Rockville Planning Commission to go into closed session May 23

The Rockville Planning Commission will adjourn into a closed session at its 7:00 PM meeting May 23, 2018 at City Hall, to "consult with counsel to obtain legal advice regarding a pending Site Plan application." At 7:30, commissioners will then reconvene in open session for the rest of the evening's agenda, which will include a discussion of planning area boundaries for the Updated Comprehensive Master Plan. The applicant with the "pending Site Plan" is not identified.

Staycation at the Beach at Pike & Rose; mattress retailer to fill old Starbucks space (Photos)

The beach just got 150 miles closer to home at Pike & Rose. Property owner Federal Realty is turning an empty lot at the north end of the development into a seaside take on The Bullpen near Nationals Park. Just north of Rose Park along Prose Street, west of the Porsche Bethesda dealership, The Beach will offer real sand, public seating areas, games, and programmed events throughout the summer.

On weekends, The Beach will become a Happy Hour destination, thanks to catering partner Ridgewells. Their Beach Bar will offer light snacks, beer and wine, and beach-inspired cocktails that will of course include the Orange Crush.

You don't even have to be at The Beach to see The Beach - Federal Realty has installed a 24-hour camera trained on The Beach atop Pinstripes. The Beach is scheduled to be open by Memorial Day Weekend.

Meanwhile, in new tenant news at Pike & Rose, organic mattress retailer Naturepedic will soon open at store at the development. The Ohio-based retailer currently has only 12 showrooms in North America. This one will be in the former Starbucks location near the corner of Old Georgetown Road and Rockville Pike, which became vacant when Starbucks relocated to Grand Park Avenue.

Photo: Robert Dyer
Renderings courtesy Pike & Rose

Taylor Gourmet to open Rockville location this morning

Taylor Gourmet's newest Montgomery County location will open today at 826 Rose Avenue at Pike & Rose. The fast casual hoagie shop is in the ground floor of the Canopy by Hilton hotel at the Federal Realty development. If you are one of the first 100 people in line at 11:00 AM this morning, you will win a free tote bag featuring art by JD Deardourff.

Slapfish aiming for June opening in Rockville

Fast-casual seafood restaurant Slapfish is working towards a tentative early June opening at the Montrose Crossing shopping center at 12033 Rockville Pike. The 2250 SF restaurant will feature 68 seats inside, and 16 more on an outdoor patio space.

Slapfish will be open Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM, and Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 AM to 11:00 PM. They will serve craft beer and wine among the beverage choices.

Can they succeed like Luke's Lobster, or will they fail like LobsterME? Their prices appear to be lower than LobsterME in California. Will this location offer the Lobster Ramen Burrito? Stay tuned!

Rockville Farmers Market opens

The Rockville Farmers Market reopened for the season Saturday in the jury parking lot at East Jefferson and Monroe Streets in Rockville Town Center. It will be open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Saturday through November 17. New vendors for 2018 will offer fresh cheeses, mushrooms from the Eastern Shore, beeswax candles, soaps, empanadas, herbs, flowers and other locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Image courtesy City of Rockville

Flower Child restaurant to open in Rockville

Flower Child, another healthy dining concept from the creator of True Food Kitchen, is coming to Montgomery County. Fox Restaurant Concepts has leased spaces at Wildwood Shopping Center in Bethesda, and at 10016 Darnestown Road in Rockville. Flower Child's menu consists of trendy vegetable and grain-based bowls, plates and wraps, with the option to add chicken, steak, salmon or tofu.

As expected, there is an emphasis on organic, non-gmo and superfood ingredients. Salads, and a short starters list with hummus, soup and avocado toast round out the menu. Beverage selections include local craft beer, wine and, of course, kombucha.

The Baked Bear to open May 19 in Rockville

Just in time for warmer temperatures, The Baked Bear will open its doors at Pike & Rose for the first time on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 1:00 PM. Is there any reason to get there early? You better believe it.

The first 300 people in line will get a free ice cream sandwich. The first 20 people in line will also get a free Baked Bear t-shirt. And the first 100 people will be entered to win 50 pre-made sandwiches for a party or event.

The Baked Bear has a Cookie-of-the-Month on the menu, and this month's sounds pretty interesting: Mexican Hot Chocolate. Find The Baked Bear at 929 Rose Avenue #404.