New Rockville store offers designer apparel for plus-size men (Photos)

The models and mannequins are huskier than usual in the display windows at the new DXL men's apparel store in the Pike Center, now open at 12137-C Rockville Pike. DXL, short for Destination XL, offers familiar brands, including high-end labels, in waist sizes 38-64 and Tall Sizes to 6XLT. They also carry shoes up to size 16, and widths up to 5E.

DXL says it is the only retailer that carries Brooks Brothers, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Reebok and True Religion in these largest sizes. Other famous labels include  Polo Ralph Lauren, Levi's, Cutter & Buck, Nautica, Jack Victor, Lucky Jeans, Robert Graham, and Cole Haan.

Fresh Baguette opening in Rockville

Fresh Baguette, an authentic French bakery, is opening in Rockville early next year. The bakery, which started with a downtown Bethesda location three years ago, will be located in the former Banner Glass space at 804 Hungerford Drive. That is very close to an existing Rockville French bakery, Lavande Patisserie on N. Washington Street.

Rockville construction update: Mission BBQ (Photos)

Glen Burnie-based Mission BBQ is beginning the build-out of its newest location in Rockville. The restaurant will be located in the recently-vacated Benjarong space at Wintergreen Plaza, at 885 Rockville Pike.

Benjarong closed but the loss is BBQ fans' gain, as Mission BBQ is inspired by some of the great BBQ joints across America. Launched with its first location on September 11, 2001, the chain's dining rooms pay tribute to America's heroes in uniform. Mission BBQ supports a massive list of charities and organizations that serve or represent active duty soldiers, veterans, police officers and firefighters at the national and local levels.

As you can see, they've also applied for their liquor license. From what I understand, they also pay tribute once each day to American heroes with the national anthem at noon. They also have seasonal menu items, currently featuring a prime rib, creamed corn and Bourbon Street Caramel Bread Pudding that look mighty good.

New Montgomery County Liquor Store opens in Rockville (Photos)

A new Montgomery County Liquor store has opened in the former Kam Sam Supermarket at 300 N. Washington Street in Rockville.

American Tap Room appears to have closed in Rockville

American Tap Room appears to have closed in Rockville Town Square. Last night, it was closed during posted business hours. The restaurant's Facebook page has vanished, Rockville is no longer listed on the ATP chain website, and its account has disappeared from the OpenTable reservation website.

An Arlington location closed this past summer. The company behind American Tap Room is launching a new Southern concept in Silver Spring this month.

Jade 11 Rockville menu - new Japanese/sushi restaurant now open (Photos)

Jade 11, a Japanese restaurant and sushi bar, has opened at 785-D Rockville Pike. Unlike some sushi places that are "fusion" concepts with Korean or Chinese dishes, Jade 11 has a lengthy Japanese-focused menu. It includes selections hard to find in Montgomery County, like a Live Lobster Sashimi Trio.

According to the posted hours, the restaurant is closed on Mondays, so you'll have to wait until tomorrow to try it out.

Another great addition tucked away on the Pike. There is no web site as of this writing, but I got a takeout menu you can check out below:

Honeyfish Poke to open at Congressional Plaza

Honeyfish Poke will be
in the storefront at
center-right, next to Lucy

 Honeyfish Poke will open at Congressional Plaza in Rockville next spring, according to Federal Realty. Yet another fast casual concept where the customer creates his or her own bowl, Honeyfish Poke is "the Chipotle of" raw fish.

Diners will choose from tuna, albacore, salmon, octopus, crab meat, or tofu, place them on rice, kale or greens, and then add toppings like edamame, cilantro, masago, and furukaki. Finish your bowl with one of six sauces, ranging from spicy ponzu to eel sauce.

Honeyfish Poke will be located between Lucy and Baskin Robbins at the shopping center, located on Rockville Pike at Halpine Road. This will be the first Honeyfish Poke location outside of southern California.

Rockville company exceeds Wall Street forecast

Argan, Inc., a Rockville-based builder of power plants, beat Wall Street's forecast for its earnings per share in the 3rd quarter. Analysts had predicted earning of 75 cents per share, the Associated Press reports. Instead, Argan delivered a profit of $1.16 per share.

Shares of Argan have more than doubled in value since January, according to Zacks Investment Research. Argan is located at One Church Street.

Modern Market to open in Rockville December 8

Modern Market will open its new Rockville location on Thursday, December 8 at 8 AM. The first 100 people through the door will have a chance to win free food for a year. Modern Market is located in the Congressional Shopping Center on Rockville Pike.

Pie 360 opening today in Rockviile - here's a sneak peek (Photos)

Pie 360 plans to open today, December 5, at 11:00 AM at its new Rockville location, in the Galvan at Twinbrook development at 1800-C Rockville Pike. A fast casual pizzeria concept from the creators of Coal Fire, Pie 360 is expanding from Baltimore to Rockville, Alexandria and the District. It will immediately take on rivals &pizza, Blaze Pizza, and the new Pieology in Gaithersburg.

