Hobby Lobby opening June 1 in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County's first Hobby Lobby store is currently expected to open on June 1, 2026 at 15750 Shady Grove Road at the 270 Center in Gaithersburg, a spokesperson for the big box crafts and decor chain said yesterday. Barring any construction or permitting setbacks, the chain plans to host a grand opening event that day. Formerly home to Best Buy, the building is positioned on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville, and is right by off ramps from I-270. 

This is arguably the most-anticipated retail opening of 2026 in Montgomery County. There is pent-up demand among MoCo residents who have never had a local Hobby Lobby store to shop at. But there is also the vacuum left by the closure of local JOANN Fabrics and Crafts stores, including the Gaithersburg location. Construction continues on the Gaithersburg Hobby Lobby, but completion is now within sight.

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.

Kentlands Market Square seeks permission for larger signage from Gaithersburg

Kentlands Market Square has filed an application with the City of Gaithersburg requesting an amendment to its August 2020 site plan approval for signage at the property. Kimco Realty, Inc., the property owner, is seeking permission to enlarge wall signs bearing the development name beyond the dimensions allowed under City code. If approved, the wall signage could increase beyond the existing zoning allowance of 13.5-square-feet to 40 SF. 

The Gaithersburg Planning Commission will review the request at its January 21, 2026 meeting at 7:30 PM. City planning staff are recommending approval of the amendment.

MCPS leases final space at former Leidos site in Gaithersburg

Matan Companies has announced that its 44-acre life science and industrial campus fronting I-270 in Gaithersburg, which consists of two 198,000-square-foot Class A buildings at 700 and 750 Progress Way, is now 100% leased. The final piece was the recent execution of a 161,500 SF lease with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), which has leased 161,500 square feet at 700 Progress Way. MCPS joins existing tenants AstraZeneca (198,000 SF full-building lease at 700 Progress Way, signed December 2023) and Daikin Comfort Technologies Distribution, Inc. (36,145 SF at 750 Progress Way, signed May 2024). Matan's announcement did not specify what MCPS plans to use the space for, or the annual cost of the lease to Montgomery County taxpayers.

“We are extremely proud to have delivered and fully leased this state-of-the-art campus,” Matan Companies Director of Leasing James Matan said in a statement. “The diversity of best-in-class occupants—AstraZeneca in life sciences, Daikin in advanced HVAC distribution, and now Montgomery County Public Schools—demonstrates the incredible flexibility and strategic location of these assets along the I-270 corridor.”

Lakeforest Transit Center to be relocated and redeveloped at former Gaithersburg mall property

There's a new development in the redevelopment of the Lakeforest Mall site in Gaithersburg. A ceremony was held yesterday to kick off the first phase of a newly-announced partnership to relocate and redevelop the Lakeforest Transit Center. Transit is key to transforming the former community hub into a vibrant, mixed-use development, especially with no new highways or rail service planned for the massive housing and commercial growth that will occur.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Maryland State Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr, and County Councilmembers, including Marilyn Balcombe, Sidney Katz, Dawn Luedtke, and Laurie-Anne Sayles, joined Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Director Chris Conklin, WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments Principal Kevin Rogers, and other community leaders to celebrate the milestone.

The redevelopment is a joint effort between Montgomery County and WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments. WRS is set to redevelop the nearly 100-acre site into a dynamic mixed-use community featuring residential housing, entertainment, shopping, and public gathering spaces.

“Lakeforest Mall was a place where people came together for decades, and this redevelopment gives us a chance to reimagine this site,” Elrich said Monday. “Transportation, housing, and economic development are connected, and this project reflects that.”

The now-closed Lakeforest Mall holds a special place in the community, having served as the County's largest mall for a time and a well-known gathering spot for 45 years since its opening in 1978. Greed on the part of the mall's final owner, and chronic failure by County leaders to address violent crime and gang activity at the mall resulted in the disgraceful demolition of the once-luxurious shopping mecca now underway at the site.

The first phase of the agreement focuses on site preparation for the new transit center. WRS will prepare nearly two acres of land, which includes filling in a drainage pond and grading the site to make it build-ready. This initial phase is expected to take about one year.

Following the completion of site preparation, MCDOT will purchase the land from WRS and commence construction on the new transit center itself.

The new transit center will continue to serve the eight existing Ride On bus routes currently using the Lakeforest Transit Center. Crucially, it is also being designed with scalability to accommodate the future MD 355 Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor. "The new transit center will support the nearly 2,000 riders per day who rely on the current Lakeforest Transit Center, as well as create capacity to accommodate the planned Flash Bus Rapid Transit corridor along MD 355 and any future developments," Conklin said.

