Tropical Smoothie Cafe opening new Rockville location

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is "coming soon" to 835-F Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza, according to signage posted in the window of its future storefront. It is moving into the former Capital Cryo space at the busy shopping center. Tropical Smoothie Cafe has two existing Rockville locations, in White Flint and near Shady Grove Hospital. This more central location aims to serve populaces such as Richard Montgomery High School students, and the Town Center area and surrounding neighborhoods.

Walnut Hill Shopping Center to add drive-thru Chipotle

Next year, you could be picking up a Chipotle burrito without even getting out of your car in Gaithersburg. The Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 16529 S. Frederick Avenue will be adding a Chipotle restaurant on the North Westland Drive side of the property. A bank building will be demolished to clear the way for the restaurant, which will have a drive-thru. The drive-thru will be only for online pickup orders, and is called a Chipotlane. There is at least one other Chipotlane in Montgomery County, at the Briggs Chaney Chipotle at 13801 Outlet Drive.

Ocean Island Massage Spa opens in Rockville

Ocean Island Massage Spa is now open at 802 Rockville Pike in the Golden Arcade shopping center. It is located between PayMore and the dry cleaners. The spa offers a variety of holistic treatments, including acupressure, reflexology, shiatsu massage therapy, head therapy, and acupuncture. Ocean Island is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM seven days a week.

"Ocean Island Spa is dedicated to providing a serene and rejuvenating experience for each of our guests," the spa says in its promotional materials. "Our philosophy is centered around holistic wellness, offering a range of services aimed at restoring balance to the body and mind. We believe in the healing power of touch and the importance of self-care."

Dinner-and-a-movie deal at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

 

Here's something you used to see in downtown Bethesda, before the Montgomery County Council stupidly but intentionally allowed the demolition of the Regal Bethesda 10 cineplex at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, without mandating a replacement movie theater be part of the redevelopment of the property. Dinner and a movie! Today it's happening where there is a 16-screen cineplex in walking distance to restaurants in Bethesda, and that is at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Order any entree at California Pizza Kitchen on Level 2 in the Nordstrom wing of the mall, and your movie ticket at the AMC Montgomery Mall 16 cineplex on Level 3 will be only $11. This is a great deal to take advantage of while doing your holiday shopping, for a date night, or when going to see any of the big holiday movie releases.

Nordstrom upholds Christmas display tradition at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Nordstrom's exterior display windows are covered at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. A sign notes that the displays won't be revealed until Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. This is not inspired by the backlash of recent years against Thanksgiving Day sales, but continues a 124-year tradition by the department store chain. Nordstrom does not put up Christmas decor or play Christmas music in its stores until the day after Thanksgiving. "One holiday at a time" is the chain's motto for its policy.

QToys opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Toys are one of the biggest shopping categories during the holiday season, and there's a new toy store this year at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. QToys is a leading collectible toy brand from China. What that means is lots of blind bags, trendy Chinese stuffed toys, and other collectibles. Operating hours for the store are 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays. Look for QToys on Level 2 of the mall in the Macy's Home wing, between Perfume World and Laderach.

Strong-arm robbery at apartment complex in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at an apartment complex in Rockville early last night, November 20, 2025. The robbery and assault were reported in the parking lot of a complex at 5500 Besley Court at 6:28 PM Thursday. That is at the Halpine View apartments. Unspecified property damage was also reported in the same incident.