Chili's restaurant auction set for January 18 in Rockville

The contents of the Chili's restaurant that closed this past fall on Rockville Pike are going up for auction next week. It won't be at the restaurant, though. Instead, the preview inspection (January 17 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM) before the auction (January 18 at 11:00 AM) will take place at Self Storage Plus, located at 14690 Southlawn Lane in Rockville.

If you are opening a restaurant, or need some equipment for your current one, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for. When the inventory of items to be auctioned off is posted, it will be found here.

Timpano closed on Rockville Pike (Photos)

Timpano Italian Chophouse has closed for good at 12021 Rockville Pike, in the Montrose Crossing shopping center. The restaurant building will be torn down, and replaced with a new retail structure. They had a great lasagna here.

Design unveiled for new Rockville Pike retail building (Video + photos)

A proposed new retail building at Rockville Pike and Edmonston Drive could be the first to reflect the design goals of the recently-passed Rockville Pike plan. Designed by the Rockville-based architecture firm of Steven J. Karr, AIA, Inc., the new development would front directly onto the Pike and have parking behind the building, as the new Pike plan prioritizes.

All renderings and
3-D movie courtesy
Steven J. Karr, AIA, Inc.
All rights reserved

The property is located at 900 Rockville Pike, just north of the Edmonston Crossing shopping center and office building. Danshes' Retail Center on the Pike will feature a 7100 SF building, and 34 parking spaces.

Here is an impressive 3-D, fly-through rendering movie of the project:

Chuy's to celebrate Elvis' birthday this Sunday in Rockville

Chuy's, the recently-opened Tex-Mex restaurant in Federal Plaza on Rockville Pike, will celebrate the birthday of Elvis Presley this Sunday, January 8 - and the birthday gift could be for you. Come dressed as Elvis or Priscilla Presley, and you'll receive a free entree. Even if you don't arrive in costume, you'll still get $1 off The King's namesake plates at the chain, Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken and the Elvis Presley Memorial Combo.

Also on sale, will be the appropriately-named frozen Blue Hawaiian cocktail, and limited-edition Elvis t-shirts. If you remember my review when Chuy's opened, you'll recall that Elvis is something of a patron saint for the restaurant since the first one opened in Austin in 1982 sporting a $20 velvet painting of The King.

"Our annual birthday party for Elvis is just one of thequirky things that makes Chuy's - Chuy's," John Korman, Director of Operations for Chuy's, said in a statement. "We love any excuse for a party, so why not enjoy a plate of enchiladas with a Frozen Blue Hawaiian and toast The King on his birthday? We hope folks will join us and have a good time."

Elvis would have been 82 on Sunday.

12266 Rockville Pike

(Federal Plaza)

 (301) 603-2941

Rockville Town Square's Toy Kingdom assists MCPD's annual Autism Outreach Holiday Party (Photos)

Toy Kingdom's Paula Aulestia,
Officer Laurie Reyes, and
Officer Tara Bond

More than 50 children and their siblings celebrated the holidays just before Christmas at the annual Montgomery County Police Department Autism Outreach Holiday Party, held at the county's Public Safety Headquarters. MCPD's Autism/IDD/Alzheimer's Outreach Program teamed up with local attorney John Malouf, and Toy Kingdom to sponsor this year's event.

Toy Kingdom, an independent toy store located at Rockville Town Square, donated the toys for the event and assisted officers in choosing the right ones for the kids who would be attending. They also helped organize and wrap the gifts. Malouf contributed about $250 to the event, as well.

Reyes and Aulestia pose with
two of the attendees

“Because we are a specialty toy store, we are able to select the best toys for kids with autism meeting their sensory needs,” said Paula Aulestia, whose family owns Toy Kingdom. She has been involved with the MCPS autism program for nearly 10 years. Aulestia said her involvement with the autistic community led her family to take on this giving project.

Rockville Town Square developer Federal Realty praised Toy Kingdom's participation in the event. Deirdre Johnson, VP of asset management at Federal Realty called it "an example of the important role small, independently-owned businesses play in the fabric of our community."

Reyes hands out
gifts to children

Officer Laurie Reyes also lauded the toy store's role in the event, at which kids enjoyed pizza, cookies, a ballon artist and live music.  “Toy Kingdom has been such a great resource and a wonderful partner for us for this program, and Mr. Malouf’s generosity has enabled us to engage with the members of our Austism IDD community and encourage a trusting relationship between those children and our officers. It’s really great to see these children interact with our officers in a positive way,” said Reyes, of MCPD's special operations division.

A Bite of China posts Coming Soon signage in Rockville (Photos)

Some readers were asking where in College Plaza A Bite of China will be opening. Here are a couple of photos, including the "Coming Soon" signage the restaurant has posted on the storefront. A Bite of China will be at 15106-A Frederick Road.

Firefighters respond to vacant American Tap Room in Rockville (Photos)

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel entered the vacant American Tap Room in Rockville Town Square early last evening. They appeared to be searching the building, and inspecting the kitchen. There apparently was no fire, but it's unclear what brought the firefighters there. American Tap Rom closed about three weeks ago.