New banner, liquor license request up at New York Mart in Rockville (Photos)

More signs of the impending opening of Asian grocery store New York Mart in Rockville - literally. A new banner has been tacked up touting "Coming Soon", and the store has applied for its liquor license from Montgomery County. New York Mart will be located in College Plaza, at the intersection of Route 355 and College Parkway.

Tea Dó hiring in Rockville (Photos)

Tea Dó Contemporary Tea House is hiring a cashier and a barista in Rockville. The bubble tea shop and Japanese eatery is located at 838-C Rockville Pike, and replaces the departed Yocake.

Yesterday, the lights appeared to be on inside, and a roof-height ladder was up against the building, suggesting work continues on the conversion of the space. Of course, that same ladder has been there a week or two ago...

New "coming soon" signage at Miso Fusion Café in Rockville Town Square (Photos)

Miso Fusion Café, which has been delayed from its expected summer opening, has added some window screen "coming soon" banners to its future space in Rockville Town Square.

The Korean fusion restaurant is from the owners of the existing Miso in Annandale, and will be located at 33-E Maryland Avenue. Note that the new signage has a modified name for the restaurant - it was previously just "Miso Café".

Veteran DC-area chef to convert Kam Sam Supermarket into high-end restaurant; New York Mart opening soon

Another big addition to Rockville's burgeoning dining scene is on the way. DC-area restaurant veteran Liu Chaosheng has negotiated a lease with the owner of the recently-vacated Kam Sam Supermarket space, and is planning to convert the building into a high-end restaurant. Liu, who has established restaurants in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia over the last 15 years, says this will be a white tablecloth dining room. His other restaurants include the popular Mala Tang, Uncle Liu's Hot Pot, China Jade and Hong Kong Palace.

The former supermarket is located at 300 N. Washington Street. Liu's new venture would be the latest addition to a booming number of Asian restaurants, grocery stores, and shops in that area. Many are calling it the DC region's new Chinatown. The growing concentration of businesses in the vicinity of N. Washington Street likely played a role in the decision to locate there. Liu noted to Eater in 2011 that because one of his restaurants was located right by the Great Wall Supermarket, he didn't have to spend much on advertising to reach the target audience.

On that front, I can also report that New York Mart - a new Asian supermarket in the College Plaza shopping center - is finally and rapidly moving forward. When I stopped by this week, the shelves were not only in place, but lined with new groceries. It appears the opening is imminent, and that is fabulous news for Rockville.

Old Line Bank makes big move into Rockville (Photos)

The Upton luxury apartment building has a second retail tenant to add to World of Beer - Old Line Bank is coming to its ground floor. But Old Line has bigger plans for Rockville. The bank is opening a second branch down the road at 1801 Rockville Pike. Old Line has received a permit from the City of Rockville for interior renovations at that latter space.

Future Old Line Bank space
at 1801 Rockville Pike

Bowie-based Old Line has up until now served Prince George's and Charles Counties in Maryland. In entering Montgomery County, it joins Carroll Community Bank as a new entry in an increasingly-competitive banking market.

Renamed Rockville street gets official signage as Helen Heneghan Way (Photos)

The City of Rockville has acted quickly on the renamed street running down the middle of the Duball, LLC developments between Regal Row and Rockville Town Square. Signs bearing the new name, Helen Heneghan Way, have been installed less than 30 days after the city's Planning Commission voted to give Renaissance Street the new moniker. The change was made at the behest of Choice Hotels, which didn't like having the street by its properties labeled for a competing hotel brand.

Potomac Grill closes in Rockville (Photos)

Potomac Grill has closed in the Talbott Shopping Center on Rockville Pike. The traditional steak and seafood restaurant lasted a decade, which many restauranteurs will tell you is an impressive accomplishment in the industry by itself.

Owner Scott Blaugrund says he and his family are "heartbroken" to say goodbye to loyal customers. The exit also leaves Talbott Center with a significant vacancy to fill for the time being.