McDonald's opening prototype store design in Rockville (Photos)

The new McDonald's at 11710 Rockville Pike in Rockville will be the third of the company's prototype store design that focuses entirely on drive-thru and takeout orders, and entirely dispenses with indoor dining. Two previous variations on the "On-the-Go" store model have opened in Forth Worth, Texas in 2022, and in Los Angeles in 2024. The Rockville store will have two drive-thru lanes outside. But inside, there is only a small lobby with touchscreen kiosks for ordering purposes. Orders are placed via the kiosks, or in advance using the McDonald's app. Instead of a wide counter with multiple cashier stations, there is only a small window cut out of the kitchen wall, where a crew member will hand out your order when it is ready, using the pickup number you received when placing the order.

This new store model solves many problems at once. It streamlines ordering, and gets pickup and delivery orders out faster. Fewer employees are needed to operate the restaurant. And the issue of loitering is virtually eliminated, since there is no place to "hang out" inside the building. While bulletproof glass would be necessary to fully "crime-proof" the restaurant, it would be more difficult for robbers and other criminals to gain direct access to the employees than at a traditional McDonald's store.

The new McDonald's was already expected to be an improvement over the nearby location that closed last year, simply because this one will have drive-thru service. But the opening will be even more exciting now that the interior construction reveals that this is a rare and new McDonald's store design that few around the country have experienced yet, and the performance of which will influence future McDonald's store designs around the country.

Subway nears opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Here's a sneak peek behind the curtain of the new Subway in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. As you can see, it looks like it's not far from opening at this point. They've even plugged in the illuminated "S" logo. Still needed is the installation of the menu screens. Along with Subway's return on Rockville Pike, this area of Montgomery County is witnessing a true Renaissance of Sandwich Artists.

Fake U.S. Marshal scams Rockville resident

An imposter posing as a U.S. Marshal swindled a Rockville resident on April 30, 2025, Rockville City police report. At 4:00 PM that afternoon, police say, an individual claiming to be a U.S. Marshal contacted a resident of the 700 block of King Farm Boulevard. The fake marshal told the female victim that one of her accounts had been compromised, and directed her to purchase gift cards from three businesses. She was told to furnish information from the cards to the marshal in order to recoup the stolen funds. Obviously, the laughably-cockamamie story was a scam.

According to the (real) U.S. Marshals Service, this is a nationwide fraud scheme that has been carried out since January. “The U.S. Marshals would never ask for a credit, debit or gift card number or banking routing numbers, or ask for funds to be wired for any purpose," U.S. Marshal Gary Grimes said. "If the caller is urging you to provide this type of information or any other personal or financial information, hang up and report the call to the Marshals and the Federal Trade Commission. You can even report to both agencies anonymously.”

Photo courtesy U.S. Marshals Service

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on May 5, 2025. The assault was reported at the mall at 2:55 PM Monday. This the fourth assault to take place at the mall this year. There were 11 assaults reported at the popular retail center in 2024, 5 in 2023, and 12 in 2022.

Rockville Subway construction update (Photos)

Signage has been installed on the Subway store at 1402 Rockville Pike. Last night, it was already lit up in the familiar green and yellow Subway color scheme. The interior is close to finished, but menu screens, counter equipment, and maybe a bit more seating furniture are still to come before opening day. This location closed in December, and has undergone a major renovation.

Rockville High School student wins Montgomery County BOE Student Service Award

A Rockville High School student was named the winner of the 2025 Montgomery County Board of Education Student Service Award last evening at The Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda. German Diaz-Peña, a senior at RHS, was forced to cut short his student athletic career due to an injury. He maintained his involvement in sports by becoming Sports-Announcing Operations Manager for Rockville High School's Broadcast Journalism program. In this role, he organized and led coverage of all Rockville sports events, assigning reporters to games, juggling the schedules of the many sports, and providing commentary himself.

In addition to providing coaching for aspiring student announcers, Diaz-Peña also volunteered with Montgomery County Public Schools' MCPS-TV, and as a photographer at school and sporting events. He is currently vice-president of Rockville’s Student Government Association, and a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, earning the Seal of Biliteracy. Diaz-Peña plans to pursue a career in sports medicine.

Diaz-Peña was selected over the other two finalists, Samantha (Sam) Ross of Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, and Kylie Zhang of Poolesville High School, who have both been recognized for their outstanding records of service to the community. You can watch Diaz-Peña's winning moment and brief speech from last night here.

Police called after assault at 7-Eleven in Rockville

Damage to 7-Eleven front door
allegedly caused by assailant

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault at the 7-Eleven store at 11530-G Rockville Pike on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The alleged assailant entered the store shortly before 2:00 PM that afternoon, and was confronted by employees, who accused him of shoplifting. In response, he threw unspecified items at the employees, kicked and cracked a glass panel in the store's front door, and fled. An officer responding to the assault call forwarded a photo of the suspect to other officers in the White Flint area.

The suspect was seen walking near the 7-Eleven by police around 3:01 PM. Officers followed the suspect to the nearby White Flint Metro station. When they informed the suspect he was under arrest, he attempted to run away. Following a brief foot chase, the suspect was arrested. Asked to identify himself, he allegedly provided a false name. A search of his person led officers to conclude he was in possession of clothing stolen from H&M and GAP at the nearby Pike & Rose development. Security at both stores confirmed that Shall had been in their stores earlier that day.

Ceolus Shall, 32, of no fixed address, was charged with theft of less than $100, malicious destruction of property, obstructing and hindering an investigation, and failure to truthfully identify. However, he was quickly released on a $100 unsecured personal bond. A woman was assaulted at the same 7-Eleven store 16 days earlier.

Photo courtesy Montgomery County Police Department