Tipping Point opening in Rockville

Tipping Point is coming soon to Federal Plaza in Rockville, according to a liquor license application sign posted on its future storefront at 12274-C Rockville Pike. According to the store's liquor license application, Tipping Point will sell wine and beer. It expects to open before the end of the month. Operating hours will be 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to midnight on Sundays. Those are pretty late hours for Montgomery County these days!

Grocery stores take aim at antiquated Maryland liquor laws again

Several grocery chains in Montgomery County are once again enlisting customers in the struggle to overturn the antiquated liquor laws that prevent them from selling beer and wine in Maryland. Signage paid for by the Consumer Freedom Coalition prompts customers to contact their legislators in Annapolis to support bills that would allow grocery stores to sell beer and wine, but not liquor. However, once again, the machine is prevailing in the state capital, and those bills appear unlikely to pass during this session.

The effort had the support of Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who was eager to back a popular cause to distract from the new taxes and fees in the FY-2026 state budget, but was opposed by powerful Democrats on committees that first had to approve the bills to move them to the floor for a wider vote. Harris Teeter was the loudest advocate for the change during the administration of previous Governor Larry Hogan, but the campaign stalled when the pandemic hit, and liquor law changes became focused on assisting bars and restaurants by allowing take-out cocktails, for example. Safeway has joined Harris Teeter in the 2025 push for the bills. Yet neither major corporation has been able to influence enough Maryland Democrats to sign on to supermarket sales, and those same Democrats have yet to pay a price at the ballot box for their continued defiance of the popular will on the matter.

First look: The Lady Vintner wine bar in Rockville (Photos)

The window coverings have been removed at The Lady Vintner wine bar at 42 Maryland Avenue in Rockville Town Center. Located in the ground floor of the BLVD 44 apartment building, the craft-beer-and-wine bar and retail store has been in the works for about a year, following the closure of previous tenant Pour Vino N' Hops. The 1300-square-foot space will offer a diverse selection of high-quality wine and beer, an in-house sommelier, and a specially-curated food menu including paninis, flatbreads, charcuterie, fine cheeses, and more. It is scheduled to open in "early spring," which means very soon - stay tuned for an opening date.

The Lady Vintner "coming soon" in Rockville

The Lady Vintner is "coming soon" to Rockville Town Center, according to a banner posted at its future storefront at 42 Maryland Avenue, in the ground floor of the BLVD 44 apartment building. A woman-owned beer-and-wine shop and bar, The Lady Vinter will offer a diverse selection of high-quality wine and beer, an in-house sommelier, and a specially-curated food menu including paninis, flatbreads, charcuterie, fine cheeses, and more.

"We are thrilled to announce the launch of our innovative wine and beer shop, The Lady Vintner," owner Ciara Cedeno said in a statement. "We invite patrons to savor, discover, and unwind in our inclusive space. Join us as we uncork a new chapter in Rockville’s culinary scene."

The 1300-square-foot wine bar will fill the space vacated by Pour Vino N' Hops. A permanent sign has been installed over the storefront, and is already lit up.

The Lady Vintner opening this fall in Rockville

The Lady Vintner will open this fall at 42 Maryland Avenue in Rockville Town Center. A craft beer and fine wine retailer, The Lady Vintner will also serve small plates. There will be outdoor patio seating available. The space was recently vacated by Pour Vino N' Hops. The Lady Vintner has a Montgomery County liquor license hearing scheduled for August 1, and is anticipating a September opening. Operating hours will be 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday through Wednesday, and 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM Thursday through Saturday.

Rockville brewery launches Mardi Gras-themed beer with all-day party today

Toast Mardi Gras with a beer inspired by the holiday today at True Respite Brewing Company at 7301 Calhoun Place, #600, located off of E. Gude Drive in Rockville. The brewery is rolling out its limited-edition Party Gras, a 6.3% ABV fruited sour ale fermented with passionfruit, and conditioned on tangerine, lime, and a touch of rum extract with an all-day Mardi Gras party today, February 17, 2023. Special guests will include the Calypso N' Roux food truck selling Cajun food, Zydeco band Little Red & the Renegades, and Twitch-streaming tarot coach Skye Marinda.

Photo courtesy True Respite

Downtown Brews to open in Rockville

Downtown Brews will be opening soon at 5751-E Fishers Lane in The Alaire apartment building in Rockville. The shop will sell beer, wine and coffee. It will be open from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM seven days a week. This space was formerly home to Downtown Beer and Wine.

A look inside the new Rockville Beer & Wine (Photos)

Here's a look inside the new Rockville Beer & Wine store that just opened at 15809 Frederick Road (MD 355), in the Derwood area just south of Redland Road. As you can see, there is an extensive selection. The store also sells lottery tickets. It is located between Wendy's and 7-Eleven, and surface parking is available.

Rockville Beer and Wine is now open

Rockville Beer and Wine has opened at 15809 Frederick Road in the Derwood area across from King Farm. In addition to a fine selection of beer and wines, the store also sells Maryland Lottery tickets. This is in the small strip center between Wendy's and 7-Eleven on MD 355.

