ZeniMax to lay off 164 employees in Rockville

ZeniMax Media, located at 1370 Piccard Drive in Rockville, has announced it will lay off 164 employees on September 1, 2025. The parent company of Bethesda Softworks and Bethesda Game Studios is being hit hard by Microsoft's workforce reduction plans, which is impacting Microsoft's game development operations more than many expected. Among the "fallout" of the ZeniMax downsizing are the layoffs of an additional 30 employees at one of its contractors, TCWGlobal, also based in Rockville. Another loss is a massively-multiplayer-online (MMO) game that was under development at ZeniMax, code-named "Blackbird," that emerged from secrecy as a result of the layoffs.

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.

Rockville hotel restaurant space available for lease

The ground floor restaurant space at the venerable Best Western hotel at 1251 W. Montgomery Avenue in Rockville is now available for lease. At 5,500-square-feet in size, the space is suitable for restaurant or retail use. The monthly rent amount is available upon request, according to the online listing. As part of the hotel building, the restaurant space delivers a "captive audience" on-site, hotel guests in search of convenient breakfast, lunch, and dinner options you can provide. Not to mention room service!

Jurassic World Rebirth specials at AMC Montgomery 16 cineplex in Bethesda

AMC Theatres continues to be the top cineplex chain to see blockbuster movies at. They've been on a roll since before the pandemic, when they offered cocktails and free collectibles for moviegoers screening Spider-Man: Far from Home in 2019. Starting today, July 2, 2025, the AMC Montgomery 16 theater at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda will enhance your Jurassic World Rebirth cinema experience with a free InGen ID badge and lanyard (while supplies last with ticket purchase), a dino-size Sriracha Bavarian Legend Pretzel, and a Menacing Mix cocktail made with tropical fruit, Kraken spiced rum and a "gold dusted dehydrated pineapple slice" garnish.

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!

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.

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.

Rockville quarry under new ownership as of today

The Travilah Quarry at 13900 Piney Meetinghouse Road in Rockville is under new ownership as of this morning. Previously owned by Swiss building materials firm Holcim, the quarry is now owned by Amrize. The new U.S. firm was spun off as a separate company comprised of Holcim's North American portfolio. Holcim shareholders approved the spinoff at the firm's 2025 Annual General Meeting last month, and the reorganization officially takes effect today.

Amrize now represents the largest cement business operating within the natural boundaries of North America, and the second-largest supplier of commercial roofing materials, according to Semafor. The company has operations in 43 U.S. states, and employs 7000 people. Its new headquarters is in Chicago.

Blasting, crushing, and screening are among the operations that take place at the Rockville site. Beyond the mining and processing of stone, there are concrete and asphalt plants on-site. 

The company utilizes several methods to reduce the impact of the quarry on neighbors, such as locating the primary rock crusher over 20 stories underground, and employing a wet supression system to reduce particulate release at key transfer points in the process. A sitewide pneumatic dust collection system will be fully installed by the end of this year. Two sweepers clean Piney Meetinghouse Road and Shady Grove Road near the facility on a daily basis.

Travilah Quarry is anticipated to continue operations through the 2060s. However, the site is also being studied for repurposing as a water reservoir. Results of a study commissioned by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac Basin released this month indicated the quarry is "suitable for the purposes of raw water storage." Under the concept plan, 17.4 billion gallons of water would be pumped into the quarry from the Potomac River, and then connected to the Washington Aqueduct as a backup supply during algae blooms and other events that impact the supply of clean water.

Images courtesy Amrize

Tapers & Tequila coming soon to Derwood

Tapers & Tequila Barbershop-Bar-Lounge is coming soon to 16821 Crabbs Branch Way at The Grove shopping center in Derwood. It will be next to Subway, in a space formerly home to Elite Cuts Barbershop and Studio Hair Design. "At Tapers & Tequila by RCK, we redefine the grooming experience by blending the art of precision barbering with the refined ambiance of a luxury lounge," the company said in a statement. "Rooted in the values of style, sophistication, and integrity, our mission is to provide an elevated space where clients can unwind, connect, and look their best."

"We are so proud to expand Royal Cut Kings into Rockville. We’ve loved becoming part of the community in the Kentlands in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and with thousands of satisfied customer and reviews backing us, we are confident we will bring the same level of service, excellence, and great experience for our new customers and community." Signage has been installed above their future storefront, but window coverings are blocking the view of progress on the interior fit-out of the business.

