Wegmans opening today in Rockville (Photos)

A nearly decade-long odyssey comes to an end today at the new Twinbrook Quarter development at the northeast corner of Rockville Pike and Halpine Road. Wegmans will open its long-awaited grocery store at 1590 Rockville Pike at 9:00 AM this morning. The store includes a Market Cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Wegmans has so far donated over $21,000 to community causes, including So What Else and $1000 scholarships to 5 graduating seniors from Richard Montgomery and Rockville High Schools.

Darband Restaurant replacing Taste of Kabab in Rockville

Taste of Kabab has closed at 765-H Rockville Pike at the Ritchie Center in Rockville. But fans of kababs and kabobs don't have to worry. Their space has been leased by Darband Restaurant, a Persian kabob restaurant. Workers cleared out the interior, and then had tables and chairs set up in the dining room by evening Monday. That would still leave any additional decor or new kitchen/counter equipment to be installed. Taste of Kabab opened here about 21 months ago.

Strong-arm carjacking in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm carjacking in the Twinbrook Forest neighborhood late Saturday night. The carjacking and assault were reported in the 400 block of Meadow Hall Road at 11:10 PM Saturday. That is in the vicinity of the original Carl Sandburg Elementary School/Learning Center. 

Rockville quarry under new ownership as of today

The Travilah Quarry at 13900 Piney Meetinghouse Road in Rockville is under new ownership as of this morning. Previously owned by Swiss building materials firm Holcim, the quarry is now owned by Amrize. The new U.S. firm was spun off as a separate company comprised of Holcim's North American portfolio. Holcim shareholders approved the spinoff at the firm's 2025 Annual General Meeting last month, and the reorganization officially takes effect today.

Amrize now represents the largest cement business operating within the natural boundaries of North America, and the second-largest supplier of commercial roofing materials, according to Semafor. The company has operations in 43 U.S. states, and employs 7000 people. Its new headquarters is in Chicago.

Blasting, crushing, and screening are among the operations that take place at the Rockville site. Beyond the mining and processing of stone, there are concrete and asphalt plants on-site. 

The company utilizes several methods to reduce the impact of the quarry on neighbors, such as locating the primary rock crusher over 20 stories underground, and employing a wet supression system to reduce particulate release at key transfer points in the process. A sitewide pneumatic dust collection system will be fully installed by the end of this year. Two sweepers clean Piney Meetinghouse Road and Shady Grove Road near the facility on a daily basis.

Travilah Quarry is anticipated to continue operations through the 2060s. However, the site is also being studied for repurposing as a water reservoir. Results of a study commissioned by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac Basin released this month indicated the quarry is "suitable for the purposes of raw water storage." Under the concept plan, 17.4 billion gallons of water would be pumped into the quarry from the Potomac River, and then connected to the Washington Aqueduct as a backup supply during algae blooms and other events that impact the supply of clean water.

Images courtesy Amrize

HeyTea opens in Rockville

HeyTea has opened at 891-F Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza in Rockville. In 2012, in a small alleyway called Jiangbianli in Jiangmen, China, HeyTea's young founder invented cheese tea, the product that would become the company's signature product. HeyTea's other signature is its worldwide popularity on social media, stimulated by the company's effort in creating Instagram-ready store interiors and packaging, and drinks that have as much appeal to the camera eye as to the taste buds. The hype that preceded the Rockville opening is real, as the line was out the door Saturday afternoon at Wintergreen Plaza.

Armed robbery in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in a residential neighborhood of Rockville early Thursday morning, June 19, 2025. The robbery was reported in the 14400 block of Parkvale Road at 1:01 AM Thursday. That is off of Baltimore Road, near Rock Creek.

Tapers & Tequila coming soon to Derwood

Tapers & Tequila Barbershop-Bar-Lounge is coming soon to 16821 Crabbs Branch Way at The Grove shopping center in Derwood. It will be next to Subway, in a space formerly home to Elite Cuts Barbershop and Studio Hair Design. "At Tapers & Tequila by RCK, we redefine the grooming experience by blending the art of precision barbering with the refined ambiance of a luxury lounge," the company said in a statement. "Rooted in the values of style, sophistication, and integrity, our mission is to provide an elevated space where clients can unwind, connect, and look their best."

"We are so proud to expand Royal Cut Kings into Rockville. We’ve loved becoming part of the community in the Kentlands in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and with thousands of satisfied customer and reviews backing us, we are confident we will bring the same level of service, excellence, and great experience for our new customers and community." Signage has been installed above their future storefront, but window coverings are blocking the view of progress on the interior fit-out of the business.