IKEA sets opening date for first Montgomery County store

IKEA has set an opening date for its first Montgomery County store, a small-format Plan & Order Point store at 101 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The store will open on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 11:00 AM. A grand opening celebration will be held from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. There will be giveaways, free food (Swedish meatballs?), and free drinks. Attendees will also be able to compete for prizes in the Spin to Win game. See my sneak peek at the Plan & Order Point interior for an idea of what is in store at Montgomery County's first IKEA store.

"We are thrilled to bring the best of IKEA to our DMV neighbors," IKEA U.S. CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer Javier Quiñones said in a statement. "We’ve seen that customers are still eager for in-person experiences, and we hope that this new Plan and order point with Pick-up provides a new and convenient way to shop."

Trendy Man Italia opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Can we keep track of all of the new Italian boutiques opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda? It's becoming a challenge. Trendy Man Italia is the latest entry. Dress with spezzatura with the latest men's fashions and accessories from Italy. Trendy Man appears to have existing locations at numerous Maryland malls, including Mondawmin Mall and White Marsh Mall in Baltimore, Towson Town Center, St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf, and The Mall in Columbia, as well as stores in Brooklyn, New York and Newark, Delaware. Look for its newest location in Bethesda right outside of Macy's Home Store on Level 2 of the mall.

Calzedonia opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Calzedonia has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Italian brand specializes in legwear, swimwear and socks. Calzedonia also owns Intimissimi, a lingerie brand that also has a boutique at the mall, so that established relationship and success may have played a role in the decision to double down on its investment here. Look for Calzedonia on Level 1, between Talbots and Sunglass Hut.

One Medical to open first Rockville location

One Medical will open its first Rockville location soon at 915 Meeting Street, at the Pike & Rose development. "Coming soon" signage has been posted in the future clinic's windows. One Medical is a primary care clinic offering same-day appointments, and 24/7 telehealth services. It covers everything from basic health checkups to management of chronic illnesses. 

Construction of the clinic is underway. One Medical has existing locations in downtown Bethesda and at Chevy Chase Lake. Its partners include Amazon, where Prime members get special pricing, and MedStar Health.

Wawa sets opening date for Gaithersburg store

The first Wawa to open in Montgomery County finally has an opening date, after nearly five years of anticipation, planning, government approvals and construction. Wawa will open at 405 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg with a Grand Opening event on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 7:45 AM. Festivities will begin with a countdown at 7:45 AM, until the doors officially open at 8:00 AM. The first 100 customers through the door will receive a commemorative "In My Wawa Era 60th Anniversary" t-shirt, which recalls the opening of the first Wawa store in Folsom, Pennsylvania in 1964. All customers will receive a free hot coffee in the size of their choice.

A ceremonial toast will be held at 8:30 AM, followed by a Hoagies for Heroes competition in which the Gaithersburg Police Department and Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Station 8 personnel will build Wawa sandwiches. Wawa mascot Wally Goose will then lead a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"Wawa is proud to open its doors to provide trusted quality products, convenience, new jobs, support, and to Fulfill Lives in the community," the company said in a statement. "The event will celebrate new associates and customers and simple gestures, like holding the door for one another, that together make a big difference in making Wawa’s family-like store atmosphere possible. The grand opening celebration will gather the community to welcome everyone on day one and celebrate the impact the new store will have on its neighbors and community."

Tatte Bakery & Cafe opening in Rockville

Tatte Bakery & Cafe will open a Rockville location later this year at 12232 Rockville Pike, at Towne Plaza. This will be the Boston-based chain's third location in Montgomery County, following its opening at The Wilson in downtown Bethesda in 2021, and its recent lease-signing at the new Westbard Square development in southwest Bethesda. 

Give Towne Plaza credit for always trying to stay relevant in the local dining conversation. Over the years it has hosted the great Houston's, Five Guys and Chef Geoff's; tried to keep Boston Market in the area before the chain backed out; and briefly counted the unique Vietnamese cafe Bambu Che as a tenant. Tatte Bakery has been a coveted tenant in recent years, so this is quite a score for Towne Plaza. When it opens, look for Tatte next to Comfort One Shoes.

Dini's Divine Pies to open in Rockville in March 2024

Dini's Divine Pies will open in a dedicated, bricks-and-mortar space next month in Rockville. The pie shop will open Saturday, March 9, 2024, and will initially be open on Saturdays in March from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It will be located at 11612 Boiling Brook Place, in the Randolph Hills Shopping Center. All of the handmade pies are baked with fresh, organic, local fruit when possible, and organic flour is used for the all-butter pie crusts. 

Photo courtesy Dini's Divine Pies

Wawa Burtonsville plan advances to Montgomery County Planning Board as Gaithersburg awaits opening

The first Wawa in Montgomery County hasn't even opened yet, and the company is already moving forward on a second. A proposal to open a Wawa convenience store and mega gas station at 15585-15595 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville will be reviewed by the Montgomery County Planning Boad at its February 29, 2024 meeting. Montgomery County planners are recommending approval of the project, with conditions. Wawa will need to obtain a special exception from Montgomery County to accommodate the project's size, and comply with conditions of a forest conservation plan, before it can pull permits to construct the store. 

The site is currently home to a 7-Eleven, a gas station, and a Mattress Barn store. All would be demolished to make way for the Wawa.

The property owners have proposed construction of a new signalized intersection to facilitate safer ingress and egress from the Wawa onto Old Columbia Pike. They have also agreed to construct a 10'-wide "sidepath" along Old Columbia Pike, and a 16'-wide "bike breezeway" (first time I've heard this term in Montgomery County planning) along the ramp to Route 29. A new trash enclosure would be constructed, and up to nine electric vehicle charging spaces would be provided at the Wawa.

An explosion of new restaurants at struggling Rockville shopping center

A struggling shopping center in Rockville is about to get a shot in the arm from several new restaurant tenants. Two chains and one independent brand have signed leases at The Shops at Congressional Village at 1701 Rockville Pike. Kajiken will serve up steaming bowls of abura soba, combining thick noodles and sauces imported directly from Japan with customizable toppings. At west coast chain Kanpai's Rockville location, you will have 100 minutes to eat all the Japanese BBQ and shabu soup you can handle. And for those who prefer a side of novelty with their sushi rolls, Uzu Revolving Sushi will provide a constant stream of mechanically-delivered delights. All three restaurants have "coming soon" signage in their future storefronts, and will only add to Rockville's emerging status as the top destination for Asian dining in the DMV.

Hertz rent-a-car opens new Rockville location

Hertz rent-a-car has opened a new Rockville location. It is "just up the Pike" from their existing office, at 1052 Rockville Pike, in the Edmonston Crossing shopping center. Operating hours at the new location are 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. Wow, those are limited hours - - you'll have to run like O.J. Simpson to get there before closing time.

Sheepskin Gifts closes, Relax Station kiosk opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too has cleared out of its space on Level 1 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Like See's Candies and other seasonal stores, this was to be expected after the holiday shopping season ended - - although you'd think the temperatures outdoors would keep them in business through the spring. Meanwhile, massage spa Relax Station from the Old Navy wing of the mall has set up an auxiliary kiosk to serve shoppers in the center of the mall. Look for it on Level 1 outside of J.Jill. 

Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too

Rockville Pike Arby's to become McDonald's

The former Arby's restaurant at 11710 Rockville Pike, which has sat vacant since it closed in May of 2021, has finally gained a new tenant. McDonald's has leased the building, which will now be remodeled into the newest location of the Golden Arches in Montgomery County, and slightly enlarged. With an existing McDonald's only a block away at 11564 Rockville Pike, it appears that this may be more of a relocation than an addition. It's shocking that rapidly-expanding chains like Jack-in-the-Box, Cookout, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Shake Shack and Raising Cane's passed on this prime location in a densely-populated area, but count on McDonald's to realize the value of prime real estate, and of an amenity their current White Flint McDonald's lacks - a drive-thru.

