Ding Tea opening in Rockville

Rockville is nearing "peak bubble tea," and the latest addition will be Ding Tea in the Ritchie Center, opening soon at 785-C Rockville Pike. It will be in the space next to Kiin Imm Thai.

CBD Wellness opens in Rockville

Cannabidiol oil is the latest hot cannabis consumer product in the United States. But CBD, as it is known, is not the same as medical marijuana because it has no psychoactive effects. It has anti-inflammatory properties, with uses ranging from pain and swelling relief to cancer treatment.

CBD Wellness has just opened a retail location in the Ritchie Center in Rockville at 765-L Rockville Pike. Their products use a proprietary blend of cannabinoids and terpenes, in salve and tincture form. They've taken over the vacant space that was recently home to a tobacco shop.

Pho 95 reopens in Rockville (Menu+Photos)

Pho 95 has reopened under new management after a renovation of the restaurant, which is located in the Ritchie Center on Rockville Pike. The menu looks good. Pho 95 is next to the new Japong Bakery in the shopping center.

Japong Bakery to open today in Rockville

Rockville's newest bakery will open today in the Ritchie Center. Japong Bakery will open at 9:00 AM this morning at 785 Rockville Pike, and close at 8:30 PM tonight. Customers will enjoy free samples at the bakery today. There will also be a grand opening special: Buy two of their freshly-baked Pineapple Buns, and get one free.

Japong Bakery to open in Rockville

Japong Bakery is coming to the Ritchie Center at 785 Rockville Pike. The bakery is scheduled to open September 30 in the former Mr. Banh Mi space.

Japong will offer the top-selling pastries from across Asia, but the selections include some familiar in the West, including cream puffs, cheesecakes and gourmet cakes. Their breads and pastries are made fresh with their exclusive Sourdough recipe. Among the Asian selections are Egg Tarts, a baked pastry crust filled with egg custard.

In related news, Pho 95 in the same shopping center is currently renovating their space.

Demolition permit issued for Mr. Banh Mi space in Rockville

The Ritchie Center has requested and received an interior demolition permit for the space vacated by Mr. Banh Mi at the shopping center on Rockville Pike. This suggests they may be making it more appealing for a prospective retail, rather than restaurant, tenant. Mr. Banh Mi closed at the end of 2017.

Kiin Imm Thai Restaurant opens in Rockville

Kiin Imm Thai Restaurant has opened at 785-D Rockville Pike, in the Ritchie Center. The early reviews are positive, with the newest Asian option in town currently enjoying a solid 5-star rating on Yelp. Very impressive.

Tobacco & More closes in Rockville (Photos)

Only a year after opening, Tobacco & More has been cleared out at Ritchie Center. Located at 765-L Rockville Pike, Tobacco & More sold cigars, accessories and hookah equipment.

Mr. Banh Mi closes temporarily, Miso Cafe dark at Rockville Town Square (Photos)

Mr. Banh Mi's dining room has been cleared out at the Ritchie Center on Rockville Pike. A sign in the window promises the closure is temporary, but offers no explanation.

On Sunday, Miso Fusion Cafe was dark during its regular hours. Paper was tacked up over the windows at the Korean fusion restaurant, which opened last year at 33-E Maryland Avenue, at Rockville Town Square. No sign was posted to explain the closure.

Live Crawfish & Seafood holding soft opening in Rockville (Menu + Photos)

Live Crawfish & Seafood is holding a soft opening today and tomorrow in the Ritchie Center, at 765 Rockville Pike. They have a special offer for the soft opening: Buy one pound, and get a second pound at 50% off. The menu is Cajun cuisine, for lunch and dinner, and they also have a kids menu.

Here is the full menu:

Live Crawfish & Seafood to open in Rockville (Photos)

The flavors of New Orleans are coming to Ritchie Center in Rockville. Live Crawfish & Seafood will offer po'boys, beignets, and - not surprisingly - a New Orleans-style crawfish boil. Other seafood and shellfish will include catfish, clams, mussels, blue and snow crab, and shrimp. Work hasn't even started inside the space, so stay tuned for an opening date.

New tobacco store in Rockville gets a name (Photos)

The new tobacco store that opened recently in the Ritchie Center without a sign out front finally has one. Tobacco & More is the descriptive if not particularly inspired name. The shop features not only an extensive cigar inventory, but also hookah equipment and accessories. Tobacco & More is located at 765-L Rockville Pike.

New tobacco/cigar shop coming to Ritchie Center in Rockville (Photos)

A new tenant is moving into the Ritchie Center on Rockville Pike. There is no sign up yet, but the boxed merchandise inside is all tobacco-related - cigars and hookah. And there is a cigar brand sign installed in the front window. Stay tuned.

Knock First lingerie and adult toy store coming to Rockville (Photos)

Knock First, a lingerie and adult toy boutique, is coming to the Ritchie Center. The shop will also carry "novelties...and fine art!!!" according to the sign in the window. Ritchie Center is located on Rockville Pike at Wootton Parkway.

Shh.... 

VAPE INK OPENS IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

The vaping craze is officially hitting Rockville, now that the city's first vape store has opened in the Ritchie Center on Rockville Pike. Vape Ink sells vaping equipment, modifications, and the flavored "juice" to fill them up. But it is also a tattoo and piercing shop, as well - hence the "ink" in the name.

The store has a 5-star rewards program for regular customers to join. For example, program members might earn a free juice after spending $100. The selection of flavors is extensive, as are the equipment options. Staff will help you with questions and technical assistance. Customers say it's becoming a popular hangout for vapers in Rockville. Patrons can sample juice flavors, and the shop features a "Juice of the Day"; the store is for those age 18+ only.

Vape Ink is open Monday to Thursday, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday and Saturday, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sundays, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Vape Ink

765 Rockville Pike, Unit J

941-962-8021

MAKI CAFE, SUPER BOWL NOODLE HOUSE APPLY FOR LIQUOR LICENSES IN ROCKVILLE

Super Bowl Noodle House in Rockville's Ritchie Center (785-G Rockville Pike) and Maki Cafe are both applying to Montgomery County for liquor licenses. Super Bowl seeks a Class H H/R license, while sushi and ramen spot Maki Cafe is requesting a Class D license. Both restaurants will have their hearing before the Board of License Commissioners on Thursday, February 6.

MR. BANH MI INSTALLS LIGHTED SIGN IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

The future Mr. Bánh Mì in the Ritchie Center on Rockville Pike now has its lighted sign installed over the restaurant storefront.

You can also see the gleaming new counter and interior.

MR. BÁNH MÌ OPENING IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

Wonderful news from the Ritchie Center on Rockville Pike:

A new restaurant called Mr. Bánh Mì is coming soon.  From the name, this could be exciting for fans of bánh mì in Rockville and beyond. There are other purveyors of bánh mì within blocks of this location, so it will be a competitive environment.

If you haven't had bánh mì before, it is a Vietnamese baguette that has its origins in the colonial French influence in Vietnam.  The sandwiches are usually filled with meat, and can also have spicy condiments on board.  In recent years, many upscale American restaurants have started adding these to their menus, but they are usually not as authentic as those served by chefs in actual Vietnamese American restaurants.

Stay tuned for more details.