Dodge Hornet arrives in Rockville (Photos)

The new Dodge Hornet has arrived in Rockville. This Dodge Charger-inspired crossover SUV in now in stock at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Rockville at 755 Rockville Pike. It's an American version of the Alfa Romeo Tonale. The Hornet is available in hybrid and old-fashioned combustion models.

Crash disrupts outdoor dining at restaurant in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to an accident outside a restaurant in Rockville Town Center this past Saturday, June 3, 2023. Multiple units arrived at the scene after a vehicle crashed into the outdoor dining area at World of Beer at 196 E. Montgomery Avenue. The accident occurred around 11:50 AM Saturday, prime brunch time, but no injuries were reported. However, property of the restaurant was damaged.

Kema by Kenaki sushi bar "coming soon" at Cabin John Village in Potomac (Photos)

Kema by Kenaki, a new sushi bar concept from the owners of Kenaki Sushi Counter in Gaithersburg, has run into many delays over the last couple of years. But opening day for the new establishment, located at 11325 Seven Locks Road at Cabin John Village in Potomac, may finally be coming into view. The interior is nearing completion, and dining tables are already stacked inside the space. They are currently hiring staff. Stay tuned for an opening date!

Lakeforest Mall auction items revealed - including a Lakeforest Mall Chevy pickup truck!

The remaining contents of Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg are being auctioned off, and now the items up for bid have been revealed by Capitol Online Auctions. They include a Chevy Silverado pickup truck with a Lakeforest Mall logo on the door, probably the next best thing to a DeLorean as time travel vehicles go. It still runs, and COA says you are welcome to have your mechanic check it out before bidding. The snowplow that goes with it is also up for grabs, if you want to imagine yourself clearing the parking aisles during a ferocious holiday-shopping-season blizzard.

There's a canoe from the food court. The Amongo candy machine. The children's play area with equipment. More mall holiday decorations and trees than you probably have room for.

Several public art pieces from inside the mall are on the block, as well. Birds from the mall's indoor "sky," a leaf chandelier from the food court, leaf-themed paintings and sculptures, and even the "Cafes in the Forest" signs could soon be adorning your Lakeforest Mall-themed mansion.

OK, now let's get serious: The Lakeforest Mall directory signs. Entire kiosks. A giant bear looking for a new home. Unfortunately, it seems that the most-desirable tenant signs have already been removed from the premises, but some of the more mom-and-pop business names are available.

All told, there are twelve pages and over a thousand individual items available in the auction catalog, many in lots. Please note that the auction has moved from late June to early July. The preview date is Wednesday, July 5, 2023. The auction begins closing online the next day. Removal dates are July 10-14.

Photos courtesy Capitol Online Auctions

Rockville biotech clinical advisor receives highest honor from American Society of Clinical Oncology

Dr. Hagop M. Kantarjian, a member of the Clinical Advisory Board of Rockville biotech firm Ascentage Pharma, has received the highest honor bestowed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The organization presented Kantarjian the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award "for his lifelong contributions to leukemia clinical research and his dedication to improving the lives of patients" at its annual meeting, which is taking place through tomorrow in Chicago. Those who have received the Karnofsky award since its inception in 1970 have been oncologists who made outstanding contributions to cancer research, diagnosis, or treatment.

"Dr. Kantarjian has dedicated his life to saving and enhancing the lives of patients with leukemia, renewing hope to millions of patients with unmet medical needs," Ascentage Pharma Chairman Dajun Yang, MD, PhD said in a statement this morning. "For decades, he has been at the forefront of the oncology community's efforts to end cancer. We are privileged that Dr. Kantarjian has chosen to share his wise counsel with our organization while serving with honor and distinction on the Ascentage Pharma Clinical Advisory Board."

Ascentage Pharma was founded in 2009 in Suzhou, China. Its American office is in Three Irvington Centre, at 700 King Farm Boulevard in Rockville. 

Armed robbery at Rockville convenience store

At 5:15 PM Friday, June 2, 2023, the Rockville City police department tweeted that there was police activity in the 200 block of Park Road, but did not specify what it was in relation to. It turns out that officers were investigating an armed robbery that was reported at a convenience store around 3:35 PM. A firearm was the weapon utilized in the robbery. Metro Coffee Convenience is located on that block, which is across MD 355 from Rockville Town Center.

Washington Post Saturday newspaper edition delivery stymied by traffic accident

Some Washington Post subscribers in the Washington, D.C. metro area - including parts of Montgomery County - did not receive a newspaper this morning, Saturday, June 3, 2023. According to the Post, a truck carrying a large number of newspapers was involved in a traffic accident early this morning. Subscribers will receive their Saturday edition either later today, or with tomorrow's newspaper, the Post customer service department said.

Update on Colony Grill pizzeria at Cabin John Village in Potomac (Photos)

I have a big update on the Colony Grill at 11325 Seven Locks Road in Potomac. Look at the incredible progress that has been made inside just over the last several weeks. A new sign has been attached on the exterior of the pizzeria, as well. Furniture is still in the wrapper inside, and the outdoor patio space has not yet been set up. Stay tuned for an opening date! Here is a look at the progress of work over the last few weeks, in chronological order:

Tequila Modern Mexican restaurant opening in Rockville

Earlier this week, the signs came down at the shuttered Chuy's in Rockville. The good news is that a sign has gone up for a new Mexican restaurant in Rockville Town Center. Tequila Modern Mexican is opening soon at 11 N. Washington Street. It is a small but rapidly-expanding chain, beginning in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and opening new locations here, and in North Carolina and Kansas. The chain is small, but the menu is not, with all of the standard dishes you would expect alongside some unique ones. 

Another delay for Japong Bakery reopening in Rockville

You'll have to keep dreaming of a cream puff from Japong Bakery for a little while longer. The popular Rockville bakery announced this morning that it will have to postpone its reopening at the Ritchie Center - which was scheduled for today, June 1 - once again. "We are still waiting on certain items that need to be taken care of behind the scenes here," it said in a statement. "Please stay tuned for an updated reopening date, as we are in a temporary holding pattern. We are very proud of our new store, and cannot wait to share it with customers when we can! Until then, we apologize for the inconvenience."

Chuy's signage finally removed in Rockville

It took more than two years, but the signage has finally been removed from the abandoned Chuy's restaurant at 12266 Rockville Pike at Federal Plaza. No more will out-of-state drivers pull in to the shopping center for an Elvis Presley Memorial Combo, only to find themselves rattling a locked door. The Tex-Mex restaurant opened in October 2016, and remained untouched like a post-apocalyptic time capsule years after its pandemic-era closure. Why the chain gave up on Rockville when it is still packing customers in at other area locations remains a mystery. An Olive Garden would be the perfect tenant for this space!