White Flint Aldi store opens today (Photos)

Montgomery County's newest Aldi grocery store opens today, February 24, 2022 at 5110 Nicholson Lane in the White Flint Plaza shopping center. It replaces Shoppers Food Warehouse there, and is not far from the existing Rockville Aldi store at Congressional Plaza. Yesterday, workers were making final preparations for today's grand opening: 

Sneak peek: Lao Sze Chuan in White Flint

It was all-hands-on-deck last night at Lao Sze Chuan, the Szechuan Chinese restaurant opening soon at 20 Paseo Drive at North Bethesda Market off Rockville Pike. Workers were putting the finishing touches on decor, setting dining tables, and making final kitchen preparations. Founded in Chicago in 1998, Lao Sze Chuan's Windy City location received the coveted Three-Fork rating from the Chicago Tribune a year later, a groundbreaking honor for a Chinese restaurant in that city.

Lao Sze Chuan will offer dine-in, curbside pickup and contactless delivery options. The restaurant takes over the former Brio space at NoBe Market.

Shake Shack coming to Rockville Pike

Incredible news from the White Flint area of Rockville Pike: Shake Shack will be the new tenant in the fast food restaurant building recently vacated by Arby's at 11710 Rockville Pike. Shake Shack is also opening a location not far away at Westfield Montgomery Mall. But what makes this new location just revealed by the Washington Business Journal so exciting, is that it will have a drive-thru. The line will likely be backed up onto the Pike when the restaurant first opens.

Top Bethesda Land Rover repair business moving to Rockville

One of downtown Bethesda's most unique auto repair shops is relocating to Rockville. Independent Land Rover Specialists will shortly move its Bradley Boulevard Liberty gas station and River Road facilities into a new 12500 SF space at 5334 Marinelli Road in the White Flint area. The new location is within walking distance of the White Flint Metro station.

Aside from its proximity to one of the largest clusters of Land Rover owners in the region, Independent established its business servicing just Land Rovers, and every Land Rover - whether you own a 1948 or a 2020 Range Rover Velar. Rover aficionados in Bethesda will miss seeing the varied collection of vehicles parked outside their Liberty shop, but Rockville will be seeing more Land Rovers than ever now.

White Flint Mall site reclaimed by nature (Photos)

The former site of White Flint Mall on Rockville Pike has been reclaimed by nature. Several years have passed since the mall was demolished, and now it is an overgrown field guarded by hyperaggressive security. Perhaps they fear a giant rabbit may jump the fence and munch on the vegetation. The heady greed that led the owners to pull the plug on a fully-leased mall, with crowded parking lots and popular restaurants, has dissipated. Replacing it is stagnation and malaise. And lots of weeds.

An area touted as Montgomery County's answer to Tysons fell victim to MoCo's moribund economy, corrupt and incompetent County Council, and hostile business climate. Tysons is booming, while White Flint Mall's former site is only blooming with weeds and brush. Developers and investors have fled, abandoning or downsizing their plans. Only Federal Realty moved forward with a fully-realized development, leading their CEO, Don Wood, to criticize County officials for not delivering on their end of the bargain in White Flint.

The Montgomery County Council hasn't taken a single action to address our economic development crisis since taking office last December, as MoCo stagnates with the lowest-ranked economy in the region by every relevant measure. No major corporation has moved its headquarters to Montgomery County in over twenty years. County taxes are at an all-time high, but tax revenue is declining, as the ultra-rich flee to lower-tax jurisdictions in the region.

Yet our elected officials have decided to simply put a piece of carpet tape over the "Check Engine" light screaming at them from the civic dashboard. It's intriguing that Lerner is compelled to provide entertainment for the public on a future development site they own in bustling Tysons, but here the Council allows them to leave us an overgrown field. That says a lot about the difference between the two jurisdictions, and the competency of their respective leadership.

