Signage installed at Char'd in Rockville

The sign is up at Char'd at 11881 Grand Park Avenue at Pike & Rose. It's already hooked up and lit after dark. However, it looks a bit undersized for the amount of space available above the storefront. What's not undersized is the steady popularity of burger startups in Montgomery County, with the Char'd announcement generating immediate enthusiasm among hamburger lovers familiar with the brand. The burger fad has remained strong for over a decade, with a Steeze Burger and Z-Burger entering for every Kraze Burger and Bobby's Burger Palace that has exited. Let's have a moment of silence for Hamburger Hamlet and Fuddruckers, though.

Maryland is 2nd-worst state to start a business, study finds

Maryland is the second-worst state in America in which to start a business, a study by WalletHub found. Rhode Island is rated the worst of all. The latest ignoble recognition for the Old Line State is compounded by other recent rankings showing Maryland is #46 out of 50 in tax competitiveness, according to the Tax Foundation, and is way down at #36 on the list of best states to retire in - also compiled by WalletHub.

Montgomery County has the highest overall tax and fee burden in the region. What else makes Maryland a terrible place to start a business? A poor business environment, WalletHub says. That includes measurements of current small business growth statistics, job growth, variety of industries, startups per capita, five-year business survival rate, share of fast-growing firms, and the entrepreneurship index. 

Another criteria examined was the cost of doing business. Beyond high County and State taxes, that takes into account the cost of living, the cost of office space, labor costs, employer-based health insurance costs, and the corporate tax rate. Not surprisingly, Maryland scores poorly across the board on business costs.

Also considered were access to capital and a skilled workforce. This includes the amount of venture capital being invested in Maryland businesses, rankings of colleges and universities in the state, and growth of the working age population.

Which states are the best to start a business in? According to WalletHub, Florida, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, Idaho, Mississippi, Georgia, Indiana, Nevada, and California. Better start voting for better-qualified elected officials, or rent a moving truck for your business to relocate to greener pastures.

Imagine if they had factored in the exorbitant cost of energy in Maryland! We might have dropped to dead last. As it is, we're in real trouble, folks. How many more miles can Montgomery County and Maryland go down the road with tape over the Check Engine light on the economic development dashboard? Heckuva job, Brownie!

Foot Locker reopens at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Better late than never. Foot Locker has reopened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in a new, larger space. The new store includes a Kids Foot Locker. A fall 2025 opening date blew past, but one of the top sporting goods destinations at the mall is finally open for business again.

Cycle Gear opening in Rockville

Cycle Gear is coming to Rockville. It will be located at 1500 Rockville Pike, in the former Party City space next to Tobacco King. The motorcycle parts, gear, and apparel retailer will be a classic Rockville Pike type of business in an age of luxury apartments gone wild. Cycle Gear was founded by motorcycle enthusiasts in California way back in 1974. Demolition of the interior is underway.

Rockville police identify Wootton High School shooter, firearm

Rockville City police have identified the alleged shooter who wounded one person inside of Thomas S. Wootton High School yesterday afternoon. Kahlil White-Villatoro, 16, of Rockville, has been charged as an adult in connection with the shooting. White-Villatoro is charged with attempted second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and various firearms-related charges, including possession of a dangerous weapon on school property. He is being held at the County jail pending a bond hearing. 

Detectives also identified the firearm they say White-Villatoro used in the shooting. It was a Polymer80 9 mm handgun (see sample image above). Although a suspect is in custody, the investigation is ongoing and remains active. Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to call Rockville City Police Department detectives at 240-314-8900.

Montgomery County's first Hobby Lobby store construction update (Photos)

Here's a look at the construction progress on Montgomery County's first Hobby Lobby store, at 15750 Shady Grove Road in the 270 Center, on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville. While the interior fit-out is currently hidden behind a construction wall, you can see the modifications being made to the exterior of the former Best Buy starting to take shape. The arts and crafts megastore is highly anticipated, as not only has the chain never had a location here, but smaller competitor JOANN Fabrics and Crafts recently closed all of its stores, including the one in Gaithersburg. Hobby Lobby's main competition here will be Michaels.

Shooting at Wootton High School in Rockville

A shooting at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville this afternoon has left one student wounded, and another in custody. According to Rockville City police, the shooting took place inside the school, which is located at 2100 Wootton Parkway. Police were called at 2:15 PM, and found one student wounded in a school hallway. The student was transported to a local hospital, where they are in stable condition with a single gunshot wound. While the shooter fled the building, they were quickly identified as a Wootton student, and located near the campus by officers a short time later.

Students and parents were reunited at Robert Frost Middle School later in the afternoon. Police say there is no further danger to the students, or to the larger community. Charges against the suspect are pending.