Feasty Crab seafood restaurant for sale in Derwood

Feasty Crab at 16811 Crabbs Branch Way at The Grove shopping center in Derwood is being marketed for sale. The seafood and crab boil restaurant opened here three years ago. Its lease expires in February of 2031, and the restaurant is offering the potential buyer two weeks of training. The asking price for the restaurant is $350,000, according to the online listing.

BioNTech layoffs ahead at Montgomery County facility

BioNTech announced it will lay off 63 employees at its manufacturing facility in Gaithersburg on August 9, 2025. The German pharmaceutical firm acquired the facility in 2021, riding the company's financial boom from COVID-19 vaccine profits at the time. But expectations that Americans would line up once or more per year for COVID booster shots for the rest of their lives proved a mirage. 

Contrary to government declarations, the vaccine did not prevent the recipient from contracting the virus. And reports of vaccine injuries, increasing vaccine skepticism, and the Biden administration's 2022 declaration that "COVID is over" proved to be the final nails in the vaccine coffin. 

The failure of one of BioNTech's new cancer treatments in testing earlier this year was apparently the last straw, as the company has now chosen to not pursue that product line any further. BioNTech's announcement was a body blow to Montgomery County and Maryland elected officials. Biotech is the only real bright spot in the otherwise-moribund Montgomery County economy, which has failed to attract a major corporate headquarters in over 25 years, and is at, or near, rock-bottom in the region by every relevant metric of job creation, new business starts, and business growth, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Construction advancing on Rockville's tallest senior housing project (Photos)

Here's a look at the latest progress on The Pinnacle, a senior housing project that is located at 11565 Old Georgetown Road, about a block west from Rockville Pike and a future north entrance to the White Flint Metro station. It is across the street from Pike & Rose. The 17-story building will house 113 independent living apartments, 40 assisted-living units, and 48 units reserved for memory care and early-stage-dementia Bridge patients. It will have its own 15,000-square-feet of restaurant and retail space, and will appear outwardly as a luxury apartment building, rather than a retirement or nursing facility. Developer Silverstone Senior Living anticipates a Q2 2026 delivery for the project.

Trader Joe's opens in Rockville (Photos)

Trader Joe's fans lined up as far as the eye could see Thursday at the grocery chain's newest Rockville location at 225 N. Washington Street at The Square. A temporary power outage delayed the grand opening ceremonies about two-and-half hours, but did not deter the folks who were lined up all the way down Gibbs Street, toward E. Middle Lane. Once electricity was restored by Pepco, Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton presented Morguard Associate Vice-President Joshua Nolan with a proclamation from the Mayor and Council. Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust is the new owner of the development, and recently rebranded it from Rockville Town Square. Morguard Corporation is the management firm for the property.

Morguard AVP Joshua Nolan and
Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton

Rockville Town Square had its struggles over the last two decades, but had never had a true grocery store in the anchor space until now. That has given Morguard confidence that the development can start fresh, with the popular grocer to draw the kind of foot traffic that this corner space had been intended to generate from the beginning. The property hadn't seen the kind of enthusiasm and excitement on display Thursday since the early days of its debut in the summer of 2007.

"This opening reflects Morguard's commitment to creating spaces that enrich local communities," Morguard President and Chief Operating Officer Angela Sahi said in a statement. "The Square is a prime example of how thoughtful reinvestment can spark neighborhood revitalization." Morguard's home run swing in landing Trader Joe's has impressed many local commercial real estate observers, as it immediately solves one of the fundamental flaws that had been a drag on the property, and a source of frustration for City officials.

"We're excited to welcome Trader Joe's and continue expanding the experiences offered at The Square," Nolan said Thursday. "Working with the city and Mayor Monique Ashton, we continue to focus on bringing people together and supporting our community."

Photos courtesy Morguard Corporation

Trader Joe's grand opening today in Rockville (Photos)

The new Trader Joe's grocery store at 225 N. Washington Street at The Square in Rockville opens today, June 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM. Trader Joe's is the new anchor retail tenant for the development, which gets another chance at a fresh start with the addition of a real grocery store, and that traffic that can generate for the other businesses. A grand opening ceremony will be held at the store at 10:30 AM, with Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton, and officials from property owner Morguard and the Rockville Chamber of Commerce. Here is a photo preview of what you will see today: