Rockville construction update: Melina Greek restaurant (Photos)

The interior of Melina, the new Greek restaurant in the ground floor of the 909 Rose office building on Rockville Pike at Pike & Rose, is beginning to resemble an actual dining room. White finishes with brown accents currently dominate the space, and light fixtures have been installed. Melina is the latest venture from the creators of the local CAVA restaurant empire, and is expected to debut this fall.

Rockville Amazon Fresh grocery store construction update (Photos)

The future Amazon Fresh grocery store at the 270 Center on Shady Grove Road is now beginning to display some of the brand's trademark architectural details. For example, the vertical green lines on the edge of the canopy on the storefront have been applied. The roofline with large central panel is also visible. We're also getting a better look at those proprietary front windows across the front facade.

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.

Signage installed at Mr. Wish in Rockville

Signage has been installed at Mr. Wish at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. Last night, the main sign was lit. Mr. Wish features fruit teas, bubble tea, and smoothies. The shop is currently hiring baristas and servers for both morning and night shifts. This is the first Maryland location for the Pennsylvania-based chain.

Hummer EV now available for pre-order at King GMC Buick in Rockville

The highly-anticipated Hummer EV electric truck is now available for pre-order at King GMC Buick, located at 16200 Frederick Road. It features a 300-350 mile range, depending on which model you choose. Advanced features include Ultravision navigation cameras, a power swing gate, and the ability for the truck to drive diagonally like a crab. The pickup model goes 0-60 in three seconds; the SUV version takes a half-second longer. 

Indecent exposure at Rockville grocery store

City of Rockville police responded to a report of indecent exposure at a grocery store on Rockville Pike yesterday morning, August 8, 2021. The incident was reported at a supermarket in the 1800 block of Rockville Pike around 10:15 AM, according to crime data. There is a Safeway store on that block.

Rockville tackling trash, noise issues at Fireside Apartments

The City of Rockville is responding to complaints from the neighborhood around Fireside Park about trash and noise generated by the apartment complex. Rockville owns the affordable apartment development through the independent entity Rockville Housing Enterprises. Recently, there have been complaints about overflowing dumpsters at the complex, litter being tossed and dumped beyond the property lines, and excessive noise. One nearby resident, Max Bliss, forwarded a comprehensive list of the problems - and photographic evidence - to city officials.

About a week later, Community Support Advocate Melissa Wiak from the City Manager's office responded with a list of actions the city intends to take immediately to resolve the issues. The trash and construction debris were carted away. Winn Residential, the property manager, has adjusted the bulk pickup schedule in a way it believes will be more effective in removing such items, Wiak wrote. Winn will also reach out to Fireside residents, to notify them of the rules regarding trash disposal.

One of the sources of the trash has been the construction taking place at the complex. Wiak said the city has advised the construction contractor that all such debris must be removed daily.

Fireside will now have a staff person on duty Saturdays - in tandem with a new Saturday bulk pickup day - to specifically monitor trash. Staff will also check the dumpsters on-site daily.

To deal with noise issues, City of Rockville police units have been notified about noise complaints at the complex. Wiak wrote that officers will increase patrols through and around the complex.

Photos by Max Bliss

Armed robbery at Derwood gas station

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a gas station in Derwood on Tuesday evening. The robbery was reported at a gas station in the 15800 block of Frederick Road around 6:08 PM, according to crime data. A weapon other than a firearm was employed in the robbery.

Maryland earthquake felt in Rockville, across DC region

UPDATE - 3:00 AM, August 4, 2021: The USGS now reports that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 3.4 kilometers. Latest USGS map pinpoints Clarksville, MD as epicenter, although it has not been officially named as such yet.

A 2.1 magnitude earthquake was felt in Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Derwood, and other parts of Montgomery County; Prince George's County, and Howard County at 2:11 AM this morning. The sound was audible here in Montgomery County, and was more noticeable than the shaking of the ground. According to the United States Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was 3 km from Highland, Maryland.

News Corp acquiring Rockville-based OPIS

News Corp is acquiring the Rockville-based Oil Price Information Service, the company announced yesterday. OPIS, a subscription-based energy pricing and analytics service, was founded in 1977. News Corp, which is paying $1.150 billion for the service, plans to fold it into its Dow Jones Professional Information Business unit.

“OPIS will be the cornerstone for a rising commodities, energy and renewables digital business that we are convinced will have a positive impact on Dow Jones and News Corp,” News Corp Chief Executive Robert Thomson said in a statement Monday. “We certainly believe OPIS and Dow Jones will be more than the sum of their valuable parts." OPIS is located at 2099 Gaither Road, in the King Farm area of Rockville.

Rockville Amazon Fresh grocery store update (Photos)

Conversion of the Office Depot store into an Amazon Fresh supermarket continues at the 270 Center on Shady Grove Road. The experience of the now-completed Chevy Chase location shows that it is a time-intensive process. 

For starters, plumbing hookups and employee spaces are much more complicated in a grocery store than in an office supply store. But due to the extensive proprietary tech utilized for monitoring and automatic checkout functions, installing all of the wiring for this alone took a major chunk of time at the Chevy Chase store. So this will be a longer job than converting a Shoppers to a Lidl, for example.

