J. Chow's closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

J. Chow's as seen on December 27, 2023

It was certainly suspicious when J. Chow's Chicken, Ribs & Salads was closed during normal operating hours on December 27, 2023. The eatery in the Dining Terrace food court hasn't reopened since. Their equipment is still there, but someone has now unplugged the beverage cooler. Store Reporter and The MoCo Show both report that J. Chow's has closed. Sad news indeed for this family business that managed to survive both Lerner's plug-pulling on the much-missed White Flint Mall by relocating here, and the pandemic.

December 27

This weekend

Moby Dick House of Kabob opens new Rockville Pike location

There's a delicious new dining option on Rockville Pike. Moby Dick House of Kabob has opened its latest area location at 11431-A Rockville Pike. This was previously a Verizon store, located next to 7-Eleven in the shopping center that is also home to Matreshka Russian Gourmet. The local Persian chain got its start in downtown Bethesda in 1989, and has an existing Rockville location at the Fallsgrove Village Center, and 21 others in the Washington, D.C. region.

Update on Montgomery County's first Taco Bell Cantina (Photos)

Montgomery County's first Taco Bell Cantina is getting closer to opening at 8662 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring. The latest additions to the interior are the electronic menu boards, soft drink fountain dispensers (Baja Blast!), and self-ordering kiosks. Booth seating has also been installed. I'm intrigued as to why the Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco Deluxe Box is showing on the menu board - it's not currently a featured item at Taco Bell, and not rumored to return to the menu soon, that I am aware of.

Furniture & Rug Depot closing in Rockville

Furniture & Rug Depot is closing at 5230 Randolph Road at Loehmann's Plaza in Rockville. A "wall-to-wall" closing sale is underway. "All must go. Nothing held back!" reads a sign in the window. But the showroom still appears to be loaded with merchandise as of last evening. Furniture & Rug Depot has been in business for 25 years.

See's Candies closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Nothing says Christmas is over like the departure of See's Candies at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. In recent years, they haven't lingered for long, clearing out right after Christmas. See's still hasn't subscribed to the idea that Christmas officially ends on January 6. That hasn't stopped them from prospering - their profits increased by $10 million over 2021 by the end of the 2022 holiday season.

Indecent exposure on New Year's Eve in Rockville

Rockville City police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a man alleged to have exposed himself on New Year's Eve. Around 2:11 PM on December 31, 2023, the suspect exposed his privates while walking around an occupied vehicle in the 200 block of Congressional Lane. Police describe the suspect as a White male, 5'9" tall with a medium build, and wearing a gray and white long-sleeve shirt, a gray hat, and blue jeans. If you have any information about the suspect or this incident, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Police called after assault at Rockville gas station

Officers with the Montgomery County police department were called to a gas station in Rockville on the afternoon of New Year's Day, after an individual reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at 2:31 PM Monday at a gas station in the 5400 block of Randolph Road. There is a Liberty gas station on that block of Randolph.