Knife-wielding robber strikes at Rockville convenience store

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a convenience store in Rockville late Monday afternoon, November 20, 2023. The robbery was reported in the 1200 block of E. Gude Drive at 5:15 PM Monday. A knife was the weapon used in the robbery.

Gaithersburg Mayor & Council pave way for new Sheetz, Aldi stores at Walnut Hill with annexation vote

A new Sheetz convenience store and gas station, and a new Aldi supermarket, will soon be constructed at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 16529 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg, after the city's mayor and council voted unanimously to annex the retail property into the city limits last night. Several councilmembers expressed their optimism and excitement about revitalizing the shopping center, which has suffered a drop in customer traffic since anchor tenant Weis Markets closed in 2020. Walnut Hill's owners have said the revenue from a Sheetz store is needed to finance the property improvements Aldi requires, and the more business-friendly zoning of the City of Gaithersburg was needed to allow the Sheetz.

Concerns about the proximity of the proposed Sheetz to the just-opened Sheetz at MD 355 and Montgomery Village Avenue were lessened, after the business model of the convenience store chain was clarified to city officials. Those who travel the highways in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and - more recently - Maryland are familiar with passing multiple Sheetz, Wawa, Royal Farms, Dash-In, etc. stores along the way.

The mayor and council voted unanimously at the end of last night's meeting to approve both agenda items related to the annexation of the shopping center, which now becomes part of the city. They approved the formal annexation petition, as well as a separate resolution that authorizes the City Manager to negotiate an annexation agreement with the owners of Walnut Hill, and of a vacant lot at 8939 Westland Drive.

Sheetz "highly impressed with the performance" of its first Montgomery County store in Gaithersburg

Sheetz says it is "highly impressed with the performance" of its first store in Montgomery County, which opened in August at 751 Progress Way in Gaithersburg. The rapidly-growing convenience store and mega gas station chain provided its impression of the early financial success of the store in a new memo to the Gaithersburg Mayor and Council, which provided answers to questions raised at a previous public hearing regarding its planned second store at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center. In the unsigned memo, the company also expressed its appreciation for the support it has received from the City and the public, as it enters the Montgomery County market. 

The Altoona, Pennsylvania-based chain also reports 350 people attended the grand opening. In addition to the $2500 donations it made to Special Olympics Maryland and Feeding America that day, Sheetz says it has now made a second $6000 donation to SOM, which was generated by proceeds from its special discount fuel promotion during the grand opening period.

Gaithersburg has provided a welcoming launch point for the chain, as its zoning is friendlier to Sheetz than Montgomery County's, as well as to its fellow Pennsylvania competitor, Wawa. That is why both firms are launching their entry into Montgomery County within its city limits. It's also why the Walnut Hill Shopping Center is seeking annexation into the City, so that it can add the Sheetz store to its property.

Sheetz says its Walnut Hill store will be smaller and have less gas pumps, due to its closer proximity to a residential neighborhood than its Progress Way store - although that store was also smaller than the typical Sheetz operation found on major highways. It predicts that there is enough drive-by traffic on I-270 and MD 355 to support both Sheetz locations. Sheetz also believes that the lack of fast food restaurants in the immediate proximity of Walnut Hill provides demand for its quick-service fresh food operations. An attorney representing Walnut Hill Shopping Center, in separate correspondence to the Mayor and Council on September 19, says that the revenue provided by the Sheetz store will cover the cost of needed upgrades to the property.

Montgomery County's first Sheetz opens in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Montgomery County was years overdue to have a Sheetz convenience store, and it has finally happened at 751 Progress Way, off of MD 355 in Gaithersburg. Now that Montgomery County's first Sheetz is open, the first thing I noticed is that this store is about half the size of the ones I stop at on road trips. However, the outdoor dining area is spacious.

Not surprisingly, given Montgomery County's archaic liquor sales monopoly and rules, there is no Beer Cave at this Sheetz. There isn't even any beer! Again, Montgomery County Prohibition-era liquor rules still in effect. The store does have a drive-thru, and self-checkout.

