Gaithersburg Megamart construction update (Photos)

There still isn't any signage installed at the future Megamart grocery store at 7 Dalamar Street in Gaithersburg. What has been done since my last update? Red awnings were installed on the supermarket facade. The freshly-paved parking lot has been striped with crosswalks and 114 parking spaces. And Megamart trucks are already parked in (or across) some of them.

Germantown, Montgomery Village, Goshen, Laytonsville among hardest hit by power outages after storm

Pepco crews staging at the 7-Eleven store
on River Road in Bethesda this morning

Over 10,000 Pepco customers remain without power this morning in Montgomery County, but that number is down about 60,000 from the height of last evening's thunderstorm damage. The weather event, and resulting tree and power line damage, has been one of the few significant tests for Pepco since the electric utility was acquired by Exelon in 2016. Yesterday's storm appeared deceptively routine for late summer, but spawned straight line winds in areas like North Bethesda and Rockville, and had some in Northwest Washington, D.C. reporting a tornado in their community.

Southwest Bethesda neighborhoods like Springfield, Sumner, Wood Acres, Bannockburn and Spring Hill are still experiencing significant power outages. Grid resiliency issues reared their head again in the Westbard area long after skies had cleared Saturday night. Residents there who were fortunate enough to retain power after the storm last night report experiencing brownouts at 2:12 AM and 4:32 AM. The 4:32 AM brownout was an extended one, as after a split-second blackout that ravaged appliance motors, light fixtures were shimmering and flickering until all power was lost around 4:45 AM. Power was then restored around 4:48 AM. Interestingly, both brownout episodes reported seem to coincide with brand new power outages in the Westbard and Wood Acres/Searl Terrace areas, which the Pepco outage map indicates were reported at 2:15 AM (Searl Terrace) and 4:53 AM (Westbard Avenue). This morning's brownouts follow three sunny day brownouts in the Westbard area two weeks ago.

In North Bethesda, apartment building residents reported being in the dark Saturday night, and outages persist around Grosvenor, Garrett Park, Tilden Lane, Randolph Hills and the Randolph Road corridor this morning. Things aren't looking much better in the Twinbrook and Rollins Park areas of Rockville.

Aspen Hill is still smarting today with many outages. Fortunately for those without air conditioning, today's high will "only" be 85 degrees, instead of the 99 degree peak experienced last Friday. Outages also persist around Leisure World, Bel Pre Road, Wheaton, Kensington, Kemp Mill, Takoma Park, Hillandale, Colesville and Fairland. 

The storm appears to have cut a straight path across Montgomery Village, Goshen, and Laytonsville, judging from the large number of outages there. Outages remain in the Kentlands, Montgomery College-Germantown campus, Olney and Sandy Spring areas. 

Car stolen in Germantown Town Center area

Montgomery County police are investigating the theft of a vehicle in the Germantown Town Center area. The vehicle was taken from a residential parking lot in the 19800 block of Century Boulevard. It is believed the car was stolen sometime between 8:00 PM on July 25, 2023, and 12:50 PM on July 26.

Montgomery County police deploy new stealth police cruisers for Vision Zero traffic enforcement

Starting today, there are two more reasons to obey the speed limit. Montgomery County police have deployed two new "slick top" cruisers as of this morning, July 27, 2023. Both new Dodge Charger models are designed with stealthy features to avoid premature detection by leadfoot or texting drivers. They each have lights inside the top of the windshield and rear window, rather than on the roof. The "ghost graphics" model has nearly-invisible MCPD markings on its exterior, which are very subtle in the daytime, but are highly-reflective at night.

MCPD says both cruisers are being deployed for Vision Zero traffic enforcement. Officers driving them will be on the lookout for drivers who are speeding, texting while driving, not wearing seatbelts, driving impaired or driving aggressively. Both will be driven by Central Traffic Unit officers, who will be in full uniform.

