Molly Tea to join Wegmans in Rockville

Molly Tea is "coming soon" to Festival Street at the Twinbrook Quarter development in Rockville, according to signage posted in the storefront windows. The signs state that this will be the Shenzhen, China-based brand's first Maryland location. Molly Tea has three existing stores, in California and New York City. At Twinbrook Quarter, it will join anchor tenant Wegmans in The Milton apartments by the Twinbrook Metro station.

Molly Tea specializes in jasmine tea. "Inspired by the Four White Flowers of the East, we select the best mountain tea leaves and scent them with fresh flowers, with focus on Jasmine aromas and Chinese tea," the company's US franchise website states. "Molly Tea aspires to explore all things Jasmine, allowing everyone to see the beauty of Chinese tea culture in their daily lives." Their specialties are Fresh Milk Tea, Snowy Whipped tea beverages topped with jasmine-infused whipped cream, and Fresh Oat Milk Tea.

The company boasts that its milk teas have the highest customer repurchase rates of tea chains in that category. Some beverages might also have seasonal appeal here in America. Molly Tea's White Champaca Milk Tea, for example, is said to carry the scents of chestnuts and frankincense. The Snowy Gardenia sounds like another Christmas season beverage. But, in a fragrant plot twist, the company compares its aroma to the "petrichor after a summer storm."

Brio's Chicken closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

It was a very short run for Brio's Chicken at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Peruvian chicken restaurant opened this past April, and has now closed. Now we can once again hope that this space will one day be filled by Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, or Chili's. 

Every jurisdiction in America has one of each of those chains, except Montgomery County. A truly bizarre situation, that can be quickly remedied by Westfield. As Montgomery County taxes rapidly go up, and average income level goes down, more and more residents need affordable dining options. The Charlie Palmer Steak crowd has fled for lower-tax points west of the Potomac. 

2nd Montgomery County Sheetz on Gaithersburg Planning Commission agenda Dec. 4

The addition of a second Montgomery County Sheetz convenience store and mega-gas-station will take another step toward reality this Wednesday night, December 4, 2024 in Gaithersburg. City Planning Commissioners will take up a request by the Walnut Hill Shopping Center to install an additional monument sign that will display the Sheetz gas prices. A similar sign was allowed at the Montgomery Village Sheetz further up MD 355. The amendment to Walnut Hill's sign package will also allow additional signage on the Sheetz convenience store building. City staff are recommending approval of the Sheetz amendment.

Armed robbery at Rockville convenience store

Rockville City police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a convenience store in the Twinbrook area on Thanksgiving night, November 28, 2024. The robbery was reported at 10:02 PM at a store in the 13200 block of Atlantic Avenue. There is a 7-Eleven store on that block at 13251 Atlantic. A firearm was the weapon employed in the robbery. 

Christmas tree installed at Rockville Town Square ahead of lighting on Dec. 6

The Christmas tree is up at Rockville Town Square, but it's not lit yet. That will officially happen this coming Friday, December 6, 2024 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM in the town square. Mr. MoCo himself, Alex Tsironis, will be your host for the evening. King Teddy will perform live music in the square, and there will be food, drinks, activities for the whole family, and a chance for selfies with Santa Claus.

VW ID Buzz spotted in Rockville (Photos)

Volkswagen's new ID Buzz electric van was anticipated to arrive in U.S. showrooms around Thanksgiving. And sure enough, the buzz-generating homage to the iconic VW Bus is beginning to pop up in Montgomery County this weekend. One is on display at Ourisman Volkswagen of Rockville at 801-B Rockville Pike. It is an ID Buzz Pro S model in Deep Black Pearl, with "Moonlight" interior. Including destination charge, the MSRP is $62,280.

You're paying a premium for being one of the first on the road in the ID Buzz, which is likely to turn heads as you travel around the county. You're also paying for legendary German engineering and craftsmanship, as this particular ID Buzz was assembled in the great city of Hannover in Germany, not in Mexico or China. Baltimore is listed as the port-of-entry on the sticker. Black didn't seem to be a popular color on the original VW Bus; I've never seen one on the road in the U.S. But I've ridden in several of the classic version, and grew up to be a big fan.

If the ID Buzz is successful, perhaps VW will realize that the brand's appeal was its distinctive car designs and German quality. The company is going through a tough period at the moment, and has suggested it could close one or more factories in Germany for the first time in its history. It is being hammered by German and European "green new deal" policies that have slashed the advantage European automakers had in the gas-powered market, while throwing them into the fire of the electric car market, where China has built up strong advantages with equally-strong Chinese government support.

Do you recognize these alleged Rockville liquor store thieves?

Rockville City police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating suspects who allegedly stole merchandise from a Montgomery County government-owned liquor store. The theft took place at the Montgomery County liquor store at 300 N. Washington Street, in the Rockville Town Center area. Police have released surveillance camera images of the suspects, of whom one clearly noticed the cameras, but was undeterred. If you can identify any of the suspects, you are asked to call Officer Boyd at 240-314-8955.