Showing posts with label Rockville retail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rockville retail. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Assault at Rockville grocery store


Rockville City police were called to a grocery store after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a store in the 200 block of N. Washington Street on March 15, 2024 at 11:22 AM. Dawson's Market at Rockville Town Square is located on that block. 

Monday, March 11, 2024

Do you recognize this Derwood burglary suspect?


Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect in a burglary rampage across commercial properties in Derwood and Montgomery Village earlier this month. The suspect is accused of attempting to burglarize an ATM at the Bank of America in the 17500 block of Redland Road by smashing it with a rock at 10:58 PM on Sunday, March 3, 2024; forcing his way into and stealing cash from Spice Lanka on the same block moments later; and then trying and failing to force entry into Derwood Beer & Wine in the 17600 block of Redland Road. 

On Wednesday, March 6, police say the same suspect tried his luck in Montgomery Village, breaking into Vida Hair Salon at 19122 Montgomery Village Avenue at 11:02 PM. He allegedly took cash from the cash register and fled. A few hours later, at 3:21 AM on March 7, the suspect allegedly broke into Dollar Tree, Moe's Southwest Grill, Ledo Pizza and The Joint - all at the Montgomery Village Center. He is accused of stealing money from Moe's. The suspect then broke into the Metro by T-Mobile store at 9989 Stedwick Road in Montgomery Village.

Detectives are working with all of the business owners who were affected to determine if any other property or cash was stolen from their spaces. Police describe the suspect as an adult Black male, approximately 5-feet, 10-inches in height, with a slim build. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Detectives have released a photo of the suspect, shown above.

Anyone with information regarding this suspect or these crimes is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org, and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page, or call 1-866-411-8477.  Tips with information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward from $250 up to $10,000. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Friday, March 8, 2024

Montgomery County's first Wawa opens in Gaithersburg (Photos)


The first Wawa convenience store and mega gas station celebrated its Grand Opening yesterday, March 7, 2024 at 405 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. Many of the price promotions for the opening remain in effect through Sunday, as you will see in some of the photos below. The gleaming interior holds, if not every snack you can imagine, every snack you need. 


Located directly across MD 355 from Gaithersburg High School, Wawa has posted a prohibition on having more than two minors inside the store at any time. Backpacks are also prohibited beyond the vestibule of the store. It will be interesting to compare gas prices at this Wawa with competitors Sheetz and Royal Farms up the road in the coming months.





















IKEA sets opening date for first Montgomery County store


IKEA
has set an opening date for its first Montgomery County store, a small-format Plan & Order Point store at 101 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The store will open on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 11:00 AM. A grand opening celebration will be held from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. There will be giveaways, free food (Swedish meatballs?), and free drinks. Attendees will also be able to compete for prizes in the Spin to Win game. See my sneak peek at the Plan & Order Point interior for an idea of what is in store at Montgomery County's first IKEA store.

"We are thrilled to bring the best of IKEA to our DMV neighbors," IKEA U.S. CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer Javier QuiƱones said in a statement. "We’ve seen that customers are still eager for in-person experiences, and we hope that this new Plan and order point with Pick-up provides a new and convenient way to shop."

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Pandora opens temporary store at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


Pandora
has opened a temporary store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, while its current location is remodeled. The jeweler is now down on Level 1, between T-Mobile and Windsor, in the Old Navy wing of the mall. Renovations of its permanent spot on Level 2 next to Banana Republic are expected to be completed before the end of spring. Pandora is also currently hiring additional staff.

J.Crew preps for move at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


J.Crew
is making a short move at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The popular fashion brand will move across the hall to a new space between Intimissimi and Arhaus on Level 1. It appears to be smaller than the existing location. That's still a better deal than J.Crew's employees got at their Westfield San Francisco Centre location, which has permanently closed in recent weeks. At Montgomery Mall, J.Crew will open in the new space this summer, according to the signage posted across it.



Trendy Man Italia opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


Can we keep track of all of the new Italian boutiques opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda? It's becoming a challenge. Trendy Man Italia is the latest entry. Dress with spezzatura with the latest men's fashions and accessories from Italy. Trendy Man appears to have existing locations at numerous Maryland malls, including Mondawmin Mall and White Marsh Mall in Baltimore, Towson Town Center, St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf, and The Mall in Columbia, as well as stores in Brooklyn, New York and Newark, Delaware. Look for its newest location in Bethesda right outside of Macy's Home Store on Level 2 of the mall.


Calzedonia opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


Calzedonia
has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Italian brand specializes in legwear, swimwear and socks. Calzedonia also owns Intimissimi, a lingerie brand that also has a boutique at the mall, so that established relationship and success may have played a role in the decision to double down on its investment here. Look for Calzedonia on Level 1, between Talbots and Sunglass Hut.