Prince George's County officials endorse Will Jawando for U.S. Senate in Maryland

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando announced four new endorsements from elected officials in Prince George's County this morning, in his campaign for the Maryland U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Ben Cardin in January 2025. Laurel City Councilmembers Martin Mitchell and Carl Dewalt, Colmar Manor Mayor Monica Casañas, and Mount Rainier Mayor Celina Benitez joined Jawando for a press conference in Laurel to make the announcement. The Democratic electorate in Prince George's is key to victory in any statewide race.

Councilmember Mitchell zeroed in on a central Jawando campaign theme in his endorsement statement. “From his work on the County Council to stabilize rents to his commitment to introduce a Universal Basic Income program in the U.S. Senate, it is clear to me that Will Jawando is the only true progressive in this race," Mitchell said. "We need a new generation of leaders in every part of our government — ones that will prioritize voting rights, action on climate change, and a vision of equity for all. That’s why I’m proud to stand by Will in his race to be Maryland’s next U.S. Senator.”

Mayor Casañas also echoed Jawando's effort to claim the progressive lane in the race, which has been left open by the decision of Congressman Jamie Raskin to pass on the 2024 Senate contest.  “As a community activist, I know that the only option in this race is Will Jawando," she said. "I have had the honor of working alongside Will Jawando on the Montgomery County Council to promote and advance English literacy in adult communities. Will is a partner in building equity and opportunity for marginalized communities and that’s exactly what he will do in the U.S. Senate.”

Jawando's recent role in the passing of rent stabilization in Montgomery County was mentioned by several of the endorsers, including Councilmember Dewalt. “I’ve spent a career working on behalf of the citizens of Laurel, both as a police officer and now as the Councilmember for Ward 1," Dewalt said. "Will has delivered for his constituents in Montgomery County time and time again; his efficacy as a legislator is unparalleled, look only to his recent success in passing rent stabilization in the largest county in Maryland. I look forward to working with him when he is elected to be our next U.S. Senator.”

“I am so proud to earn the endorsements of Councilmembers Mitchell and Dewalt and Mayors Casañas and Benitez," Jawando said in a statement. While I have been honored to serve on the Montgomery Council Council for the past 5 years, the truth is that there’s so much more to Maryland in addition to Montgomery County – and my expanding progressive coalition spans across the state. Prince George’s County is a beautiful bastion of diversity, economic development, and some of Maryland’s best.

“I intend to win this race by bringing together all the communities that make our state great, spanning across racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic lines. These endorsements today help demonstrate our campaign’s strength in this regard, and over the next few months, I will continue to show that this message resonates with all Marylanders.

“As we continue to expand my coalition, I plan to travel all across the state and take no vote for granted. Our vision for Maryland’s future will lift everyone up, no matter your ZIP Code. I look forward to working alongside all of these excellent public servants between now and election day.”

Historic Gaithersburg Holiday Inn reopens

The historic Holiday Inn Gaithersburg hotel that once welcomed Elvis Presley, Rock Hudson, Sonny and Cher, and Liberace is now once again welcoming guests. Located at 2 Montgomery Village Avenue right off of I-270, the hotel closed during the pandemic in 2020. After years of troubling rumors about the fate of the property, there was wonderful news from owner B.F. Saul on Monday that the hotel has been updated and reopened to the traveling public. 

A hotel that once gained national attention for its $1400-a-night Presidential Suite, the Holiday Inn Gaithersburg is back with 160 guest rooms of multiple configurations. All 160 rooms feature expanded workspaces, pillow-top mattresses, 50” flat screen TVs, in-room mini fridges and microwaves, and an array of complimentary Dove bath products. All rooms are available to book now with rates starting at $119 per night.

Longtime residents will remember this Holiday Inn, like many of the chain's hotels in decades past, was a popular dining destination in Montgomery County. The reopened hotel is striving to meet that standard again with its full-service restaurant, Harvest Plates & Pints. Operating hours will be 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM for breakfast, and 4:00 PM to 10:30 PM for dinner. Weekend brunchers will not want to miss the IHG breakfast buffet at the restaurant.

