Slurp Noodle House "coming soon" to Rockville

Slurp Noodle House is coming soon to Rockville, according to signage posted at its future storefront. The ramen and dumpling restaurant will be located at the corner of Halpine Road and Chapman Avenue, on the ground level of the Milton apartments at Twinbrook Quarter. Contrary to Western table manners, slurping one's noodles is a sign of enjoying your meal in Japan, and is therefore encouraged. And from a practical standpoint, the practice also cools down the ramen. 

Go Fresh 365 supermarket "coming soon" to Rockville

A Go Fresh 365 supermarket is "coming soon" to 1800 Rockville Pike at the Galvan at Twinbrook development in Rockville, according to signage posted at its future storefront. 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. 

Here in Rockville, Go Fresh 365 will attempt to fill the vacuum left when Safeway closed at the Galvan earlier this year. The chain says it takes very seriously a responsibility to promote and spread Chinese food culture. Its mission, it says, is to "create greater values for overseas Chinese and the American people." Go Fresh 365 is expected to open in Rockville in November.

Parent company of Rockville bowling alley files for bankruptcy

The parent company of Rockville Pike bowling alley Pinstripes has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it announced yesterday. Located at Pike & Rose in the White Flint area, Pinstripes opened in 2017. The national Pinstripes chain closed several locations across the country as it made the bankruptcy announcement. But the Pike & Rose location is one that is among those that will continue operating for now.

"We will keep operating as usual - welcoming guests, hosting events, and supporting our remaining team members," Pinstripes said in an online message. "Your gift cards and event deposits remain valid at continuing locations, and this process will allow us to emerge stronger and continuously focused on providing exceptional experiences for our guests and partners." Pinstripes went public as a company just two years ago, but has run into fiscal difficulties since that time. According to Nation's Restaurant News, the company's liabilities to creditors are currently as much as $500 million.

Darband Restaurant nears opening in Rockville

Darband Restaurant looks pretty close to opening at 765-H Rockville Pike, at the Ritchie Center in Rockville. The window coverings have been removed. A Pepsi cooler and some shelving have been moved into the dining space. Artwork has been hung on the right wall, and new "Open," "Darband Kabob" and "Persian Restaurant" lighted signs have been installed in the front window. The flatscreens and "100% Fresh Ingredients" and "Halal" signs are holdovers from previous tenant Taste of Kabab. That restaurant's sign is also strangely still up over the storefront.

Ba Le sandwich shop nears opening in Rockville (Photos)

The interior fit-out of Ba Le, a bánh mì sandwich shop opening in Rockville, appears nearly complete. Kitchen and counter equipment, as well as refrigerated cases for beverages and neon window signs, are in place. It is located at 765-FG Rockville Pike, at the Ritchie Center. You can see the Eiffel Tower in the restaurant's logo, which emphasizes that the world-famous Vietnamese sandwiches start with a French baguette sliced lengthwise, before they are filled with the ingredients of your choice. Ba Le replaces another Vietnamese restaurant, Ốc & Crab Seafood Restaurant, in this spot at Ritchie Center.

Parking lot dustup leads to assault in Rockville

Rockville City police were dispatched to a parking lot on August 24, 2025, after an assault was reported there. The assault was reported in a commercial parking in the 800 block of Rockville Pike at 4:45 PM. According to police, a worker cleaning the parking lot blew debris onto a person, and that person became angry and assaulted the worker. Police did not indicate whether the worker's action was intentional or accidental.

Renovations ahead for Chick-fil-A on Rockville Pike

The Chick-fil-A at 12001 Rockville Pike at the Montrose Crossing shopping center is planning a renovation of the building's interior. A new ceiling will be installed, and the indoor seating furniture will be updated. Work is expected to begin by fall. It's hard to believe, but this Chick-fil-A location is already nearly twelve years old.

Rockville road rage incident ends in assault

A road rage incident on busy Rockville Pike escalated into an assault on the afternoon of July 29, 2025. Rockville City police report that the dispute concluded with one party assaulting the other at 3:22 PM in the 1600 block of Rockville Pike. No description of the suspect or any vehicle involved has been released as of this writing. If you have any information that can assist police regarding this case, call 240-314-8900.

Is Marlo Furniture on the way out in Rockville? (Photos)

Marlo Furniture has been a landmark presence on Rockville Pike since 1995. A new real estate listing suggests that, 30 years later, that could be changing. Several spaces in Marlo's custom-built warehouse showroom at 725 Rockville Pike are being offered for lease, including an 89,100-square-foot space that will become available on "January 01, 2026." Marketing materials prepared by Transwestern show renderings of "Your Sign Here" where the current, large "Marlo" signs are attached to the front and side facades of the building. The listing brochure states that prospective tenants will be joining Goodwill and Movement Rockville, with no mention of Marlo.

Images courtesy Transwestern

Kirk Cousins' favorite hair salon is coming to Rockville

Great Clips is "coming soon" to Rockville Pike, according to signage posted in the windows of its future storefront. The hair salon will be located at 835-H Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza in Rockville, and it will be Great Clips' first Montgomery County shop. Based in Minnesota, the haircut chain is best known for its convenient appointment scheduling using its Online Check-in. 

