Nordstrom Rack "coming soon" to Rockville

Nordstrom Rack is "coming soon" to Rockville, according to signage posted across its future storefront. It will be located at 1683 Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza. This is the former Buy Buy Baby space.

What is the difference between Nordstrom at Westfield Montgomery Mall and Nordstrom Rack? Well, unlike a couple of competitors I recently wrote about, Nordstrom Rack actually does sell some overstock, clearance, and past-season items from the "real" Nordstrom. So this means that you actually are going to be able to find a significant number of Nordstrom-quality products by top labels at great savings at Nordstrom Rack.

However, like those other competitors, Nordstrom Rack also carries items specifically designed and manufactured for Nordstrom Rack. These are essentially going to be pieces that look like what you expect to see in the higher-end Nordstrom department store, but that might be made with a lower-cost material. You can quickly identify apparel made for Nordstrom Rack by checking the tag, which will say... Nordstrom Rack, not surprisingly.

You won't have the department store Nordstrom services like personal shoppers and alterations at Nordstrom Rack. And there won't be a cafe or somebody tinkling away on a grand piano. But bargain hunters won't mind, as they search for and score deals on items that might have been out of their price range at the department store a season ago.

Ten Ren Tea & Ginseng closes in Rockville

Ten Ren Tea & Ginseng has closed at 825-G Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza. The tea shop operated for over 20 years. In addition to bubble tea and milk tea beverages, the shop was a popular place to purchase loose-leaf teas and ginseng. They sold a high-grade ginseng, as well as imported teas from Asia that weren't always easy to find elsewhere.

Montgomery County police arrest suspect in Montgomery Mall armed robbery

Montgomery County police have arrested a suspect in the April 25, 2026 armed robbery at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Kilbert Rosales, 34, of no fixed address, was identified by one of the two victims. Officers located Rosales near the Transit Center on the mall property. He initially was cooperative, but after being handcuffed, he allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted police. Before being placed in the rear of a police cruiser, police say Rosales began to slam his head into the rear window of the vehicle, lacerating his face. 

Rosales has been charged with armed robbery, theft ($100 to under $1,500), disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, malicious destruction of property, assault, making a false statement to a police officer, and related charges. He is being held without bond at the County jail. Police recovered the box cutter he allegedly used to threaten the two victims in the parking garage outside of Nordstrom on his person.

Armed robbery at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda early Saturday evening, April 25, 2026. The robbery was reported in a mall parking garage at 6:08 PM Saturday. According to police, a suspect wielding a knife robbed two victims of property in the garage.

Police have not released a description of the suspect. They did not indicate how the suspect managed to evade appearing on surveillance cameras in the garage.

This is the fourth armed robbery at the mall this year. All have taken place in parking areas on the property. Three were reported in garages, and one in a surface lot. This is also another of the rapidly piling up examples of a disturbing new crime trend in Montgomery County: violent crimes being perpetrated during daylight hours.

Montgomery County police interview alleged WHCA dinner shooter's family in Rockville

Montgomery County police and the U.S. Secret Service have interviewed the sister of alleged White House Correspondents Dinner shooter Cole Allen at the family's residence in Rockville, Fox News White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich reports. Heinrich's sources told her that Cole Allen sent members of his family an alleged manifesto prior to last night's shooting at the Washington Hilton hotel. Avriana Allen reportedly told police that her brother had made radical statements in the past, and that he had stowed away firearms at the family home without her parents' knowledge.

Allen's sister also confirmed that Cole Allen had attended No Kings rallies in the past, and is allegedly a member of an obscure group called "The Wide Awakes." It was not confirmed if the shotgun Allen allegedly fired at a Secret Service officer in the lobby of the hotel was one of the firearms stored at the Maryland home. Montgomery County police have not yet publicly confirmed their involvement in the investigation. One Secret Service agent was injured in the shooting, and the suspect was apprehended before he could reach the ballroom where President Donald Trump, Vice-President J.D. Vance, and other Trump administration officials were participating in the event.

Mavi opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Mavi has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Turkish denim boutique missed its fall 2025 opening date by several months, but the chain has been engaged in a major expansion of bricks-and-mortar locations across America over the last year, including Jacksonville, Minneapolis, and Long Island. That has included establishing a U.S.-specific subsidiary. Mavi's arrival in American malls comes as Gen Z has shown a preference for in-person shopping over online ordering, particularly in the fashion sector.

If a denim brand can't have Sydney Sweeney and her good genes, it helps to have something unique in the actual denim material to set the brand apart from the other department store jeans that abound in the mall. In Mavi's case, they have Turkish denim fabric in several styles. SuperSoft is a midweight denim that employs Tencel and Lyocell fibers for softness and stretchiness. Feather Denim is even softer and lighter. And Organic Move is the softest with maximum stretch.

