School of Rock opening new Rockville location

School of Rock, which offers music lessons and live performance opportunities for adults and children, is opening a new Rockville location early next year. It will be located at 1081 Rockville Pike at the Talbott Center, on Level 2. They are currently enrolling an inaugural class of students. But if you think you see Jack Black near the facility, it's more likely going to be an actual homeless guy.

Daboba tea shop to hold grand opening in Rockville

Daboba is getting ready for a busy two days this upcoming weekend in Rockville. The Malaysia-based bubble tea chain will celebrate the grand opening of its newest store in the Talbott Center at 1079 Rockville Pike this Saturday, July 8, 2023 and Sunday, July 9. On Saturday, Daboba's first 50 customers will receive a free drink, and the next 50 customers will be offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal. The first 100 customers on Sunday will receive "free gifts." 

After 3:00 PM on Sunday, you will be able to get any of their Honey Golden Pearl series drinks for 50% off if you purchase one of their Roasted Brown Sugar series beverages. One complication for those eager to be first in line is that Daboba has not yet announced its operating hours. Most of their US stores open at 11:00 AM, except the Midwest stores, which seem to open at noon.

Top photo: RockvilleNights.com
Middle, bottom photos courtesy Daboba

Daboba opening shop in Rockville

Daboba, a Malaysia-based tea chain, is opening a store in Rockville. It will be at 1079 Rockville Pike, in the Talbott Center. Daboba sets itself apart in a crowded field by offering unique flavors, textures and concepts in its beverages. Your drink might have giant boba, a scoop of bobazilla vanilla ice cream, or mochi on top. Daboba also offers limited-edition or seasonal beverages for Halloween, Christmas, and even boy band BTS. This will be Daboba's first location in the Mid-Atlantic U.S.

Kielbasa Factory close to reopening after SUV crashes into store

It's taken two months for the Kielbasa Factory to recover from a bizarre incident on December 10, 2017. On that day, at 2:20 PM, a driver turned to park normally in a space directly in front of the shop in the Talbott Center, at 1073 Rockville Pike. Suddenly, the SUV surged forward into the storefront, causing extensive damage to the facade, the interior, and the store's electrical system.

The horror wasn't over yet. As two police officers emerged from the business next door to find out what the noise was, the driver shifted into reverse, floored the accelerator, and backed into a parked car at high-speed. The actions resembled a deliberate act, but police reportedly described the driver as having been "disoriented."

Fortunately, the store's insurance company facilitated complete repairs. Kielbasa Factory is tentatively hoping to reopen for limited hours around Valentine's Day. Once they get back to full operation, they will formally announce their Grand Reopening. Stay tuned for further details.

Photo via Kielbasa Factory

La Limeña Grill is taking over Potomac Grill space in Rockville

La Limeña Grill is the new tenant in the former Potomac Grill restaurant space in the Talbott Center on Rockville Pike, I confirmed last evening. If the name sounds familiar, it is - La Limeña is located a few blocks north in the Ritchie Center. The Peruvian-Cuban restaurant isn't moving, though. This is a spinoff of the original, hence the "Grill" branding, which will also provide some continuity from the previous establishment's name.

The new restaurant is expected to open sometime between late summer and early fall. Even notoriously Montgomery County-averse critic Tom Sietsema has praised the original spot, writing that, "If there’s one restaurant in Rockville that I wish were closer to Washington, this is it." La Limeña has also landed on Washingtonian magazine's 100 Very Best Restaurants List.

La Limeña

1093 Rockville Pike

Potomac Grill closes in Rockville (Photos)

Potomac Grill has closed in the Talbott Shopping Center on Rockville Pike. The traditional steak and seafood restaurant lasted a decade, which many restauranteurs will tell you is an impressive accomplishment in the industry by itself.

Owner Scott Blaugrund says he and his family are "heartbroken" to say goodbye to loyal customers. The exit also leaves Talbott Center with a significant vacancy to fill for the time being.