Signs of the future at Spectrum in Gaithersburg

Signs of the future at the Spectrum development along Watkins Mill Road at MD 355 in Gaithersburg can be seen on the new community's digital sign. Eagerly-awaited businesses touted include Starbucks, Royal Farms and Ela Mesa Taste of Greece.

La Gula Mexicana closer to opening at Milestone Center in Germantown

The lighted sign is up at La Gula Mexicana at 21030 Frederick Road in Germantown, at the Milestone Center. There has been substantial progress on the interior construction, but there's still much to be done before the restaurant is ready to open. La Gula has an interesting spot at the center, right next to another Latin American restaurant, Don Pollo.

Bed Bath & Beyond closes in Gaithersburg

Bed Bath & Beyond has officially closed in Gaithersburg. You may recall I reported this store at 558 N. Frederick Avenue would be closing back in September, as the chain struggles with declining sales, despite Americans spending a record amount of time in their homes this year. The shopping center is going to get a major renovation after top tenants like BB&B and Chuck E. Cheese have abandoned ship this year.

Montgomery County judge won't end indoor dining ban

Parker Lewis can't lose. And neither can Montgomery County government in a Maryland courtroom, it can often seem. The recent decision by a judge in Anne Arundel County overturning that jurisdiction's ban on indoor and outdoor dining set up an excellent measuring stick for the Montgomery County decision that came last night in Montgomery County Circuit Court.

Judge James Bonifant declined to grant an injunction against Montgomery County's ban on indoor dining. Another hearing on the matter will be held after the Christmas holiday. Similar efforts to overturn bans were also rejected in Baltimore City and Prince George's County on Wednesday. 

Shots fired at Germantown trailer park

Montgomery County police detectives are investigating an incident of a firearm being discharged at the Middlebrook Mobile Home Park on Frederick Road in Germantown on December 13. That evening, police responded to calls reporting the sound of gunfire around 8:29 PM. Upon arriving on the scene, officers found a bullet had struck a trailer, and two other bullets had struck a vehicle in front of that trailer, which was occupied at the time of the shots being fired.

Detectives are asking anyone who has information about this incident to call the 5th District Investigative Section at 240-773-6237.  Those who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Solvers by phone: 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), online, or via the Crime Solvers app. Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest in this case.

 

Rape reported in Kentlands area of Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a rape in Gaithersburg Saturday night. A forcible rape was reported in a residential parking lot in the 900 block of Beacon Square Court around 8:07 PM that evening. According to crime data, the suspect in the assault had a firearm.

YouTube star Mr. Beast, rapper Tyga open ghost kitchens in Montgomery County, D.C.

Ghost kitchens are the hot trend in the pandemic-stricken hospitality industry these days. But it's not just neighborhood restaurant owners and local entrepreneurs testing the increasingly-hot waters; celebrities now want into the game. Two names familiar to many young people have now entered the market in Montgomery County and the District: top YouTuber Mr. Beast, and rapper Tyga.

Mr. Beast has just launched MrBeast Burger, a ghost kitchen burger "restaurant" you can order from via most popular food delivery apps (or the official MrBeast Burger app), at 122 Kentlands Boulevard and 1825 Connecticut Avenue N.W. in the District. Tyga is selling delivery-only Tyga Bites from...those same two addresses.

What's going on here? Both men are taking a Jeff Bezos approach to these ventures. Just as Bezos used existing Whole Foods grocery stores to further his delivery and logistics goals, MrBeast Burger and TygaBites are using Buca di Beppo restaurants across the country to launch these ghost kitchens. Your burgers, chicken and other menu items will be prepared by the chefs at those restaurants, and Mr. Beast and Tyga get a cut of the profits. Using this method, Mr. Beast was able to open 300 locations nationwide.

Despite the two geographically-disparate locations, apps appear to allow a surprisingly large number of Montgomery County residents to qualify for delivery from one or the other sites. Just open your favorite delivery app, and see if you can get a delivery. Bethesda seems to work from the D.C. location, Rockville from Kentlands, etc. Expect to see more of these gimmicks in the near future, as it appears to be a business model that any celebrity can plug into for Trump-like naming rights, while boosting sales for the Buca di Beppo chain.

How long before Tarnation Bob's Tarnation Burger pops up on delivery apps nationwide?

Armed robbery in Gaithersburg

City of Gaithersburg police responded to a report of an armed robbery in Gaithersburg Wednesday night. The robbery was reported at a restaurant in the 200 block of Muddy Branch Road around 8:48 PM. A firearm was used in the robbery.

