Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana sets opening date at Montgomery Mall + sneak preview (Photos)

Update - 12:35 PM, March 17, 2022:  A spokesperson for Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana just informed me that "due to unforeseen events (minor technical issue), our new opening date will now be Monday, March 28th."

The big day is finally approaching at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It will open for business on March 21, 2022, according to a sign posted at the pizzeria. By the accounts of most of those who have tried their coal-fired pizza in New Haven, Connecticut, expect something special, and expect pizza lovers to travel from across the region to be one of the first to try these legendary "tomato pies." Look for Frank Pepe across from The Cheesecake Factory in the Old Navy wing on Level 1 - and in these sneak preview photos:

Menu!

Amazon Fresh Rockville construction update (Photos)

We're getting our first look inside the future Amazon Fresh grocery store at 15790 Shady Grove Road in the 270 Center, on the border of Rockville and Gaithersburg. Some of the window coverings and barricades have been removed, allowing a closer view. This will be the second Amazon Fresh store to open in Montgomery County; the first is in Friendship Heights.

Assault at Rockville Metro station

Rockville police responded to a report of an aggravated assault at the Rockville Metro station yesterday afternoon, March 14, 2022. The assault was reported at the station at 3:16 PM yesterday, according to crime data.

Knife-wielding robber assaults victim on Rockville Pike

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery on Rockville Pike Saturday afternoon. The victim reported having been assaulted by the suspect, who was wielding a knife. Police were called to the scene in the 1600 block of Rockville Pike, in the vicinity of Congressional Plaza, at 2:30 PM on Saturday.

Hulu Skewer House to open in Rockville

Hulu Skewer House has leased the space at 1488-B on Rockville Pike, next to Yekta Market. That was formerly home to Mi Rancho, and decades ago to Toys R Us, as longtime residents may recall. The Chinese restaurant, owned by a Montgomery County resident, will operate on two floors for a total of 7400 square feet. Operating hours will be 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM Monday - Thursday, 4:00 PM - 1:00 AM Fridays, and 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM Saturday - Sunday. 

Lowest gas prices in Montgomery County, Maryland at this hour

Gas prices in Montgomery County are holding somewhat steady for the first time during the Ukraine crisis, according to the latest reports on GasBuddy.com. Cost per gallon is still $4.09 at Liberty at 623 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg, just like it was on Friday. The next tier of price in the county is actually 1 cent lower than it was on Friday. Liberty in Gaithersburg and Rockville appear to most often have the lowest price in the county over the last week. 

Drivers will take any good news in this situation, and this is the first to appear in this latest spike in gas prices. The cheapest gas in Maryland right now? $3.30 at Thirsty's in Delmar. Here is a list of the lowest gas prices across the county at this hour (remember, these are subject to immediate change):

Gas was $4.37 at Sunoco in Bethesda
yesterday afternoon

$4.09 Liberty - 623 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg

$4.09 Liberty - 19205 Watkins Mill Road, Gaithersburg

$4.14 Clarksburg Market - 23329 Frederick Road, Clarksburg

$4.15 Freestate - 15411 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville

$4.15 Shell - 2240 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville

Regular was going for $4.67 at the
Bethesda Liberty station yesterday

Assault at Rockville Memorial Library

City of Rockville police were called to the Rockville Memorial Library at 21 Maryland Avenue after an assault was reported there Friday afternoon, March 11, 2022. The assault was reported at 5:25 PM at the library, which is located in the center of Rockville Town Square.