Mellow Mushroom closes at Rockville Town Square

Mellow Mushroom has closed permanently at Rockville Town Square. The closure is a high-profile one, in a central on-the-square location, at a development that continues to struggle with tenant turnover. Mellow Mushroom's owner, Danny Trahan, has openly spoken in the past about the high costs of operating a restaurant in Rockville and Montgomery County. "Did I make a mistake in coming to Montgomery County?" he asked last year. "I feel like I did."

Several forces may have contributed to the demise of Mellow Mushroom. The owner was outspoken in his criticism of landlord Federal Realty and the City of Rockville regarding the parking policies at Rockville Town Square. Trahan estimated that the parking fees cost Town Square tenants $5 million in sales annually. Patrons must buy something to receive validation to avoid paying for parking. About 20% are unaware of the validation option, and pay the fees even if they did buy something at a Town Square business, Federal Realty reported at a Mayor and Council worksession on Town Center parking issues.

Many casual visitors who aren't sure they will spend money have been going where parking is free - Rio/Washingtonian Center, Downtown Crown and Pike & Rose (2 hours free at the latter). Property owners in the Town Center area have said they cannot afford to cover the cost of free parking under the restraints of the existing financial arrangements they have with lenders.

Trahan and other business owners have also complained that the limited hours of the Rockville Memorial Library across the square draw less foot traffic than a popular restaurant or retailer would. Montgomery County has slammed restaurant owners repeatedly this decade, starting with a massive hike in the Energy Tax in 2010. The County Council followed up with a historic property tax increase in 2016 that exceeded the charter limit, and a $15 minimum wage hike. "That's a lot of extra Slurpees to sell," one business owner said at a Council hearing on the wage increase.

The City's ban on outdoor smoking at the Town Square was the last straw for Trahan. "Are you trying to slow-poison business?" he asked the Mayor and Council incredulously at a 2017 worksession.

Mellow Mushroom to open May 16 in Rockville

Mellow Mushroom has announced it will open Monday, May 16, at Rockville Town Square. I'm looking forward to trying the pizza there. Once open, Mellow Mushroom will operate 11:00 AM to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and until 2:00 AM Friday and Saturday nights.

Signs pop up all over Rockville Town Center (Photos)

Signs have been installed at three soon-to-open businesses in Rockville Town Center: Old Line Bank and Panera Bread in the Cambria Hotel and Suites/Upton apartment building, and a new additional sign above Mellow Mushroom in Rockville Town Square.

Music was blaring from speakers outside Mellow Mushroom yesterday afternoon, but the window coverings remain on.

Sign installed at Mellow Mushroom in Rockville (Photos)

Workers were installing the sign at the soon-to-open Mellow Mushroom in Rockville Town Square yesterday when I stopped by at lunchtime. Each letter was being hammered into place. Unfortunately, the interior is still under wraps. Stay tuned for an opening date.

Wall comes down at Mellow Mushroom in Rockville Town Square (Photos)

Window screens are still blocking the view of the interior at Mellow Mushroom at Rockville Town Square. But the future pizza parlor has dismantled the large construction barrier out front. Mellow Mushroom is expected to open as early as next week.

Mellow Mushroom adds Coming Shroom signage at Rockville Town Square (Photos)

After a long wait, construction is going full steam ahead inside the future Mellow Mushroom at Rockville Town Square. The results of the work are still hidden behind a wall, of course. But some new Coming Soon - or as they call it, "Coming Shroom" - signage has been added outside. They're also still hiring, for all of you aspiring pizza chefs in Rockville.

Meanwhile, over at Finnegan's Wake (remember that?) the activity hasn't been quite as frantic, but I can confirm construction is actually underway now. Place your bets as to whether or not they can open before the biggest day on the Irish pub calendar - St. Patrick's Day.

Construction begins at Mellow Mushroom in Rockville (Photos)

After months of no activity, temporary wood walls have been erected in front of the future Mellow Mushroom at Rockville Town Square. That's an obvious sign that construction inside, and on the outside facade, are now underway. Mellow Mushroom bills itself as a Southern-style pizza parlor.

As you can see in the photo below, they have their construction permit from the City of Rockville.

Mellow Mushroom applies for liquor license in Rockville (Photo)

Finally, some signs of life at the future site of Mellow Mushroom in Rockville Town Square. The eccentric Southern pizzeria has applied for its liquor license from Montgomery County. Their hearing is scheduled for September 17.

Mellow Mushroom coming to Rockville Town Square (Photos)

Mellow Mushroom, a pizza chain that proudly declares its roots in the hippy culture of the 1970s, is coming to Rockville Town Square. Touting a unique, "Classic Southern pizza," Mellow Mushroom is also promising to bring a craft beer list customized to the Rockville location. One has to wonder if that would include Rockville's own Baying Hound Aleworks...

Mellow Mushroom will have a Beer Club for you to join, and your membership card will earn you points and rewards.

While the general structure of the menu is similar to the typical neighborhood pizza parlor, you'll find whimsical pizza names from the 70s (and earlier) like Magical Mystery Tour and Kosmic Karma. Maybe the Magic Mushroom soup is what you prefer? Or perhaps the decidedly un-Southern menu items like hummus or cheesesteaks?

Mellow Mushroom will be located at 33-A Maryland Avenue, formerly home to Oro Pomodoro.