What's new for the season at Mavi just as they welcome their first customers in Bethesda? Most obviously, they are promoting their "L-OW RISE" jeans. For summer, they have a line of white denim. Look for Mavi on Level 1 of the mall, in the Nordstrom wing, across from Lily Pulitzer. Operating hours are 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week, according to the mall website.

L'Occitane en Provence reopens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

L'Occitane en Provence has reopened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The skincare and beauty boutique has undergone a major renovation. L'Occitane is transforming its stores nationwide to celebrate its 50th anniversary this month. This includes a switch from a trad-retro aesthetic to a more contemporary design. They call this the Soleil, or "sunshine," store model. It features a bright yellow and white color scheme. 

Much like the chain's products and business practices, the construction materials emphasize sustainability. Changes at this location aren't limited to the boutique design. I notice the shop has also posted a job listing seeking a new store manager. Look for the revamped L'Occitane on Level 1 of the mall, next to Arc'teryx and across from Sunglass Hut.

Prime commercial properties for sale in Damascus for only $800,000(!!)

Two adjacent commercial properties in a high-visibility location are now available for sale in Damascus. 26323 and 26315-26317 Ridge Road (MD 27) are located near the intersection with Main Street in the downtown business district. There is a high volume of traffic passing daily from Montgomery County through Damascus, Mount Airy and Westminster, and even a fairly high number of semi-trucks from Pennsylvania. A drive-thru fast food restaurant could do quite well here. The asking price is only $800,000 for the whole thing, and we can say "only" because of the obscene price of real estate in Montgomery County these days. Land in a high-traffic spot in MoCo for just $800,000? A steal!

Brothers Sew & Vac opens in Rockville

Brothers Sew & Vac, one of the longest-operating family-owned businesses in Bethesda, has moved to Rockville. Formerly located at 4826 St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda, they have relocated and opened at 1067 Rockville Pike in the Talbott Center across from Taco Bell. The Morris family has owned and operated the business for seven decades. Brothers carries vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, and medical grade air purifiers. They also repair and service all brands of sewing machines and vacuum cleaners.

Hours of operation at the new Rockville store are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Saturday. Right now, you can get 10% off anything in the store if you mention the code "Bethesda10" at purchase. Free shipping is also available on online orders. Another benefit of the Rockville location? Free parking!

Montgomery County vineyard hit hard by late frost

The late frost earlier this week that impacted agricultural businesses across several states on the eastern seaboard did not spare Windridge Vineyards in Montgomery County. Windridge announced today that it "suffered one of the most devastating frost events that we have experienced in our history." Temperatures at the Darnestown vineyard dropped to 26 degrees at one point, and were below freezing for over four hours. Despite taking several high-tech measures to reduce the impact on vines, the crop sustained significant frost damage. 

Windridge prepared for such an event in advance. Not only in measures to combat the cold, but also for the worst case scenario. To the latter end, the vineyard will fall back on its inventory of library wines to continue to serve customers during the affected period. It does remind one just how precarious life was when our ancestors' food supply could be reduced by the whims of weather and nature. There were no grocery stores or food stamps; your crop was it for the season.

Strong-arm robbery of takeout food in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in Rockville yesterday afternoon, April 20, 2026. The assault and robbery took place in the 14900 block of Shady Grove Road at 4:34 PM. Police say the victim was seated inside his vehicle with a takeout order of food. A suspect approached, physically assaulted the victim, grabbed his food and fled on foot.

Police have not released a description of the suspect as of this writing. They did not indicate how the suspect managed to evade multiple surveillance cameras in the Fallsgrove Village Center parking lot. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call 301-279-8000.

Sheetz construction advancing at Walnut Hill Shopping Center (Photos)

The convenience store building at the future Sheetz at 733 S. Frederick Avenue at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg is looking a lot closer to a finished product since my last update - at least on the outside. Brick and stone facade treatments are in place where Tyvek was previously. Gaping squares and rectangles are now filled with window glass and doors, the latter already sporting Sheetz logos. And construction is now underway on the canopy that will protect the gas pumps and those pumping them from the elements.

Purse snatched at grocery store in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a purse-snatching at a grocery store Thursday afternoon, April 16, 2026. The theft was reported at a supermarket in the 600 block of Hungerford Drive at 4:55 PM Thursday. Giant is located on that block of Hungerford (MD 355), just north of the Rockville Town Center area. Remember to be alert when shopping in crowds, wear your purse diagonally rather than hanging off one side, and never leave it unattended in your shopping cart.

Bedroom intruder strikes in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a home intruder on April 7, 2026. The burglar was reported at a home in the 1000 block of Veirs Mill Road at 12:28 PM. According to police, the suspect entered through an unsecured bedroom window. The identity of the suspect is known to police.

