Will last-minute Big Lots deal save Montgomery Village store?

All Big Lots stores across America were anticipated to close in the near future, after the company filed for bankruptcy and a potential sale of the chain fell through. However, last Friday, Big Lots reached a tentative agreement to transfer between 200 and 400 of its stores to a firm called Variety Wholesalers, via a sale to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners. Neither party has yet announced which specific stores will be saved in the deal, including the Big Lots at the Montgomery Village Center, the last one remaining in Montgomery County.

There is reason for optimism, though. The other chain stores operated by Variety Wholesalers are concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern states. It would be logical for Variety to focus on acquiring Big Lots stores located in those regions, with the Montgomery Village location being one.

The sale agreement will still have to be approved by the bankruptcy court."We are pleased to reach this strategic agreement with Big Lots and partner with Variety Wholesalers to achieve a path forward that allows Big Lots to continue to serve customers with extreme bargains and an outstanding shopping experience," Gordon Brothers Head of North America Retail Rick Edwards said in a statement.

Rockville Town Square drops "Rockville" from name

Rockville Town Square property owner Morguard announced that it is dropping the "Rockville" part of its name. From this point on, the mixed-use development will simply be called "The Square." Ouch. What an insult to the City of Rockville, that the city name is seen as a marketing problem. We were always told by the evangelists of urbanization that 15-minute-city town centers would create "a sense of place."

Does "The Square" represent a geographical place in any sense? No. How would anyone know where "The Square" is, especially when so many retail centers utilize "Square" in one fashion or another. "The transition to The Square marks just the beginning of a reimagined and revitalized experience at this well-loved community epicenter," a Morguard rebranding announcement declares. "Get ready for a fresh perspective on shopping, dining, and entertainment. Coming 2025!"

The struggling Rockville Town Square, like much of the Rockville Town Center area, has been through a difficult decade. There are many ideas among residents, patrons, and business owners about what should be done. Dropping "Rockville" from the name is not one I have heard before!

Armed carjacking in Rockville parking garage

Rockville City police responded to a report of an armed carjacking Friday afternoon, December 27, 2024, near the Twinbrook Metro station. The carjacking was reported in a residential parking garage in the 1100 block of Higgins Place at 3:01 PM Friday. That is in the area of the Alaire apartments.

Nothing Bundt Cakes sets opening date in Rockville

Signage has been installed over the future storefront of Nothing Bundt Cakes at 1032 Rockville Pike in Rockville. The bakery is now scheduled to open on January 6, 2024, according to Google. Nothing Bundt Cakes is currently featuring a candy-inspired Andes Peppermint Chocolate Chip cake for the holiday season. The shop will be located next to Uptown Cheapskate at the Edmonston Crossing shopping center.

Rockville homeowner victimized during kitchen makeover

A Rockville homeowner having his kitchen remodeled was victimized by one or more thieves during the project between December 8 and December 15, 2024. Rockville City police report that several appliance components left unsecured outside the home were damaged or stolen. The incidents took place at a home in the 5900 block of Holland Road. If you have any information about these incidents, or can identify any suspect(s) involved, call police at 240-314-8900.

Maryland AG office investigating Gaithersburg death in police custody

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced that his office's Independent Investigations Division (IID) is beginning an investigation into the death of a person who was in Gaithersburg City police custody on the night of December 24, 2024. Officers were dispatched for a disturbing the peace call in the 300 block of N. Summit Avenue at 10:15 PM that night. Arriving at the scene, they found a man covered in blood on the ground outside of an apartment building.

The man was conscious, but acting erratically, Brown said. After the man rose from the ground and began to walk away from the scene, he was grabbed by the officers, and placed back on the ground. The officers called for assistance from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services, and held the man down while awaiting their arrival. The man then lost consciousness, and stopped breathing. Officers attempted to render lifesaving care, which was taken over by MCFRS personnel after they arrived at the scene.

MCFRS transported the man to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, Brown said. His office said it will release body camera footage from the officers within 20 days of the incident, unless more time is needed for the investigation, or to contact family members of the decedent. 

PayMore opens in Rockville

PayMore has opened at 800 Rockville Pike, at the Golden Arcade shopping center. PayMore is a retail business that buys your old electronics - even if they are damaged - for cash. They will also wipe your data from the device to protect your security. This is PayMore's first Montgomery County location.