Rockville apartment building at future Lidl grocery site to be named after Josiah Henson

New details have come to light about the Lidl grocery store and residential apartment project proposed for the old CarMax property at 15931 Frederick Road in Rockville. The apartment building will be called The Henson at Shady Grove. It is being named for Josiah Henson, whose story inspired the famous novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. 

Lidl has brought in Rockville-based Foundation Housing as a partner to handle development of the apartments. The eight-story Henson will house 200 units, with all units being termed affordable housing. 1, 2 and 3-bedroom units are anticipated to be provided in the building. City leaders have advocated for developers to include such larger units in new multifamily housing. An above-ground, two-level parking deck will also be part of the building.

The Lidl store will include an outdoor, cafe seating area. That seating will be shaded by a canopy. Extensive landscaping is proposed for the grocery store and The Henson.

Strong-arm carjacking at Rockville restaurant

City of Rockville police responded to a report of a strong-arm carjacking outside a restaurant Tuesday night. The carjacking was reported at a restaurant in the 1400 block of Rockville Pike around 10:00 that evening, according to crime data.

Arby's closes on Rockville Pike (Photos)

Here's a shocker: Arby's has closed at 11710 Rockville Pike in the White Flint area. While restaurants were devastated by indoor dining bans over the last year, fast food restaurants with drive-thrus like this Arby's often enjoyed booming business during the same period. 

Fast food restaurants usually serve the largest percentage of customers via the drive-thru to begin with. But as of Tuesday night, this Arby's has been cleared out; even the menu boards are gone at the drive-thru and inside.

Seoulspice opens at Montgomery Mall

Seoulspice is now open in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The local chain, owned by Eric Shin, describes its cuisine as Korean comfort food. 

To celebrate the opening, all six of Seoulspice's signature combination bowls will be only $7 through this Friday, May 21, 2021. Recipes for the bowls, Korritos and salads have been passed down through the Shin family over generations. Dishes at the new location range from $6 to $11.49.

Bethesda Bagels coming soon to Fallsgrove in Rockville

Bethesda Bagels is "coming soon" to the Fallsgrove Village Center, according to signage posted on the future storefront. It will be located between Moby Dick and Bellevue. Bethesda Bagels currently has five other area locations.

Rockville Mayor & Council to hold public hearing tonight on proposed annexation of King Buick-GMC dealership into city

Rockville's Mayor and Council will receive public testimony on the proposed annexation of the King Buick-GMC auto dealership property at 16200 Frederick Road into the city at their virtual meeting tonight, May 17, 2021 at 7:05 PM. A residential development has been proposed for the site by developer EYA. City zoning would permit the density EYA seeks for the development, whereas the current Montgomery County zoning would not.

Rockville time capsule opened (Photos)

The City of Rockville opened a time capsule buried at the Rockville Senior Center in 1995 at a sometimes-emotional ceremony yesterday. Items included a copy of the venerable Rockville Reports city newsletter, a City recreation guide, a 1994 lottery ticket and photographs.

Opening of the capsule was delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. One online attendee of the virtual opening ceremony became emotional as she noted that, were it not for the pandemic, her deceased relative would have alive for the ceremony's original date last year. City Councilmember Mark Pierzchala represented the Council for the ceremony.

Councilmember Mark Pierzchala