Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Rockville construction update: Cooper's Hawk (Photos)

Work continues on the future Cooper's Hawk restaurant and winery at the Research Row shopping center in Rockville. More glass has been installed, and the flooring is now being put down inside. They are hiring for all positions - candidates can apply at a trailer outside the restaurant. Cooper's Hawk has a liquor license hearing scheduled for June 20 at 9:00 AM.






Monday, June 3, 2019

Shark Week bigger than ever after Montgomery County loses Discovery

Shark Week 2019 merchandise
arrives in Montgomery County

Discovery Communications is pulling out all the stops for Shark Week 2019, which is scheduled to begin on July 28. A special line of Shark Week merchandise has just arrived in CVS Pharmacy stores in Montgomery County. The annual shark celebration was once a point of pride for the County, when Discovery's corporate headquarters was located in Silver Spring. This year's event will be the first Shark Week since Discovery fled moribund, anti-business Montgomery County for business-friendly Knoxville, Tennessee, and it's a painful reminder of one of the Montgomery County cartel's most humiliating defeats.

Among the great items you will find at CVS are a realistic Shark Week Deep Sea Diver playset, with everything kids need to recreate their favorite Shark Week scenes. The Shark Week Isle of Jaws Collectible Shark Set includes 10 sharks.  There are big Shark Week stuffed sharks hiding in the coral reefs, er, shelves of the display, including a hammerhead.

Pack official Shark Week beach towels for Ocean City, and try to forget a great white surfaced off the shore of Maryland last week. Or play it safe, and watch Shark Week at home on the couch with official Shark Week throws and blankets, including a Shark Week Leopard Shark blanket with "glow in the dark eyes."

Speaking of glowing in the dark, the old Discovery headquarters has become a massive monument to Montgomery moribundity in downtown Silver Spring. The tower looms high above, with the missing Discovery corporate logo giving a ghoulish, haunted vibe. I've captured here some of the final traces of Discovery still left at the building before they are removed.

The Montgomery County Council and expensive economic development entity should have recognized Discovery needed attention when the famous Chompie Shark Week mascot no longer appeared on the facade of the building during Shark Week. Instead, Tennessee actively courted Discovery, ultimately providing the winning site with low taxes, and a campus with direct interstate and airport access in Knoxville. Horrifyingly, we later learned that over the same weeks that Tennessee was sealing the deal in negotiations with Discovery, the Montgomery County Council was taking up all of its time debating whether or not to ban circus animals.

Heckuva job, Brownie!












Friday, May 31, 2019

Nighttime noise ahead for some in Rockville Town Center

The City of Rockville says sewer lines are failing in the vicinity of 1 Dawson Avenue, and 14 S. Adams Street in the Rockville Town Center area, according to a filing with Montgomery County. It has requested a nighttime noise waver to replace the sewer lines starting next week.

Nighttime work on the sewer lines is scheduled to begin on or about June 2, 2019, and will take about two weeks to complete. Work hours will be from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Among those in closest proximity to the noise will be residents of Beall's Grant and the Metropolitan.

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Beer & Wine Cellar grand opening Friday in Rockville

The newly-expanded Beer & Wine Cellar, at the back of Congressional Plaza at 146 Congressional Lane in Rockville, will celebrate its Grand Opening tomorrow, May 31, 2019 at 5:00 PM. They now offer fresh sandwiches, which you can enjoy with beer or wine on the premises. There will also now be outdoor seating for this summer season.

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Darnestown's Windridge Winery tasting room on Planning Board agenda

Windridge Vineyards grapes growing
along Darnestown Road
Windridge Vineyards at 15700 Darnestown Road in Darnestown has proposed adding a winery tasting room to their property. That proposal is now coming before the Montgomery County Planning Board, at their June 6 meeting.
Map of proposed vehicle access point (in blue)
for the tasting room on Darnestown Road
The proposal includes a new road access point on Darnestown Road, at the Bellingham Drive intersection. Windridge would also provide a 10' multi-use path along the frontage of their property as part of the project. Planning staff is recommending approval of the tasting room. Windridge hopes to open the tasting room this summer.

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Sisters: The Village Cafe targeting June opening at Cabin John Shopping Center

Sisters: The Village Cafe is now only weeks away from opening at the Cabin John Shopping Center at 11325 Seven Locks Road in Potomac. The Thai restaurant's manager says they are aiming for an opening in the second week of June.
You can see the outdoor patio is ready to go. Inside is a dessert bar serving Magnolia bakery items, with a retro movie theater marquee. Sisters is right next to Shake Shack, and is from the owners of the Sisters restaurants in Fairfax County.



Friday, May 24, 2019

Female entrepreneurs spotlighted at Rockville Town Square pop-up shop

Several woman-owned local businesses are participating in a temporary pop-up shop spotlighting female entrepreneurs at Rockville Town Square. Arcay Chocolates, Aroma by Anette, Durango Dog Company, and Saints Valley will be selling their products at a vacant storefront next to Sushi Damo on Maryland Avenue through May 26, 2019. The pop-up is open Thursday-Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.