Molly Tea sets opening date in Rockville

Molly Tea announced yesterday that it will open its Rockville tea shop on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. It is located at 860 Festival Street at the Twinbrook Quarter development along Rockville Pike. What a long road it's been, as Molly Tea first posted coming-soon signage here way back in December 2024. The opening date was first reported by The MoCo Show.

Gorjana "coming soon" to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

It was last fall that I first heard about Gorjana's plans to open a second Bethesda location at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Last December, I broke the news that the Southern California-inspired jewelry boutique was confirmed to have leased a space at the mall. And now there is official "coming soon" signage that also confirms where Gorjana will be located on Level 1. The signage promises a summer 2026 opening, which is very appropriate timing for a Laguna Beach retailer.

Bonne Nail Bar "coming soon" to Twinbrook Quarter in Rockville

Bonne Nail Bar is "coming soon" to the Twinbrook Quarter development in Rockville, according to signage in the windows of its future storefront at 850 Festival Street. Permanent signage is also already in place above the storefront. Bonne Nail Bar is currently hiring nail techs. The nail spa joins Wegmans and several restaurants in the ground floor of the Milton apartments.

Gaithersburg's newest 7-Eleven to hold grand opening April 17

You're invited to celebrate the opening of the newest 7-Eleven in Gaithersburg this Friday, April 17, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The new store is located at 10003 Fields Road, near Sam Eig Highway and Rio Lakefront. Guests will enjoy exclusive deals, giveaways, and more. Celebrate finishing your taxes with a Big Gulp and a Big Bite Hot Dog with everything on it...if you have any money left after Wednesday.

iPhone 16 snatched at intersection in Rockville

A thief snatched an iPhone 16 at a busy intersection in Rockville during rush hour on April 6, 2026. The victim was at the intersection of Research Boulevard and W. Gude Drive at 8:50 AM, when an unknown suspect suddenly grabbed their phone and fled on foot. Rockville City police describe the suspect as a Black male wearing a grey hoodie and black pants. If you have any information regarding the suspect or his whereabouts, call police at 240-314-8900.

Lakeforest Mall redevelopment breaks ground in Gaithersburg

Demolition of Lakeforest Mall is well underway in Gaithersburg, but an official groundbreaking ceremony was held today at the property for what is to replace it. Developer WRS, Inc. was joined by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, former Gaithersburg mayor and current County Council member Sid Katz, and current Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman to officially fire the starting gun on construction of what WRS describes as a "mini-city." The $1.2 billion project will deliver 1600 residential units by three homebuilders, an upgraded Lakeforest Transit Center, and over 470,000-square-feet of retail and restaurant space. Initial tenants will include Sprouts Farmers Market, Home Depot, and a Landmark Theatres cineplex. 

It's shameful what Montgomery County officials and later owners of the property allowed to happen to Lakeforest Mall this century. It was an upscale mall when it opened, and - much like White Flint Mall - to see it being demolished even before the older and less-fancy malls in Bethesda and Wheaton is a sheer travesty. You have to be truly bad at governing to be this good at destroying communities and their crown jewels like this. 

Pour out an Orange Julius for Lakeforest Mall. It was too good for us. We didn't deserve it, after repeatedly electing people who allowed the mall and surrounding area to become overridden by crime. And in terms of what mall owners could control, it was clear that the most recent set of landlords were determined to tear down the mall to reap maximum real estate transaction profit, the community be damned.

Today begins a new chapter for the property. The developer has many challenges ahead, including the aforementioned neighborhood crime, and to deliver a water feature that is as well-integrated and successful as the one at well-ensconced competitor Rio Lakefront. "This is more than just a construction project; it is the rebirth of a community anchor," WRS Inc. Principal Kevin Rogers said in a statement this afternoon. "We aren't just building buildings; we are creating a destination where people can live, work, and thrive without being dependent on their cars. We are proud to deliver a project that honors the legacy of Lakeforest while looking firmly toward the future of Gaithersburg."

Photo courtesy WRS Inc.

Auto dealership available for lease in Rockville

An auto dealership facility is now available for lease in Rockville. Formerly home to Ourisman's Rockmont Chevrolet, the property is located at 15301 Frederick Road, at the intersection of MD 355 and E. Gude Drive. Constructed in 1972, the dealership can be available to a new tenant in 30 days, according to the online listing. With 33,212 total square feet of auto sales, service, and storage space, which automotive brand would you like to see here?

Assault at Rockville Metro station

Rockville City police responded to a report of an assault at the Rockville Metro station on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The assault was reported at 12:30 PM Wednesday. This is yet another example of a trend with momentum in Montgomery County: violent crimes being committed during daylight hours.

