Montgomery Mall Lunar New Year celebration starts today (Photos)

Celebrate the start of the Year of the Rabbit at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, starting today, Sunday, January 22, 2023, and again next Sunday, January 29. As you can see, the mall is already decorated inside. Today and next Sunday, enjoy a traditional dragon dance, performances and exhibits from 2:00-4:00 PM on Level 1 in the Nordstrom wing. As a bonus, save 15% both days on the latest in high fashion from China at Fangyan.

Rockville apartment burglarized

Montgomery County police are investigating the burglary of an apartment in Rockville early Thursday morning, January 19, 2023. The burglary was reported at an apartment building in the 13200 block of Twinbrook Parkway at 2:39 AM. Officers did not find evidence of forced entry at the unit in question, indicating the burglar(s) utilized an open door to enter.

RISE Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken opening in *February* not January in Rockville

I just want to make sure all readers are aware that the opening of RISE Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken at 16248 Frederick Road will take place some time in February 2023, not tomorrow, January 21, 2023, as I initially reported on January 12. Apparently, an announcement on their national Facebook account, regarding the January 21 opening of their Overland Park, Kansas restaurant, was sent through as an advertisement under the Gaithersburg restaurant's account. 

Stay tuned for an opening date for next month, as soon as I receive it from the company. In the meantime, I sincerely apologize for any confusion.

Car stolen from parking lot in Rockville

Rockville City police are investigating the theft of a vehicle from a parking lot in East Rockville early yesterday morning. The vehicle was reported stolen from a lot in the 400 block of N. Stonestreet Avenue at 1:42 AM Thursday. 

Sameday Health closes; T-Mobile, Everything But Water temporarily close at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Three businesses have closed their doors at Westfield Montgomery Mall this week, but only one is permanent. Sameday Health has cleared out its space. The COVID-19, flu, strep and STD-testing clinic appears to have consolidated its Bethesda operations at its 5826 Nicholson Lane location in White Flint. 

T-Mobile and Everything But Water have temporarily closed for renovations. T-Mobile has been rolling out a new store-interior design that some have compared to the Apple Store. Everything But Water promises it will "reopen with a splash" in late February. T-Mobile has not set a reopening date yet.

Wendy's reopens in Derwood (Photos)

Wendy's has reopened at 15807 Frederick Road in the Derwood area of Rockville. The restaurant has completed a major renovation inside and out for a "fresh new look." It's apparently going forward with that blank building front; perhaps the front facade signage is still in-transit and will be installed later. Time for a Baconator, Chili Cheese Fries and a Chocolate Frosty.

Rockville Regal Cinemas to close

Rockville Regal Cinemas will close as part of the bankruptcy restructuring of Regal parent company Cineworld, Variety reports. A closing date has not been announced, but the company said in a bankruptcy filing that it will begin to reject leases for the closing theaters on February 15, 2023. This will be another economic cannonball to the gut for the struggling Rockville Town Center area, where the Rockville Town Square development has many vacant storefronts. 

Parking continues to be an issue, but the theater closure will eliminate a significant amount of foot traffic on evenings and weekends. A study last decade showed that a cineplex can draw 20,000 additional people to an urban center per weekend than an area without a multi-screen theater might attract.