Great Clips was memorably endorsed by NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins, who said he relies on the national chain to provide a predictable haircut regardless of what city he is in. The chain's "Clip Notes" feature helps provide that reliability. "Everybody needs a little rush in their lives. I get mine when I go to Great Clips to get my hair cut," Cousins told USA Today earlier this month. Cousins' original endorsement was genuine, as he was not a paid spokesperson, but Great Clips later provided him with a VIP free haircut card after learning of his praise.

Rockville Hallmark store under new ownership

The Hallmark Gold Crown store at 1663 Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza in Rockville is under new ownership. Previously known as "Banner's Hallmark," the greeting card, ornament, stationary and gift shop has been acquired by Norman's Hallmark. Norman's is the nation's largest independent owner of Hallmark Gold Crown stores. The Bethesda Hallmark store was also recently acquired by Norman's. Hallmark's big season begins in mid-summer, with the rollout of its annual keepsake Christmas ornaments, so the timing of the ownership change makes sense.

Banner's is a local company, headquartered in Gaithersburg, while Norman's is based in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Banner's region has been Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas. Norman's has been focused in the Keystone State and New Jersey, but seems to be slowly expanding southward into Maryland. Norman's takes the prize for longevity; Banner's has been around since the 1970s, while Norman's was founded in 1939.

Ace Hardware store construction begins in Rockville

Construction is underway on the future Ace Hardware store at 835 Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza. First they are demolishing the interior of the former Gold's Gym. According to plans filed with the City of Rockville, Ace Hardware is demolishing the staircase leading to the second floor of the former gym, and sealing the stair opening off in the ceiling. Bathrooms will be updated for current accessibility standards. When it opens, this will be the only Ace Hardware store in Rockville. Windows are currently papered over, but take a sneak peek below:

Metro Pike Center to get facelift in Rockville

Saul Centers is preparing to give a facelift to the Metro Pike Center at 11520 Rockville Pike in White Flint. The shopping center will receive a facade update in the coming months. Let's hope it is more retro than the replacement signage that was installed at the front of the property in the late 2010s. Lost were the totally 80s "Metro Pike Center" logo and background grid (see photo below), replaced by the most abominably-generic font and signage Max Headroom or Buckaroo Banzai could imagine in their nightmares (see photo at top). According to LoopNet, Metro Pike Center was constructed in 1990. White Flint is synonymous with the 80s, and that character should be retained to maintain the "sense of place" that Montgomery County planners give so much lip service to.

Subway reopens on Rockville Pike

Subway has returned to 1402 Rockville Pike in Rockville. The submarine sandwich shop has been closed since December for a major renovation. It has now reopened, and operating hours will be 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturdays, and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays. The return at this location and at Westfield Montgomery Mall reflect a renaissance of Sandwich Artists in Montgomery County.

Chips and drinks are fully stocked

Sandwich artist parking only!

Signage installed at Wild Bean Coffee in Rockville (Photos)

Permanent signage has been installed above the future storefront of Wild Bean Coffee at 1532 Rockville Pike. The coffee shop does not appear to be part of a chain, and has no website or social media presence that I can find so far. Even the precise name is unclear. The "coming soon" signage in the windows has it as "Wild Coffee Bean," and the new sign above reads, "Wild Bean Coffee."

Darband Restaurant replacing Taste of Kabab in Rockville

Taste of Kabab has closed at 765-H Rockville Pike at the Ritchie Center in Rockville. But fans of kababs and kabobs don't have to worry. Their space has been leased by Darband Restaurant, a Persian kabob restaurant. Workers cleared out the interior, and then had tables and chairs set up in the dining room by evening Monday. That would still leave any additional decor or new kitchen/counter equipment to be installed. Taste of Kabab opened here about 21 months ago.

HeyTea opens in Rockville

HeyTea has opened at 891-F Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza in Rockville. In 2012, in a small alleyway called Jiangbianli in Jiangmen, China, HeyTea's young founder invented cheese tea, the product that would become the company's signature product. HeyTea's other signature is its worldwide popularity on social media, stimulated by the company's effort in creating Instagram-ready store interiors and packaging, and drinks that have as much appeal to the camera eye as to the taste buds. The hype that preceded the Rockville opening is real, as the line was out the door Saturday afternoon at Wintergreen Plaza.

Beauty Spot to replace Masica Diamonds in Rockville

A new tenant is coming to the Masica Diamonds storefront at 11763 Rockville Pike, in the ground floor of The Sterling at the Metro condominium building. Beauty Spot has leased the 1,559-square-foot space. The current status of the interior fit-out for Beauty Spot is unknown, due to the window coverings. However, a "coming soon" sign has been posted in the front window.

Subway nears return on Rockville Pike (Photos)

The newly-renovated Subway at 1402 Rockville Pike in Rockville looks very close to opening. Digital menu screens have been installed behind the counter, and are already operational. In fact, the shipping boxes for the screens by the Pennsylvania-based digital sign firm Scala are still visible in front of the counter. The company also manufactures touchscreen ordering systems, but none of those are visible yet inside the restaurant. This Subway store closed last December, and even the signage was stripped off of the building, with no message left for customers. Then this spring, a renovation project began and a Subway logo appeared on one of the interior walls.