Germantown dry cleaners to become Goodwill Drop-off center

A vacant dry cleaning space at Middlebrook Square in Germantown is being taken over by Goodwill Industries. Romance Dry Cleaners closed last year at 11500 Middlebrook Road after decades of service. The non-profit plans to convert the space into a donation drop-off center. Construction is expected to begin by winter.

Aerospace firm chooses Virginia over Maryland for 2nd headquarters

Colorado-based defense and aerospace firm Auria, following the model of Amazon with its HQ2, sought a location to establish a new East Coast corporate headquarters. You will be absolutely shocked to learn that the company came to the same conclusion as Amazon, and has chosen Fairfax County over Montgomery County. Auria announced it will open its HQ2 at 2000 Edmund Halley Drive in Reston. The headquarters will also contain research, development, and system integration facilities, which will enhance testing and product demonstration capabilities. Meanwhile, the Montgomery County Council will have to again save their ribbon cutting scissors for the next convenience store opening.

"We are proud to welcome Auria’s East Coast headquarters to Fairfax," Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said in a statement yesterday. She said the company's decision "reflects confidence in our business environment, strategic location, and our continued support of innovative aerospace and defense companies."

We could talk about the lower taxes and business-friendly environment of Northern Virginia compared to Montgomery County, which has the highest total tax and fee burden in the entire region. But let's look again at the critical factor of access to Dulles International Airport, essential for any serious international businessperson. The site chosen by Auria is an 8 minute drive away from Dulles. Montgomery County still lacks direct access to Dulles, thanks to the Montgomery County Council canceling the long-planned Potomac River crossing of I-370 to Route 28 in the Dulles area. Doh!

Indecent exposure at apartment complex in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg City police responded to a report of indecent exposure at an apartment complex this past Friday morning, October 23, 2026. The incident was reported in the 400 block of Allied Place at 8:45 AM. Police were called to a garage on the premises to investigate.

Israeli defense firm chooses Virginia for U.S. headquarters

Israeli defense firm Smart Shooter has selected the location for its new U.S. headquarters, and - surprise! - it's Northern Virginia, not Montgomery County. The company, known for its rifle-mounted and hand-held fire control systems, chose Dulles Office Park in Herndon for its U.S. operations center. As you might surmise from the property name, the site is 5 minutes from Dulles International Airport, an essential amenity for international businesspeople. Montgomery County infamously lacks direct access to Dulles, by virtue of County elected officials cancelling the long-planned new Potomac River crossing from I-370 in Gaithersburg to Route 28 in the Dulles area. "I coulda been a contender!" Womp, womp.

Photo courtesy Fairfax County Economic Development Authority/Nikolai Roster

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival tickets now on sale

Tickets for the 2026 edition of the Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival are now on sale. The festival will run from November 27 through New Year's Eve, with the exception of Christmas Day. Festival hours will be 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Advance ticket purchase is required for all Winter Lights Events, to control the flow of traffic and ensure a pleasant experience for all participants. Tickets are $15 Monday through Thursday, and $25 Friday through Sunday. Vehicles with 15 or more passengers will be required to pay $35. Tickets may sell out in advance. 

Assault at grocery store in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a grocery store Monday afternoon, October 19, 2026. The assault was reported at a supermarket in the 800 block of Muddy Branch Road at 5:12 PM. That appears to be the Giant store at Muddy Branch Square. At least one individual was also accused of shoplifting and property damage in the same incident.

Assault at restaurant in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police were called to a restaurant in Montgomery Village yesterday afternoon, after someone was allegedly assaulted there. The assault was reported at a restaurant in the 18300 block of Contour Road at 5:39 PM Monday. That is at the Montgomery Village Plaza shopping center.