Kelly's Cajun Grill to open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Kelly's Cajun Grill is "coming soon" to the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, according to signage there. We're kind of late to the party with this franchise, as several malls in our region already have, or have had, a Kelly's Cajun Grill. There's an Asian element woven into what otherwise sounds like a typical - if rather short - Louisiana menu. 

Bourbon Chicken is the specialty of the house at Kelly's Cajun Grill. It's "world famous," they say, and has been its signature dish since the first location opened in Florida in 1991. They also have Blackened Chicken, Shrimp Etouffee, and Blackened Fish. For every spring roll or noodle, there's still a side of rice and beans or Cajun fries. If Popeyes has indeed closed for good, Kelly's Cajun Grill can gar-on-tee that there will still be Louisiana flavors in the food court at Montgomery Mall.

Parte Haus opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Parte Haus has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The "ultimate party hub," as the company calls itself, carries a wide selection of party supplies and balloons. As you can see in these photos, those include cups, plates and party hats. If you've always wished your one-stop-shopping here could include party planning, look no further than Parte Haus. You will find it on Level 1 of the mall, next to Relax Station. 

Teazzi Tea Shop to open first DMV-area location in Bethesda

Teazzi Tea Shop, a Taiwanese tea chain, will open its first store in the Washington, D.C. region right here in Montgomery County, in downtown Bethesda. It will be at 4941 Elm Street, in the Shoppes of Bethesda. Teazzi currently has 4 New York City-area shops, as well as locations in Boston, Philadelphia, Jersey City, Sunnyvale (California), and Las Vegas. The company has franchisees gearing up to open in Seattle and San Gabriel (California), and in a second Boston location. 

Tea selections at Teazzi include Four Seasons Oolong, Golden Oolong, Amber Oolong, Deep Roast Oolong, Dark Roast Black Tea, and Jasmine Green Tea. Menu options include milk tea, fruit tea, floam, tea lattes, and Teazzi's signature (but optional) topping of oats. Construction on the Bethesda shop will commence in the coming weeks.

Photo courtesy Teazzi Tea Shop

Parte Haus opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Parte Haus will be opening any day now at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The "ultimate party hub," Parte Haus offers an extensive inventory of party and balloon supplies. A logo sign has already been installed above their storefront. Look for Parte Haus on Level 1 of the mall next to Relax Station.

Mango opening soon at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Mango is coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, according to signage posted across its future storefront. The Barcelona-based fashion brand launched this latest Mediterranean-inspired store concept in 2021. But the company, which manufacturers apparel for men and women, was founded in 1984 by brothers Isak Andic and Nahman Andic. When it opens, look for Mango's 11th American store on Level 1 of the mall, across from Shoe Charms.

Moby Dick House of Kabob opens new Rockville Pike location

There's a delicious new dining option on Rockville Pike. Moby Dick House of Kabob has opened its latest area location at 11431-A Rockville Pike. This was previously a Verizon store, located next to 7-Eleven in the shopping center that is also home to Matreshka Russian Gourmet. The local Persian chain got its start in downtown Bethesda in 1989, and has an existing Rockville location at the Fallsgrove Village Center, and 21 others in the Washington, D.C. region.

Allcare primary and immediate care clinic opening in Rockville

Allcare, a primary and immediate care clinic, is opening a new Rockville location. It will be at 16260 Frederick Road, in the new Rock Grove shopping center. Allcare will be in the space next to Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken. Services will include urgent care, annual physicals, telehealth, weight management and STD testing.

The Good Feet store opens, Lane Bryant closes at Federal Plaza in Rockville

Out with the old and in with the new at one of the many busy shopping destinations in Montgomery County. The Good Feet Store is now open at 12274-D Rockville Pike. Exiting the shopping scene at Federal Plaza is Lane Bryant, which has closed permanently. The plus-size apparel chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020, inititally closing 157 stores. This one survived, but is now getting the axe.