Best Buy shelves growing bare as promised 2024 phaseout of physical media begins (Photos)

The DVD and Blu-Ray shelves are growing spare, if not quite bare, at Best Buy stores nationwide. The big box electronics chain announced last fall that it would phase out such physical media in 2024, and it's one New Year's resolution that's being kept. While 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD movies are still being manufactured, Best Buy won't be stocking them as they're released anymore. You can see the policy change beginning to take effect at this Best Buy store at 10901 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton. 

It's been a long time since I've bought a physical copy of a movie. For me, it wasn't so much the convenience of digital or streaming films, but the fact that fewer and fewer releases came with deluxe packaging and collectible items inside. When all you get is an expensive steelbook case and the disc(s) inside, there's little incentive to buy the physical product anymore. And behind-the-scenes features on many discs seem to get illegally uploaded to YouTube eventually, where they can be viewed for free.

Kelly's Cajun Grill to open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Kelly's Cajun Grill is "coming soon" to the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, according to signage there. We're kind of late to the party with this franchise, as several malls in our region already have, or have had, a Kelly's Cajun Grill. There's an Asian element woven into what otherwise sounds like a typical - if rather short - Louisiana menu. 

Bourbon Chicken is the specialty of the house at Kelly's Cajun Grill. It's "world famous," they say, and has been its signature dish since the first location opened in Florida in 1991. They also have Blackened Chicken, Shrimp Etouffee, and Blackened Fish. For every spring roll or noodle, there's still a side of rice and beans or Cajun fries. If Popeyes has indeed closed for good, Kelly's Cajun Grill can gar-on-tee that there will still be Louisiana flavors in the food court at Montgomery Mall.

Twinbrook Quarter developer seeks ROW agreement with Rockville for Wegmans, wayfaring signage

B.F. Saul, the developer of the future Wegmans-anchored Twinbrook Quarter development, is seeking an agreement and air-rights easement for wayfinding signage at the mixed-use property from the City of Rockville. The signage, which would present the name of the development and its retail tenants, would be placed within the public right-of-way along Rockville Pike, Halpine Road and Chapman Avenue. Other signs would be attached to the buildings above ground level, hence requiring an air rights easement to protrude into the public space above the sidewalk. 

Proposed Rockville Pike signage locations

The space in question belongs to the City of Rockville, but could later be ceded to the Maryland State Highway Administration if a FLASH bus rapid transit station is constructed at Twinbrook Quarter. Route 355 itself is currently a MDSHA right-of-way. The land directly adjacent to it on the east side of the Pike presumably was turned over to the City of Rockville when a city-controlled parallel service road was proposed. Only a portion of the service road has been constructed so far.

Halpine Road sign locations

The 99-year agreement proposed would be revocable at any time on 30-days' notice by the City. Twinbrook Quarter would assume all maintenance, insurance and liability requirements for the portions of the right-of-way and air rights in question. The Mayor and Council will review and discuss the proposed agreement and easement at their meeting tonight, January 22, 2024 at 7:00 PM. City staff recommends that the Mayor and Council approve and authorize the Acting City Manager to execute a Revocable License and Maintenance Agreement and an Air Rights Easement for Private Amenities in the public right-of-way with Twinbrook Quarter, LLC.

Chapman Avenue sign locations

Parte Haus opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Parte Haus has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The "ultimate party hub," as the company calls itself, carries a wide selection of party supplies and balloons. As you can see in these photos, those include cups, plates and party hats. If you've always wished your one-stop-shopping here could include party planning, look no further than Parte Haus. You will find it on Level 1 of the mall, next to Relax Station. 

Popeyes closed again at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda...is it the end this time?

Popeyes has been closed in recent days in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Yesterday, it was indeed closed during normal operating hours, as seen here. Popeyes has closed for short periods in the past, only to reopen for business. 

One reader reports that the owner has retired, and that this closure is for good; Google is also stating that this Popeyes is "permanently closed." What's certain is that Montgomery County is in desperate need of a Popeyes with a drive-thru.

Assault at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville

Montgomery County police were called to the campus of Richard Montgomery High School late yesterday morning, January 19, 2024. At least one person reported having been the victim of an assault there. The school, which is located at 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, was closed yesterday due to the weather. Police responded to the scene at 11:39 AM Friday.

Pitbull stolen in Rockville

An 8-month-old pitbull was stolen from the yard of a Rockville home on January 12, 2024, Rockville City police say. The dog was taken from a yard in the 200 block of N. Horners Lane in East Rockville. Police say the pitbull was stolen sometime between 12:00 and 1:00 PM that afternoon. If you have seen the stolen dog, or have any information about suspects or this incident, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900.