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.

JOOLA opening today in Rockville, Ben Johns to appear at pickleball flagship Saturday

The world of pickleball is about to get a lot bigger in Montgomery County. JOOLA, the world's leading pickleball paddle manufacturer, is celebrating a major milestone with the grand opening of its signature retail store at 917 Meeting Street at Pike & Rose in Rockville. The doors officially open today, Black Friday, November 28, 2025, solidifying the connection of the global brand with its local roots and the burgeoning pickleball community.

JOOLA's presence in Montgomery County runs deep. The flagship opening follows the brand's relocation of its U.S. headquarters from Gaithersburg to Pike & Rose in March 2025, bringing its innovation, design, and community engagement under one roof. Now it will have a retail storefront at the same property along the busy Rockville Pike commercial corridor.

"Montgomery County has always been part of the JOOLA story, and opening our signature store here is a reflection of our deep roots and our future ambitions," JOOLA CEO and owner Richard Lee said in a statement. "This space is a celebration of how far pickleball has come, and a commitment to supporting the players and communities driving its growth worldwide."

The excitement of opening weekend is getting an extra surge of star power. World No. 1 pickleball player Ben Johns will be in attendance for a special autograph signing and meet-and-greet on Saturday, November 29, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. As a local, Johns says he understands the impact of this new hub on the pickleball community. "As a kid growing up in Montgomery County, I began with table tennis and eventually found my passion for pickleball. Back then, having a JOOLA store locally would have made a huge difference. Now, with JOOLA opening this first location, it’s exciting to know the next generation will have that exact opportunity right here at home."

Shoppers throughout the opening weekend will receive a complimentary gift with eligible in-store purchases, while supplies last.

Designed to be an immersive experience, the new retail space is a destination for players of all levels. Shoppers can get hands-on with the latest JOOLA paddles, apparel, and accessories, supported by a knowledgeable team of JOOLA experts. The JOOLA store is set to be an integral part of the local pickleball movement, which the company has championed, including helping Montgomery County become the first school district in the United States to introduce pickleball as a varsity sport in the fall of 2024.

The immersive pickleball hub features:

✨ Exclusive in-store-only product drops and limited-edition collections.

👕 Local Maryland, D.C., and Virginia-themed gear celebrating regional pride.

✍️ Pro-player appearances and autograph events.

🏓 A paddle demo program allowing players to “try before they buy.”

🤝 Interactive community events connecting pickleball fans of all levels.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe opening new Rockville location

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is "coming soon" to 835-F Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza, according to signage posted in the window of its future storefront. It is moving into the former Capital Cryo space at the busy shopping center. Tropical Smoothie Cafe has two existing Rockville locations, in White Flint and near Shady Grove Hospital. This more central location aims to serve populaces such as Richard Montgomery High School students, and the Town Center area and surrounding neighborhoods.

Ocean Island Massage Spa opens in Rockville

Ocean Island Massage Spa is now open at 802 Rockville Pike in the Golden Arcade shopping center. It is located between PayMore and the dry cleaners. The spa offers a variety of holistic treatments, including acupressure, reflexology, shiatsu massage therapy, head therapy, and acupuncture. Ocean Island is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM seven days a week.

"Ocean Island Spa is dedicated to providing a serene and rejuvenating experience for each of our guests," the spa says in its promotional materials. "Our philosophy is centered around holistic wellness, offering a range of services aimed at restoring balance to the body and mind. We believe in the healing power of touch and the importance of self-care."

Update on Dave's Hot Chicken in Rockville (Photos)

Dave knows Nashville Hot Chicken. Rapid construction? Not so much. The former McDonald's building is now getting a fresh coat of paint, inside and out. A new "coming soon" sign has been placed on what appears to be a permanent signpost near the roadway. Dave's Hot Chicken will be located at 11564 Rockville Pike, across from the White Flint Metro station.

California Fish Grill sets opening date in Rockville

California Fish Grill has set an opening date for its newest Washington, D.C.-area location in Rockville. The first diners at the fast casual seafood restaurant at 12238 Rockville Pike at Towne Plaza will be welcomed this coming Monday, November 10, 2025. All seafood served by the chain meets rigorous sustainability standards recognized by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® program, "third-party certifications, or credible improvement projects." The restaurant will also offer catering packages.

