Rockville Nights
Rockville's leading source for breaking news, politics & nightlife
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Rockville Hallmark store under new ownership
The Hallmark Gold Crown store at 1663 Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza in Rockville is under new ownership. Previously known as "Banner's Hallmark," the greeting card, ornament, stationary and gift shop has been acquired by Norman's Hallmark. Norman's is the nation's largest independent owner of Hallmark Gold Crown stores. The Bethesda Hallmark store was also recently acquired by Norman's. Hallmark's big season begins in mid-summer, with the rollout of its annual keepsake Christmas ornaments, so the timing of the ownership change makes sense.
Banner's is a local company, headquartered in Gaithersburg, while Norman's is based in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Banner's region has been Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas. Norman's has been focused in the Keystone State and New Jersey, but seems to be slowly expanding southward into Maryland. Norman's takes the prize for longevity; Banner's has been around since the 1970s, while Norman's was founded in 1939.
Friday, July 18, 2025
Mystery vehicle runs wild on front lawn of Rockville home
A vehicular rampage in the front yard of a Rockville home brought new meaning to the phrase, "Get off my lawn!" on July 9, 2025. Shortly after 6:00 PM that evening, an unknown suspect driving what Rockville City police only describe as "a white vehicle" proceeded to drive onto the front lawn of a home in the 13200 block of Midway Avenue in Twinbrook. The mystery vehicle left damage behind in its wake, striking a tree and the front steps of the house. If you have any information about this incident, call police at 240-314-8900.
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Loudoun County wins ORBCOMM HQ over Montgomery County
Another economic development loss for Montgomery County and Maryland is in the books. Not surprisingly, the winner in the latest contest for a corporate headquarters is once again Northern Virginia. ORBCOMM, Inc., currently headquartered in New Rochelle, New Jersey, has announced it will locate its global HQ in Sterling, Virginia, in Loudoun County - not Montgomery County, Maryland. The "internet of things" company is focused on products and services that track, monitor, and control industrial assets around the world. It operates its own network of 31 low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. ORBCOMM's clients include Walmart, Caterpillar, Hitachi, Target, Tropicana, Tyson, and Canadian National Railways.
"Virginia is proud to welcome ORBCOMM’s global headquarters to Virginia," Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a statement. "This decision highlights our commitment to innovation, workforce development, and creating an environment where advanced industries can thrive. We look forward to the economic opportunities and technological leadership ORBCOMM will bring to the Commonwealth."
"As we welcome ORBCOMM's headquarters to Sterling, I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the significant economic impact this expansion brings to Loudoun County and the Commonwealth," Virginia State Delegate Atoosa R. Reaser said. "The creation of new jobs is a welcome development and will undoubtedly contribute to the prosperity of our community," said Delegate Atoosa R. Reaser.
Montgomery County has failed to attract a single major corporate headquarters in over 25 years. The County, and Maryland as a whole, have forgone massive amounts of potential tax revenue rather than adopt more competitive, business-friendly policies and tax rates. They have also refused to construct a new Potomac River crossing to the Dulles area that has been on the books for decades, which would provide direct access to the only local airport with the frequency of flights and variety of international business destinations that corporate executives demand. Once an economic engine of the Washington, D.C. region, Montgomery County's economy today is moribund, and the County has become a bedroom community for booming job centers elsewhere in the region.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Robbery at knifepoint at convenience store in Rockville
Rockville City police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a convenience store early Monday morning, July 14, 2025. The robbery was reported at a store in the 100 block of Rollins Avenue at 12:13 AM Monday. There is a 7-Eleven at 160 Rollins Avenue. A knife was the weapon utilized in the robbery.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
David Trone endorses Evan Glass for Montgomery County Executive
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Evan Glass |
Businessman and former Maryland Congressman David Trone has endorsed Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass in the 2026 Democratic County Executive primary race. It's a significant development in the contest for two reasons. One is that Trone's endorsement is valuable politically, as Glass is running in the same "pragmatic centrist" lane as rival Democratic Councilmember Andrew Friedson. Backing from one of the most successful business owners in the county will be a signal to others in the business community.
Monday, July 14, 2025
Buffalo Wild Wings GO signage installed in Rockville
Permanent signage has been installed above the future storefront of Buffalo Wild Wings GO at 16256 Frederick Road at the Rock Grove shopping center, on the border of Rockville and Gaithersburg. The logo for the express version of Buffalo Wild Wings has been added to the roster on the shopping center's monument signage, as well. Things aren't quite as far along inside, however, as you can see in the photos below. Rockville and Gaithersburg each already have full-scale Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants, which are more like sports bars, competing with sit-down competitors like Hooters.
Sunday, July 13, 2025
A Beautiful Closet relocates at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda
A Beautiful Closet has joined the game of musical chairs at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Last December, the fashion boutique moved to the Nordstrom wing on Level 1. Today, it has relocated up to Level 2, in between Laderach and LensCrafters. This is their largest space yet, and has a sharper-looking sign over the storefront. A Beautiful Closet features sustainable apparel and accessories sourced from around the world, including Italy and Turkey.