Squatters strike again in Rockville

The squatting phenomenon continues to build momentum in Maryland, and most recently in the City of Rockville. Two men somehow gained access to an apartment building in the unit block of Monroe Place in Rockville Town Center on an unspecified date, Rockville City police report. They "took up residency" in a vacant unit in the building. A staff member of the property eventually discovered the squatters after unlocking that apartment's door at 12:15 PM on June 29, 2025, and told them they had to leave. Police determined the two squatters were homeless.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore and legislators had promised to take swift action on squatting, but have appeared impotent to stop it this summer. State Delegate Mike Griffith (R) said yesterday that he will be introducing legislation in the state legislature next year to close loopholes that currently blur the line between a legal tenant and a squatter. He told WBFF Fox 45 that a business client of his currently has squatters living in five of his Maryland properties. "It’s 100% a multimillion-dollar issue here in the state that we need to address," Griffith said.

Rockville City Hall looking into AC outage at Gold's Gym

Patrons of Gold's Gym at 26 Maryland Avenue at The Square at Rockville report extended air conditioning outages at the facility this summer. It turns out that similar outages were also being reported by members last summer, as well. This summer, as with last year, Gold's Gym has sometimes brought in large fans to provide whatever cool air they could generate. But members say that solution was far from sufficient, and the latest AC outage has had some of them breaking their regular workout routines because it is simply too hot in the gym to comfortably or safely exercise, even though they are still being charged membership and equipment maintenance fees all the while. 

Multiple members say the current outage has lasted for about four weeks. The outages this summer have not only been stifling temperature-wise, but the fact that Gold's Gym closed its other Rockville location at Wintergreen Plaza has meant a significant increase in the number of people working out at the Square location. 

At least one member has contacted Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton, and the City Council, about the AC problems. Ashton said that she has now contacted the property owner, Morguard, regarding the matter. She has also made City Manager Jeff Mihelich aware of the situation, and he is part of the communication loop with Morguard. Ashton said both she and Mihelich will be following up with the company about the Gold's Gym problems.

Shooting in Rockville Town Center

UPDATE - 9:59 AM - June 14, 2025: Rockville City police have identified the two suspects who were arrested following the shooting:  Caleb Jiron, 18, of Frederick, and Freddy Gonzalez-Soto, 18, of Montgomery Village. Both men were allegedly armed with "ghost guns," police said. They have been charged with   Attempted First Degree Murder, First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment, and multiple firearms violations. Police report that the victim remains hospitalized in stable condition.

UPDATE - 9:39 PM: Rockville City police have confirmed there is one victim in the shooting. The adult male victim was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds when he was encountered by officers in the 200 block of N. Washington Street shortly after 6:00 PM tonight, June 12, 2025. He was transported to a local hospital, where he is now in stable condition. Officers identified two suspects in the area, and arrested them.

However, the investigation is ongoing.  The 200 block of N. Washington St. will be closed for an extended period for that purpose. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at

Detectives@RockvilleMD.Gov or 240-314-8900. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Rockville City police are on the scene of a shooting in the Town Center area, the department announced minutes ago. Police say the shooting took place in the 200 block of N. Washington Street. "This is an active and evolving investigation," the department said in a statement. "Expect an increased police presence in the area."

Rockville Trader Joe's construction update (Photos)

Permanent signage has been installed on the facade of Trader Joe's, opening soon at 225 N. Washington Street at Rockville Town Square. Inside, cash registers and shopping carts are now in place, the screens of the former already active. Trader Joe's replaces departed grocer Dawson's Market as the retail anchor of the struggling development in Rockville Town Center. No official opening date has been made public as of this writing. 

Big Papi's Tacos opens in Rockville

Big Papi's Tacos is now open at 201 E. Middle Lane in Rockville Town Center. They are holding a soft opening this week with a limited menu. A ribbon-cutting will be held this Friday, April 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM with taco samples. Finally, they will close out the week with their grand opening on Saturday, April 19.

Tesla vandalized in Rockville Town Center

Politically-motivated vandalism against Tesla vehicles and facilities has come to Rockville. A Tesla owner reported that their car was parked in the 200 block of N. Washington Street at 1:22 AM on March 26, 2025, when a male suspect approached and intentionally scratched a rear door on the vehicle. Rockville City police describe the suspect as a "Hispanic or light-skinned" Black male with long dreadlocks. He was wearing a black jacket with yellow shoulders and yellow-and-red trim, light-colored blue jeans, and a black shirt. No images of the suspect from the Tesla vehicle's many cameras have been released as of this writing. If you can assist detectives in identifying the suspect, call 240-314-8900.

