Rockville police arrest suspect in Rockville Town Square shooting

Rockville police have made an arrest in the July 15, 2022 shooting on Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square. Najee Emani Hardy-Estwick, 23, address unknown, was arrested by RCPD Investigators on Tuesday, and was charged with attempted First-Degree Murder, First Degree Assault Reckless Endangerment, Possession of a Firearm and other firearm related offenses. Hardy-Estwick was taken to the Central Processing Unit (CPU) where he is being held at this time. He is accused of shooting an adult male three times during an altercation; the victim remains hospitalized, but is expected to recover from his wounds.

Berrycup closes in Rockville

More sad news from Rockville Town Square. Berrycup has closed at 36-B Maryland Avenue. The frozen yogurt shop had changed owners a few years ago, and switched to making their yogurt in-house. Apparently the changes were not enough to survive, and their space is now one of many available for lease at the development.

Shooting at Rockville Town Square

UPDATED - 9:15 AM

Rockville City police responded to a report of a shooting at Rockville Town Square early this morning. The shooting was reported in the 100 block of Gibbs Street. A resident in the apartments above posted on Reddit that they heard 5 shots fired around 2:00 AM near Finnegan's Wake pub. At 8:50 AM, Rockville Police confirmed an adult male had been shot several times, after an altercation on Gibbs Street that began around 1:45 AM.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. While the suspect remains at large, they are known to the victim. Police say there is no danger to the greater community at this time, and that their investigation is active and ongoing.

Assault at Rockville Town Square restaurant

Rockville City police were called to a restaurant at Rockville Town Square early Sunday morning, to investigate an assault reported there. The assault was reported at a restaurant in the unit block of Maryland Avenue at 12:43 AM, according to crime data.

Rockville councilmember proposes moving Rocktobierfest back to Rockville Town Square

Rockville City Councilmember Monique Ashton last night proposed moving the annual Rocktobierfest event back to Rockville Town Square. It is currently scheduled to take place at RedGate Park at 14500 Avery Road on Saturday, October 1, 2022. Ashton suggested the change would provide a boost for businesses at the struggling Town Square development. 

Councilmember Dr. David Myles said he agreed with the proposed change. A physician, Myles argued the move would be best for public safety, public health and convenience. Councilmember Beryl Feinberg was more skeptical, saying it was her observation that many people drove when the event was held at Rockville Town Square in the past rather than take Metro.

Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton and Councilmember Mark Pierzchala raised concerns that Town Square business owners have expressed in the past about events there. Street closures for the events hurt, rather than help, businesses along those routes, some business owners have said. Gibbs Street is already entirely closed to traffic as it is, Pierzchala noted.

Officials sought input from Tim Chesnutt, Director of Recreation and Parks, but he was no longer participating in the meeting. City Manager Robert DiSpirito said he recalled Chesnutt suggesting the city wait to see how Hometown Holidays turns out at RedGate Park later this month before making a change for Rocktobierfest.

Ashton made a motion to ask city staff to engage Rockville Town Square businesses on the question of moving the event there. Newton proposed a friendly amendment to add the Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) and the Rockville Chamber of Commerce to the outreach effort. Ashton accepted that amendment, and a proposal to get feedback from residents, as well. The motion passed unanimously.

Photo courtesy City of Rockville

Rockville Town Square CVS to close

The hits just keep on coming at Rockville Town Square. Another major tenant is on the way out. CVS Pharmacy "will be going out of business April 27th 2022," a sign in the elevator reads. The sign is directing customers to the Ritchie Center CVS at 799 Rockville Pike, once the Town Center location has closed. I suspect residents of the Town Center may consider switching to the Walgreens less than a block away.

CVS has been showing an increasing will to close locations in recent years, aiming to trim 900 stores, even as it vies with Starbucks for ubiquity across America. It's certainly possible that property owner Federal Realty could bring in another drugstore tenant to this space, although having that Walgreens really whittles down the options. The real estate firm has been trying to increasingly add resident-focused amenities and services like markets, spas, and home decor retailers to its properties, shops that can provide more practical necessities without requiring a car to go outside the development.

Assault at Rockville Memorial Library

City of Rockville police were called to the Rockville Memorial Library at 21 Maryland Avenue after an assault was reported there Friday afternoon, March 11, 2022. The assault was reported at 5:25 PM at the library, which is located in the center of Rockville Town Square.

Kumbia sets grand opening date at Rockville Town Square

Kumbia has set a grand opening date at 100-B Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square. The Latin American restaurant serving dishes from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador will host a Grand Opening Party on March 19, 2022 at 10:00 PM. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Renato Fofinho. There will be no cover charge to get in, but you will have to be 21+ and "dressed to impress."

