11 vehicles ransacked in Rockville neighborhood

A theft spree in a residential neighborhood in Rockville resulted in at least 11 vehicles being ransacked - and in some cases, damaged, on December 8, 2025. Between 2:41 AM and 3:14 AM that morning, Rockville City police say, two male suspects entered unlocked vehicles and broke into others in the College Gardens community. If the door didn't open, they smashed windows to gain access to the car, and stole property from the interiors.

Police have no suspect descriptions at this time. They do say the two suspects were riding in a "blue sedan" of unspecified make and model year. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at 240-314-8900.

Tiger Sugar space marketed for lease in Rockville

Have we reached peak boba tea? Tiger Sugar's space at 12266 Rockville Pike at Federal Plaza in Rockville is now being marketed as a sublease opportunity. The tea shop's existing lease runs through January 2029, but they apparently want out now. According to the online listing, the space can become available to a new tenant on 30 days' notice. Tiger Sugar remains open for business at this time.

Native Arts opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Native Arts is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. If you are searching for unique holiday gifts, this may be the place to start. The store carries Native American-inspired art, clothing, and accessories. Shop here to find baja sweaters, ponchos, t-shirts, blankets, backpacks, and more. Look for Native Arts on Level 2 of the mall, between Laderach and LensCrafters.

Buffalo Wild Wings closes in Rockville

The lights are on, but nobody's home. While the signs are lit outside of Buffalo Wild Wings at 33-C Maryland Avenue at the Square at Rockville, prospective diners pulling the front door handles were dismayed to find the restaurant has permanently closed. The nearest alternative location is Buffalo Wild Wings GO at 16256 Frederick Road at the Rock Grove shopping center. The departure of B Dubs leaves a sizable space vacant at The Square - I'm casting my early vote for Olive Garden. And Texas Roadhouse for the "half smoke coming soon" vacancy across the street.

Go Fresh 365 supermarket opens in Rockville (Photos)

There's a new grocery store in Rockville. Go Fresh 365 has opened at 1800 Rockville Pike, at the Galvan at Twinbrook development. Last night, there were more helpful employees than customers in the store, which will have to fight the same nutty Montgomery County sign regulations that former tenant Safeway did - most safe drivers will pass the Galvan without seeing any of the businesses there because there is no monument or pole signage at the roadside, and the development is set back far from the road. 

The Long Island City, New York-based grocery chain boasts that it is the "No.1 Asian/Chinese Supermarket Chain" on the East Coast of the United States. Founded in 1995, the company has grown by leaps and bounds through a focus on freshness, and exclusive partnerships with businesses in the fields of fresh produce, livestock breeding, marine fishing, catering services, and commercial real estate.Its mission, it says, is to "create greater values for overseas Chinese and the American people." 

Ski-masked gang chase and assault victim in Rockville

A gang of four male suspects wearing ski masks attacked an individual in the Twinbrook area of Rockville on Monday, December 8, 2025. The victim was in the 1100 block of Lewis Avenue that afternoon, when they were pursued and physically assaulted by the four suspects between 3:40 PM and 4:15 PM. Following the attack, the four masked males jumped into a silver Honda Civic of unspecified model year, and fled the scene.

Police have no detailed description of any of the four suspects at this time. If you have any information about this incident that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at 240-314-8900.

Starbucks adds Cinnamon-Shaken Waffles to menu

Check out what's new at Starbucks for the holiday season. Cinnamon-Shaken Waffles are starting to pop up on menus at Starbucks locations across Montgomery County in recent days. Three bite-size Belgian waffles are shaken in a Cinnamon Dolce Shake Shake Topping, and served warm and golden brown. The waffles are available all day long, not just for breakfast.

Store rage escalates to road rage in Rockville

A vehicular altercation in a Rockville parking lot began before either individual got behind the wheel on November 29, 2025. Rockville City police report that the male suspect and female victim were inside a store in the 1500 block of Rockville Pike at 6:10 PM that evening. They became embroiled in an argument, and the male suspect followed the victim into the parking lot outside the store. He allegedly ripped the passenger side mirror off of a vehicle, and threw it at the victim's car before fleeing the scene. Police have not yet shared a description of the suspect or his vehicle.

Dave's Hot Chicken's sci-fi salute to Rockville

Dave's Hot Chicken has been in a slow-motion construction process over the last few months, but some significant effort has been put into the exterior facades of the former McDonald's building at 11564 Rockville Pike in recent days. In contrast to the blank walls found at most fast food chains' buildings, Dave's has now emblazoned its walls with graffiti-style art. The stylings are capped off with a huge "Rockville" mural that takes up an entire wall. It's also a nice touch that the orangeish red paint on the roof overhang matches the scorching color of the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich pictured on the sign out front.

Andy's Pizza opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Andy's Pizza is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. One reason this is exciting news is that they serve award-winning, authentic New York-style pizza. The second is, you can buy it by-the-slice if you prefer. As much as I revere Sbarro as a classic denizen of American mall food courts, this is a much higher quality product. Look for Andy's Pizza on Level 2 of the mall, in the Dining Terrace food court by CAVA and Chipotle.

Gorjana confirmed to be opening boutique at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Gorjana is now confirmed to be a future tenant at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Laguna Beach-based jewelry retailer has been pursuing an aggressive expansion plan this decade. However, its growth is strategically targeted to areas where it has identified an existing customer base for its products, and the company previously cited Bethesda as one of those. Gorjana continues a retail trend, particularly among fashion brands, of opening stores at Bethesda Row and Montgomery Mall to operate simultaneously.