Damascus bank branch to be auctioned off

A former Truist bank branch in the center of Damascus is about to be auctioned off. The building and associated structures are located at 9916 Main Street. This is a prime location for business, or for potential redevelopment as residential or mixed-use, with such redevelopment eagerly sought by the Montgomery County cartel, who have been working overtime to urbanize rural Damascus. They also want to jam as many Democrats as possible into the Republican town, before the U.S. Supreme Court declares their gerrymandered legislative and council district maps illegal. The opening bid is a ridiculously low $175,000, according to the online listing.

Tea Spa Wellness relocates in Gaithersburg

Tea Spa Wellness has successfully relocated in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg. It has completed its move from 209 Market Street W. to 621 Center Point Way at Kentlands Market Square. Tea Spa Wellness offers massages, facials, and healing rituals inspired by "tea culture and natural balance." 

"At Tea Spa, our mission is to create a haven of peace where everyone can find moments of deep serenity," Tea Spa CEO Cathy Shao says. "My journey through nursing school revealed the incredible power of professional massage therapy, inspiring me to share this healing art with a broader audience, which led to the birth of Tea Spa. In the last decade, my path as an energy healer has strengthened my belief in the link between inner peace and mindful living. As the caretaker of Tea Spa, I am dedicated to assembling a team of service providers who embody generosity, tranquility, and vibrant positivity. With each healing touch, we strive to make the world a better place, one person at a time."

Dash In mega gas station proposed for Gaithersburg

The Dash In mega gas station and convenience store chain has proposed the construction of a new location on Shady Grove Road, on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville. If approved, it will be located on the site of the shuttered Red Lobster restaurant at 15700 Shady Grove Road, next to 270 Center, and across the street from Upper Rock. Montgomery County has lagged behind other areas in the development of these large-scale convenience stores for many years, but they are now appearing with increasing momentum, including Sheetz, Wawa, and Royal Farms. Dash In has revamped its store design and food offerings in recent years to better compete with those rivals.

A public meeting regarding the Shady Grove Dash In store proposal will be held tonight, October 6, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Not exactly an accommodating hour for the working person to participate. To join the meeting, use Zoom with Meeting ID: 862 4259 7632 and Passcode: 856064. You can also dial in using your phone at "+13017158592,,86242597632#,,,,*856064#" US (Washington DC) or "+13052241968,,86242597632#,,,,*856064#" US. To receive future communications about the project, you can sign up using this online form.

Gaithersburg shopping center for sale

Want to own a shopping center in Gaithersburg? Quince Orchard Marketplace at 12215 Darnestown Road is on the market for sale. Comprised of five individual properties, the shopping center is anchored by a Safeway grocery store. Other tenants include CVS Pharmacy, a Sunoco gas station, a Capital One bank branch, and California Tortilla. Beyond the revenue generating possibilities, of course, is the redevelopment potential of the site. The online sale listing does not include the asking price. 

Damascus to "welcome" first marijuana dispensary in town, right next to Jimmie Cone

The town of Damascus is getting its first licensed marijuana dispensary. It will be located at 26400 Ridge Road (Route 27), right next door to Jimmie Cone. Damascus has a couple of smoke shops, but this will be the first licensed dispensary in town. Montgomery County and Maryland elected officials are all-in, all-in on smoking pot, and even the federal government is pondering legalization, leading one to wonder why failing government officials so very badly want their constituents to be on mind-altering drugs that can lead to cognitive disfunction, psychosis, and impaired brain development. Hmm. The Damascus dispensary is expected to open by early 2026.

Backyard BOB brick oven food trailer up for auction in Gaithersburg

Backyard BOB, the locally-popular brick oven bistro on wheels that has been operating for three years in Boyds, is now being put up for auction online. The customized trailer sports a Marra Forni MS42-31G gas-fired brick deck oven (42”x31”), with an exhaust system, as its centerpiece. It also contains a pizza prep station, a sandwich prep station, a Waring panini press, a steam well, a glass door fridge, an under counter freezer, a three- compartment sink with overhead shelves, and hand wash sink. Bonus items include an Everstar portable air conditioner, and two 100-pound propane tanks, so that the auction winner can get started right away. The auction begins closing on September 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM.

Photo courtesy Capital Online Auctions

Montgomery County's newest parking lot is in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Montgomery County's newest parking lot is in Gaithersburg. An empty lot at the southwest corner of N. Frederick Avenue (MD 355) and Dalamar Street has just been paved over with asphalt. It appears to connect to the Megamart Supermarket parking lot next door at 33 Dalamar Street. More parking - don't tell the County Council!

