Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana Montgomery Mall update (Photos)

Here's an update on the eagerly-awaited Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Not much has been constructed inside yet, but several pallets of material from HarbisonWalker International have been rolled into the space. HWI manufactures heat-refracting products, including those used in various types of high-heat pizza ovens. So we're a long way from opening day, but here is more proof the pizzeria project is still moving forward.

Second Derwood McDonald's to get renovated interior

Renovations are ahead for the McDonald's at 16701 Crabbs Branch Way in The Grove shopping center. Unlike the complete overhaul seen at the other McDonald's in Derwood recently, this project will update the interior of the restaurant. 

This location already got a remodel to a newer McDonald's exterior design in the last decade. Other Rockville-area McDonald's have gotten varying degrees of updates in recent years, including the flagship Rockville Pike and White Flint locations.

Montgomery County residents in parks, grocery stores more than before the pandemic, data shows

Residents still not going back to the

office, transit, or general shopping 

in great numbers

Montgomery County residents are shopping inside grocery and drug stores in larger numbers than they were before the pandemic, the latest Google Mobility data show. They're making even greater use of parks than before Covid-19 officially arrived last spring. Other travel hasn't bounced back as strongly, such as going into the office, or commuting there by transit. And in-person retail shopping for items other than groceries and medicine remains sluggish, in relative comparison.

Using a baseline of mobility data Google collected from Montgomery County residents' devices between January 3 and February 6, 2020, behavioral changes are evident. The latest Google data covers the period between Monday, July 19, 2021, and Monday, August 30, 2021.

Hillwood Manor Park in Takoma Park

Over the last half of this summer, County residents were using parks 28% more than they were at the start of 2020. One caveat to that: the new data covers a warm, summer period, while the baseline was taken during the height of winter.

Safeway in Damascus

A more apples-to-apples comparison is in grocery and pharmacy shopping; the latter surges during winter months. But during late summer 2021, County residents were going into grocery stores and drugstores 7% more than they were during the height of cold and flu season in early 2020. There has been an increasing strain on grocery supply lines again in recent weeks, as evidenced by Costco reinstating limits on the number of some items that may be purchased, such as paper towels and toilet paper. Business Insider reports that shortages are the result of panic buying over the Delta variant, and of labor shortages affecting the ability to produce, ship and restock merchandise.

CVS Pharmacy

Residents aren't shopping in other types of retail stores, or traveling for non-park recreational activities as much, though. "Retail and recreation" travel was down 12% in late summer this year, compared to early 2020. One would expect recreation to be higher in summer than in midwinter, so that is a notable decline.

Metro Red Line train in Rockville

Travel to workplaces looks better than it was during the lockdowns and peaks of the pandemic, but still follows the national trend of those working from home continuing to do so where possible. Workplace travel was 44% lower in late summer 2021 in Montgomery County than it was in January-February 2020. Those traveling for any reason are often still wary of using public transit. Bus and rail commuting was down 42% in recent weeks, compared to early 2020.

One thing many residents are doing is continuing to stay home. Despite warm weather, County residents stayed at home 11% more over the last six weeks than they did in frigid January-February 2020.

LensCrafters coming to Pike & Rose

LensCrafters is coming to Pike & Rose. The eyewear retailer will be located at 901 Rose Avenue. LensCrafters is also a tenant at Federal Realty's Bethesda Row. It currently has locations at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and at Edmonston Crossing in Rockville.

Rockville Taco Bamba participating in local chain's Bar Crawl promotion

Taco Bamba is launching a Bar Crawl promotion at all of its locations in the region today, September 2, 2021, including the Rockville restaurant at Congressional Plaza. Each location, beginning with Fairfax today, will feature a special cocktail for $11. It will come in a collectible glass that is yours to keep.

When the collectible glasses run out at each location, its particular drink will no longer be available. Rockville's special cocktail and glass will be available at the end of the month, September 30. Here is the full Taco Bamba Bar Crawl schedule, if you want to collect all 5 glasses this month:

• September 2: Fairfax
• Stay Classy: served frozen with mezcal, rum, pineapple, lime, simple syrup, and campari floater
• September 9: Vienna
• Prince Hairy: Reposado tequila, white peach, ginger citrus agave, and Fino sherry
• September 16: Ballston
• This Kind Of Monkey: Tequila, banana syrup, ancho reyes, lime, and chocolate salt rim
• September 23: Springfield
• Rum The Jewels:  rum, ancho verde, smoked pineapple, lime agave, muddle cilantro and jalapeño
• September 30: Rockville
• Space Drank: Beefeater gin, lemon juice, lavender syrup, butterfly pea ice sphere