Two Story Chimney Ciderworks to close in Gaithersburg

Two Story Chimney Ciderworks at 7115 Damascus Road in Gaithersburg will permanently close before Christmas, the distillery announced on social media. "We have been so blessed to be a part of this community and so many people’s lives," the post said. "The friendships and bonds will always be cherished. It is time we trade the early morning markets and late night tasting rooms in for time with our family. Our last day will be December 21. Stop in before the end of the year and share some stories and memories."

Water issue shutters several businesses at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A damaged water pump in the Old Navy wing of Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda forced several businesses to temporarily close last night. Kapow Buddy and Yogi Castle were among the restaurants impacted. The Cheesecake Factory in the same wing still had water service, and remained open for business, and the Dining Terrace food court was unaffected. Water could be seen in the parking lot outside the Old Navy wing, where the entrance by The Cheesecake Factory was cordoned off with tape. A plumbing crew was on-site last evening attempting to repair the damage so the affected restaurants could resume operation today.

 

Ding Cafe closed in Rockville, to reopen December 6 with new drinks, giveaways

Ding Cafe has temporarily closed at 785 Rockville Pike at the Ritchie Center in Rockville. It will reopen this Saturday, December 6, 2025, with new drinks on the menu. Stopping by this weekend could pay off - literally. On Saturday, they'll be giving away 100 free drinks. And on Sunday, December 7, they will offer 100 buy-one-get-one-free drinks, and customers will receive 20% off purchases all day.

Lands' End closing in Rockville

Lands' End is closing at 1667 Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza in Rockville, according to signage posted at the store. A closing sale is underway. The store has been open for about six years, and will be the loss of another big brand name on the Pike.

However, the Montgomery County Council probably isn't the culprit this time. A familiar villain is behind the Lands' End curtain: Fast Eddie Lampert. Yep, the same Fast Eddie Lampert who sucked all the money out of Sears and Kmart before running those American institutions into the ground. He bought another solid American brand in Lands' End, and now he wants to cash out once again. Lampert, the majority shareholder in the apparel company, has exhorted the corporate board to find a cash buyer as soon as possible.

Sixty Vines seeks permission to add retractable screens to pergola at Downtown Crown

 

Sixty Vines, the new restaurant at 212 Ellington Boulevard at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg, is seeking permission from the City of Gaithersburg to add retractable screens to its outdoor dining pergola structure. The retractable vinyl curtains will utilize the MagnaTrack Vinyl Screen System. Those screens will be black in color, and will not count as increasing the building footprint under City regulations. Sixty Vines' application will be reviewed by the Gaithersburg Planning Commission at its meeting tonight, December 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM. City planning staff are recommending approval of the application.

2 assaults in 2 days at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police on patrol at the mall Saturday 

Montgomery County police responded to two reports of assaults last week at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. A 2nd-degree assault was reported at the retail center on November 25, 2025,  at 5:26 PM. Just over 24 hours later, an aggravated assault was reported at the property. That assault was related to a shoplifting incident. These were the eighth and ninth assaults reported at the mall this year. At this pace, Montgomery Mall is likely to have fewer assaults this year than last, when eleven were reported. 

Montgomery County police had a more visible presence at the mall this past weekend. Officers were wearing the new back patches that identify they are with the County police. These were demanded by the Montgomery County Council to distinguish them from ICE officere working in the County.

Update on Terra Gaucha restaurant in Rockville (Photos)

Terra Gaucha is currently on pace to open before the end of the month at 1651 Chapman Avenue at the new Twinbrook Quarter development in Rockville. Signage has just been installed on the exterior of the building. "Terra Gaucha was born out of the desire to bring the best of Southern Brazil to the US. We made this dream a reality when we opened the first home of the Ultimate Churrasco Experience in Jacksonville, back in 2015," the growing chain recounts on its website. "You’ll not only enjoy our premium cuts, but will also indulge in a variety of Brazilian inspired dishes and an array of cheeses and cold cuts at your disposal at our Gourmet Hot and Cold Table."

Buffalo Wild Wings closing at The Square at Rockville

Buffalo Wild Wings will close next month at The Square at Rockville, formerly known as Rockville Town Square, according to employees at the restaurant. The sports bar-style chicken wing spot has been removed from the development's leasing map, and its space is now listed as "available." No reason for the closure has been announced yet, but I noticed that the dining room was closed one night last week, and patrons were being seated at the bar only. That could reflect a staffing issue - or employees may be dropping off after learning they won't have a job much longer. The dining room was open as usual the next night I checked.

BWW also seems to be focused on its new GO restaurant concept, with a streamlined menu and emphasis on takeout and delivery orders, that reduces overhead on inventory and staff size. One of those is now open "up the Pike" at the Rock Grove shopping center. The closure of Buffalo Wild Wings was first reported by The MoCo Show.

Gold Bunny Donut a smash success among Black Friday shoppers in Bethesda

 

Selling out is bad when you're a punk band, but fabulous when you are a new vendor on your first day in the mall food court. Gold Bunny Donut made its debut in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda yesterday, and the Black Friday mobs literally ate it up. Before the end of the shopping day, Gold Bunny had sold out of donuts. These rich, filled fresh donuts really hit the spot for manic shoppers trying to keep their blood sugar up and their holiday shopping costs down on Black Friday.

Mallwalkers also got their first look at Gold Bunny's eclectic menu. Alongside familiar flavors like vanilla and raspberry were options you won't have at Dunkin' Donuts or Krispy Kreme, such as ube - a nutty vanilla-cotton-candy flavor experience derived from the Filipino purple yam, Earl Grey tea, Everything Bagel, and Black Sesame. Bombolone-style Jumble Donuts can be ordered with Apple Pie, Biscoff, Black Sesame, Chocolate, Oreo, Peanut, or Red Velvet filling. Finally, there are Asian tea beverages and a Dowich sandwich with sliced meat and greens.