CVS Pharmacy update at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg (Photos)

The future CVS Pharmacy at 311 Kentlands Boulevard in Gaithersburg is wearing its heart on its...through its front upper window. Along with the drugstore chain's now-familiar stylized organ logo is the addition of more shelving and displays, and some actual merchandise coming out from the storeroom in back. Still empty is the sign out front that usually displays the names of the store manager and pharmacy manager at each CVS location. There still isn't an official opening date for this store.

Torrid closes at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Torrid has closed at 35 Grand Corner Avenue at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. There's no indication the plus-size women's boutique chain is engaged in any mass shuttering of stores elsewhere in the country, so we'll have to chalk this local closure up to the hostile business climate of Montgomery County. In fact, the former Hot Topic division had a successful IPO when it spun out on its own in 2021.

Gaithersburg Wawa construction update (Photos)

The Gaithersburg Wawa is rivaling the Purple Line and Silver Spring Transit Center in the speed of completion. Its construction site at 405 S. Frederick Avenue has seen little visible progress for months. Perhaps there are complex environmental, stormwater and underground fuel storage steps being taken below the piled-up and graded dirt. But it's rare to see such a relatively small project take more than a few months to complete. It was last April when the former store on the premises when razed.

Germantown Target to add new Ulta Beauty section

A new Ulta Beauty section is coming to the Target store at 20908 Frederick Road, at the Milestone Shopping Center in Germantown. The store-within-a-store concept offers "prestige" beauty products not ordinarily found at Target. Limited-edition products share space with Ulta's best-selling skin and hair care lines. GLAMlab, a virtual tool, allows you to preview your "results" without having to test or buy the product first. The small-scale interior renovation required for this upgrade to the Beauty department is expected to begin by spring.

Rendering courtesy Target

Oak Barrel & Vine signage installed at Gaithersburg Square (Photos)

Signage for Oak Barrel & Vine has been added to the main Gaithersburg Square sign along MD 355. The brand is an attempt by the Montgomery County government liquor monopoly to look more like a private business. Try telling that to customers who can't find major releases from the world's biggest brands, like a widely-advertised limited-edition Budweiser beer or the Coca-Cola branded Jack Daniels cans in these government stores. The new concept will have more locally-produced items, a large tasting room and event space, queue lines for a faster checkout process, and a "safe and inviting environment." It is anticipated to open this spring.

Montgomery County Executive condemns weekend anti-Semitic incidents

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) strongly condemned a series of anti-Semitic incidents across the county this past weekend in a statement. Swastikas were found on desks in three public schools, and flyers targeting several Jewish families were distributed in Kensington. Elrich revealed that, unlike many of the other incidents in recent years, perpetrators of the desk graffiti were identified and have been disciplined by Montgomery County Public Schools. Police are investigating the flyer incident to determine if it qualifies as a hate crime, Elrich said.

Elrich said he is glad the school cases were resolved quickly, but that this "does not heal the pain that these schools are dealing with." He added that, rather than divide the community as intended, the incidents have only had the effect of "generating more support for our Jewish neighbors." 

"We are united and are showing those who are pedaling (sic) hate that these antisemitic attempts at community disruption won't be tolerated," Elrich said. "Montgomery County is home to one of the most diverse areas in the nation. We are proud of that diversity and antisemitic activities do not reflect our community values. It’s not the Montgomery way."

Signage installed at Shake Shack in Gaithersburg (Video + Photos)

Signage has been installed at the future Shake Shack at 150 Kentlands Square Place in Gaithersburg. A few of the letters in "fries" and "concretes" have already fallen off, though. The state of the interior cannot be seen, as the window openings are still covered, and fencing surrounds the restaurant. Shake Shack had been scheduled to open before the end of 2022, so it is a positive development to see the signs installed.