every role they play: the Momtrepreneur, the Traveler, the Artist, the Trendsetter, et., ALL. And we work with brands that respect people and the planet. These choices are simple, but significant. Additionally, Bacall & Bogie is a place to gather. In the post COVID-world we wanted to return to a better and stronger community than we had before, so we created it. Whether it’s an art exhibit, artist workshop, you name it, we want this to be a place for you to come and experience something new.”

“When asked why I started Bacall and Bogie, the answer is pretty straightforward: I am different than I was before. During that first spring of COVID, I remember seeing the cherry blossom blooms brighter than they ever have been. The sky was bluer. The Venetian canals ran clear. It became even more apparent that the way we treat the environment needed to change, and if it did, we could reap the benefits. Our purchasing power and the decision to support sustainable and ethical brands has a major impact on that,” said owner Laura Genova.


Gaithersburg

MiyaJi Kebab & Rumali Rolls at 674 Quince Orchard Road, the location that was home to Pho Eatery in Gaithersburg’s Quince Orchard Plaza, is now open. MiyaJi is owned by the same owners as Commonwealth Indian at 11610 Old Georgetown Rd in Pike & Rose. Pho Eatery and neighboring/sister restaurant Urban Crawfish closed permanently in September of 2021. Taco Bamba is expected to open in the Urban Crawfish space this summer. Below is a look at MiyaJi Kebab & Rumali Rolls’ menu and interior:


Gaithersburg

Java Nation will be opening its new location at 121 Market Street in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg on Wednesday, May 25. Java Nation is best known for its house-roasted coffees, diverse food menu, and wide variety of local craft beers, wines and artisan cocktails. We first let you know that Java Nation would be coming to the former Kentlands Starbucks location back in January 2021. Material and equipment delays by manufacturers had pushed back the opening of the restaurant several times.

Much like the Rockville/N.Bethesda location, the Kentlands location will feature entertainment such as live music, comedy shows, dramatic readings and other community events. From the Java Nation website: Serving the best artisan coffees and traditional food made with love and delivered with first class service. That has continued to be our mission since our inception in 2012. The concept for Java Nation came to creation when a local resident realized an absence for a great cup of coffee in the community. Beyond our focus to serve freshly roasted coffee to our local community, we source local produce, use environmentally friendly products, and support work from local artists.


Gaithersburg

Saints Row Brewing is now open at 15 Fulks Corner Ave, Suite 101, the former site of Brawling Bear Brewery. Saints Row was previously located on Taft St. in Rockville.  The new location gives Saints Row twice the brewing capacity than at their previous location, as well as a “more robust customer experience with enhanced and improved taproom functionality.” The breweries expansion will include wholesale distribution throughout Montgomery County.  Like their previous location, they will have a rotating schedule of food trucks and special events. As part of the grand opening there will be a Hops and Shop” Makers Market event this Saturday, May 21, from 12-5pm in the breweries parking lot.

Photos of the new location below:


Gaithersburg

A couple weeks back we let you know that Doki Toki, a dessert shop that will offer Japanese desserts, including ice cream, mochi donuts, milk tea, and a “lot of other desserts”, will be opening in Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown neighborhood. Last week signage went up, and we have been told that the dessert spot will be opening on Friday, May 20th.

Doki Toki Dessert Shop is taking over the location formerly occupied by Mango Mango at 202 Ellington Blvd next to Burger IM. Mango Mango was an Asian dessert spot that opened its first restaurant in New York’s Chinatown in 2013 and served traditional Hong Kong style sweet soup dessert, modern fusion sweets, and pastries. It was in the location from October 2019 until April 2021. Below you’ll see a few pictures of the redesigned interior.


Gaithersburg

Twenty years ago, Kevin Munoz would help his parents clean an office building in Gaithersburg after they worked their full time jobs. They simply called the job “the part time”.  Kevin would help his parents vacuum, take out the trash and any other work that was required to help ease the workload. Fast forward to today, he is now part owner (with his partner Demetra Eftimiades) of a 3,500-square-foot gym right next-door to this office building.

The gym, PEAKPT FITNESS is located at 16021 Industrial Drive Suite 6 (located off of Shady Grove, near Nordstrom Rack and Best Buy.) and is officially opening its doors to the public on May 21 2022.


Rockville

Signage up at the upcoming Homesense at 12013 Rockville Pike in Rockville, the former site of A.C. Moore. Homesense is owned by the same company that owns HomeGoods, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx. Cosmopolitan magazine describes Homesense as “HomeGoods on steroids.” The chain sells furniture, rugs, lighting, kitchenware, home décor, and books.

According to it’s website, “We travel the world to bring savvy home curators an ever-changing selection and exceptional savings for every corner of their home,” and “explore a new home décor store with aisles of unexpected finds, and an ever-changing selection of famous brands and global discoveries—all with genuine value. Homesense is part of the HomeGoods family.” No opening date has been announced.


Gaithersburg

American Fashion is coming to 50 Bureau Dr in the Diamond Square Shopping Center in Gaithersburg, the former location of the Computer Place.  According to signage on the windows, the store will be opening sometime this month. American Fashion was previously located at 9639 Lost Knife Rd in Montgomery Village Crossing. Diamond Square is also home to George’s Hot Pot, Diamond Sushi & Buffet, Madras Place, Giant, Massage Season, and Play More Games.


View More Stories