Rockville Town Square ice rink under construction

It's already that time of year again. A chill is in the air, and the ice rink at Rockville Town Square has emerged from storage. A crew is assembling the rink for what seems like an earlier start each year.

When you run out of ramen on Sunday....

Katsu Ramen was closed yesterday at 12238 Rockville Pike. The explanation given for the closure was a "stock shortage." You may recall there was an ownership squabble here that went public a few weeks back, with the Katsu Go sign coming down, then later being replaced with the "Katsu Ramen" banner you see above.

Chaliskan opens at Montgomery Mall

Chaliskan has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The store offers Turkish towels, fashion apparel, lighting fixtures, ceramics and gifts. They have a Tysons location, as well. Chaliskan is located on Level 2 next to the Goodyear tire store.

Rockville construction update: Main Street Apartments (Photos)

The Main Street Apartments are about three stories above 50 Monroe Place in Rockville. This used to be the IBM building downtown.

Bliss in a Bottle opening at Montgomery Mall

Bliss in a Bottle will open a kiosk this fall at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The gift retailer specializes in chocolate-covered wine bottles. It's more sophisticated than it sounds - the specific chocolate coating is specially chosen to pair with the wine inside the bottle, a variety of chocolates are used, and mix-ins found in the chocolate can be a sophisticated as hibiscus berry powder and rose sugar. The Ohio-based Bliss in a Bottle already has an area location in Tysons Corner Center.

Photo courtesy Bliss in a Bottle

Lands' End Rockville opening date set

Lands' End has just announced their new Rockville store at Congressional Plaza will open on Saturday, October 26, 2019. The chain's first D.C.-area store will open with a ribbon cutting at 10:00 AM that morning.

“We are so excited to expand our footprint in Maryland and introduce our new retail concept to the D.C. metropolitan area,” Lands' End SVP of Retail Claudia Mazo said this morning. “Our loyal shoppers in this area and the convenient shopping location make Congressional Plaza an excellent place for our newest store opening.”

Light refreshments will be served inside the store during the grand opening celebration. Guests will also have the opportunity to win prizes from a prize wheel. There will also be a special showcase of iconic items from Lands' End's Heritage Collection on-site.

Montgomery County's first Wawa approved by Gaithersburg

The proposed Wawa convenience store and gas station proposed for 405 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg was approved by the city's Mayor and Council last night. In approving Montgomery County's first Wawa store, the final vote was four-to-one in favor, with Councilmember Laurie Anne Sayles opposed.

Several residents and local business owners spoke against approval of the store earlier at last night's meeting, citing environmental impacts and effects on nearby small businesses. Wawa has disputed these impacts in statements filed previously with the City, but the protests appear to have persuaded one councilmember to vote against the store.

For those eagerly awaiting MoCo's first Wawa, however, the countdown to opening day begins. Wawa is expected to open in November or December 2020. Royal Farms is also coming to Gaithersburg, at the future Watkins Mill Road/I-270 interchange. Let's hope Sheetz comes to Montgomery County soon, as well, and that all chains pop-up countywide eventually.