Given the smaller size, the store doesn't have the amount of merchandise I'm used to seeing at Sheetz. But, no complaints! The made-to-order food and beverages are among the major reasons people stop at Sheetz, and they are finally available in Montgomery County!

Indecent exposure at Rockville convenience store

Rockville City police responded to a report of indecent exposure at a convenience store on Tuesday afternoon, August 22, 2023. A suspect was also accused of disorderly conduct. The incident was reported at a store in the 700 block of Hungerford Drive at 2:45 PM Tuesday. There is a 7-Eleven store on that block.

7-Eleven Slurpee Day 2023 means a free small Slurpee today, July 11

Today is July 11, and 7/11 is...no longer 7-Eleven Day. The convenience store chain has rebranded today as Slurpee Day, because it is running the promotion across three different chains it now controls: 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes. Despite the new name, the game is still the same: You can get a free small Slurpee today at all three stores, which in the case of Montgomery County really just means 7-Eleven.

7-Eleven is offering two other bonuses for Slurpee Day this year. Select fresh food items will be sold for $1 through the 7REWARDS program, including pizza slices, STUFDCAKES cupcakes, and the legendary Big Bite Hot Dog. And, if you are lucky, your nearest 7-Eleven store will also have three limited-edition Slurpee flavors: Sprite Lymonade Legacy, Summertime Citrus, and Fanta Dragon Fruit Zero Sugar. 

Armed robbery at Rockville convenience store

At 5:15 PM Friday, June 2, 2023, the Rockville City police department tweeted that there was police activity in the 200 block of Park Road, but did not specify what it was in relation to. It turns out that officers were investigating an armed robbery that was reported at a convenience store around 3:35 PM. A firearm was the weapon utilized in the robbery. Metro Coffee Convenience is located on that block, which is across MD 355 from Rockville Town Center.

Strong-arm robbery at convenience store in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at a convenience store in Rockville early Sunday morning, March 26, 2023. The robbery was reported at a store in the 12400 block of Parklawn Drive at 4:04 AM. A suspect is also accused of damaging property at the store during the incident. There is a 7-Eleven at 12400 Parklawn.

Assault at Rockville convenience store

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a convenience store on Rockville Pike early yesterday morning, February 6, 2023. The assault was reported at a store in the 700 block of Rockville Pike at 1:20 AM. In addition to assault, the suspect is also facing a potential charge of trespassing.

Rockville 7-Eleven robbed during Sunday's plane crash blackout

A 7-Eleven store in Rockville was robbed Sunday evening, while much of Montgomery County was in the dark due to a mass power outage caused by a plane crashing into a Pepco tower in Gaithersburg. At 8:39 PM, an "older male" suspect smashed a window at the 7-Eleven at 13000 Atlantic Avenue in the Twinbrook area. He grabbed a drawer out of a cash register, and fled on foot as Rockville City police cruisers pulled up outside the store. The suspect was last seen in the residential neighborhood adjacent to the store.

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.

Break-in at Rockville convenience store

Rockville City police responded to a break-in at a convenience store early yesterday morning, September 18, 2022. The burglary took place at a store in the 1600 block of E. Gude Drive at 3:06 AM. Responding officers found evidence of forced entry at the scene.

7-Eleven sets opening date at Montgomery Mall

The epic delays in the construction of the new 7-Eleven store inside Westfield Montgomery Mall appear to finally be reaching an end. The store now has an official grand opening date of March 27, 2020. Let's face it - timing is not their thing.

Perhaps the only thing worse than opening a store in the middle of a pandemic - from a business standpoint - would be opening a movie theater or restaurant. But once things get back to normal, this is going to be an interesting venture to watch. It is either rare or unprecedented for a 7-Eleven to open in a mall food court. The layout of the store, and which products and categories are emphasized, will be intriguing to see.

NEW 7-ELEVEN OPENS IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

Rockville now officially has another 7-Eleven store, this one opening at 1701 Rockville Pike next to the EVEN Hotel, across from the Hilton. You may notice it is pretty large as 7-Elevens go, with room to expand in the future, and tables to sit at inside.