This stretch of Rockville Pike looks
exactly the same as it did over nine years
ago, when the White Flint sector plan passed

White Flint project slashing planned retail/restaurant space

Developer ProMark is slashing the planned retail and restaurant space in its East Village at North Bethesda Gateway project, another troubling sign of moribundity in the White Flint sector plan area. Only Federal Realty has delivered a fully-realized development since the sector plan passed in 2010. While Federal Realty has delivered on its end of the bargain with its successful Pike & Rose property, its CEO has criticized Montgomery County officials for failing to deliver on their end. Inertia and incompetence among the County's elected officials has been compounded by the jurisdiction's hostile business climate. Both factors crippling White Flint in its effort to compete with booming Tysons, arch-rival Fairfax County's own urban makeover project.

ProMark is asking the County Planning Board to approve a reduction in retail space at East Village from 20,000 SF to only 5000 SF, a retail footprint more in line with a boutique condo building. The developer is clearly looking at market trends, which are all tailing downward in moribund Montgomery County. With the ultra-rich fleeing to lower-tax jurisdictions in the region, there is no longer a wealth base sufficient to support high-end retail, or provide the revenue to fund promised infrastructure and amenities in White Flint and other parts of the county.

Other cost-and-risk-reducing changes in the East Village project reflect the stagnation in the local economy. The originally proposed underground garage, standard in premium luxury buildings, is being replaced with above-ground parking. And the number of residential units is being reduced from 382 to 335.

The Planning Board will take up the proposed plan revisions at its July 18 meeting. Planning staff recommends approval of the changes. East Village will be located at the corner of Nicholson Lane and Huff Court.

Montgomery County is on a fiscal trajectory
towards bankruptcy

Can Montgomery County go on like this? At rock bottom in the region by every relevant economic development benchmark, with revenue declining despite record-high taxes, and with debt so massive that - if the debt were a department in the County government - it would be the third-largest department, the alarm bells are beginning to go off. Those alarms are being heard in New York City, where bond rating agencies are alerting current and potential Montgomery County investors that actions by the County Council have put MoCo's AAA bond rating in danger.

Mattress Warehouse to move at Metro Pike Center in Rockville

Metro Pike Center has finally found a tenant for the long-vacant Jennifer Convertibles space at 11520-A Rockville Pike. Mattress Warehouse has signed a lease with property owner Saul Centers for the space. Construction is just getting underway inside the future mattress showroom. Mattress Warehouse currently has a larger existing store at Metro Pike Center, at 11550 Rockville Pike.

More Montgomery County news:

Hawkers Scratch-Asian Street Fare opening at Bethesda Row

Why are Gov. Larry Hogan, County Council selling out commuters by slashing speed limits?

Suburban News Network - Montgomery County's leading local news source

Java Nation opening Rockville location

Kensington's Java Nation is opening a new location in White Flint. It will be next to Hank Dietle's Tavern, in a space vacated by Helen's restaurant. A sign out front refers to the new location as a "social house and roastery."

Java Nation has operated in Kensington since 2012. Their menu includes hearty breakfast entrees, sandwiches and wraps, pupusas, beef tacos and chicken mushroom empanadas. Of course, a full menu of hot and cold coffee drinks, teas and cocoa is available, as are beer and wine during happy hour. The menu for the new Rockville location is still under wraps as of this morning.

AT&T to modify and add cell towers in White Flint

AT&T is planning to modify its existing cell towers on the water tank at 11400 Woodglen Drive in the White Flint area of Rockville. They will replace six antennas with new ones, the tips of which will be a maximum height of 113' above ground level. AT&T also plans to add new remote radio head units to the water tank. The tank and towers are in view of several residential buildings, particularly North Bethesda Market, which is diagonally across the street.

China Garden Rockville opening update

A long time has passed since China Garden announced it was moving to the White Flint area at 11333 Woodglen Drive in Rockville. Some have expressed concern it wasn't going to happen, and "When is China Garden opening?" has become one of readers' most-asked questions in my mailbox. The good news is, things are moving forward at China Garden.

