Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen opens in Gaithersburg

Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen opened with a ribbon-cutting yesterday at 212 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The dining room was packed this evening. Specialties include fresh breads, handmade mezze, Lamb Mouzat, Farrouj, and Kareem's signature hummus, which is prepared from scratch in a three-day process. 

"I'm proud to bring Kareem's to Maryland and share the food, traditions and hospitality that have been part of my family for generations," Chef Rachid Eido said in a statement. "Lebanese hospitality is about more than serving a meal. It is about opening your table, sharing generously and making people feel like they belong. That is what we want every guest to experience when they come to Kareem's."

Signage installed at Orange Pocket in Gaithersburg

Signage has been installed above the future storefront of Orange Pocket at 30 Grand Corner Avenue at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The Asian-themed variety store is expected to open next month at the Peterson Cos. property. Based in Texas, the chain carries blind boxes, Labubu toys, anime figurines, plush toys, sought-after Japanese and South Korean cosmetics and beauty products, house and kitchen wares, stationary, pet products, and Asian snacks. Claw games and Bandai Gashapon machines will provide additional diversions for shoppers.

Sneak peek: Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen is rounding the final bend at 212 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. Teel Construction has done a fine job transforming the storefront into a portal to authentic Lebanese cuisine. Below you can take a sneak peek at the equally impressive interior fit-out of the restaurant. Speaking of sneak peeks, you can also preview the menu online.

Sip Soda trailer opens at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

The Sip Soda trailer has been hauled into Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. On board are the ingredients for dirty sodas, a fad that has been spoken of for several years, but has yet to crest in our area. What is a dirty soda? Your favorite sodas with other ingredients mixed in. For example, the Ocean City dirty soda served by the trailer is made with Coca-Cola, salted caramel, and vanilla cream. The Sip Soda trailer is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Orange Pocket opening at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Orange Pocket is coming to Gaithersburg later this summer. The Asian variety store chain has leased a space at 30 Grand Corner Avenue at Rio Lakefront. Specializing in products imported from, or inspired by, Japan and South Korea, you might expect this to be a China-based chain like competitors who have recently arrived in Montgomery County. But Orange Pocket is actually based in Texas, like many other smart companies these days.

What does "Orange Pocket" mean? The company only describes it as "a small space packed with big finds." Those finds include blind boxes, Labubu toys, anime figurines, plush toys, sought-after Japanese and South Korean cosmetics and beauty products, house and kitchen wares, stationary, pet products, and Asian snacks. Customers can also pass the time playing the claw and Bandai Gashapon machines. Orange Pocket is currently promising an August opening.

Strong-arm robbery at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg Saturday night, June 13, 2026. The assault and robbery were reported on Rio Boulevard at 10:08 PM Saturday. 

Switchblade-wielding juvenile threatens cineplex employee in Gaithersburg

Movie theater workers have it hard enough, sweeping up spilled popcorn and mopping up sticky soda after every screening for modest pay. Monday night at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg, they also had to deal with a violent customer. According to Montgomery County police, a patron at the AMC DINE-IN Rio Cinemas 18 pulled out a switchblade at 9:37 PM Monday, and threatened a theater employee. The juvenile suspect apparently escaped arrest. 

Update on Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen in Gaithersburg

The construction wall has come down at Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. Alas, the view of the interior is still blocked from view, and only some of the basic exterior facade design is currently visible. Located at 212 Boardwalk Place, Kareem's now has a Montgomery County liquor license hearing scheduled for May 21 at 9:30 AM. For those seeking authenticity, the chef-owner is a native of Beirut.

Thief ransacks cash register at Rio in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at a restaurant at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg yesterday morning, April 20, 2026. The burglary was reported at a restaurant in the 200 block of Boardwalk Place. It is believed to have occurred between 6:00 and 8:00 AM. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry at the restaurant. A cash register had been cleaned out.

Police have no suspect descriptions at this time. They did not explain how the suspect managed to evade multiple surveillance cameras during the incident. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call (301) 279-8000.

Armed robbery at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg yesterday, March 23, 2026. The robbery was reported on Grand Corner Avenue at 12:30 PM. According to police, the victim was approached by two suspects who brandished a firearm and demanded his headphones. The victim complied, and the suspects fled on foot.

Police describe the suspects only as two juveniles. It was not explained how they managed to evade the many surveillance cameras in the vicinity. Another shocking daylight violent crime, a disturbing new trend in Montgomery County.

Construction begins on Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen in Gaithersburg

Construction has begun on Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen at 212 Boardwalk Place at the Rio Lakefront development in Gaithersburg. A construction wall has been erected over the storefront. The Florida-based restaurant presents the culinary artistry of Chef Rachid Eido, a native of Beirut. Chef Rachid studied at at the prestigious Culinary School of Beirut, and has worked at top hotel kitchens at the Intercontinental Hotel in Beirut, and the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C.