Signs of life at Rockville Beer & Wine (Photos)

It was back in November 2021 when I broke the news that Rockville Beer & Wine would be opening at 15809 Frederick Road in Derwood. The store had a liquor license hearing in January, but still hasn't opened. Now some beer brand logo signs have appeared in the windows of the storefront, suggesting things are moving forward again, although the covered windows make it difficult to see what progress has been made inside. Another sign reads, "COLD BEER."

Beer and wine store to open in Derwood

A new tenant has signed on at the small strip mall just south of the 7-Eleven at MD 355 and Redland Road in Derwood. The store will sell beer and wine, as well as Maryland Lottery tickets. It fills the end space at 15809 Frederick Road, across from the Rockville neighborhood of King Farm.

JK Beer & Wine opens in Rockville

There's a new option for beer and wine purchases in Rockville. JK Beer & Wine has opened at 800 Rockville Pike, in the Golden Arcade shopping center. It is in the space formerly home to Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Rockville brewery hosting ribbon-cutting for city's new Rock East District September 11

Rockville's True Respite Brewing Company is hosting a ribbon-cutting event on September 11, 2021 to celebrate the launch of the city's newly-designated Rock East District. The brewery business is located in the East Gude Drive corridor between MD 355 and Norbeck Road, which is receiving the new branding and promotion push. Marketing efforts include a new website.

The event will be a Maker's Market running from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with the ribbon-cutting taking place at 11:00 AM. True Respite will introduce a Rock East District-themed collaboration with fellow Rock East District businesses Saints Row Brewing and Mayorga Coffee. Food will be provided by Giacomo's Brick Oven Pizza. More vendors will be announced between now and the event.

A portion of the proceeds from beer sales at the event will be donated to the Tree House Child Advocacy Center of Montgomery County, which promotes healing for child and adolescent victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. True Respite is located at 7301 Calhoun Place.

Hogan extends moratorium on utility shutoffs, allows breweries to serve in outdoor seating

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan issued two coronavirus-related executive orders this morning. First, he has extended the moratorium on utility shutoffs - including internet and phone service - until July 1, 2020. Secondly, he is allowing state-licensed breweries, wineries and distilleries to begin serving customers on-premises in outdoor seating only. Hogan's order also allows third-party shipment of alcoholic beverages to consumers.

Okto-Bear-Fest at IT'SUGAR at Rockville Town Square

It's officially Oktoberfest season, but this year it's also Okto-Bear-Fest at IT'SUGAR at 130-B Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square. The candy shop is featuring bear and beer-themed sweet treats all month, inviting customers to "work on your bear belly."

Among the more imaginative offerings are amber and frost-colored gummy bears, simulating beer with a thick head of foam, and sold in beer mugs. Chocolate-covered Dingle Bearies feature gummy bears again, this time in a coating chocoholics will approve of. Even Duff Beer makes an appearance.

Has anyone ever been able to find an expiration date on a can of Duff Beer? I will buy some immediately the day I can, but I have a policy against consuming any perishable food or drink that doesn't have an expiration date.

Pour Vino n' Hops opens in Rockville

Pour Vino n' Hops is now open at 42 Maryland Avenue, in the ground floor of the Upton apartments in Rockville Town Center. Try and buy hundreds of hand-selected fine wines from here and around the world, and choose from a selection of local and imported craft beers. They also offer charcuterie and cheese pairings for your selections.

Rockville Pike Craft Beer & Wine opens (Photos)

Rockville Pike Craft Beer & Wine has opened at 1800-D Rockville Pike, in the ground floor of The Galvan apartments near the Twinbrook Metro station. The interior looks modern and sleek, and they have a nice bar and tasting area in the front part of the store. Certainly a much-appreciated addition for residents of the building.

Sign installed at Pour Vino n' Hops in Rockville

The permanent sign was recently installed on the facade of Pour Vino n' Hops at 42 Maryland Avenue in Rockville Town Center. Pour Vino n' Hops will feature hundreds of hand-selected domestic and imported wines and craft beers. They are currently hiring sommeliers and bartenders, full and part-time.

The Beer Junction finally moving forward in Rockville

After almost a year of delay, there is finally some activity at the future home of The Beer Junction at 1800 Rockville Pike in the Galvan apartment building. A coming soon banner has been installed at the beer and wine store, and construction work is underway inside. The store will be located next to Floyd's Barbershop, facing the Pike.

The Daley to add a beer & wine store, dry cleaners, nail salon to Rockville property

Residents of The Daley at Shady Grove Metro apartments will soon have a suite of new on-site perks. Westside Beer & Wine, Inspire Nail & Spa and Fashion Cleaners will all open on the property's ground floor this year.

Inspire will be first to open early this Spring. Upscale craft beer & wine retailer Westside will be next in the summer. Expect Fashion Cleaners to also open this summer; the dry cleaners is locally-owned.

Tenants of the Bozzuto-EYA building already have an on-site Starbucks. The developers said in a statement Thursday that they have several additional retail tenants on the way, in addition to delivery of the townhouse portion of the Westside development adjacent to The Daley later this year.