Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Construction begins at Sports & Social in Rockville (Photos)


Sports & Social
is now under-construction at 11800 Grand Park Avenue at Pike & Rose. Massive windows screens promote the upscale sports bar in the former Del Frisco's Grille space. One touts the giant video wall that will be a centerpiece on game days. I spy scrapple and "boozy cereal" on the brunch menu.









Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Assault at Rockville grocery store


City of Rockville police responded to a report of an assault at a grocery store on Saturday afternoon. The incident took place at a supermarket in the 1800 block of Rockville Pike around 3:27 PM, according to crime data.

Monday, June 21, 2021

Want to buy a Walgreens in Rockville?


The building currently home to Walgreens at 430 Hungerford Drive in Rockville is for sale. Before you hear the asking price, you may want to have a seat. Buying this property will set you back a wallet-busting $10,650,000.

Rather than indicating that Walgreens is struggling, the selling point of the building is that the Walgreens is a successful, highly-desirable tenant. Walgreens has an absolute net lease with 7 years remaining on it, and rent escalations every five years. The drugstore opened in 2013; its 1970 building was previously home to the legendary Orange Ball Billiards and Cafe.

Another reason you'll have pay over $10 million, is the redevelopment potential of the site. You could practically throw a football and hit the Rockville Metro station from the property. Assemble additional parcels, and you would have a very profitable redevelopment opportunity, but a nice opportunity even by itself.

Friday, June 18, 2021

Panera Bread reopens in Rockville Town Center


Earlier this month, I reported that Panera Bread would be reopening after a long pandemic closure at 219 E. Middle Lane in Rockville Town Center. The store has now officially opened for business again. Among the items on the summer menu are Summer Corn Chowder, a Chipotle Chicken and Bacon flatbread pizza, and frozen strawberry lemonade.

IT'SUGAR, late of Rockville Town Square, to open at Montgomery Mall


While the brief trend of upscale candy stores at town centers ended up sinking in spectacular fashion, it turns out there was enough room on the door for IT'SUGAR. The candy shop closed at Rockville Town Square at the end of 2020. Now it will get another chance at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.


IT'SUGAR will be located on Level 1 in the Nordstrom wing, by Everything But Water. Will the late Sugarfina at Bethesda Row get a bonus life at the mall? Not likely, as that chain went into bankruptcy. Both shops had some interesting novelty items during their short runs, like Donald Trump and Super Mario. I'll buy that for a dollar!

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Shake Shack coming to Rockville Pike


Incredible news from the White Flint area of Rockville Pike: Shake Shack will be the new tenant in the fast food restaurant building recently vacated by Arby's at 11710 Rockville Pike. Shake Shack is also opening a location not far away at Westfield Montgomery Mall. But what makes this new location just revealed by the Washington Business Journal so exciting, is that it will have a drive-thru. The line will likely be backed up onto the Pike when the restaurant first opens.

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Part of Baltimore Road in Rockville to close until October


The latest phase of improvements to Baltimore Road in Rockville will require an extended closure of part of the street. On or about June 23, 2021, the segment between Gladstone Drive and Broadwood Drive will be closed, and remain closed until October. Detour signs will reroute drivers via Broadwood and Edmonston Drive. There will also be signs to direct pedestrians to a pedestrian detour.

Part of the project will be replacing a culvert over a stream that flows beneath Baltimore Road near Rockville Cemetery. Storm drain installation and stream restoration will also be performed during the closure. The closed segment should reopen by mid-October, the city announced yesterday. Baltimore Road will be resurfaced when all of the projects are completed, and that should wrap up by spring 2022.