Gaithersburg Planning Commission to review site plan for Royal Farms, Starbucks at Spectrum

The site plan for the addition of two new businesses at the Spectrum development will be reviewed by the Gaithersburg Planning Commission at its July 15, 2020 virtual meeting at 7:30 PM that evening. Royal Farms, a convenience store with fresh food and a mega gas station is the highest profile of the two, with this being the first Royal Farms location in Montgomery County. The other business is a Starbucks. While ubiquitous throughout most of Montgomery County, this will be one of the few that has a drive-thru.

Montgomery County criticized for releasing man who allegedly sexually abused child

A man arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a child on June 18 was released from jail by the Montgomery County Department of Corrections on June 23. In the meantime, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers had lodged a detainer request for Rene Atilio Ramos-Hernandez, 56.

ICE officials complain that Montgomery County did not honor the detainer request. They say the County called them at moment they were releasing Ramos-Hernandez, and refused to hold him for the time it would take ERO officers to travel to the jail.

“Montgomery County continues the practice of not honoring lawful ICE detainers and release potential public safety threats back into the community,” acting ICE Baltimore Field Office Director Francisco Madrigal said in a statement. “When they refuse to give adequate notification of an impending release to allow a safe transfer of custody, it shows their actions are insincere. ICE believes the best way to protect public safety is for law enforcement to work together.”

Officials in Montgomery County and other jurisdictions that refuse to comply with ICE requests have said detainers are not arrest warrants. They argue that the County could be sued for illegally holding a prisoner after his or her release. ICE reports that Ramos-Hernandez is in the country illegally, and remains at large.

Grille at Flower Hill in Montgomery County inspectors' crosshairs after owner vows no masks

UPDATE - July 8, 2020 10:23 AM: Montgomery County has now acknowledged that it released false information when it incorrectly stated it had "closed" Vibes Hookah Lounge. As noted in my previous update, the business remains fully open for retail sales, takeout and outdoor patio hookah.

UPDATE - 3:44 PM: The owner of Vibes Hookah Lounge disputes Montgomery County's claim that the business was "closed" by the County. He says Vibes remains open for retail sales, takeout service, and outdoor hookah, and that the County inspector ordered that indoor hookah not be allowed during Phase 2 of reopening

Montgomery County inspectors have taken enforcement action against several businesses they say have not complied with Phase 2 reopening guidelines and social distancing requirements. Vibes Hookah Lounge at 1 Dawson Avenue in Rockville was closed down by County inspectors because hookah lounges are not currently allowed to operate under Phase 2 rules.

Cabana Hookah Lounge in Silver Spring was shut down by the County for the same reason, County officials said Monday. Additionally, the County forced The Palisades Lounge in downtown Silver Spring to close because social distancing was not being enforced, and for a liquor law violation, officials alleged.

The Grille at Flower Hill in Gaithersburg came onto County officials' radar after the owner vowed on social media not to follow the County requirement that employees wear masks. But it has not been closed down yet, as it is not reopening until Thursday, when an inspector will reportedly pay a visit.

County health officer Dr. Travis Gayles said Monday that the County has "legal authority" to close businesses that do not comply with reopening guidelines. "Businesses will stay open provided they follow the public health guidelines," County Executive Marc Elrich said yesterday. "If they choose to ignore public health guidance, we will shut them down."

Minerva Express Indian Cuisine closes in Gaithersburg

Minerva Express Indian Cuisine has closed at 554 N. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. The restaurant space has been cleared out. In other Gaithersburg Square news, there are still hair products, computers and other equipment inside the Hair Cuttery space next to Minerva, but the Hair Cuttery signage has been removed from the facade outside the salon.

Minerva

Hair Cuttery

Signage removed at Chuck E. Cheese's in Gaithersburg

It's all over but the crying at Chuck E. Cheese's in Gaithersburg. The shuttered pizza parlor resembles an ancient temple ruin with stately columns. A shadow of Chuck himself remains burnt into the facade where the main sign was removed. While the exterior signs are gone, the Chuck E. Cheese window coverings remain in place.

GNC closing in the Kentlands

Another GNC is closing in Gaithersburg. This time, it's the Kentlands location at 251 Kentlands Boulevard. The closing sale comes just a week after it was announced that their Rio Lakefront store would be closing; the Kentlands store was not on the closure list at that time.

Montgomery Village Giant to add electric vehicle charging stations

Cadillac ELR electric vehicle

Electric car charging stations continue to multiply at a modest pace across the region. Two of the latest will be installed in the coming months at the Montgomery Village Giant grocery store at 20044 Goshen Road.