VW ID Buzz spotted in Rockville (Photos)

Volkswagen's new ID Buzz electric van was anticipated to arrive in U.S. showrooms around Thanksgiving. And sure enough, the buzz-generating homage to the iconic VW Bus is beginning to pop up in Montgomery County this weekend. One is on display at Ourisman Volkswagen of Rockville at 801-B Rockville Pike. It is an ID Buzz Pro S model in Deep Black Pearl, with "Moonlight" interior. Including destination charge, the MSRP is $62,280.

You're paying a premium for being one of the first on the road in the ID Buzz, which is likely to turn heads as you travel around the county. You're also paying for legendary German engineering and craftsmanship, as this particular ID Buzz was assembled in the great city of Hannover in Germany, not in Mexico or China. Baltimore is listed as the port-of-entry on the sticker. Black didn't seem to be a popular color on the original VW Bus; I've never seen one on the road in the U.S. But I've ridden in several of the classic version, and grew up to be a big fan.

If the ID Buzz is successful, perhaps VW will realize that the brand's appeal was its distinctive car designs and German quality. The company is going through a tough period at the moment, and has suggested it could close one or more factories in Germany for the first time in its history. It is being hammered by German and European "green new deal" policies that have slashed the advantage European automakers had in the gas-powered market, while throwing them into the fire of the electric car market, where China has built up strong advantages with equally-strong Chinese government support.

Do you recognize these alleged Rockville liquor store thieves?

Rockville City police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating suspects who allegedly stole merchandise from a Montgomery County government-owned liquor store. The theft took place at the Montgomery County liquor store at 300 N. Washington Street, in the Rockville Town Center area. Police have released surveillance camera images of the suspects, of whom one clearly noticed the cameras, but was undeterred. If you can identify any of the suspects, you are asked to call Officer Boyd at 240-314-8955.

Black Friday 2024 at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The biggest shopping day of the year at Westfield Montgomery Mall is tomorrow, November 29, 2024. Black Friday hours at the mall this year will be 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. In contrast to past years, the Black Friday deals are not listed on the mall's website. Westfield advises you to instead download their app from the Google Play or Apple store, which it says will display the deals available Friday. 

Assault at grocery store in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a grocery store on Tuesday evening, November 24, 2024. The assault was reported at a supermarket in the 1800 block of Rockville Pike at 6:16 PM. There is a Safeway store on that block of Rockville Pike. An individual was also accused of shoplifting in the same incident.

Police investigate assault at busy Rockville intersection

Montgomery County police are investigating an aggravated assault that took place at one of the busiest intersections in Rockville on November 12, 2024. At 10:39 PM that evening, police say, four suspects assaulted an adult male victim at the intersection of Frederick Road (MD 355) and E. Gude Drive. The suspects are described only as three Black males of unknown age, and one Black female of unknown age. If you have any information about this incident, or can identify any of the suspects involved, call police at (301) 279-8000. 

Kokee Tea opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Kokee Tea has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The bubble tea kiosk added one novel design touch just before its debut: a giant bubble tea cup that lights up. "Kokee Tea is a cozy and modern bubble tea cafe that offers a variety of delicious and refreshing drinks," the company said in a statement. "Whether you’re looking for a classic milk tea, a fruity smoothie, or a creamy latte, we have something for you. You can also customize your drink with different toppings, such as tapioca pearls, jelly, pudding, or popping boba. Our drinks are made with high-quality ingredients and brewed fresh daily."

The bubble tea chain has added seven new locations this year, including Montgomery Mall. Ashburn, Baltimore, Centreville, Lorton, Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, and Urbana are the others. Look for Kokee Tea on Level 1 of the mall, outside of Macy's.

Abercrombie & Fitch opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Abercrombie & Fitch has been as much of the typical mall experience since the 1990s as Auntie Anne's or Cinnabon. How appropriate, then, that the once-controversial apparel retailer has returned to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Just in time for Black Friday, and with Abercrombie Kids for the younger people on your shopping list. Look for - and, perhaps, smell? - Abercrombie & Fitch on Level 2 of the mall, next to the Apple Store.

