Gaithersburg denies application for crematorium in residential area

A citizen campaign to prevent a house in their Gaithersburg neighborhood from being converted into an a crematorium proved successful in swaying city officials Monday night. The Mayor and Council rejected Devol Funeral Home's application, despite earlier doubts that there was any legal way to deny it under the current zoning code. Testimony from actual residents near the proposed crematorium continued to be solidly against the proposal. City officials agreed that this was not an appropriate land use in a residential area.

Popeyes at Kentlands sets opening date

Popeyes has set an opening date for its newest Montgomery County location at 177 Kentlands Boulevard. A sign posted in the restaurant's window says they will open tomorrow, Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 10:00 AM.

Germantown-area 7-Eleven stores getting new hot food/coffee bar design

Six 7-Eleven stores in Germantown, and one in Montgomery Village, are getting a remodeled hot food and coffee bar area. The stores are located at 13001 Wisteria Drive, 20510 Frederick Road, 18701 Liberty Mill Road, 19412 Walter Johnson Road, 12301 Middlebrook Road, 9051 Snouffer School Road, and 19700 Frederick Road.

I attempted to contact 7-Eleven's corporate office to learn more details about whether the new design represents a national remodeling effort being rolled out first in certain areas. 7-Eleven has sought to bring attention to their expanding fresh food options, as Wawa and Sheetz have made strong inroads with made-to-order hot foods. 7-Eleven has been known more for pre-heated foods like hot dogs that are already ready to purchase when the customer arrives. 

A 7-Eleven spokesperson declined to comment at this time. Perhaps Germantown will be one of the first to see something new!

Rio Lakefront fire lounge construction begins (Photos)

Construction has begun on a new outdoor space at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. This will be a fire pit lounge when completed. Property owner Peterson Cos. has created several new outdoor gathering spaces and venues as part of a massive update for the retail center over the last two years. This one is by Uncle Julio's and the future True Food Kitchen (formerly Joe's Crab Shack). The fire lounge is scheduled to be completed before the end of fall.

Curaleaf Montgomery Village dispensary to open in January 2021

A Curaleaf medical marijuana dispensary at 10011 Stedwick Road in Montgomery Village is now scheduled to open in January 2021. In an interesting twist, the dispensary business is already for sale before it has even opened. It is being marketed with the twin advantages of marijuana dispensaries having been deemed essential businesses not subject to pandemic shutdowns, and the fact that medical marijuana use has soared to record levels during the pandemic. The asking price is $3,053,500, and the building has a ten-year lease. 

Al Punto Services to take over vacant Waters Appliance space in Gaithersburg

Al Punto Services will open an office in the vacant space formerly home to Waters Appliance, at 216 E. Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg. Al Punto offers money transfer, bill paying, check cashing and notary services, and much more. They currently have an office at 32 N. Summit Avenue, Unit B1 in Gaithersburg, in the Morazan Grocery building. 

The E Diamond Avenue storefront is going to give Al Punto a much more visible location. Waters Appliance was a classic Olde Towne business that started in 1964, and closed last year.

Weis Markets closes in Gaithersburg

Weis Markets has closed at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg. This is disappointing because this was the furthest-south location of the grocery chain in Montgomery County. They have some items you can't get at other stores, so it's sad to see them contract rather than expand further.