Armed robbery, auto theft, burglary at townhome in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a townhome community in the Tower Oaks area of Rockville yesterday morning, July 27, 2023. One or more burglars gained entry to a townhome in the 1200 block of Treasure Oak Court, and committed an armed robbery with a weapon other than a firearm. A vehicle was reported stolen from the residence, as well. Police responded to the scene at 11:00 AM Thursday.

Montgomery County police deploy new stealth police cruisers for Vision Zero traffic enforcement

Starting today, there are two more reasons to obey the speed limit. Montgomery County police have deployed two new "slick top" cruisers as of this morning, July 27, 2023. Both new Dodge Charger models are designed with stealthy features to avoid premature detection by leadfoot or texting drivers. They each have lights inside the top of the windshield and rear window, rather than on the roof. The "ghost graphics" model has nearly-invisible MCPD markings on its exterior, which are very subtle in the daytime, but are highly-reflective at night.

MCPD says both cruisers are being deployed for Vision Zero traffic enforcement. Officers driving them will be on the lookout for drivers who are speeding, texting while driving, not wearing seatbelts, driving impaired or driving aggressively. Both will be driven by Central Traffic Unit officers, who will be in full uniform.

BioTec USA Skin Care to reopen August 1 at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

BioTec USA Skin Care's Westfield Montgomery Mall location in Bethesda is temporarily closed. The clinic is scheduled to reopen next Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Look for BioTec next week on Level 2 of the mall, next to Avalon in the Nordstrom wing.

Last 4 days of Bed Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby in Rockville

The final countdown to closure is on at Bed Bath & Beyond at 1519 Rockville Pike and Buy Buy Baby at 1683 Rockville Pike. Both stores will close forever in just 4 days. As you can see from the signs in these photos, the savings are at the maximum now, with both stores touting 70-90% off the entire store. Just don't expect fully-stocked shelves overflowing with merchandise at this point.

Both brands may still have a future ahead: Overstock.com bought the Bed Bath & Beyond brand, and will rename itself...Bed Bath & Beyond. New Jersey company Dream on Me won the auction for the Buy Buy Baby IP - and then proceeded to acquire the leases of 11 Buy Buy Baby stores. But no word yet if we'll finally learn what the "Beyond" is.

Prince George's County officials endorse Will Jawando for U.S. Senate in Maryland

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando announced four new endorsements from elected officials in Prince George's County this morning, in his campaign for the Maryland U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Ben Cardin in January 2025. Laurel City Councilmembers Martin Mitchell and Carl Dewalt, Colmar Manor Mayor Monica Casañas, and Mount Rainier Mayor Celina Benitez joined Jawando for a press conference in Laurel to make the announcement. The Democratic electorate in Prince George's is key to victory in any statewide race.

Councilmember Mitchell zeroed in on a central Jawando campaign theme in his endorsement statement. “From his work on the County Council to stabilize rents to his commitment to introduce a Universal Basic Income program in the U.S. Senate, it is clear to me that Will Jawando is the only true progressive in this race," Mitchell said. "We need a new generation of leaders in every part of our government — ones that will prioritize voting rights, action on climate change, and a vision of equity for all. That’s why I’m proud to stand by Will in his race to be Maryland’s next U.S. Senator.”

Mayor Casañas also echoed Jawando's effort to claim the progressive lane in the race, which has been left open by the decision of Congressman Jamie Raskin to pass on the 2024 Senate contest.  “As a community activist, I know that the only option in this race is Will Jawando," she said. "I have had the honor of working alongside Will Jawando on the Montgomery County Council to promote and advance English literacy in adult communities. Will is a partner in building equity and opportunity for marginalized communities and that’s exactly what he will do in the U.S. Senate.”

Jawando's recent role in the passing of rent stabilization in Montgomery County was mentioned by several of the endorsers, including Councilmember Dewalt. “I’ve spent a career working on behalf of the citizens of Laurel, both as a police officer and now as the Councilmember for Ward 1," Dewalt said. "Will has delivered for his constituents in Montgomery County time and time again; his efficacy as a legislator is unparalleled, look only to his recent success in passing rent stabilization in the largest county in Maryland. I look forward to working with him when he is elected to be our next U.S. Senator.”

“I am so proud to earn the endorsements of Councilmembers Mitchell and Dewalt and Mayors Casañas and Benitez," Jawando said in a statement. While I have been honored to serve on the Montgomery Council Council for the past 5 years, the truth is that there’s so much more to Maryland in addition to Montgomery County – and my expanding progressive coalition spans across the state. Prince George’s County is a beautiful bastion of diversity, economic development, and some of Maryland’s best.

“I intend to win this race by bringing together all the communities that make our state great, spanning across racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic lines. These endorsements today help demonstrate our campaign’s strength in this regard, and over the next few months, I will continue to show that this message resonates with all Marylanders.

“As we continue to expand my coalition, I plan to travel all across the state and take no vote for granted. Our vision for Maryland’s future will lift everyone up, no matter your ZIP Code. I look forward to working alongside all of these excellent public servants between now and election day.”

Loehmann's Plaza redevelopment proposed in Rockville

The owner of Loehmann's Plaza at 5926 Randolph Road is proposing a long-term redevelopment of the shopping center property. Rosenfeld Investments, LLC has proposed a first phase of redevelopment that will add 84 townhomes to the property, very similar to what was completed recently at Cabin John Village in Potomac. A future stage would see the entire property redeveloped with nearly 600 more housing units in the form of apartments, as well as 50,000-square-feet of retail and a pedestrian woonerf street designed to be shared by pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists.

Existing shopping center

Proposed Phase 1 redevelopment with
townhomes at left and right

Historic Holiday Inn reopens in Gaithersburg

The historic Holiday Inn Gaithersburg hotel that once welcomed Elvis Presley, Rock Hudson, Sonny and Cher, and Liberace is now once again welcoming guests. Located at 2 Montgomery Village Avenue right off of I-270, the hotel closed during the pandemic in 2020. After years of troubling rumors about the fate of the property, there was wonderful news from owner B.F. Saul on Monday that the hotel has been updated and reopened to the traveling public. 

A hotel that once gained national attention for its $1400-a-night Presidential Suite, the Holiday Inn Gaithersburg is back with 160 guest rooms of multiple configurations. All 160 rooms feature expanded workspaces, pillow-top mattresses, 50” flat screen TVs, in-room mini fridges and microwaves, and an array of complimentary Dove bath products. All rooms are available to book now with rates starting at $119 per night.

Longtime residents will remember this Holiday Inn, like many of the chain's hotels in decades past, was a popular dining destination in Montgomery County. The reopened hotel is striving to meet that standard again with its full-service restaurant, Harvest Plates & Pints. Operating hours will be 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM for breakfast, and 4:00 PM to 10:30 PM for dinner. Weekend brunchers will not want to miss the IHG breakfast buffet at the restaurant.

Event planning is also back in full swing at the hotel. Reopened are eight event rooms with 8,000 sq ft of flexible space, including a 350-person ballroom and the hotel’s renowned Washingtonian Room. Catering and banquet spaces have been fully restored for social or corporate functions. Support for business guests is rounded out by hotel-wide free high speed WiFi, and a 24-hour business center. There is also a 24-hour gift shop where guests can purchase packaged snacks, beverages and sundries.

“We are proud and excited that this iconic hotel will again serve the residents, visitors, and businesses of Gaithersburg and Montgomery County," B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group President Mark Carrier said in a statement. "Welcome!” Reservations can be made online, or by calling 301.948.8900. 

Photos courtesy Holiday Inn Gaithersburg