Hobby Lobby opening June 1 in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County's first Hobby Lobby store is currently expected to open on June 1, 2026 at 15750 Shady Grove Road at the 270 Center in Gaithersburg, a spokesperson for the big box crafts and decor chain said yesterday. Barring any construction or permitting setbacks, the chain plans to host a grand opening event that day. Formerly home to Best Buy, the building is positioned on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville, and is right by off ramps from I-270. 

This is arguably the most-anticipated retail opening of 2026 in Montgomery County. There is pent-up demand among MoCo residents who have never had a local Hobby Lobby store to shop at. But there is also the vacuum left by the closure of local JOANN Fabrics and Crafts stores, including the Gaithersburg location. Construction continues on the Gaithersburg Hobby Lobby, but completion is now within sight.

Wallet stolen at knifepoint in Rockville

Nothing good is happening on Blandford Street after 2:00 AM, folks. After last month's door knocker episode, we return for the latest installment of what one reader calls, "Blandford Nights." Rockville City police were called to a residence in the 500 block of Blandford at 3:00 AM on Sunday, April 5, 2026. A resident told officers that a female suspect pulled out a knife and stole her wallet, after being asked to leave. Police say the identity of the suspect is known, and that the victim can press charges and obtain a protective order.

Pop Mart opening store at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Pop Mart will soon be opening a full-blown store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Chinese toymaker first entered the property with a vending machine in February of last year. Pop Mart is most famous for its Labubu dolls. That has become a double-edged sword for the company recently. Revenue remains strong, but the stock price has suffered drops as investors fret that Pop Mart doesn't have a second act if the Labubu fad wanes.

Maryland Governor candidate Ed Hale puts skyrocketing electric bills in spotlight

Maryland gubernatorial candidate Ed Hale speaks with
supporters about their high electricity bills in Baltimore 

Baltimore businessman Ed Hale, a Republican candidate for governor of Maryland, used the backdrop of Geresbeck's Food Market at the Hawthorne Plaza shopping center in Charm City today to demonstrate the devastating impact of the state's skyrocketing energy bills on businesses and residents. During a press conference, he noted the grocery store's electric bill had nearly doubled in only the last 30 days. Its latest monthly electric bill? A whopping $57,000.

"I don't know how you survive this," Hale said of the crushing additional cost burden on businesses. Such costs will inevitably be passed on to consumers, adding to the already absurdly high prices that are pummeling Americans from coast to coast. Hale warned that demand for electricity will only increase during the heat of summer, and that will come with enormous cost to every consumer.

Hale showed a second electric bill, this one from his own grandson. His grandson's monthly bill increased from $185.80 to $528.51. "This is a huge, huge, huge issue affecting everybody in our state," Hale said.

Alluding to current Maryland Governor Wes Moore's non-stop national TV appearances, as Moore pursues a presidential campaign, Hale asked why Moore isn't answering questions from his constituents instead of from TV personalities. "Who's in charge here? He's on Meet the Press or Face the Nation, but who's facing Marylanders, you know? Where is he? And he's just not here. He's running for president of the United States."

"People are moving out of the state," Hale continued. "Businesses are moving out of the state. And we're going to have fewer people retiring in our state." He again cited a recent poll that found that over 60% of Marylanders are either in the process of leaving the state, or are seriously considering such a move.

"We just can't stand this," Hale said. "We need to replace this man as fast as possible." Arguing that Moore sees the state as a mere stepping stone for his national and world power aspirations, Hale drew a comparison with his own campaign's political goals. "Maryland is not a stepping stone for us. Maryland is where we all live, and we can't stand to have this anymore."

Moore and Democrats who control the state legislature have recently tried to divert attention away from the policies and laws they passed that are largely responsible for the spike in energy costs. They ordered the closure of eight power plants across the state, mandated expensive purchases of "clean" power, and implemented a literally-Communist EmPOWER Maryland surcharge on electric bills, an extra tax that Moore hiked further last year. Now they are attempting to seize on the astroturf anti-data-center movement, by falsely blaming AI for the financial destruction they themselves have wrought on communities and businesses statewide.

"I'm going to make sure that we reopen the plants that have been closed," Hale vowed. "We need to get this state reopen for jobs."

Update on Wonder food hall under construction in Rockville (Photos)

Construction is moving quickly on the Wonder food hall, opening this month at 12240 Rockville Pike at Towne Plaza in Rockville. The sign is up over the storefront. Inside, you can see a pick-up window and touchscreen devices. I "wonder" if it would be more accurate to call this a ghost kitchen than a food hall, however. Much like the short-lived Ensemble in Bethesda, the concept is more about pick-up and delivery meals mixed and matched from multiple well-known restaurant brands, as opposed to wandering through a large space and stopping at individual stalls.