Monday, March 4, 2024

Gaithersburg to rule on updated signage for Walnut Hill Shopping Center


The venerable Walnut Hill Shopping Center sign is a landmark in itself for drivers traveling through Gaithersburg on MD 355. But like other design features at the center, it is now considered past its prime as the property's owners are amidst a major renovation to update it. There is one other problem - as Walnut Hill was annexed into the City of Gaithersburg to facilitate the addition of a Sheetz convenience store, it is now subject to that city's zoning codes. And those codes say that Walnut Hill's existing signage is not compliant.

Proposed locations of new
monument signs (in red) and
freestanding tenant signage (green)

The Gaithersburg Planning Commission will attempt to resolve all of these issues by reviewing, and potentially voting to approve a comprehensive sign package submitted by Walnut Hill at its March 6, 2024 meeting. Walnut Hill's proposed signage is still not in compliance with city code, but Planning staff are still recommending approval of the package. They note that the new signs will be in the same locations, will assist in safer wayfinding for drivers and pedestrians, and will not be visually obstructive. 


One condition placed on the release of final sign permits from the City is the removal of two Montgomery County stormwater easements at the property. Some of the current and new signs are located within those easements. The City says it is currently working with Montgomery County to have those easements terminated.

Corner monument sign - note the
Sheetz gas station canopy visible in 
the background



Police respond after assault at Rockville grocery store


Montgomery County police were called to a grocery store in Rockville Saturday afternoon, March 2, 2024, after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a supermarket in the 12000 block of Rockville Pike at 4:34 PM Saturday. There is a Giant grocery store on that block of Rockville Pike.

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda late Friday morning, March 1, 2024. The assault was reported at the mall at 11:20 AM. At least one person was also accused of shoplifting in the incident. This is the second assault reported at the mall in 2024; the first in February also involved shoplifting from a business inside the mall. Another accused mall shoplifter allegedly was in possession of a synthetic narcotic a week before Friday's assault.

Friday, March 1, 2024

Wawa sets opening date for Gaithersburg store


The first Wawa to open in Montgomery County finally has an opening date, after nearly five years of anticipation, planning, government approvals and construction. Wawa will open at 405 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg with a Grand Opening event on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 7:45 AM. Festivities will begin with a countdown at 7:45 AM, until the doors officially open at 8:00 AM. The first 100 customers through the door will receive a commemorative "In My Wawa Era 60th Anniversary" t-shirt, which recalls the opening of the first Wawa store in Folsom, Pennsylvania in 1964. All customers will receive a free hot coffee in the size of their choice.

A ceremonial toast will be held at 8:30 AM, followed by a Hoagies for Heroes competition in which the Gaithersburg Police Department and Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Station 8 personnel will build Wawa sandwiches. Wawa mascot Wally Goose will then lead a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"Wawa is proud to open its doors to provide trusted quality products, convenience, new jobs, support, and to Fulfill Lives in the community," the company said in a statement. "The event will celebrate new associates and customers and simple gestures, like holding the door for one another, that together make a big difference in making Wawa’s family-like store atmosphere possible. The grand opening celebration will gather the community to welcome everyone on day one and celebrate the impact the new store will have on its neighbors and community."

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Aldi construction begins at Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg


Excitement is in the air at the venerable Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 16529 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. Contractor HBW Construction of Rockville has begun work converting the former Weis Markets space for new anchor tenant Aldi. Renovations to update the shopping center's appearance are also underway at the property, as you can see below. 


Continue to patronize your favorite businesses at the center, as despite the tarps and scaffolding, all tenants remain open during the renovations. A second Gaithersburg location of Sheetz will add to the buzz at the shopping center in the future. The City of Gaithersburg recently approved the annexation of Walnut Hill into the city, in large part to secure the agreement with Sheetz. That Sheetz deal became a critical linchpin in Walnut Hill's plan to revitalize the property. Walnut Hill's ownership said the revenue from the Sheetz would finance the renovations to the center, property upgrades that Aldi had required as a condition of its lease. Sheetz opened its first Gaithersburg store last year, and shortly thereafter declared it was "highly-impressed with the performance" of the location.








Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Menu screens activated inside Wawa opening soon in Gaithersburg


The opening of the first Wawa in Montgomery County is that much closer today, with the activation of the animated flatscreen menu boards inside the convenience store at 405 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. Through the windows, the screens could be seen cycling through menu items and promotional messages. 


Outside the building, fresh asphalt has been laid down on part of the parking lot area, and striping has been painted for parking spaces and crosswalks. Gas pumps have been in place since last November, and remain taped off for now. Wawa continues to show no dates for this, or any other new Wawa store, on the "Store Grand Openings" page on its website as of this writing.