Renovations planned for Harbor Freight Tools store in Montgomery Village

The Harbor Freight Tools store at 9649 Lost Knife Road in Montgomery Village will get an extensive remodeling this year. New fixtures will be installed in the merchandise area, restrooms will be renovated, the manager's office and cash room will be revamped, and electric sliding entry doors will replace the existing entrance. Harbor Freight Tools is located in the Montgomery Village Crossing shopping center.

Silver Diner to add pergola to outdoor patio at Rio Lakefront

Silver Diner plans to transform its outdoor patio at Rio Lakefront with the addition of a pergola. Constructed of aluminum, the nearly 12' tall structure will have blue striping. A small Silver Diner logo is proposed for the pergola, but the restaurant will have to obtain a City of Gaithersburg sign permit in the future for that addition.

Rooftop louvers on the pergola will be able to open or close based upon the weather. Likewise, the pergola's vinyl fabric "walls" can be rolled up in warmer months, and down in the winter. New heaters and fans will be installed in the ceiling of the pergola for additional year-round climate control.

The proposed pergola design will be presented to the Gaithersburg Planning Commission at its Wednesday, March 17, 2021 virtual meeting for approval. City planning staff is recommending approval of the request, citing other restaurants at Rio which have similar outdoor dining accommodations.

Car stolen in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to an apartment complex in Germantown Thursday morning. They were summoned due to a car being stolen from the parking lot in the 12500 block of Great Park Circle. 

Montgomery County Council bucks state advice to lift covid restrictions on business

While most of Maryland reopened for business without restrictions yesterday, the Montgomery County Council resisted Gov. Larry Hogan's call to end restrictions on business. The Council met as the Board of Health Friday, after debating its authority to rebuff Hogan's statewide lifting of limits on retail and restaurants all week. Councilmembers ultimately chose not to lift capacity limits on indoor dining and shopping, which will remain at 25% capacity (although some large retailers have been able to get a waiver for the 25% cap for months), and only rise to 50% on March 26. The updated guidelines unanimously approved by the Council include the following:

As of yesterday at 5:00 PM:

• removing local restrictions on capacity at child care facilities, which follow state requirements
• increasing outdoor gatherings to a maximum of 50 people
• increasing indoor gatherings to a maximum of 25 people
• eliminating the limit of one person per 200 square feet
• eliminating alcohol limits on food-service facilities; alcohol can be sold after 10 pm
• eliminating the restriction on buffet service for food-service facilities
• increasing the capacity for religious facilities to 50%

The following changes will go into effect on March 26:

• increasing the maximum capacity to 50% for indoor dining, retail shops, fitness centers and other businesses
• permitting arts and entertainment facilities to open at 25% capacity, provided they do not sell or permit food for consumption in the facility

The guidelines for entertainment venues as written do not immediately appear to apply to movie theaters, which serve food. Only "theaters" that don't serve concessions may reopen at 25% as of March 26. Given that concessions are key to profits for cineplexes, it seems unlikely they would forgo sales of food just to reopen.

County Executive Marc Elrich cited the low percentage of Montgomery County residents who have received a coronavirus vaccination as a primary reason to not lift covid restrictions to the degree the state did Friday. "County leaders will continue focusing on what works, listening to our public health experts and acting based on the needs of our community because public health is the key to a sustained and robust recovery for all," Elrich said in a statement yesterday after the Council vote.

Assault at Germantown grocery store

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a second-degree assault at a grocery store in Germantown Wednesday afternoon. The assault was reported at a supermarket in the 18300 block of Leaman Farm Road around 5:49 PM, according to crime data. There is a Giant store on that block.

Java Nation targeting summer opening in Gaithersburg

A few more details have emerged about the expansion of Java Nation to Gaithersburg at 121 Market Street at Kentlands Market Square. The upscale coffee shop is aiming for a summer opening. It will be open Mondays and Tuesdays 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Wednesdays 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Thursdays and Fridays 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Saturdays 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM, and Sundays 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM. 

Java Nation has filed for a liquor license from Montgomery County. Their hearing is scheduled for March 18 at 11:00 AM.

Royal Tandoor opening this spring in Gaithersburg

A local chef is bringing new flavors to Muddy Branch Square in Gaithersburg. Brews & Barrels owner Neel Kamal will open Royal Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine & Whiskey Bar this April at 820 Muddy Branch Road, near First Watch. Here's a sneak peek at the menu, as well as the extensive list of whiskeys and other spirits that will be served at the restaurant. Royal Tandoor has applied for its liquor license, and has a hearing scheduled for March 18 at 9:00 AM.