The permanent sign and statues have just been installed outside the restaurant. There's still a lot of work to be done inside, however. The owner told me that there were some delays getting the necessary permits from Montgomery County, which held up construction. They have a liquor license hearing scheduled for May 2, so that should give a rough idea of how close opening day is. This is the most grand restaurant entry in White Flint since the Lerners went berserk and demolished White Flint Mall, taking the impressive statuary of P.F. Chang's along with it.

FIRST LOOK AT iPic THEATER AT PIKE AND ROSE (PHOTOS)

The future iPic movie theater at Pike and Rose in White Flint has mostly been discussed for its upscale pricing, dining options, and reserved seating. But here are the first renderings of what the cineplex will actually look like on Grand Park Avenue in North Bethesda. Those of you who get a chill from the AC at movies will enjoy the preview photo of the trademark iPic blankets. Overall, there are some design similarities to the newly-renovated Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema. Let's take a tour:

Have you bought your Star Wars: Episode VII
tickets yet?

Does the curved screen suspended above
this corridor look familiar?

Not your typical snack bar

Premium ticket holders get iPic pillows
and blankets. In case you're wondering, they are
replaced with fresh ones at each screening

Images: iPic Theaters, All Rights Reserved.

PIKE AND ROSE SITE PLAN AMENDMENT GOES TO MOCO PLANNING BOARD DECEMBER 5 (PHOTO)

A site plan amendment for the Pike & Rose development, on the former Mid-Pike Plaza property along Rockville Pike in White Flint, will be taken up by the Montgomery County Planning Board on December 5.

The amendment would allow changes to be made to, and around, an existing retail building currently leased by Bank of America and Starbucks. That building is located at the southeast corner of the Pike and Rose development, where Old Georgetown Road meets Rockville Pike, and is referred to as "Building 13."

Changes described in the amendment include new building facades, a 1000 square foot expansion of retail space, a new pedestrian connection to Rockville Pike, and screening of existing trash receptacles and an electric transformer.

On the Pike side of the structure, the amendment would allow for outdoor cafe seating with overhead catenary lights, landscaping and a fountain.

Planning department staff have recommended approval of the site plan amendment.

Map via Montgomery County Planning Department:

M STREET KITCHEN, STELLA BARRA PIZZERIA, PROTEIN BAR TO OPEN AT PIKE & ROSE

Three new additions to Federal Realty's Pike & Rose development on Rockville Pike will cover a broad range of cuisines.

M Street Kitchen and Stella Barra Pizzeria are not only owned by the same company, but are both from Southern California.

M Street Kitchen offers an eclectic mashup of American, Mexican and Asian dishes. Burgers, tacos, miso-glazed salmon, Evil Thai Princess salad and fresh sushi all share the same menu.

M Street's bar is just as diverse, pouring beer, wine, sake and a signature Sangria.

Stella Barra sounds like just a pizza place, but aspires to be upscale. Think Porchetta and Fennel pizzas, rather than sausage and pepperoni. Their Hollywood and Santa Monica locations not only serve "handcrafted" cocktails, but are known for their house-made desserts. Save room for the pot de creme or massive bacon-chocolate chip cookie.

You can get a video preview of Stella Barra by clicking here.

Want something healthier?

The Protein Bar is just what the doctor ordered.

Even the beverages can give you a protein boost at this establishment.

The Protein Bar, which has a Penn Quarter location in the District, is also highly accommodating of diners with food allergies (taking special precautions to prevent cross-contamination of allergens during food preparation, for example), or who seek vegetarian and gluten-free options.

You'll find juices, smoothies, salads and bowls heavy on meat, and a variety of dishes made with superfood quinoa.

Meanwhile, back at the Pike & Rose construction site:

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEW VERIZON PREMIUM RETAIL STORE AT 11431 ROCKVILLE PIKE (PHOTOS)

A Verizon Premium retail outlet is moving into the space vacated by The Countertop Store at 11431 Rockville Pike.

The White Flint-area strip mall location is just north of Fitzgerald Auto Mall.

Store hours are already posted on the door, and Verizon decor has already made over the interior.