J. Crew Factory to open at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

J. Crew Factory is coming soon to Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The outlet arm of the preppy apparel brand has posted signage in the storefront windows at 20-A Grand Corner Avenue. J. Crew Factory will open in "Winter 2026," according to the signage. Very similar to Gap Factory, J. Crew Factory is not a liquidation outlet of past-prime J. Crew clothing, instead carrying a line of clothing designed specifically for Factory stores. 

What's the difference? Mostly in the materials used. They're going to be lower-quality but also much lower priced. The genuine wool sweater or scarf you might buy at J. Crew, for example, could be made of synthetic fabrics at Factory stores. So it's a way to get J. Crew styling for less, but the pieces might not last you as long as The Real Thing. How can you immediately recognize a Factory item on the resale market? J. Crew Factory items will have two tiny diamonds or dots on the brand label.

Assault at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police were called to the Rio Lakefront development Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2026, after someone was allegedly assaulted there. The assault was reported in the unit block of Grand Corner Avenue at 2:40 PM Saturday. It took place in a parking lot on that block. Another shocking broad daylight violent crime brought to you by the pro-criminal, anti-police Montgomery County Council. Heckuva job, Brownie!

FineWine in Gaithersburg holding major auction

FineWine at 20-A Grand Corner Avenue at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg will be holding a major auction on February 19, 2026. The auction is not of fine vintages, but of shelving, display cases, signage, refrigerators, printers, wine glasses, seating, a sound system, office equipment...basically everything in the store. However, the auction listing does not say the store is closing.

Koi Sushi opens in Gaithersburg

Koi Sushi is now open at 201 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. Look for it next to Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls. It has already racked up a perfect 5-star rating on Google Reviews. The opening of Koi Sushi was first reported by The MoCo Show.

Update on Koi Sushi in Gaithersburg (Photos + Menu)

The sign is up at Koi Sushi, opening soon at 201 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. Here's a sneak peek at the interior design, and at all pages of the restaurant menu. Koi Sushi will be located next to Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls. Stay tuned for an opening date.

Sinners guitar case popcorn bucket available at 2 AMC Theatres in Montgomery County

Sinners, one of the biggest blockbuster movies of 2025, just set a new record in 2026 for the most Oscar nominations of all time. While an anticipated nomination haul had already spurred a return to the big screen for the vampire flick, AMC Theatres has sweetened the even-better-than-fans-expected 16 nominations celebration with a very limited-edition Sinners guitar case popcorn bucket. So limited-edition, that the chain has currently removed the collectible from its website, where some lucky fans have successfully scored one when it has intermittently appeared in the online store.

That leaves buying one the old-fashioned way as your best bet. But the guitar case is not available at every AMC cineplex. Fortunately for Montgomery County moviegoers, two AMC locations here are on the list: AMC Montgomery 16 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and AMC Dine-in Rio Cinemas 18 at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. If they sell out there, or if it's more convenient for you, the bucket is also available at the AMC Columbia 14 in Howard County, the AMC Georgetown 14 in Washington, D.C., and the AMC Tysons Corner 16.

You may want to call ahead to confirm they still have some in stock. Tonight's showing of Sinners is already sold-out at AMC Montgomery 16. You don't have to see the movie to buy the popcorn bucket, though. Tomorrow is likely to be a no-go due to the expected impact of the winter storm that is hitting the area tonight, but tickets are still being sold for Sunday's screening as of this writing.

Gaithersburg Mayor & Council holding public hearing on Rio Lakefront apartment proposal tonight

The Mayor and Council of Gaithersburg will hold a public hearing tonight, January 5, 2026, on the proposal to build up to 500 apartment units at the Rio Lakefront development in Gaithersburg at 7:30 PM. Under the plan, new residential buildings would be constructed on the other side of the development's lake, between the boardwalk and I-270. Public comment submitted to the City has been trending negative toward the proposal. One factor not helping win public support is the generic architecture being shown at this stage, which resembles numerous other recent apartment buildings in many places in our region (what do you call those tacky facade "frames" that are on virtually every new building these days?), and does not mesh well with the existing structures on the opposite side of the lake.

Update on Koi Sushi in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Here's a look at the progress inside and outside of Koi Sushi, opening soon at 201 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The window coverings have been removed, and the interior fit-out appears complete. Decor and decorative light fixtures are in place. It was slow-going for over a year, but it looks like the restaurant could realistically open shortly after the start of the new year.

Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen opening in Gaithersburg

Here's a positive "Florida Man" news report: Chef Rachid Eido is expanding his Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen franchise to Maryland. It will be at the Rio Lakefront development in Gaithersburg, at 212 Boardwalk Place. That's next to IT'SUGAR. Eido is actually a native of Beirut, where he learned the art of authentic Lebanese cooking, with the flavors, aromatic spices, and warm hospitality it is known for.