Tesla Supercharger station planned for Germantown

A new Tesla Supercharger station is in the works for Germantown. It will be located at the Shops at Seneca Meadows at 20600 Seneca Meadows Parkway. The charging spaces will be located in the ground level of the parking garage at the shopping center, which is best known for its anchor tenant, Wegmans. Twelve charging spaces are expected to be furnished at this Supercharger station.

Patient First building for sale in Germantown

You could become Patient First's landlord if you have $5.5 million burning a hole in your pocket. The building containing the urgent care clinic chain's Milestone Shopping Center location at 21044 Frederick Road in Germantown is now for sale. Built in 1997, the pad site structure was renovated for Patient First in 2019. The asking price for the property is $5,523,810, according to the online sale listing, which is significantly above the assessed value of $2,874,200. It's not clear from the listing if any of the value of the property is derived from potential redevelopment rights.

SafeSplash Swim School for sale in Montgomery Village

SafeSplash Swim School at 19312 Montgomery Village Avenue is being marketed for sale. The swimming instructional center has been open for less than a year at the Montgomery Village Center. Why the franchisee is selling at this early stage is not disclosed, but the school remains fully operational. The asking price for the business is $975,000, according to the online sale listing.

BioNTech to lay off 32 more employees in Gaithersburg

The hits just keep on coming to the moribund Montgomery County economy. Amid mass layoffs of federal employees who live in the County, biotech firm BioNTech has announced further layoffs at its facilities. 63 employees are already due to be let go on Saturday, August 9. Now the German pharmaceutical company says it will lay off an additional 32 workers at its facility at 25 West Watkins Mill Road in Gaithersburg on September 16. 

Hobby Lobby to open in Gaithersburg

Hobby Lobby is planning to open its first store in Montgomery County. It will be at 15750 Shady Grove Road in the 270 Center, on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville. That is the former Best Buy space. Hobby Lobby will take advantage of the big box building dimensions, and the immediate access to I-270 just west of the shopping center.

Hobby Lobby was founded by David Green in 1972, initially operating out of a garage with a $600 loan to create miniature picture frames. The success of these frames, which could be sold to larger retailers, allowed Green to open the first Hobby Lobby store in Oklahoma City in 1972. The company's growth was fueled by its focus on providing a wide array of craft and hobby supplies at competitive prices, coupled with a strong emphasis on customer service. Similar to Chick-fil-A, Hobby Lobby followed a practice of closing its stores on Sundays. Their strategy resonated with a broad customer base, enabling steady expansion across the United States.

The Hobby Lobby concept centers on offering a vast selection of arts, crafts, and home decor items under one roof, catering to a diverse range of creative interests and decorating styles. Their merchandise typically includes framing supplies, floral and wedding décor, fabric, jewelry making components, scrapbooking materials, and various craft supplies for painting, drawing, and needlework. Beyond crafts, Hobby Lobby also stocks a significant amount of seasonal decorations, party supplies, and general home furnishings, all curated to appeal to a family-friendly demographic interested in DIY projects and affordable home embellishments.

Margarita Bar & Grill property for sale in Germantown

You could become Margarita Bar & Grill's landlord, if you purchase the 1.026-acre property the popular Mexican restaurant is situated on in Germantown. The lot at 19201 Frederick Road (MD 355) includes the 3000-square-foot restaurant building and a 70-space parking lot, along with high visibility on one of Maryland's busiest commuter routes. Constructed in 1940, the building was previously home to Captain Mori's and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, until Margarita Bar & Grill moved in almost two years ago. The asking price for the property is $6,500,000, according to the online listing.

Tea Spa to relocate at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg

Tea Spa Wellness Center is preparing to relocate within Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. Currently located at 209 Market Street W., the day spa will be moving over to 621 Center Point Way. That space - as you can see in the photo below - was most recently home to Pacifica Cafe. It faces the parking lot on the far end of the Cinepolis movie theater building. Massages, facials, Reiki energy healing, acupuncture, and waxing are among the services offered by Tea Spa.

New Starbucks in the works for Germantown

Does Montgomery County need another Starbucks? Yes, and it's going to be in Germantown. The coffee megacorporation is taking a leaf out of our local Dunkin' Donuts franchisee's book, and will be repurposing a vacant bank building that has a drive-thru. It will be located at 12605 Wisteria Drive at the Germantown Square shopping center. Construction is anticipated to get underway in mid-summer.