Taco Bamba coming to Rockville

 

Taco Bamba is coming to Rockville. The Northern Virginia-based taqueria chain has leased the space at 1627 Rockville Pike in the Congressional Plaza shopping center. That space was previously home to Modern Market. Taco Bamba has a liquor license hearing scheduled for March 4, 2021, according to a sign posted on the storefront.

Rockville construction update: Bark Social at Pike & Rose (Photos)

Bark Social is scheduled to open on February 26, 2021 at 935 Prose Street at Pike & Rose in Rockville. Here's a look at the progress on the construction of the dog park with craft beer & wine bar since my last report.

Forme Life opens kiosk at Montgomery Mall

Gyms have been hit hard by the events of the last year, and the success of Peloton in filling that vacuum with a home alternative is attracting new companies to the fitness marketplace. A new entry in late 2020 was Forme Life, a full-length mirror that turns into a "life-size" fitness coach when you activate the screen. Now you can see Forme Life up-close and personal with their new kiosk at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. 

You can also make an appointment to try it out at the kiosk. Forme Life promises it will include a review of all the features of the device, as well as a quick workout. Cinnabon first!

Site plan shows development that would replace King Buick GMC in Rockville

Here is a look at the site plan for the proposed redevelopment of the King Buick GMC auto dealership property at 16200 Frederick Road. Rockville leaders are currently considering whether or not to annex the property into the city, a move necessary to allow construction of the density proposed here by developer EYA. A public hearing on the question of annexation has been scheduled.

EYA is proposing to build 247 townhomes and 118 "two-over-two multifamily units" on the property. Above, you can see the proposed open space (shown in blue) and green space (green) for the development. 

The site is walking distance to the Shady Grove Metro station. Intriguingly, it is also across the street from the Montgomery County dump, an issue that previously arose during the successful approval process for the Bainbridge Shady Grove down the street. May the winds be ever in your favor!

Rockville Planning Commission to hold public hearing on annexation of King Buick GMC dealership into city

Should the City of Rockville annex the King Buick GMC dealership at 16200 Frederick Road into the city limits? You can weigh in on the proposed plan at a virtual public hearing being held by the Rockville Planning Commission on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 7:00 PM. To participate, follow the instructions on the meeting agenda. If approved, the new land added to the city is expected to be redeveloped by EYA as a residential housing development.

Rockville Mall artifact found

Historical documentation of the infamous Rockville Mall is few and far between. Photographs of the structure are virtually non-existent, even on dead mall websites. Whether such materials were simply destroyed, or slowly disappear via the Mandela Effect or CERN tearing apart the space-time continuum, is unknown. So discovery of any new artifacts from the Rockville Mall is exciting, indeed.

Here we have a matchbook from David Lee's Empress, a Chinese restaurant with a location inside the Rockville Mall. It is currently being auctioned off on eBay. If you ever ate at the Empress, please leave your memories in the comments section below. Meanwhile, my archaeological dig for Rockville Mall ephemera continues. "It belongs in a museum!"

Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea holding soft opening in Rockville

It's finally time to try authentic Taiwanese fruit tea at Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea in Rockville. The shop is now having a soft opening at 777 Hungerford Drive, near Flagship Car Wash.