Danker Furniture closes in Rockville (Photos)

Danker Furniture has permanently closed on Rockville Pike. The company says orders are still being processed, even though the physical store has closed. Customers can call 301-881-6010 if they have questions.

A sad goodbye for a longtime fixture of Rockville Pike retail. They used to have a Bethesda location, as well. Is your home a "Danker-designed home?" Relive some nostalgic Danker Furniture memories in this YouTube video shot inside the store in 2008, and with a 1987 Danker TV commercial.

Sexual assault on Rockville Pike

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a sexual assault on Rockville Pike Monday evening, February 7, 2022. The adult victim reported having been fondled in the 800 block of Rockville Pike at 7:48 PM, according to crime data.

Pedestrian struck on Rockville Pike

A pedestrian was struck in Rockville at 10:55 AM this morning. The collision occurred at the intersection of Rockville Pike and Thompson Avenue, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer. There is no word on the condition of the victim at this time.

Image courtesy Google Maps

Japanese supermarket Ebisu Life Store opening in Rockville

Ebisu Life Store, a Japanese supermarket chain, will open a new location in Rockville at 836 Rockville Pike. This space was formerly home to Shah & Patel Grocery, and is next door to Mattress Frame. Ebisu Life Store has existing locations in New York City and Aurora, Colorado. In addition to imported groceries and snacks, the store will also carry health and beauty products and other goods from Japan.

Rockville Goodwill store sets opening date

The long-awaited opening of the newest Goodwill store on Rockville Pike is finally upon us. Goodwill of Greater Washington has announced the store at 725 Rockville Pike (in the Marlo building) will open this Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 9:00 AM. Even better, there will be a 25%-off sale this Saturday only, on  top of the already-low prices.

You don't have to wait until Saturday to donate items to the store; it is accepting donations daily between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. As you can see above, the shelves are already stocked with merchandise.

Photos: Robert Dyer (top)/Goodwill of DC (bottom)

Rockville Pike Mobil completes garage conversion to convenience store

The Mobil gas station at 890 Rockville Pike by Edmonston Drive has a new, more modern look. A recent project to convert the auto repair garage bays into a larger convenience store space is now complete. This is definitely an above-average size of convenience store as far as Rockville Pike gas stations go, and somewhat more competitive with the Dash In-style convenience store model found on corridors like MD 650 and US 301 in Maryland, or the smaller 7-Eleven gas stations.

Strong-arm carjacking at Rockville restaurant

City of Rockville police responded to a report of a strong-arm carjacking outside a restaurant Tuesday night. The carjacking was reported at a restaurant in the 1400 block of Rockville Pike around 10:00 that evening, according to crime data.

Gas shortages, lines persist in Montgomery County

Despite the efforts of officials at all levels of government to downplay the Colonial Pipeline crisis, many gas stations across Montgomery County were still out of fuel yesterday, while others hosted lines of vehicles stretching out onto the roadways. Some stations switched their digital price signs to all zeros. 

Gas pumps at the Westbard Citgo station in Bethesda were roped off with yellow tape Thursday afternoon. Several stations on nearby River Road were dark last night, but drivers were able to queue up at the Shell station at 5110 River Road. Long lines were seen at gas stations at the Montgomery Village Center on Montgomery Village Avenue, and along Rockville Pike, as well.

Maryland Comptroller and Montgomery County resident Peter Franchot appeared unaware of the number of stations sold-out of gas, when he told The Washington Post that he doubted the gas app tallies of dry-tank stations across the state, arguing that the actual number was lower. Many media reports cited average prices significantly lower than what drivers were actually paying in Montgomery County yesterday. 

Although the Colonial Pipeline has been restarted after the owners reportedly paid a $5 million dollar ransom, it is taking time to restock stations. Some station managers reported receiving smaller amounts of gas than they would usually get per truck.

Lao Sze Chuan coming to Rockville

NoBe Market has found a new tenant for the restaurant space vacated by Brio. Lao Sze Chuan, a Szechuan Chinese restaurant, will open in the towering high-rise on Rockville Pike. 

