Update on Torchy's Tacos in Rockville (Photos)

Permanent lighted signage has been installed at Torchy's Tacos at 12266-A Rockville Pike at Federal Plaza in Rockville. Last night, it was already lit up. It's not quite as large and prominent as former tenant Chuy's' was when viewed from the Pike, but includes a sharp rendering of the Mexican chain's devilish mascot.

Outdoor seating has put placed on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. Pitchfork door handles have been installed on the entrance doors. A liquor license hearing for Torchy's has been scheduled for August 15, 2024. Just yesterday, the company posted a help-wanted ad for a Local Store Marketer for this location on Indeed. Torchy's Tacos is expected to open by fall.

Construction update on new Wegmans-anchored development in Rockville (Photos)

The opening of the new Wegmans grocery store at B.F. Saul's Twinbrook Quarter development on Rockville Pike at Halpine Road won't take place until sometime next year. But The Milton apartments upstairs in the development's Phase 1 building are now expected to welcome their first residents this fall. The leasing office is now open, and a website for The Milton is now active. Construction workers are finishing the upper level residential interiors, and completing punch lists of required items to meet the requirements for approval by code inspectors from the City of Rockville.

Halpine Road has been resurfaced to eliminate any construction-related scars or damage, with new medians and landscaping. Burial of fiber optic cables will now permit the sidewalks and tree planting to be completed. Speaking of sidewalks, a new multi-use path along Rockville Pike in front of the property is now visible in the photos below. In addition to the new traffic signals at Rockville Pike and newly-created Festival Street, traffic signals will also be installed at the intersection of Halpine and Chapman Avenue. B.F. Saul reports that, despite the recent drought, steady sun and the occasional rain shower have plantings in the central courtyard already growing.

The future Wegmans

Construction advancing on the newest neighborhood in Rockville (Photos)

Construction of the newest residential neighborhood in Rockville is surging ahead. Developer EYA's Farmstead District is taking shape at 2590 Farmstead Drive, off of MD 355, between King Farm and Shady Grove Road. Not only is the neighborhood new, but the land it's being constructed on was only recently officially annexed into the City of Rockville. EYA and a second homebuilder, Pulte, both have sales centers for prospective buyers.

You'll notice the barn-inspired architecture of some of the homes. That's no accident. Many of the design elements are not just influenced by American farm iconography, but by the namesake King Farm farmstead that sits directly adjacent to the Farmstead District. The new development's resident clubhouse will resemble a farmhouse, and a park will be surrounded by white fencing you might have seen on drives along country roads. Something you probably haven't seen along country roads is a subway station: the Shady Grove Metro station within walking distance of the Farmstead District.

Torchy's Tacos construction picks up steam in Rockville

Torchy's Tacos is now under construction at 1776 E. Jefferson Street at Federal Plaza in Rockville. Construction crews are working into the night on the interior fit-out of the Mexican restaurant, which is replacing another famous chain, Chuy's, at the shopping center. Chuy's sadly departed in 2020. Torchy's is expected to open this fall.

Signage installed at future Amazon Fresh on Shady Grove Road (Photos)

The sign is (back) up at Amazon Fresh, opening soon at 15790 Shady Grove Road at the 270 Center on the border of Rockville and Gaithersburg. It's exactly the same logo sign that was vandalized, and ultimately removed, when Amazon paused - and then "canceled" - the opening of this store last year. The reversal of that decision became apparent earlier this month. There's still nothing on the bare shelves inside the store, but more signage has been added inside over the last few days, including a large banana image and other promotional images in the produce department.

We should soon see the grocery cart return out front in the parking lot. It was erected, and then dismantled, during Amazon's period of indecision in 2023. One wonders if anyone in Amazon's grocery division was fired as a result of the faux cancellation of this location. Nothing has changed over the last year, and Amazon only lost money over this period that the store didn't operate. If anything, the market is worse, as Americans have reduced their grocery purchases due to runaway inflation of prices, and price-gouging by greedy corporations.