Gelato Galaxy coming to Montgomery Mall

Gelato Galaxy is coming to Bethesda. The space-themed frozen treat kiosk will be in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall. In addition to gelato, they will also have soft serve custard and Italian ice. There is also a purple alien mascot ready to bring the flavors of the galaxy to the mall food court. Harry Reid has been fully briefed on this UFO sighting by Luis Elizondo.

Frank Pepe's Pizzeria back on at Montgomery Mall

Is Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana still coming to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda? That's been one of the most frequently-asked questions since the pandemic threw the Connecticut-based pizza chain a curve ball in 2020. While construction has yet to begin inside the pizza parlor's future space on Level 1 at the mall, what I can tell you is that Frank Pepe has applied for a liquor license from Montgomery County. A hearing on the application is scheduled for September 2, 2021.

Gutted interior of the future
Frank Pepe's Pizzeria space

Rockville construction update: Ansel Apartments (Photos)

Here's the latest look at the progress on the Ansel Apartments across from Regal Row in Rockville Town Center. Developed by Duball, LLC, the building will be managed by Bozzuto. Delivery is scheduled for this fall. I've heard that the leasing office may open as soon as next week.

Qdoba opening new Rockville location

Qdoba Mexican Eats is opening a second Rockville location. The chain has leased a corner space at the new Rock Grove shopping center at MD 355 and Shady Grove Road. A liquor license hearing for the restaurant has been scheduled for August 5, 2021. Qdoba has an existing location around where the much-missed Putt Putt Golf & Games used to be, at 128 Rollins Avenue.

Bethesda Bagels, European Wax Center under construction at Fallsgrove Village Center in Rockville

Interior fit-outs are underway at the future Bethesda Bagels and European Wax Center at the Fallsgrove Village Center in Rockville. These photos were taken about a week ago, and you can see they are both in the early stages of construction at this point. European Wax Center is slightly ahead, with interior walls already taking shape last week.

Roaming Rooster expanding to Rockville

Roaming Rooster, a fast casual restaurant chain known for its fried chicken sandwiches, is expanding to Montgomery County this fall. It will open an 1843 square foot location at Federal Realty's Pike & Rose development in Rockville. Among the chain's other locations are Tenleytown and Woodridge in the District. 

Started as a food truck in 2015, Roaming Rooster has become one of the most-successful family and minority-owned hospitality businesses in the region since. In addition to its famous free-range, grain-fed, antibiotic-free and Halal fried chicken sandwiches, the chain also offers an all-week breakfast menu, salads, side dishes, chicken wings, chicken tenders and hand-cut fries. The sandwiches are available in your choice of heat level: mild, medium or hot.

Roaming Rooster breakfast
biscuit sandwich

“We chose Pike & Rose in Montgomery County because we want to be part of a neighborhood that features premier retailers, restaurants and services,” Roaming Rooster co-owner Michael Habtemariam said in a press release. “As a supporter of the DMV’s local businesses, Federal [Realty] is eager to bring this popular regional favorite to its first location in Maryland and Montgomery County,” Federal Realty Director of Leasing Emily Gagliardi added.

Should Meixin Supermarket building in Rockville be declared historic?

The Rockville Planning Commission will consider whether or not the vacant Meixin Supermarket building at 460 Hungerford Drive should be declared historic or not at its July 28, 2021 meeting. City staff advised against changing the property's zoning to MXCD-HD (Historic District) in May. The city's Historic District Commission ruled otherwise on May 20, finding that the property met the criteria for designation, and recommending application of the Historic District (HD) overlay zone through the filing of a Sectional Map Amendment.

Now the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council regarding the fate of the property. JPMorgan Chase wishes to demolish the supermarket to clear the way for a Chase Bank branch. Planning staff is not recommending historic designation. While the building was designed by prominent Rockville architect John "Jack" Sullivan (1925-2014), staff argues it is not an exceptional example of his work. 

Historic preservation organization Peerless Rockville, by contrast, has supported historic designation for the property. Peerless Rockville Executive Director Nancy Pickard noted in a May 2021 letter that the city's 1986 Historic Resources Management Plan is now outdated, placing 90 years of growth and architectural styles into a single period of consideration. Pickard suggested the city update its criteria to consider Midcentury Modern structures like the supermarket in the appropriate context, before making a final decision in this case.

Nationwide used car shortage evident in Rockville as new Ourisman Pre-Owned Supercenter opens

New cars are in short supply across America, and those in need are turning to used cars, driving up prices and driving down inventory. The reduced availability of used cars is evident in Rockville, as Ourisman opens the Ourisman Pre-Owned Supercenter at 15301 N. Frederick Road at E. Gude Drive. 

When this property was Ourisman's Rockmont Chevrolet, the lot was typically jammed to overflow with new and used inventory. As you can see, there is a lot more open space in the lot at the moment, as used cars are a hot commodity and selling fast. It's a great time to be in the pre-owned business, as supply chain shortages and booming inflation have made it a seller's market.