Thanksgiving burger this week only at Dogfish Head Alehouse in Gaithersburg

Give thanks for the Thanksgiving Burger, the appropriate Burger of the Week at Dogfish Head Alehouse at 800 W. Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg this week. A 4 oz. beef patty is topped with turkey, melted provolone cheese, homemade stuffing, and sweet-tart cranberry sauce. For $17, it comes with a side of Beach Fries. Pairing the burger with a pint of Punkin' Ale is the recommendation of the house. 

Photo courtesy Dogfish Head Alehouse

Fashion Q opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Fashion Q has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Los Angeles-based company traces its roots back to the 1980s. It chose its "Q" logo because a one-letter sign was cheaper than using the whole brand name. The cost savings extend to its merchandise, which is purchased wholesale here and abroad. "We refuse to give our customers B.S. markups," Q declares. Look for Fashion Q on Level 1 of the mall, right outside of Macy's.

Bark Social closes in Rockville

Have we passed peak "pet parent" in Montgomery County? The demise of Bark Social at 935 Prose Street at Pike & Rose in Rockville may require us to ponder this question for the first time. Bark Social has filed for bankruptcy after an expected round of new financing fell through, the company announced as it - in its own words - "abruptly" closed all of its locations Thursday. 

A cross between a dog park and a bar, with a border-crossing-checkpoint design aesthetic, Bark Social appeared as if it could do no wrong when it opened in 2021. Pandemic-weary Americans were eager to embrace any new outdoor venues, and dog owners in the many apartment buildings around Bark Social had limited exercise options for their pets to take advantage of. The steady decline of alcoholic beverage sales was also briefly reversed, as lockdowns, pandemic restrictions, and a botched rollout of vaccines led some to turn to adult beverages to pass the empty hours.

Investors apparently have since turned (Karelian) Bearish on the concept. Have cats overtaken the dogs? Has inflation made expensive dog ownership too much of a luxury expense at this point? This is the time for all "plant parents" to seize the zeitgeist!

Sports merchandise kiosk opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Hello, sports fans! A new kiosk has opened just for you at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It carries a variety of merchandise and decor for professional and college teams. But the selection is not limited to local teams. In fact, rivals outnumber the Washington Commanders in some of the NFL displays. Kind of like in the stands at Northwest Stadium! 

Look for the kiosk on Level 1 in the Old Navy/The Cheesecake Factory wing of the mall, near Häagen-Dazs - - and be sure to wear your Bob Knight "game face."

Man assaults woman in Rockville Town Center

Rockville City police were called after a man assaulted a woman in the Rockville Town Center area on November 18, 2024. The victim was walking along a sidewalk past 101 Monroe Street at 4:00 PM that afternoon. A man unknown to the victim approached, and suddenly bumped her off the sidewalk and spat on her. He also made threatening statements toward her, police said.

Police have not released a description of the suspect. If you have any information about the suspect or this incident, call police at 240-314-8900.

Assault at Rockville gas station

There was pain at the pumps at a Rockville Town Center-area gas station early Wednesday evening, November 20, 2024 - and not just related to the high gas prices. Rockville City police were called to a gas station in the 200 block of N. Washington Street, after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at 7:25 PM Wednesday.

Westfield brings in new leadership at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, the owner of Westfield Montgomery Mall, has replaced several key leaders at the property just before the busiest shopping time of the year. Jason Dyer has been hired as the mall's Senior General Manager, Catherine Brady has been named the new Marketing Director, and Montgomery County Public Schools veteran Joe Damaia will be the new Facilities Director for the sprawling property. Dyer and Brady have successful track records at other Westfield malls, and Damaia was at MCPS for over 14 years of his more than three decades in mechanical and facilities operations.

Dyer's career has found him working with major brands like Victorinox, Sears, PAPYRUS, and GAP, in national and international markets, before joining URW in 2017, taking on management roles at Westfield malls on both coasts. He is bringing this experience to Montgomery Mall with the key goal of "delivering memorable customer experiences that foster loyalty and repeat engagement," URW said in a statement.

