YouTube star Mr. Beast, rapper Tyga's ghost kitchens now delivering to Rockville

Ghost kitchens are the hot trend in the pandemic-stricken hospitality industry these days. But it's not just neighborhood restaurant owners and local entrepreneurs testing the increasingly-hot waters; celebrities now want into the game. Two names familiar to many young people have now entered the market in Montgomery County and the District: top YouTuber Mr. Beast, and rapper Tyga.

Mr. Beast has just launched MrBeast Burger, a ghost kitchen burger "restaurant" you can order from via most popular food delivery apps (or the official MrBeast Burger app), at 122 Kentlands Boulevard and 1825 Connecticut Avenue N.W. in the District. Tyga is selling delivery-only Tyga Bites from...those same two addresses.

What's going on here? Both men are taking a Jeff Bezos approach to these ventures. Just as Bezos used existing Whole Foods grocery stores to further his delivery and logistics goals, MrBeast Burger and TygaBites are using Buca di Beppo restaurants across the country to launch these ghost kitchens. Your burgers, chicken and other menu items will be prepared by the chefs at those restaurants, and Mr. Beast and Tyga get a cut of the profits. Using this method, Mr. Beast was able to open 300 locations nationwide.

Despite the two geographically-disparate locations, apps appear to allow a surprisingly large number of Montgomery County residents to qualify for delivery from one or the other sites. Just open your favorite delivery app, and see if you can get a delivery. Bethesda seems to work from the D.C. location, Rockville from Kentlands, etc. Expect to see more of these gimmicks in the near future, as it appears to be a business model that any celebrity can plug into for Trump-like naming rights, while boosting sales for the Buca di Beppo chain.

How long before Tarnation Bob's Tarnation Burger pops up on delivery apps nationwide?

Montgomery County police officer attacked while buying food at Chipotle in Rockville

 

Nyziere London

A Montgomery County police officer was sucker-punched by an assailant while standing in line to buy food at the Chipotle at 14925 Shady Grove Road in Rockville on Thursday night around 6:48 PM. Nyziere London, 21, of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, allegedly approached the officer and suddenly punched him twice in the face. Another County police officer paying at the counter rushed over to assist the victimized officer in taking London into custody.

London has been charged with second-degree assault and resisting arrest. He was transported to the Central Processing Unit and is being held without bond.

Chief Marcus Jones released a statement regarding the unprovoked assault on the officer, who is a 26-year veteran of the force. “Officers work hard every day to ensure that our community stays safe. Police work can often put officers in harm’s way, but I’m saddened that this unprovoked attack occurred while this officer was attempting to simply grab a quick bite to eat during his shift. This is another danger to our profession.”

Police across the country have been under heavy criticism and scrutiny this year, which has led to lower morale - and in some cases attacks on police officers - in numerous jurisdictions nationwide. Here, the Montgomery County Council has consistently painted local law enforcement in a negative light in its public statements and legislation over the last several years.

Fallsgrove Liquor & Wine employee tests positive for Covid-19

Store closes for cleaning

Montgomery County government-operated Fallsgrove Liquor & Wine in Rockville closed temporarily after an employee tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday. County officials say the employee was last in the store on Monday, December 14. A specialized team is being brought in to disinfect the store, which will reopen once it has the go-ahead from County health officials.

Maryland Gov. limits travel to essential purposes only, requires out-of-state travelers to quarantine or provide negative test

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) held a press conference late this afternoon, announcing several executive orders and coronavirus protocol directives. Hogan announced he is lowering the state's public gathering limit from 25 people to 10. The governor also issued an emergency order limiting travel to essential purposes only. Travelers from out-of-state (or Marylanders returning from out-of-state) must self-quarantine for 10 days, or provide a negative Covid-19 test, upon arriving in the state. 

Mandatory telework has been proscribed for all state employees who can. Hogan said that starting December 21, front-facing government offices will be temporarily suspending all in-person interactions with the public for two weeks.

Echoing New Zealand's exemption for the Easter Bunny earlier this year, Hogan exempted Santa Claus, elves, and reindeer from travel restrictions. He said Dr. Anthony Fauci told him in a Zoom conference earlier today that Santa Claus has immunity to Covid-19.

Hogan said the state will provide $30 million in assistance for restaurants, and $15 million more for entertainment venues, hurt by the pandemic. He also announced $40 million being added to the Temporary Assistance Program, and $40 million to care providers for the developmentally disabled.

The governor asked residents to do their part to reduce the spread of the virus, and to look forward to "a better, healthier and happier 2021."

Car stolen in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen car in Rockville Tuesday morning. The stolen vehicle had been parked on the street in the 14200 block of Woodcrest Drive. It is believed the car was taken sometime between 9:00 PM Monday night and 9:00 AM Tuesday morning. 

Gyuzo Japanese BBQ closes at Rockville Town Square until Montgomery County indoor dining ban ends

The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved an executive order banning indoor dining yesterday. Interestingly, the Council did not put out a press release to trumpet their vote, a vote that angered many in the hospitality sector. In response, Gyuzo Japanese BBQ at Rockville Town Square was forced to immediately close for the duration of the ban, and to lay off employees ten days before Christmas. 

Due to the restaurant's concept of cooking food at your table, the impact is most severe at Gyuzo. Other restaurant tenants at RTS are soldiering on with tents and heaters, like Finnegan's Wake. Gyuzo is not alone in closing as a result of the indoor dining ban; Tastee Diner, a Bethesda institution for decades, also announced it was closing until the ban is lifted. That could potentially be spring at the earliest.

Maryland SHA treating MD 355 ahead of Wednesday snow event

A significant snowstorm approaching the northeast is expected to drop up to 3 inches of snow on Montgomery County Wednesday into Thursday. The key variable will be how much comes down as snow, and how much as rain. Maryland's State Highway Administration isn't taking any chances. Rockville Pike (MD 355) had already received a layer of deicing solution between Rockville and downtown Bethesda last night, 24 hours before the storm was even expected to arrive.