Rockville Wegmans construction update (Photos)

Work continues to advance at the construction site of the future Rockville Wegmans grocery store at the Twinbrook Quarter development at the corner of Halpine Road and Rockville Pike. While the exterior continues to look closer to the finish line, nothing has been constructed on the grocery store's interior yet. Developer B.F. Saul says it will turn the shell of the grocery store space over to Wegmans' interior fit-out contractor in the early spring of 2024. As I reported previously, the supermarket will open in 2025.

Regrading of the road surface of Halpine at Chapman Avenue is now underway, and is expected to continue for a few weeks. Stacks of Belden pre-blended bricks can be seen at the site. The brick facade of the building is now about 85% complete, according to B. F. Saul. Storefront spaces should be enclosed by the end of 2022. Contractors have begun tarring the roof.

While no work has been done on the Wegmans interior, the same cannot be said for the apartment building interior. Drywall is now being installed in the residential units on the second floor. Installers will progress upward to higher floors as the fall season goes on.

Rockville police respond to 3rd assault in 5 weeks at same grocery store

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a grocery store in the 600 block of Hungerford Drive Friday afternoon, September 15, 2023. The assault was reported at 12:00 PM. That's the same Giant supermarket where an employee was punched last month, less than 24 hours after another aggravated assault was reported there August 11. Friday's incident makes this the third time in five weeks that police have responded to an assault call at the store.

Assault in Rockville parking garage

Rockville City police responded to a report of an assault in a parking garage in the Rockville Town Center on Thursday, September 14, 2023. The assault was reported in a garage in the 400 block of Hungerford Drive at 5:45 PM.

Apricot Lane Boutique opening soon at Cabin John Village in Potomac

The empty storefronts on the new retail street at Cabin John Village in Potomac are steadily starting to fill up. Apricot Lane Boutique is the latest to sign a lease, continuing a recent women's apparel boutique trend here, following the additions of Ron David Studio and Jurisdiction. It's a national brand, but each franchisee hand picks their own fashions, so we won't know what to expect style-wise until it opens. When it does, look for it across from ReWild.

Spirit Halloween to haunt former CVS in Rockville

After inhabiting the former Pier 1 store at Pike Center for several spooky seasons, Spirit Halloween will possess a different vacant storefront for 2023 in Rockville. The costume and prop chain has chosen the Twinbrook area this year. Spirit Halloween will be in the former CVS Pharmacy at 2210 Veirs Mill Road in the Twinbrook Center. This is the second Spirit Halloween location announced so far this year; the other will be at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore joins President Biden in announcing adult education funding

Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) joined President Joe Biden (D) at an event at Prince George's Community College in Largo Thursday, where Moore announced he is directing $17.4 million in funding toward adult education. More than half of the money will come from the federal government, and the remaining $7.9 million will be redirected from the Maryland Department of Labor budget. The recipients of the funds will be all 16 Maryland community colleges, two local K-12 school systems (Somerset and Worcester counties), three community-based organizations, one public library system and the state correctional education system. One of the three community-based organizations is Classroom to Community in Montgomery County.

“Together, we will grow an economy that works for everyone, from the bottom up and the middle out,” Gov. Moore said. “President Biden has been very clear about his vision to empower and educate workers to grow the middle class. It’s a vision I stand by because it’s good for Maryland, good for our people, and good for our economy. Together, we are going to work in partnership to follow the president’s lead, build out our workforce, grow the economy, and win this decade.” 

Moore recently expressed his concern about the state's moribund economy, and the resulting lack of revenue that will limit his ability to fund initiatives he has proposed. That concern was heightened by the announcement this week that Maryland's Transportation Trust Fund is running out of money.

Biden and Moore were also joined by Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer (D) and Maryland's U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D) and Chris Van Hollen (D). The president was introduced by Prince George's County Community College student Sadé Davis.

Kung Fu Tea closes in Rockville

Kung Fu Tea has closed its Rockville Town Center location at 275 N. Washington Street. Rockville Kung Fu Tea customers are being directed to the chain's Rio Lakefront and Pike & Rose locations. The closure is particularly surprising given that the store was just renovated earlier this summer. "Kung Fu Tea Rockville has closed its doors," the company said in a statement. "We sincerely thank you for your support and patronage over the years."