“I’m excited to collaborate with Catherine and Joe as we work to elevate Montgomery’s premier retail, dining and entertainment destination,” Dyer said in a statement. “With our varied expertise and established success in the industry, we’re well-positioned to continue shaping Westfield Montgomery into a vibrant hub for dining, retail, and cultural life in Montgomery County.”

Rockville road rage ends in arrest

A road rage incident in Rockville led to an arrest and multiple charges on November 13, 2024, Rockville City police report. The incident took place in the 1300 block of Edmonston Drive at 11:00 AM. A Rockville City police officer ultimately took a 62-year-old Rockville man into custody. The suspect has been charged with felony robbery, 2nd-degree assault, malicious destruction of property, theft, and disorderly conduct.

According to Maryland court records, the suspect posted $5000 bond, and has been released pending trial. A preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for December 13 at 9:30 AM in Maryland District Court in Rockville.

Police called after assault at Rockville hotel

Rockville City police were called to a hotel early Sunday afternoon, November 17, 2024, after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a hotel in the 16000 block of Shady Grove Road at 1:10 PM Sunday. Red Roof Plus+ is located on that block of Shady Grove.

Akira opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Akira has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Founded in 2002 by Eric Hsueh, Erikka Wang, and Jon Cotay in Chicago, the women's apparel boutique now boasts over 30 locations nationwide. Rather than derive inspiration from fashion trends in southern California or New York City, Akira's founders say their apparel is unapologetically representative of Windy City style. Look for Akira on Level 1 in the Old Navy/The Cheesecake Factory wing of the mall, in the space recently vacated by Alex Baby & Toys.

Assault in Rockville Town Center

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault in the Town Center area Monday afternoon, November 18, 2024. The assault was reported in the 100 block of Monroe Street at 4:30 PM. That is near the Montgomery County Executive Office Building.

Rockville park dispute ends with punch to nose

A disagreement between two groups in a Rockville park ended with a physical assault, Rockville City police report. The two groups were visiting a park in the 300 block of Martins Lane on the evening of November 6, 2024, when a dispute broke out between them at 10:00 PM. A member of one of the groups then punched a member of the other group in the nose.

The victim then called 911. Police describe the suspect as a person of "unknown race, unknown gender," with a thin build and "dark complexion." The suspect is about 5'11" tall. They were wearing all black clothing, and wore their hair in a "top bun." If you can identify this suspect, call police at 240-314-8900.

Diner wrestles auto thief for car keys in Rockville

A lunchtime meal at a Rockville restaurant came with a bonus wrestling match on November 7, 2024, Rockville City police report. Around 12:10 PM, a would-be auto thief grabbed the car keys of a diner at a restaurant in the 2100 block of Veirs Mill Road. The male suspect then attempted to use the keys to steal the victim's car in the parking lot outside. A physical struggle ensued between the suspect and the victim, in which the victim prevailed.

Police describe the suspect as a Hispanic male, 20 to 30 years of age, with a thin build. He has black hair with a short buzz cut, and thin facial hair on his chin. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black shirt, a black baseball hat, and green, black, and white Asics sneakers. If you can identify this suspect, or have any other information about this incident, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Strong-arm robbery in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery on the morning of November 13, 2024. The robbery was reported on the street in the 1300 block of Edmonston Drive at 11:00 AM Wednesday. That is a residential street near Veirs Mill Road and Hillcrest Park.

Santa's Workshop now open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Santa's Workshop has been transported south to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and you are invited to enter through Christmas Eve, December 24. Inside, children are invited to write letters to Santa, enjoy Mrs. Claus’ weekly story time, and create gingerbread crafts in Comet’s Craft Room. LEGO mini-build classes will be held, and a gift-wrapping station will be manned by the Girl Scouts, Hope Connections and Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Look for Santa's Workshop on Level 1 of the mall, near J.Crew.