The basic ingredients at Pie 360 are their specially-aged dough, three sauce recipes, and mozzarella cheese. After picking your crust (traditional, wheat or gluten-free) and sauce (traditional, Signature, or spicy - or substitute garlic-infused olive oil), you can then add four toppings of your choice to the 10" pizza in addition to the mozzarella that is included. There are over 50 toppings to choose from.

Too many choices? Order one of their specialty pizzas, including Prosciutto Cipolla, Ring of Fire, and Bianco Speciale. Or custom order a salad or wrap. For dessert, they have house-made banana pudding and equally-house-made chocolate chip cookies.

Dates set for Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week Winter 2017

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington has announced its Winter 2017 Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week will be held between Monday, January 30 and Sunday, February 5. Participating restaurants will offer fixed-price, multi-course menus costing $35 for dinner, $22 for lunch, and - for the first time ever - $22 for brunch.

A new feature for Winter 2017 will be a rewards program. Anyone who books their dining reservation through the official RAMW restaurant week site, and opts into the rewards program, will be eligible for special deals and prizes from restaurant week sponsors like event tickets and restaurant gift cards.

The participating restaurants haven't been revealed on the website yet, but usually include establishments in Bethesda, Rockville and Silver Spring alongside their DC counterparts. When they are added, you'll be able to search by type of cuisine and location to find your favorites.

Another Trump supporter victimized by hate crime in Montgomery County (Photos)

Vandals have attacked another home of a supporter of President-Elect Donald Trump in Montgomery County. This time, a family of Trump supporters in Burtonsville was targeted.

Montgomery County police officers responded to a home in the 3000 block of Spencerville Road in Burtonsville yesterday morning, November 30, around 6:25 AM. They found that swastikas, and the words, "Trump" and "racist," had been spray-painted on all 3 cars in the home's driveway.

Police say the victims were known publicly to be Trump supporters, and believe that was the motivation for the attack. They are now investigating the incident as a "bias-based" crime of vandalism.

Anyone with information about this vandalism is asked to contact the 3rd District Investigative Section at 240-773-6870.  For those who wish to remain anonymous, Crime Solvers of Montgomery County is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s).  Tipsters can call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Photos: Montgomery County Police Department

Legally-stymied self storage project seeks extension in Rockville

Siena Corporation is keeping its options open, should it find a legal recourse to force the City of Rockville to allow its approved self storage facility at 1175 Taft Street to go forward. The company has had no luck with either legal motion it has filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court so far.

By the time either motion reaches the end of the line in court, the approved site plan for the facility will expire. City staff is recommending the Planning Commission - which originally granted the approval, before the project was blocked by a Zoning Text Amendment forbidding self storage within 250 feet of a school (Maryvale Elementary School, in this case), passed by the Mayor and Council in February 2015 - approve the 1-year extension for the self storage project. The commission will take up the matter at its meeting tonight at 7:00 PM at City Hall.

Rockville names new City Manager

The City of Rockville has named Robert DiSpirito, who is the interim senior manager of the Sarasota County (Florida) Planning and Development Department, as its new City Manager.

DiSpirito also served as the city manager of Dunedin, Florida for nine years, and as city manager of Oberlin, Ohio for eleven years.

In Dunedin, DiSpirito oversaw 400 employees and an $80 million budget. He created the city's Housing & Economic Development Department, and is credited with guiding Dunedin's award-winning downtown and redevelopment citywide. This could be an asset for a town center in Rockville that some consider to be currently underperforming in certain respects.

"My wife, Evangelina, our children and I truly look forward to making Rockville our new home," DiSpirito said in a statement. "This is an amazing and diverse community of strong neighborhoods, beautiful parks, high-performing schools, a lively town center and engaged citizens. As city manager, I look forward to reaching out and hearing what matters to our employees, residents, civic groups, schools, businesses and other partners."

Streetsense marketing retail space at Metropolitan at Rockville Town Center (Photos)

Bethesda-based real estate firm Streetsense is marketing 6033 SF of retail space at the future Metropolitan at Rockville Town Center apartment building at 255 N. Washington Street. The space, which has outdoor patio seating adjacent to it, will face onto Beall Avenue.

The Metropolitan will include 275 apartments, and is scheduled to deliver in the 4th Quarter of 2017.

Renderings:
(Top) Kettler
(Bottom) Streetsense

SunTrust installs signage at future Galvan location in Rockville (Photos)

The permanent sign is up at the future Galvan at Twinbrook branch of SunTrust bank. Much progress has been made on the interior, and the ATM is already installed. This will be next to the eagerly-awaited Pie 360 pizzeria at the JBG Companies development, which is located on Rockville Pike near the Twinbrook Metro station (but officially addressed as 1801 Chapman Avenue).

Rockville construction update: Modern Market (Photos)

Modern Market is opening soon at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. A new outdoor patio dining area has been created adjacent to the new restaurant.