Trader Joe's construction advances at Rockville Town Square (Photos)

Trader Joe's is inching closer to opening at Rockville Town Square. Any Trader Joe's regular will quickly recognize the wood checkout counters and wall trim now visible inside the former Dawson's Market at 225 N. Washington Street. Some refrigerated displays and shelving are in place. There is another Trader Joe's down the Pike at Federal Plaza, but this one will be much closer to many Rockville neighborhoods, and walking distance for residents in the Town Center area. Don't expect the other to close, as Trader Joe's has recently adopted a CVS Pharmacy/Starbucks geographic strategy, as demonstrated by its opening of two more locations near its longtime Bethesda store.

No opening date has been announced by the grocery chain. It has confirmed that, under Montgomery County's antiquated liquor laws, no beer or wine will be sold here. There are several beer and wine retailers in the Town Center vicinity, but your elected officials want to ensure that you will not just be able to grab a bottle of wine conveniently when you purchase your dinner at Trader Joe's!

"At Trader Joe's in Rockville Town Square, we see ourselves as your neighborhood grocery store," the company says. "Step inside and you'll find unconventional and interesting products in the Trader Joe's label like Mandarin Orange Chicken and Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate, as well as everyday basics like milk, eggs and fresh produce. Most importantly, we offer all of our delicious, quality products at the very best prices. We’re happy to be part of your community, and proud to offer you unique products and an exceptional shopping experience, every day."

First look: The Lady Vintner wine bar in Rockville (Photos)

The window coverings have been removed at The Lady Vintner wine bar at 42 Maryland Avenue in Rockville Town Center. Located in the ground floor of the BLVD 44 apartment building, the craft-beer-and-wine bar and retail store has been in the works for about a year, following the closure of previous tenant Pour Vino N' Hops. The 1300-square-foot space will offer a diverse selection of high-quality wine and beer, an in-house sommelier, and a specially-curated food menu including paninis, flatbreads, charcuterie, fine cheeses, and more. It is scheduled to open in "early spring," which means very soon - stay tuned for an opening date.

Update on Big Papi's Tacos, opening soon in Rockville (Photos)

A giant neon mustache has descended upon Rockville Town Center. Several lighted signs have been installed at Big Papi's Tacos, opening soon at 201 E. Middle Lane. Last night, they were all lit. Still to come is the exterior signage. Stay tuned for an opening date!

Big Papi's Tacos opening soon in Rockville

Big Papi's Tacos is "opening soon" in Rockville, according to signage posted in the windows of its future storefront in Rockville Town Center. The Mexican restaurant will be located at 201 E. Middle Lane, in the ground floor of the BLVD 44/Cambria Hotel. Big Papi's has two existing locations in Maryland, in Frederick and Hagerstown. The growing chain was founded by Victor Alvarez and Carlos Jimenez, two disc jockeys who found themselves idled when the pandemic lockdown happened in 2020.

The specialty of Big Papi's is their quesabirria, which they describe as a "crispy, meaty taco that’s made when chili-spiced corn tortillas are cooked on a smoking hot flat top grill and topped with tender carne asada, melted cheese, diced onion and a bit of cilantro. The crispy taco is then served alongside a savory, chili-tinged consomme broth." They suggest you "think of it like the spicy Mexican equivalent of a French dip."

Vacant Rockville Town Center storefronts could become homes with City approval

A proposal to turn vacant retail storefronts in the struggling Rockville Town Center into two-level loft homes is again moving forward. Property owner Comstock is seeking permission from the City of Rockville to convert 13,011-square-feet of vacant storefronts in the ground level of its BLVD Ansel apartment building into 13 dwelling units, which would be branded as "BLVD Lofts/The Lofts at Ansel." Functionally, they will be like townhomes flush with the building, and residents will enter via doors right on the sidewalk.

Several floorplans would be available. Comstock says that residents of the new loft units would have access to the building amenities available to the other residents of the apartments upstairs. Some units will have steps up to the front door where grading makes that necessary; most units would also have ADA-compliant access from a "rear corridor." Mail delivery to the loft units would be served by a mail and package room in the lobby. Comstock says it is not going to entirely give up on retail at the property; 6500 SF of vacant retail space would be retained for potential retail or restaurant tenants under the proposal.

A sample floorplan for one of the loft units

The Rockville Planning Commission will receive a briefing on the loft conversion proposal at its March 12, 2025 meeting at 7:00 PM. Four residents have submitted comments on the plan so far; three residents expressed support, and one opposed it.

Images courtesy Comstock/City of Rockville