Showing posts with label renovations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label renovations. Show all posts

Friday, May 17, 2024

Walnut Hill Shopping Center remodeling going full steam, including Gaithersburg-themed mural


The massive makeover of the venerable Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 16529 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg is going full tilt. We can now see the distinctive storefront facade of the future Aldi grocery store emerging outside the former Weis Markets. All tenants are getting remodeled fronts and new signage. 


What stands out the most at the moment is a new piece of public art. Unlike some of the abstract murals that have popped up around Montgomery County in recent years, this one is 100% Gaithersburg-themed. The Baltimore & Ohio - now CSX - railroad tracks lead off into infinity, if not Chicago. On the right side is the Bowman Bros. Mill, known today as the Granary Row shopping center. There's the clock that stood diagonally across from Diamond Drugs.









Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Dunkin' Donuts reopens at Wintergreen Plaza in Rockville


Dunkin' Donuts
has reopened at 865 Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza. The store just completed a major remodeling of its interior. A new Rockville-specific branding sign has been installed on the far right wall inside. The store is open from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM seven days a week. Time to make the donuts!




Friday, April 5, 2024

Dunkin' Donuts temporarily closed at Wintergreen Plaza in Rockville (Photos)


The Dunkin' Donuts store at 865 Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza is temporarily closed. An extensive renovation project is now underway inside the space. A reopening date has not been announced yet. Customers are being directed to the Dunkin' Donuts locations nearby at 11530 Rockville Pike, and 2006 Veirs Mill Road. However, I'm going to add the store at 15180 Frederick Road at College Plaza to that list, which seems like it might be closer to Wintergreen Plaza than White Flint.





Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Pandora opens temporary store at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


Pandora
has opened a temporary store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, while its current location is remodeled. The jeweler is now down on Level 1, between T-Mobile and Windsor, in the Old Navy wing of the mall. Renovations of its permanent spot on Level 2 next to Banana Republic are expected to be completed before the end of spring. Pandora is also currently hiring additional staff.

Friday, November 24, 2023

AMC Montgomery 16 theater to add recliners at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


AMC's acquisition of the former ArcLight Cinemas at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda came with great hopes that the cineplex chain would upgrade some of the outdated elements of the theater, now known as AMC Montgomery 16. That's finally about to happen. AMC says it is moving forward with a plan to replace the fixed, cloth seats in the 16 auditoriums of the complex with its current recliner model. 

The company says it will spend nearly $3 million on the seats, and some other minor updates to the cineplex, which are expected to begin early next year. AMC notes that the addition of recliners will reduce the total number of seats in each auditorium. The renovation plan tells us that AMC is committed to keeping this theater open for a long time to come.

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Rockville Wendy's reopens after renovations (Photos)


The Wendy's restaurant at 808 Rockville Pike has reopened for business after an extensive remodeling. While the building's distinctive curved glass roofline was permanently retired, the pleasant surprise is that the redesign is a newer one than the Derwood location received nearly a year ago. The logos are the latest iteration being used by the Ohio-based chain, and there are extra pictures of Wendy on the building itself, rather than the plain black strip running around the top of the Derwood restaurant. Inside, the dining room seems brighter and more-welcoming than it was previously. It's time to celebrate with a Baconator and Frosty - but don't tell the County Council!






Monday, October 9, 2023

Rockville Wendy's renovations update (Photos)


Here's a look at the progress on the renovations at the Wendy's at 808 Rockville Pike, which is temporarily closed for this major project. The sad news is that the distinctive curved glass on the front roofline is gone, and won't be coming back. That, along with the curved facade at the front, was one of the unique architectural features that made this Wendy's building unique. 


What's replacing it is that new black-and-red scheme we recently saw installed at the Derwood location, which is a more standard Wendy's building. Keep in mind that a lot of the work is also inside the restaurant, as more environmentally-friendly kitchen equipment and a pick-up/delivery driver area are installed. Given that the Derwood renovations took about 90 days, and this Rockville project started in mid-August, a November reopening may be in the cards here.






Monday, August 28, 2023

Rockville Wendy's renovation update (Photos)


The Rockville Wendy's at 808 Rockville Pike has had a distinctive look for so long, it's surprising it's getting a makeover now. Gone are the yellow-and-red "awning," and unique curved glass atop the roofline above the rounded portion of the facade at the front end of the restaurant. The dining room entrance door is gone, too, replaced by a wood board. Customers are being directed to the Derwood Wendy's during the "refresh," which does not have an estimated completion date.







Monday, August 14, 2023

Rockville Wendy's closed temporarily for renovations


Wendy's
has temporarily closed at 808 Rockville Pike for a renovation project. If you're familiar with the Derwood Wendy's, you already know the drill. That Wendy's location closed for about 90 days for a similar project, before reopening this past January


It will be interesting to see what design changes are made to the exterior of the Rockville Wendy's, as it has a more unique building design. This is arguably the best Wendy's in Montgomery County, so it is about to get even better. Customers are being redirected to the Derwood Wendy's during the closure. Have a Baconator up there, but don't tell the County Council!




Monday, July 3, 2023

Rockville Target garage repairs block some doors on Level 3


A garage repair project is underway at the Target store at 5700 Bou Avenue in Rockville. The work is taking place on Level 3. Some of the exit doors from the store are blocked on that level as a result, and a wood construction wall blocks part of the walkway between the parking deck and the storefront. I usually enter and check out on Level 1, anyway. The elevator-only level of the garage - well, that's just creepy, especially in a time of rising crime in Montgomery County.




Friday, January 20, 2023

Sameday Health closes; T-Mobile, Everything But Water temporarily close at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


Three businesses have closed their doors at Westfield Montgomery Mall this week, but only one is permanent. Sameday Health has cleared out its space. The COVID-19, flu, strep and STD-testing clinic appears to have consolidated its Bethesda operations at its 5826 Nicholson Lane location in White Flint. 


T-Mobile
and Everything But Water have temporarily closed for renovations. T-Mobile has been rolling out a new store-interior design that some have compared to the Apple Store. Everything But Water promises it will "reopen with a splash" in late February. T-Mobile has not set a reopening date yet.



Wendy's reopens in Derwood (Photos)


Wendy's
has reopened at 15807 Frederick Road in the Derwood area of Rockville. The restaurant has completed a major renovation inside and out for a "fresh new look." It's apparently going forward with that blank building front; perhaps the front facade signage is still in-transit and will be installed later. Time for a Baconator, Chili Cheese Fries and a Chocolate Frosty.