Montgomery County judge won't end indoor dining ban

Parker Lewis can't lose. And neither can Montgomery County government in a Maryland courtroom, it can often seem. The recent decision by a judge in Anne Arundel County overturning that jurisdiction's ban on indoor and outdoor dining set up an excellent measuring stick for the Montgomery County decision that came last night in Montgomery County Circuit Court.

Judge James Bonifant declined to grant an injunction against Montgomery County's ban on indoor dining. Another hearing on the matter will be held after the Christmas holiday. Similar efforts to overturn bans were also rejected in Baltimore City and Prince George's County on Wednesday. 

Car stolen in Rockville

City of Rockville police responded to a report of a stolen car early yesterday morning. The vehicle was taken from a commercial parking lot in the 14600 block of Rothgeb Drive around 2:00 AM.

Assault at Rockville grocery store

City of Rockville police responded to a report of a second-degree assault at a grocery store Saturday night. The assault was reported at a supermarket in the 1900 block of Veirs Mill Road in the Twinbrook area around 6:55 PM that evening.

Gameworks coming to Montgomery County

Gameworks is coming to Montgomery County in 2021. The entertainment center and gaming chain has leased space on Level 1 at Westfield Montgomery Mall, Westfield announced yesterday. 

While similar to Dave & Buster's, Gameworks distinguishes itself with its emphasis on eSports. Their venues feature an eSports lounge with games running on top-of-the-line PCs and consoles. Gameworks also serves food and drinks like D&B, in The Works Kitchen. This will be their eighth location, and the second on the east coast.

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.