The new Rockville location features the chain's most popular dishes like Atlantic Salmon, Mediterranean Branzino, and wild-caught rockfish, served as bowls, tacos, salads, and grilled plates. Exclusive to CFG's East Coast locations are new menu additions, including a Lobster Roll and Wild Crispy Cod Sandwich. Guests can customize their meals with signature sauces like Garlic Butter or Cajun Style, with entrées offering between 20 and 67 grams of protein per plate.

"We’re thrilled to continue growing California Fish Grill in the DC area," California Fish Grill CEO Bob Holden said in a statement. "Delivering high-quality, sustainable seafood in a fast-casual atmosphere allows more people to enjoy healthy, flavorful meals every day. We look forward to expanding further with upcoming openings in Alexandria and beyond." Operating hours for the Rockville location will be 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM  Sunday through Wednesday, and 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM Thursday through Saturday.

Tipping Point opening in Rockville

Tipping Point is coming soon to Federal Plaza in Rockville, according to a liquor license application sign posted on its future storefront at 12274-C Rockville Pike. According to the store's liquor license application, Tipping Point will sell wine and beer. It expects to open before the end of the month. Operating hours will be 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to midnight on Sundays. Those are pretty late hours for Montgomery County these days!

Strong-arm robbery in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in Rockville yesterday afternoon, October 28, 2025. The robbery and assault were reported in the 1000 block of Rockville Pike at 4:30 PM Tuesday. It took place in a residential parking lot.

More signs of Dave's Hot Chicken in Rockville

Dave's Hot Chicken still hasn't served any hot chicken at its future Rockville Pike location, but it continues to serve up plenty of "coming soon" signage. The latest is a large banner with the chicken logo. Inside, construction continues at a glacial pace, and is far from completion. Located at 11564 Rockville Pike in the White Flint area, the building was formerly a McDonald's.

New Rockville menswear shop has a Porsche inside the store

Collars & Co. is now open at 1643-A Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza in Rockville. The Shark Tank-backed retailer specializes in modern business casual menswear. Its current featured product is the patent-pending Dress Collar Polo. The 2900-square-foot store includes a vintage Porsche (shown below) and private jet replica for selfies, and a bespoke custom closet by Bethesda Custom Closets and Blinds. Operating hours for Collars & Co. are 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays.

Dave's Hot Chicken "coming soon" to Rockville (Photos)

Dave's Hot Chicken is "coming soon" to Rockville Pike, according to a banner posted on the restaurant building. It will be at 11564 Rockville Pike in Rockville. That was formerly an old-style McDonald's restaurant, until the golden arches moved a short distance north to the old Arby's site. Before expanding to Montgomery County, Dave's Hot Chicken was best known to Marylanders as the fast food company that promoted itself via influencer videos on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Other Maryland locations have already opened in White Oak and Waldorf.

K Bap Express opens in Rockville

K Bap Express is now open at 121-B Congressional Lane, at the Congressional North shopping center in Rockville. The Korean restaurant replaces Pines of Rome Express. Dishes served include bibimbap, mandu, and kimbap. They have a couple of small tables for outdoor dining, and a small indoor dining room, so takeout sales are the primary focus here.

Spirit Halloween opens late in Rockville (Photos)

Better late than never! That's the only consolation for the Spirit Halloween store at 1683 Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza in Rockville. The store had never opened this Halloween season, and last week cited its inability to receive the necessary permits to operate. Those permits were apparently finally expedited the day after my report, and the store is now open for business. The selection is slightly better than some other locations, as the inventory hasn't been picked over for weeks. This store also has the best presentation of the haunted subway car that is the centerpiece of this year's product line.

Meow Claw relocating in Rockville

Meow Claw is relocating at the Shops at Congressional Village in Rockville. The claw machine arcade will make a short move this month from the storefront at 1701 Rockville Pike Suite B-9 to 1701 Rockville Pike Suite B-6. Equipment is already being loaded in at the new space, as you can see below. Their existing space is still open for business until the move.

Current location, which is still open