Sneak peek inside Spirit Halloween in Rockville (Photos)

Spirit Halloween looks like it is getting closer to opening day in Rockville. This year, the pop-up Halloween costume and decor retailer is in the former Bed Bath & Beyond building at 1519 Rockville Pike, at the Congressional North shopping center. I see quite a number of Nightmare Before Christmas items up front. A sign states that "We happily accept refunds through October 18, exchanges through October 24. All sales final after October 24."

Nada closes in Rockville

Nada has closed at 11886 Grand Park Avenue at Pike & Rose. The Mexican restaurant had a decent run, opening in November 2018 in the ground floor of The Henri apartments. Nada appears to be down to three remaining locations, with two in its home state of Ohio, and one in Indiana. A Nashville location closed about 7 months ago. 

Nothing Bundt Cakes to open in Rockville

Nothing Bundt Cakes is coming soon to Rockville. The bakery will be located at 1032 Rockville Pike at Edmonston Crossing. "Baking soon" signage has been posted in its future storefront windows. This was previously home to Sun's Carpet & Floors.

A national chain, Nothing Bundt Cakes offers 1950s Bundt cakes in 8" or 10", tiered Bundt cakes, Bundtlet miniature cakes, and bite-sized Bundtini cakes. Flavors include Classic Vanilla, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Red Velvet, White Chocolate Raspberry, Confetti, Carrot Cake, Lemon, Snickerdoodle, and Pumpkin Spice. There are also two gluten-free flavors, Lemon Raspberry, and Chocolate Chip Cookie. Nothing Bundt Cakes has several existing Montgomery County locations, including Bethesda, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, and Germantown.

Spirit Halloween haunting soon in Rockville

Spirit Halloween temporary banner signage has been attached to the front of the former Bed Bath & Beyond store at 1519 Rockville Pike, at the Congressional North shopping center. The windows are still covered, hiding whatever ghoulish merchandise is being stocked on the pop-up costume and decor shop's displays. Of course, the vacant big box store was likely already haunted by some ghosts of its own, perhaps by spectral versions of the Big Blue coupons that many experts claimed were the demise of the chain's retail operations. A developer would like to put the empty building out of its misery by tearing it down, but not before at least one more scare by Spirit Halloween this fall!

Indecent exposure at Rockville Library

Rockville City police responded to a report of indecent exposure Sunday afternoon, September 8, 2024. The incident was reported at the Rockville Memorial Library at 21 Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square. Police were called at 2:40 PM Sunday.

Montgomery County's last Bowl America becomes a Bowlero

The last Bowl America bowling alley at 1101 Clopper Road in Gaithersburg has become a Bowlero. It's the end of an era, as the bowling centers "where thousands cheer" fade into history with a final crash of the pins. A permanent Bowlero logo has been attached to the exterior of the building, but the sign out front has simply been covered with a Bowlero drape for now. "New name, same epic fun," the company said in announcing the change. The bowling alley was renovated before reopening as Bowlero.

Bowlero has largely cornered the market on bowling in the region. The global company started as Bowlmor in New York in 1997. An original Bowl America on Westbard Avenue in Bethesda was acquired by Bowlmor, and then became a Bowlero when the brand changed its name in 2014. The AMF Bowling on Shady Grove Road is a Bowlero today, as a result of Bowlmor's 2013 acquisition of AMF. If you're still looking for the Bowl America experience in 2024, locations remain in Northern Virginia in Alexandria, Bull Run, Burke, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Woodbridge.

First Wegmans signage installed in Rockville

The first permanent signage for the future Wegmans grocery store has been installed at the Twinbrook Quarter development at 1600 Rockville Pike. It is at the entrance to the development's public parking garage on the new Festival Street. The garage lies beneath the Wegmans, a Class-A office building, and The Milton apartments. Wegmans itself is not expected to open until next year at the Saul Centers development, while the office space and apartments are now being marketed for lease.

Festival Street looking west toward
Rockville Pike and Congressional Plaza