Tony Hu, the "Mayor of Chinatown" in Chicago, has operated Lao Sze Chuan restaurants there, and in Connecticut, Minnesota and Nevada. Many diners and critics have considered his restaurants to serve the best Chinese food in Chicago. NoBe Market is located at 11351 Woodglen Drive in the White Flint area.

Armed carjacking reported in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed carjacking on Rockville Pike late Sunday afternoon, January 31, 2021. The carjacking was reported at a commercial parking lot in the 12000 block of Rockville Pike around 5:31 PM, according to crime data.

A sign of what's to come at new Darcars dealership on Rockville Pike

First we found out who the mystery tenant was in the new building near Roy Rogers on Rockville Pike. Now we know which brands and what type of sales will be offered at this new Darcars dealership. 

It will feature pre-owned Dodge, Ram, Chrysler and Jeep sales. This makes perfect sense, as these brands match those carried by the existing Darcars dealership directly across the street from the new site.

Darcars opening new Rockville location

Darcars is the mystery tenant moving into the new building by Roy Rogers at 712 Rockville Pike. Once again, the Pike is maintaining its suburban character as a commercial strip with car dealerships and retail stores, despite developer efforts last decade to upzone Rockville Pike into a high-density urban area. A similar urbanization plan for White Flint's part of the Pike, passed by the Montgomery County Council, has been an utter failure so far.

Maryland SHA treating MD 355 ahead of Wednesday snow event

A significant snowstorm approaching the northeast is expected to drop up to 3 inches of snow on Montgomery County Wednesday into Thursday. The key variable will be how much comes down as snow, and how much as rain. Maryland's State Highway Administration isn't taking any chances. Rockville Pike (MD 355) had already received a layer of deicing solution between Rockville and downtown Bethesda last night, 24 hours before the storm was even expected to arrive.

Armed robbery in Rockville

City of Rockville police responded to a report of an armed robbery Wednesday night. The robbery was reported at an apartment building in the 1000 block of Rockville Pike around 9:40 PM. According to crime data, the weapon used was not a firearm.

$10,000 Mega Millions winning ticket sold in Rockville, still unclaimed

Someone who bought a Mega Millions ticket on Rockville Pike has won $10,000, and hasn't claimed their cash yet. The winning ticket was sold at Rockville Service Center at 1900 Rockville Pike on August 20, 2020, according to the Maryland Lottery.

Blinds to Go coming to Rockville

Blinds to Go will be opening soon at 12204 Rockville Pike. The New Jersey-based blinds retailer is taking over a building that formerly housed Next Day Blinds. Next Day Blinds has gone out of business, and the new chain is not affiliated with them. Blinds to Go was founded in 1954 and now touts itself as the largest "manufacturer-retailer of direct-to-the-customer custom window coverings" in North America.

TGI Fridays creates outdoor seating in Rockville

The TGI Fridays at 12147 Rockville Pike in the Pike Center didn't have the benefit of their own dedicated patio for outdoor dining. But they have improvised to create room by using space in the parking lot outside the restaurant. Tables with umbrellas have been set up inside of fenced-off areas.

Strong arm rape reported at Rockville bus stop

A strong-arm rape was reported to Rockville police Saturday evening. The assault was reported at a bus stop in the 1700 block of Rockville Pike around 8:00 PM, according to crime data.

Strong-arm robbery on Rockville Pike

A strong-arm robbery on Rockville Pike was reported to Montgomery County police early yesterday morning. According to crime data, the victim was in a car in the 800 block of Rockville Pike around 1:48 AM.

AutoZone opens on Rockville Pike

AutoZone has opened its first Rockville store at 824 Rockville Pike. This is good news for automobile owners, and a sharp blow to the Montgomery County political cartel which banned Walmart from opening any more stores in MoCo. Two planned Walmarts on Rockville Pike and in Aspen Hill were deep-sixed by the County Council earlier this decade, forcing their constituents to continue overpaying for groceries.

Unlike the County Council's successful efforts to keep grocery prices high and moving higher (Walmart customers save an average of over $12 per week on groceries compared to customers of Giant, Safeway, etc.), the arrival of AutoZone will push a downward force on auto accessory prices in the city.  Not everyone is making six-figure, taxpayer-funded salaries like our elected officials, who shop at Whole Foods and hipster upscale markets.