Thursday, June 17, 2021
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.
Monday, March 2, 2020
Top Bethesda Land Rover repair business moving to Rockville
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.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
White Flint Mall site reclaimed by nature (Photos)
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 |
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
White Flint project slashing planned retail/restaurant space
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 |
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Mattress Warehouse to move at Metro Pike Center in Rockville
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Java Nation opening Rockville location
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.
Monday, April 1, 2019
AT&T to modify and add cell towers in White Flint
Monday, March 25, 2019
China Garden Rockville opening update
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.
Friday, January 17, 2014
FIRST LOOK AT iPic THEATER AT PIKE AND ROSE (PHOTOS)
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 |
Friday, November 22, 2013
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:
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
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:
Friday, July 26, 2013
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.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
CHICK-FIL-A ROCKVILLE OPENING AUGUST 22! (PHOTOS)
The new Rockville Chick-fil-A restaurant, on Route 355 in the Montrose Crossing shopping center, is now scheduled to open August 22.
Here are some photos of the current construction status, and a Chick-fil-A rendering of what the finished restaurant will look like.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
ROCKVILLE CHICK-FIL-A UNDER CONSTRUCTION (PHOTOS)
A new, stand-alone Chick-fil-A restaurant is under construction in the parking lot of the Montrose Crossing shopping center. It is near Old Navy and Timpano's. There is an existing Chick-fil-A location nearby in Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.