Color Me Mine to close at Rockville Town Square

You hate to see another vacant storefront on Maryland Avenue, but Color Me Mine is closing permanently at 33-F Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square. It looked like work had begun on breaking down the interior of the space yesterday. The ceramic art studio says that you have until Sunday, March 6, 2022 to pickup any outstanding orders from the store. Pickup hours will be 12:00-6:00 PM daily through Sunday. 

Strong-arm robbery at Rockville Town Square

Rockville police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at Rockville Town Square yesterday afternoon. The robbery was reported in the unit block of Maryland Avenue between Beall Avenue and E. Middle Lane at 4:30 PM, according to crime data.

Eko House soft opening today in Rockville

Be one of the first to try the new Eko House pan-African restaurant and lounge at 150 Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square. Their soft opening begins today, February 3, 2022, but you need to make a reservation through their website or Resy. Seating will be limited, so don't delay. Soft opening hours this week will be as follows:

El Mercat Bar de Tapas now open in Rockville

El Mercat Bar de Tapas is now open at 101-C Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square. George Rodrigues is the executive chef and owner of the Spanish tapas bar. You can see the menu, make reservations and order online on the restaurant's website. I've already heard a rave review from one reader of Rockville Nights.

Photos courtesy El Mercat Bar de Tapas

Mr. Smoothie closes in Rockville

Mr. Smoothie has closed at 33-G Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square. The shop was fairly popular, and had made improvements under new management in recent years, so it's unclear why it has now gone out of business.

Finnegan's Wake temporarily closes at Rockville Town Square "for the safety and well-being of our staff and patrons"

Rockville Irish pub Finnegan's Wake abruptly announced on Instagram this afternoon that it would be closing "until further notice...for the safety and well-being of our staff and patrons." The announcement made no mention of the reason, nor of coronavirus. 

Omicron-variant coronavirus has caused cases and hospitalizations to spike in many parts of the country, and has resulted in restaurant closures in other cities. Public awareness of any increased risk in Montgomery County may have been lessened, as the Maryland Department of Health has failed to provide Covid-19 case numbers for nearly two weeks. State officials have blamed the failure on a hack of MDDOH's computer system.

Finnegan's Wake is located at 100 Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square.

Eko House, Kumbia post "coming soon" signage at Rockville Town Square

Two of the new restaurants coming soon to Rockville Town Square have posted window screens announcing just that. Kumbia, a pan-Latin American restaurant, is moving into the Spice X-ing space on Gibbs Street. Up the road from there, Nigerian restaurant Eko House is taking over the old Bar Louie spot. Kumbia has a liquor license hearing scheduled for December 2, 2021.

Vie de France closes at Rockville Town Square

Vie de France has closed at Rockville Town Square. The French bakery cafe had operated there for a decade. Two other Vie de France locations remain nearby, at White Flint Plaza (which is technically Rockville, according to the United States Postal Service) and at the Potomac Village Center. 

Perhaps they should have moved to downtown Bethesda, where there is an explosion of new French cafes opening. While this is the latest exit at Rockville Town Square, there are several new restaurants coming soon to the Federal Realty property, including HalfSmoke, Eko House, El Merkat Bar de Tapas, and Kumbia. Thai Chef just opened recently there, as well.

Thai Chef opens in Rockville (Photos)

Thai Chef is now open at 29 Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square. As you can see in these photos, the final product delivered on the architectural renderings released when the new location was announced. Thai Chef has an existing location at Dupont Circle in the District.

Rockville Town Square underground maintenance work explained!

I've received some more information from the City of Rockville about the mysterious underground work going on under the square at Rockville Town Square. It is related to the underground stormwater management system at the property. There is a sand filter located underneath the square.

Stormwater runoff from hard surfaces, parking lots and buildings at and nearby the Town Square is routed through pipes into that underground sand filter - water from nearly 10 acres of surfaces. The filter removes sediment and debris, and then discharges the treated water into Maryvale Park and Rock Creek.

Maintenance work at Rockville Town Square (Photos)

Some interesting maintenance work was being done on the namesake square at Rockville Town Square yesterday. Part of the square was fenced off. Workers were accessing something under the square using the hidden doors seen below.

Kumbia confirmed for Rockville Town Square

Federal Realty has just confirmed Kumbia will replace the departing Spice X-ing at Rockville Town Square. Kumbia will serve dishes from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, and Ecuador. It will also feature live entertainment and a tableside cocktail menu. Kumbia is expected to open this winter.

“We are excited to bring a unique Latin offering, to include exciting cocktails, beloved dishes and live music inspired by the variety of cuisines that represent South American food culture,” Kumbia co-owner Steven Tobar said in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming Kumbia to Rockville Town Square, to complement the now open Plaza Oaxaca, and the soon to open Thai Chef and Half Smoke, to name just a few,” Mickey Papillon, Vice President at Federal Realty added. “These new restaurants, alongside longtime Rockville favorites, make for a compelling and unique dining scene for the greater Rockville and Montgomery County community.”