Event planning is also back in full swing at the hotel. Reopened are eight event rooms with 8,000 sq ft of flexible space, including a 350-person ballroom and the hotel’s renowned Washingtonian Room. Catering and banquet spaces have been fully restored for social or corporate functions. Support for business guests is rounded out by hotel-wide free high speed WiFi, and a 24-hour business center. There is also a 24-hour gift shop where guests can purchase packaged snacks, beverages and sundries.

“We are proud and excited that this iconic hotel will again serve the residents, visitors, and businesses of Gaithersburg and Montgomery County," B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group President Mark Carrier said in a statement. "Welcome!” Reservations can be made online, or by calling 301.948.8900. 

Photos courtesy Holiday Inn Gaithersburg

Auntie Anne's/Cinnabon opens at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

This could be the site of the most incredible aromas at Rio Lakefront. Yes, Auntie Anne's/Cinnabon is now open at 220 Boardwalk Place in Gaithersburg. Fresh pretzels AND fresh Cinnabon in the same space? I'll buy that for a (lot more than a) dollar. The aromas may even make you forget the blasphemy of having an Auntie Anne's or a Cinnabon that isn't inside a mall.

McDonald's Cookies & Creme Pie arrives in Montgomery County

There's a new addition to the dessert menu at McDonald's in Montgomery County. The Cookies & Creme Pie features a baked chocolate crust, with a creme filling that also holds Oreo-style chocolate cookie pieces. This pie is reportedly not available in every market across the country, so we were fortunate to be one of those to have it. The pie will be available for a limited time only, as will the Oreo Frappe.

Le Macaron under construction at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Construction on Le Macaron is in the early stage at 7 Grand Corner Avenue at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The French macaron bakery is promising to serve "the jewel of French pastries." Le Macaron was founded by Rosalie Guillem and daughter Audrey Saba in 2009. The success of the first location was so great that the company began franchising the concept in 2012. 

Signage installed at Poke Bros in Gaithersburg

The sign is up at Poke Bros, opening soon at 107 Market Street W. in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg. This will be the first Poke Bros location in Maryland. The Hawaiian poke bowl chain has 79 restaurants nationwide. Poke Bros is based in Columbus, Ohio, and has grown outward from the midwest since its founding in 2016.

Gaithersburg Megamart grocery store construction update (Photos)

Construction of the new Megamart grocery store is in the final stretch at 7 Dalamar Street in Gaithersburg. The 114-parking-space surface lot has just been paved, and is awaiting striping. Signage is yet to be installed on the supermarket's facade. We're finally seeing the results of a five-year development and construction journey, undoubtedly extended by the unforeseen pandemic. Let's look at some construction highlights, in chronological order:

Gaithersburg Sheetz construction update (Photos)

Yesterday, we took a look at the progress on the future Gaithersburg Wawa convenience store and mega gas station. Today, let's go "up the Pike" to check on Wawa's arch rival Sheetz, opening its first Montgomery County location at 751 Progress Way, near the intersection of MD 355 and Montgomery Village Avenue. Most noticeably, the gas pumps are now in place, and featuring the famous Sheetz Unleaded 88 gasoline. Parking spaces, collision bollards and the all-important drive-thru lane have been completed around the building, which now has all of its brick facade installed.

Gaithersburg Wawa construction update (Photos)

For months, construction of the new Wawa convenience store and mega gas station at 405 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg appeared to consist of moving dirt around on the site. But there has finally been some major progress on the chain's first Montgomery County location. There are actually structures taking form, consisting of the frame of the store itself, and of the canopy that will cover the gas pumps. We're coming up on the four year anniversary of the announcement of this project, so it's good to at last see a sense of urgency at the construction site - could the rapid construction of a Sheetz store up the road have provided some motivation?