Burlington sets opening date for Rockville store (Photos)

It's been over a year since I broke the story that Burlington (a.k.a. Burlington Coat Factory) would be opening a store at the Montrose Crossing shopping center on Rockville Pike. Construction is now underway on the interior, which used to be part of Barnes & Noble (now up the Pike at Congressional Plaza). Burlington says this store will open on April 22, 2022.

The permanent sign has been installed on the facade of the store. Barnes & Noble's escalators are still in place beyond the main entrance, which has boards over it. The rest of the bookstore's former space is now occupied by Home Depot Design Center.

Burlington's stores have been steadliy shrinking since it reported a mammoth 78,000 square foot average size in a 2015 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. By last year, the average size of its new stores was half that. Despite its space being two stories, the Montrose Crossing Burlington may be one of the chain's smallest yet, at only 33,948 square feet.

Robbery in Twinbrook area of Rockville

Rockville police responded to a report of a robbery in the Twinbrook area of Rockville Thursday afternoon, March 3, 2022. The robbery was reported in a wooded area in the vicinity of the 2100 block of Veirs Mill Road at 2:45 PM, according to crime data. A weapon was utilitzed in the robbery, but it was not a firearm.

Color Me Mine to close at Rockville Town Square

You hate to see another vacant storefront on Maryland Avenue, but Color Me Mine is closing permanently at 33-F Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square. It looked like work had begun on breaking down the interior of the space yesterday. The ceramic art studio says that you have until Sunday, March 6, 2022 to pickup any outstanding orders from the store. Pickup hours will be 12:00-6:00 PM daily through Sunday. 

Rivian starts trucking at new Rockville facility (Photos)

Rivian made big news by raising prices on its electric vehicles yesterday, even for those who had pre-ordered under the previous price points, before backtracking today amid order cancellations. There is Rivian news closer to home here in Rockville, though. A Rivian facility has just been established at 1300 Rockville Pike. This was previously the BMW of Rockville dealership.

Flatbed trucks used to deliver
Rivian vehicles to buyers

Don't plan to visit just yet. The facility is currently being used to fulfill delivery orders for vehicles to purchasers in our area, and signs warn that the property is to be entered by "Employees Only." Those flatbed trucks you see in the photos here are used to deliver the vehicles directly to owners' homes. Also on-site: a surveillance robot, whose blue light can be seen as you approach on the Pike.

Blue light special: the Rivian
facility is under surveillance by
this camera robot out front

Aside from delivery and service functions, there are no consumer-facing operations here yet. There are currently no Rivian vehicles visible on-site, no Rivian Experience Center showroom, and no Rivian signage. But if you live nearby and haven't canceled your R1T or R1S order, this is where your vehicle will arrive first before it is brought to you on one of these flatbed trucks. Three major EV brands now have a presence in Rockville: Tesla, Polestar and Rivian.

Aria Halal Supermarket opening in Rockville

Aria Halal Supermarket will open later this year at 811 Hungerford Drive at Saah Plaza in Rockville. It will be in the former Ranger Surplus store space at the shopping center. This is a block north of the Flagship carwash. As you can see in the photo below, construction has begun on the interior of the store.

Rockville City Hall to reopen to public on March 28

Rockville City Hall at 111 Maryland Avenue will reopen to the public on March 28, 2022, the City announced this morning. City Hall has been closed to the public for almost two years this month, due to the pandemic. The City will continue to require masks for all employees and visitors aged 2 and older at City Hall, and in all other Rockville government facilities, according to the announcement. When City Hall reopens, the 3rd-floor Vinson Street entry will be the only entrance and exit for the general public until further notice.

The Mayor and Council will continue to hold "hybrid meetings" when City Hall reopens, the statement said. Meetings have been held virtually while City Hall was closed.

Strong-arm robbery in Rockville

Rockville police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in the King Farm area of Rockville this past Saturday evening, February 26, 2022. The robbery was reported in a commercial parking lot in the 300 block of King Farm Boulevard at 6:39 PM, according to crime data. That is at the King Farm Village Center.