Maryland Gov. limits travel to essential purposes only, requires out-of-state travelers to quarantine or provide negative test

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) held a press conference late this afternoon, announcing several executive orders and coronavirus protocol directives. Hogan announced he is lowering the state's public gathering limit from 25 people to 10. The governor also issued an emergency order limiting travel to essential purposes only. Travelers from out-of-state (or Marylanders returning from out-of-state) must self-quarantine for 10 days, or provide a negative Covid-19 test, upon arriving in the state. 

Mandatory telework has been proscribed for all state employees who can. Hogan said that starting December 21, front-facing government offices will be temporarily suspending all in-person interactions with the public for two weeks.

Echoing New Zealand's exemption for the Easter Bunny earlier this year, Hogan exempted Santa Claus, elves, and reindeer from travel restrictions. He said Dr. Anthony Fauci told him in a Zoom conference earlier today that Santa Claus has immunity to Covid-19.

Hogan said the state will provide $30 million in assistance for restaurants, and $15 million more for entertainment venues, hurt by the pandemic. He also announced $40 million being added to the Temporary Assistance Program, and $40 million to care providers for the developmentally disabled.

The governor asked residents to do their part to reduce the spread of the virus, and to look forward to "a better, healthier and happier 2021."

A look at the new Fire Lounge at Rio Lakefront (Video+Photos)

Rio Lakefront's Fire Lounge is complete after several weeks of construction. The views are especially nice with the Christmas lights in the background. Depending when you are there, you might have a chance to roast s'mores or run into the Mischievous Strolling Elf.

Car stolen in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen car in Germantown yesterday morning. The vehicle was taken from a residential parking lot in the 11400 block of Stoney Point Place. It is believed the car was stolen between 9:15 PM Sunday night, and 9:30 AM Monday morning.

Future of Lakeforest Mall on Gaithersburg Mayor & Council agenda tonight

A master plan has been drafted for the Lakeforest Mall property in Gaithersburg, and the Mayor and City Council will review that and public feedback at their regular meeting tonight, in a joint session with the city's Planning Commission. 739 people out of 8120 city and county residents who were mailed or invited to take a survey on the potential redevelopment returned their surveys. 28 people participated in public forums or focus groups on the matter. 

City planning staff characterizes the majority opinion from this feedback as favoring mixed-use development, housing at a variety of price points, job opportunities for "various career levels," and a variety of transportation modes. Other familiar buzzwords include creation of a "sense of place," and addition of "maker spaces."

Staff is also recommending circulation patterns that promote pedestrian and cycling safety. Housing should be "higher density," despite the mall's substantial distance from the nearest Metro station. Retail should be downplayed, staff argues, because there is already too much retail in the area.

Auntie Anne's to close at Lakeforest Mall

Auntie Anne's is closing at Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg. A complete liquidation auction of their equipment will be held December 22, according to an online listing for the auction. 

Junction Station brings nostalgia to Rio Lakefront for the holidays

Junction Station, a pop-up shop featuring tinplate toys and trains from the 1920s to 1950s, is bringing a train horn blast of nostalgia to Rio Lakefront for the holiday season. A large window display at its storefront at 201 Boardwalk Place shows off many of the railroad, vehicle and aircraft items for sale. It also gives shoutouts on buildings and signs to various tenants of the Peterson Cos. retail development. A nice reward for window shoppers making their way down the street, which has no small amount of retro aesthetic itself.

Airport Cafe for sale at Montgomery County Airpark

The Airport Cafe at the Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg is for sale. Currently serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, there is the potential to expand hours to dinner service. The cafe seats 40 indoors and 50 on the outdoor deck, which offers a view of the airpark runways.

Asking price for the cafe is $80,000. The current lease runs through January 1, 2024, and the monthly rent is $1600. 

Car stolen from Gaithersburg repair shop

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen car in Gaithersburg Monday afternoon. The vehicle was reported stolen from an auto repair business in the 8100 block of Beechcraft Avenue around 1:38 PM.

Aggravated assault with gun in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault in Germantown yesterday afternoon. An aggravated assault involving a firearm occurred in a wooded area in the 12100 block of Skip Jack Drive near Gunners Lake around 4:00 PM Monday.

Armed robberies in Gaithersburg, Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to two armed robberies in only 15 minutes in Gaithersburg and Germantown late Saturday night. The first robbery was reported in the 12500 block of Laurel Grove Place in Germantown around 11:00 PM. Fourteen minutes later, another armed robbery was reported in the 19700 block of Drop Forge Lane in Gaithersburg. Guns were the weapons employed in both robberies, according to crime data.