David Blair releases plan to help restaurants in race for Montgomery County Executive

Blair headquarters at 11751 
Rockville Pike

Democratic Montgomery County Executive candidate David Blair has released a list of policy changes he would implement to help county restaurants if elected. "Restaurants are Better with Blair" is a 10-point plan for a low-profit-margin industry that was struggling in the county even before the pandemic hit.

Proposals include streamlining regulations, and ensuring they are consistent with competing jurisdictions around us; simplified inspections; ending the County's monopoly on liquor sales; increased access to capital; developing the hospitality workforce and management skills in partnership with local colleges; expanding childcare; investing in transit and more ride-hailing, on-demand bus services; and growing the agricultural sector of the county's economy, so that more food and alcoholic beverages produced here can be served in county restaurants.

One restaurateur to endorse Blair, who narrowly lost the 2018 Democratic primary to Marc Elrich by only 77 votes, is Farmers Fishers Bakers co-owner Dan Simons. In addition to having a Founding Farmers restaurant at Park Potomac in Montgomery County, Simons blogs about the industry at Dan Simons Says.

Elrich is running for reelection. Current County Council member Hans Riemer is also challenging Elrich. Councilmember Tom Hucker is exploring a potential challenge, but hasn't ruled out running for his District 5 Council seat again instead. No candidate of any party has filed paperwork for this race with the Board of Elections, as of this writing. 

BurgerFi construction underway at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

BurgerFi has posted "coming soon" signage at its future Rio Lakefront location at 5 Grand Corner Avenue, across from Dick's Sporting Goods. Inside, work is just getting started, with construction materials being hauled into the space. BurgerFi is expected to open early next year.

Starbucks at the Spectrum construction update (Photos)

The lights are on at the new Starbucks at the Spectrum development in Gaithersburg, but workers are still completing the interior fit-out. Outside, everything looks close to ready, with signage attached to some sides of the building. This will be the newest drive-thru Starbucks off of I-270 in Montgomery County. There's already one south of here at the Firstfield Shopping Center.

The Carnegie breaks ground at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Ground was broken yesterday on The Carnegie at Washingtonian Center development in Gaithersburg. Located adjacent to Rio Lakefront, the project will feature 302 independent living, assisted living and memory care residential units. Amenities will include multiple dining facilities, indoor heated saltwater pool, a lecture hall, an art gallery, a computer learning center, a demonstration kitchen for cooking instruction, and a park with a trail leading to Malcolm King Park. Delivery is anticipated for spring 2024.

Damascus senior housing project receives $2.5M loan from state of Maryland

A senior housing project at St. Anne's Episcopal Church at 25100 Ridge Road in Damascus has been awarded a $2.5 million loan from the Maryland Rental Housing Works Program. The funds will go toward the construction of 76 1-and-2-bedroom apartments for seniors on the church property. Maryland's Board of Public Works approved the loan at its October 20, 2021 meeting.

Rendering courtesy St. Anne's Episcopal Church

Purse snatching in Clarksburg

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a purse-snatching in Clarksburg at noon yesterday, October 24, 2021. The purse was snatched at a clothing store in the 22700 block of Clarksburg Road, according to crime data. That is the location of the Clarksburg Premium Outlets shopping center.

Signage installed at Chopt at Kentlands Market Square

Permanent signage has been installed at Chopt, opening soon at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. Two logo signs were attached above the storefront, as well as a pedestrian-facing blade sign with the letter "C." Check out the fancy, upscale wall finishes inside the restaurant. Chopt will now face some stiff salad-shooting competition on this side of I-270 from Sweetgreen, which is opening a location at Downtown Crown.

McDonald's Smoky BLT Quarter Pounder arrives in Montgomery County

A new sandwich has arrived at many McDonald's locations in Montgomery County. The Smoky BLT Quarter Pounder with Cheese features the 100% all-beef patty topped with smoky bacon sauce, smoked Applewood bacon strips, Roma tomatoes, shredded lettuce and two slices of American cheese on a sesame seed bun. It cost $6.89 before tax. There is also a Chips Ahoy McFlurry for a limited time.

I have seen the burger at McDonald's restaurants in Bethesda (River Road), Rockville and Silver Spring so far. The secretive sandwich is either a test item, or a near-future release that came out early in our area. Which is great news, because the burger is delicious with the mystery bacon sauce. Watch my review, and then try it yourself.

&pizza "coming soon" to Gaithersburg

&pizza is expanding upcounty to Gaithersburg. The local pizza chain has leased a space next to Allure at Gaithersburg Square. Currently, &pizza's northernmost location is at Pike & Rose. &pizza joins Sweetgreen in making the push upcounty at last. The store is now hiring for all positions.

Royal Farms Gaithersburg construction update

Construction at Royal Farms at the Spectrum development in Gaithersburg started at lightning speed, slowed to a crawl, and is now lurching steadily forward in fits and starts. The latest development is the application of stone to the convenience store facade. Royal Farms is located off Watkins Mill Road by the I-270 interchange.

Chef Lee's Element opens in Gaithersburg

Chef Lee's Element is now open at 521 Quince Orchard Road, in the Firstfield Shopping Center. The Szechuan Chinese and Asian fusion restaurant is open for lunch and dinner every day except Tuesday, and the menu looks great. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed directly through the website, which helps the restaurant avoid fees to 3rd-party delivery services.

Photos courtesy Chef Lee's Element

Burger King Shady Grove Road construction update (Photos)

There won't be any Ghost Pepper Nuggets at the Burger King at 16004 Shady Grove Road, on the border of Rockville and Gaithersburg. I can't recall a fast food restaurant renovation that has taken this long; chains construct entire new restaurants in a fraction of this time. They've added stone to the facade, and put down a new driveway and parking lot since July. 

This BK is the best in Montgomery County; it's not only the highest-rated, but the food seems to always be made fresh when ordered, in my experience. So it's been disappointing to not have it available, as many limited-time menu items have come and gone nationally. Perhaps the construction workers have too often ignored the King's royal dictum: "Don't go to bed before the King."

Spirit Halloween opens at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Spirit Halloween is back at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. A tour of a Spirit Halloween store is a Halloween season event in itself. The store is in a different location this year. Look for it at 101 Boardwalk Place, across from Copper Canyon Grill.

Sweetgreen coming to Gaithersburg

Sweetgreen is finally moving upcounty. The upscale salad chain will open its first restaurant north of Montrose Parkway in Gaithersburg. It will located at 299 Copley Place at Downtown Crown. That's a prime spot near Starbucks and Harris Teeter. Sweetgreen: It's not just for Bethesda anymore!

Sexual assault reported in Damascus

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a sexual assault in Damascus this past Sunday afternoon, October 10, 2021. A victim reported having been fondled in the 26300 block of Ridge Road at 3:48 PM, according to crime data. This is in the commercial area in the center of town.

Cafe Sophie sets opening date in Gaithersburg

Cafe Sophie is now scheduled to open October 27, 2021 in Gaithersburg. It is located at 7940 Airpark Road, at the Montgomery County Airpark. The Scandanavian-influenced European cafe replaces The Airport Cafe at the airpark.

Locally Crafted opening at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Locally Crafted is coming soon to Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. It will be in a space across from Potbelly at 125 Boardwalk Place. Locally Crafted is a retail store carrying artisan and hand-crafted goods from over 60 makers in the D.C. metropolitan area.