Photo by Leading DC

Rockville experiences heavy lightning, some serious flooding in overnight storm

UPDATE - September 1, 2021 at 12:19 PM: Montgomery County police are now asking that any residents of the Rock Creek Woods apartments who left the complex please call them at 301-279-8000, so that they can be accounted for

11:52 AM: Officials have announced that one person has died, and a second is missing in the flooding at Rock Creek Woods apartments on Twinbrook Parkway this morning

A storm that passed through Montgomery County around 3:30 this morning had Rockville in its direct path. Residents unlucky enough to be out on the roads encountered flooding and high water, including along Rockville Pike. 

A resident of Congressional Towers reported water in his apartment as high as seats of the chairs in the room, and said he and others were rescued from the building minutes later by the Rockville Fire Department. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Pete Piringer said that residents of basement apartments in the 13200 block of Twinbrook Parkway had to be rescued, as well.

About 224 Pepco customers are without power right now in Rockville, particularly in the Twinbrook, King Farm and Rockshire areas.

Shouk coming to Rockville in Montgomery County expansion

Shouk has posted coming-soon signage at its future space at 5436 Westbard Avenue, in the Westwood Shopping Center in Bethesda. The globally-inspired, plant-based street food chain is also opening a Rockville location at 5568 Randolph Road, in the Montrose Shopping Center. Both locations are expected to open this fall.

Shouk's future Rockville location

The Bethesda location will initially be carry-out only, as it is moving into the small China Cafe space. At a later date in the redevelopment of the Westwood Shopping Center, it will move to a larger, newly-constructed space in the new Westbard Square development that recently began construction. The Rockville location will be full-service with indoor dining.

Shouk Burger

Shouk's most famous menu item is the Shouk Burger, a veggie burger that has won several awards. Celebrity chef Carla Hall called it "the best dang burger I've ever tasted," and "mind-blowing" on the Food Network. Pita bread sandwiches, bowls, hummus and salads round out the menu.

Vacant former China Cafe space

Both the Rockville and Bethesda locations will be constructed of reclaimed materials, and will be 100% wind-powered. Shouk uses renewable packaging from plant sources, such as wooden utensils and biodegradable materials.

One piece of interesting trivia: Shouk's arrival will give the Westwood Shopping Center two eateries in its 62-year history that served dishes named "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" on the Food Network. Mo Rocca chose former tenant Farrell's' Gibson Girl Sundae as the best thing he ever ate. Rocca originally ate the sundae at the Westwood Shopping Center Farrell's location in the 1970s.

McDonald's adds Glazed Pull-Apart Donut to menu

McDonald's has added a new item to its McCafe line of baked goods designed to go with coffee beverages. The Glazed Pull-Apart Donut is shareable, with donut holes attached to the center that can be torn off. McDonald's says it is a limited-time item, and will be available all day, not just for breakfast. 

The new donut has already appeared at some McDonald's locations in Montgomery County, and will be available at all McDonald's nationwide on September 1, 2021. How does it compare to Krispy Kreme? Watch my review to find out.

Let's Taco sets opening date in Rockville

Let's Taco is bringing authentic Mexican tacos to Pike Kitchen at 1066 Rockville Pike. The newest addition to the food hall next to Taco Bell will open next Friday, September 3, 2021. 

Tortillas will be handmade from dozens of types of corn. Burritos (including a California burrito stuffed with grilled steak, french fries, cheese, avocado crema, pico de gallo, and chipotle crema), quesadillas, ramen birriamen, elote, garlic crab fries, a Mexican Dip sandwich, chips, churros, flan and pudding will also be available. Preview the menu here. It looks like they will also deliver via UberEats.

Sneak peek: Sports & Social in Rockville (Photos)

Here's a look at the latest additions to the interior of the future Sports & Social at Pike & Rose, opening September 9, 2021. Yesterday, sports-themed artwork was installed on the walls. You can also see the bar area and gaming tables.

Police release video of Derwood armed robbery suspect

A suspect has been caught on surveillance video in the August 3, 2021 armed robbery of the 7-Eleven convenience store/gas station at 15821 Frederick Road in Derwood. Montgomery County police have released the images, and are seeking the public's help in identifying the suspect. Detectives say he displayed a knife, and lunged at the cashier behind the counter, although this is not shown in the video footage. The suspect then allegedly fled the store with "stolen property," which was not further described as merchandise or money by police.

Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or submit a Crime Solvers tip online or via the app. Crime Solvers may pay a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest in this case.

Sports & Social sets opening date for Rockville location

UPDATE - August 25, 2021: Added information regarding FanDuel sportsbook

Sports & Social has set an opening date for its newest location at Pike & Rose. The upscale sports bar and entertainment center will open its doors on September 9, 2021. 

Guests will have massive screens to watch top sporting events, arcade games, ski-ball, shuffleboard, a golf simulator, Beirut, a dog-friendly outdoor patio with flatscreen TVs, and a Crush Bar serving specialty crush drinks. Sports & Social has announced that the local beers offered from the bar will include Flying Dog, Denizens, Silver Branch and 7 Locks.

Betting on sports had been expected to be legal long ago, but is currently wrapped up in regulatory red tape in Annapolis, infuriating those who had expected it to be allowed in time for the NFL season. FanDuel is sponsoring the new Sports & Social Bethesda location as part of its online plans in the state of Maryland pending regulatory approval. They are going to be the location's official sports book partner when legal sports betting comes to Maryland.

“Sports & Social is a one-of-a-kind dining venue and social experience that is unmatched anywhere in the country,” Sports & Social Bethesda's General Manager Andrew Izrael said in a statement today. “It’s the perfect combination of incredible food, great entertainment and state-of-the-art sports viewing all in an upscale setting. We can’t wait to open at Pike & Rose on September 9th.” 

Rockville barrack of Maryland State Police participates in crackdown on "superspeeders"

The Maryland State Police have concluded a crackdown on "superspeeders," drivers traveling at excessive speeds whom the agency says have been growing in number during the pandemic. On a designated day last Tuesday, troopers from the Rockville barrack on Montrose Road joined colleagues from the College Park and Forestville barracks in targeting speeders on I-495. 

By the end of the six-month initiative that concluded Tuesday, troopers had issued 875 citations, 803 warnings, 6 Move Over citiations (for failing to either sufficiently slow down, or change lanes when passing an emergency vehicle stopped on the shoulder), 41 Move Over warnings, and 43 safety equipment repair orders. They also made 8 arrests on outstanding warrants, and an additional 11 arrests for possession of controlled substances.

On Tuesday, troopers issued 149 citations, 155 warnings, and 34 safety equipment repair orders. They made 1 criminal arrest, and 3 arrests on outstanding warrants.

Funding for the coordinated operation was provided by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office. The stated goal is to reduce crashes on interstate highways in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. According to statistics released by the Rockville barrack, crashes are trending downward in recent years. Troopers based in Rockville responded to 1921 crashes in 2018, 1749 crashes in 2019, and 1121 crashes in 2020.

Lagos Bar & Grill, Mercat Bar de Tapas coming to Rockville Town Square

Rockville Town Square is adding two more restaurants. Lagos Bar & Grill will take over the Bar Louie space at 150 Gibbs Street. Mercat Bar de Tapas has leased 101-C Gibbs Street down the block. That's a space that has suffered heavy turnover in the last decade, including former tenants Gumbo Ya Ya, Ev & Maddy's and Lab Cafe.

Rockville Wegmans update (Photos)

The retail buildings on the site of the future Rockville Wegmans grocery store have been leveled at the corner of Rockville Pike and Halpine Road. You can see the vacant Fuddruckers restaurant all the way from that corner now, which wasn't possible before. The parking lot that surrounded the stores is still intact. Wegmans will be the anchor retail tenant of B.F. Saul's Twinbrook Corner development here.

Armed robbery in Rockville parking lot

City of Rockville police responded to a report of an armed robbery in a parking lot in the Twinbrook area early Monday morning. The robbery was reported at a commercial parking lot in the 2000 block of Veirs Mill Road at 12:46 AM. According to crime data, the weapon employed in the robbery was not a firearm.

Montgomery County executive appears maskless in Montgomery College classroom

Montgomery County has been under an indoor mask order for several weeks. When County Executive Marc Elrich (D) was caught on camera without a mask in a classroom at Montgomery College on Monday, his critics pounced, calling it hypocrisy. Elrich was attending a "5G Bootcamp" at the community college with Congressman David Trone (D - 6th District).

Trone posted several photos of the event on Twitter. In all but one, Elrich is wearing a mask. But in the maskless photo, everyone but Elrich in the classroom is wearing a mask. "Rules for thee, and not for me," tweeted @justhefactsmo1, sharing Trone's tweet. "What's the ticket for doing this in the grocery store? $500?" asked @jensreesman.