Rockville Economic Development, Inc. launches survey of business community needs

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) yesterday announced the launch of its 2022 survey of business community needs. The feedback gathered from city businesses will be used to improve REDI's and the City's efforts to promote economic development, and create a thriving business environment. Over $1200 value in prizes will be given away via random drawing to a few of the businesses that fill out the online survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete. The survey can be accessed online.

“The responses from the survey will be crucial in helping REDI, the City and key stakeholders prioritize what will best serve our local business community,” REDI CEO Cynthia Rivarde said in a statement Thursday. REDI is a public-private partnership that helps businesses launch, locate, expand in the City of Rockville.

Under Armour's move is temporary at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Under Armour giving up a custom-designed space for a non-descript storefront at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda made no sense. Until now. It turns out that the store is in the more generic location on Level 2 temporarily, so that its original space can be renovated. The Baltimore-based company says the revamped store will be "bigger and better" than ever before.

Rockville's Soulfull Cafe to celebrate grand reopening Saturday, May 14

The Soulfull Cafe at 50 Monroe Place in Rockville will be hosting a grand reopening event on Saturday, May 14, 2022, from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. All in the community are invited to the event, which is being held in partnership with Main Street Connect. From its beginning, Soulfull Cafe has been committed to providing employee opportunities for people of all abilities.

At the reopening party, see the art of Rachel Perlman on display, and enjoy music from DJ Aaron. Tour the Main Street development that houses the cafe. And stay around at 1:00 PM for a free Main Street Zumba class. Parking is available in the garage at 51 Monroe Place, or along the street. To attend, register online here.

Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy opening Rockville location

Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy is expanding to a second location in Rockville. It will be in the Montrose Shopping Center at 5622 Randolph Road. Olympic gold medalist Dawes says she founded the original Clarksburg gym not just for kids who might have Olympic dreams of their own, but for the self-esteem and personal growth of every child who enrolls, and the supportive environment and coaches necessary for that. 

Membership requires an annual fee, and the financial commitment for class enrollment is by the month. The gym will also offer summer programs, preschool and homeschool classes, and party and event hosting. It is expected to open by late 2022.

Butter Me Up opening today at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Butter Me Up, a breakfast-themed restaurant from the founders of Half Smoke, will open today at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The fast-casual menu includes breakfast sandwiches, tater tots, French toast sticks, breakfast bowls, fresh juices and smoothies, hot and cold coffee drinks, lemonade and brunch-style cocktails. Look for Butter Me Up on Level 1 in the former Aroma space. Here's a first look at the interior and full menu:

Maryland in a "state of lawlessness," gubernatorial candidate Doug Gansler says in crime-focused campaign

Democrat Doug Gansler is the former Attorney General of Maryland and a past State's Attorney in his native Montgomery County. Given that resume, it's not surprising that crime has been a major focus of his campaign as the July 19, 2022 Democratic primary approaches. In a statement released this morning after a police detective was carjacked in Baltimore Tuesday night, Gansler says, "Maryland is in a state of lawlessness when people feel at liberty to carjack, shoot, or assassinate doctors, police officers, and people who are just minding their own business trying to get through their day."

Carjackings, often by armed robbers, have become a frequent occurrence in Montgomery County as well in the pandemic era. Drivers from Bethesda to Silver Spring and Gaithersburg have found themselves in the crosshairs of carjackers over the last two years. Even Potomac hasn't escaped the trend.

Gansler is tacking against the "defund the police" sentiment of some in his party. He sees a police shortage, and is promising to instead put "more and better-paid police officers on our streets." Gansler says he would balance a tougher stance on crime with funding for programs that address the root causes of lawbreaking. "We will...invest in the necessary resources to solve every murder and every carjacking while also fast-tracking funding for community infrastructure projects like youth recreation centers in high-crime areas," Gansler says in today's statement, which also accuses the state of having neglected the City of Baltimore "for too long."

In a crowded Democratic race, Gansler carries the advantage of having been elected to a statewide office before. He has been endorsed by more than 40 current and past attorneys general from across the country, and was named a 2022 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate. Gansler's path to victory would likely have to include a strong turnout in his home base of Montgomery County, Baltimore residents fed up with crime, and a sizable chunk of moderate Democrats in Southern Maryland and on the Eastern Shore. He could benefit from being the only candidate in his lane, which is relatively moderate and tough-on-crime, while the other candidates are vigorously competing to be seen as the most-progressive. The question remains, is that a winning lane in the Maryland Democratic Party circa 2022?

Also running for governor are Democrats Rushern Baker, Jon Baron, Peter Franchot, Ralph Jaffe, Ashwani Jain, John King, Wes Moore, Tom Perez, and Jerome M. Segal. Republicans Dan Cox, Robin Ficker, Kelly Schulz and Joe Werner will face off in their own July 19 primary. Libertarian David Lashar and Unaffiliated candidate Kyle Sefcik will take on the winners of the two major party primaries in the November general election.

Photo via Friends of Doug Gansler

J.Crew Factory "coming soon" to Rockville (Photos)

Classic American apparel brand J.Crew will soon have a bricks-and-mortar presence on Rockville Pike. J.Crew Factory is "coming soon" to Congressional Plaza, according to signage posted in its future storefront. Like many apparel and department store outlet sub-brands, J.Crew Factory is offering the styles the primary brand is known for at discount prices. The store is currently hiring for all positions.