Ace Hardware store construction begins in Rockville

Construction is underway on the future Ace Hardware store at 835 Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza. First they are demolishing the interior of the former Gold's Gym. According to plans filed with the City of Rockville, Ace Hardware is demolishing the staircase leading to the second floor of the former gym, and sealing the stair opening off in the ceiling. Bathrooms will be updated for current accessibility standards. When it opens, this will be the only Ace Hardware store in Rockville. Windows are currently papered over, but take a sneak peek below:

Andy's Pizza to add second Montgomery County location

Andy's Pizza's first venture into Montgomery County in Bethesda has been so successful, the local pizzeria chain is opening a second one. It will be located at 145 Commerce Square Place at Kentlands Market Square, next to CHOPT, in Gaithersburg. Andy's serves New York-style pizza in whole pies, or by the slice, making it an upgrade from previous tenant MOD Pizza. No opening date has been announced, and this location does not yet appear on the chain's website.

KPUB Irish-Korean fusion bar "coming soon" to Rockville

Here's something you don't see every day: an Irish-Korean fusion bar and restaurant are "coming soon" to Rockville Town Center, according to signage posted at its future space in the ground floor of the BLVD Ansel apartments at 33 Monroe Street. According to property owner Comstock, KPUB "is a dynamic full-service restaurant and bar that offers a bold menu of Korean-inspired cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and an energetic nightlife atmosphere. KPUB will feature private karaoke rooms, a lively bar scene, and a sleek ambiance that is set to bring an elevated dining and entertainment experience to the Rockville Town Center neighborhood."

"With KPUB, I set out to create a groundbreaking Irish-Korean fusion bar that blends high-energy social dining with cutting-edge technology,"KPUB founder Derek Liu said in a statement. "This isn’t just another pub—it’s an immersive experience where guests can send drinks to other tables, enjoy elevated Korean-Irish cuisine, and transition into a late-night speakeasy with private karaoke rooms. KPUB is redefining nightlife in Rockville and beyond with innovation and excitement the industry hasn’t seen before."

"We are excited to welcome KPUB to BLVD Ansel," said Tim Steffan, Chief Operating Officer of Comstock COO Tim Steffan said. "Their concept will bring a fresh, engaging dining and entertainment experience to Rockville Town Center, creating yet another unique destination that our residents and the surrounding local community will enjoy."

Montgomery Village McDonald's to add 2nd drive-thru lane

The menu items at McDonald's keep getting smaller, but the drive-thru at the Montgomery Village location is about to get bigger. A second lane will be added to the drive-thru later this summer. This will bring the fast food restaurant in line with current McDonald's drive-thru standards, and with the dual-lane capacity of rivals like Chick-fil-A. McDonald's is located at 19388 Montgomery Village Avenue, and is one of the few 24-hour drive-thru fast food restaurants in Montgomery County. Don't tell the County Council!

Rockville crime victim alleges China law enforcement officer is operating here

A complainant who alleged they were the victim of long-term currency fraud told Rockville City police that the suspect in the case was a law enforcement officer from the People's Republic of China, the Rockville City Police Department says. The alleged victim claimed to have been defrauded of unspecified currency between August 1, 2024, and June 23, 2025. They reported the alleged fraud to the RCPD three days ago on July 7, in the unit block of Maryland Avenue.

The alleged victim told officers that the unknown suspect was "Chinese law enforcement, who threatened action against the victim for defrauding others with fake investments." American officials have accused China of sending police officers to the U.S. to intimidate or harass Chinese dissidents, or to persuade Chinese expats who have committed crimes to return home to face charges. 

China has strongly denied engaging in such activity, and has said facilities U.S. officials have referred to as "police stations" in American cities with large Chinese populations are nothing more than volunteer-staffed service centers, which assist Chinese citizens or tourists overseas with basic matters like renewing driver's licenses. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C. told Newsweek in 2023 that the accusations by U.S. officials have been "sheer political manipulation, and the purpose is to smear China's image."

Arc'teryx opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Arc'teryx has signed a lease to open a store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The outdoor apparel store will open this fall, according to signage posted across its future storefront. Arc'teryx was founded in North Vancouver, British Columbia in 1989 by Dave Lane and Jeremy Guard. Their techwear and streetwear lines have become popular with outdoor adventures and urbanites alike, with the latter viewing Arc'teryx clothing as a status symbol, the Financial Times and New York Times have noted. When it opens, look for Arc'teryx on Level 1 of the mall, next to Sleep Number.

Harris Teeter closing in Rockville

Harris Teeter is closing its store at 11845 Old Georgetown Road in Rockville. The store will close "on or before July 20, 2025," according to a sign that also promotes a closing sale with prices up to 50% off. This store has been rumored to be one of the lowest-performing in the Harris Teeter chain. It also has fallen victim to Montgomery County's puzzling decision to place a homeless shelter nearby, frequent thefts of merchandise and shopping carts, the general moribundity of the stagnant Montgomery County economy, the County's highest-in-the-region tax and fee burden, and the failed 2010 White Flint sector plan. The recent arrival of a Wegmans just up Rockville Pike was likely the final nail in the HT coffin.