The Container Store opening in March at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg

The Container Store is opening a new location at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg in March 2024. It is one of five new "small format" stores the chain expects to open nationwide this year.  The company says it will house a Custom Spaces Studio featuring the Preston, Avera and Elfa lines, as well as a curated selection of merchandise. The store will also market the brand's in-home services to customers. Look for The Container Store when it opens at 201 Ellington Boulevard.

Montgomery County police chief announces retirement

Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones abruptly announced his retirement this morning, January 30, 2024. He has served the public for 38 years, the last four of them as chief. His retirement will be effective Monday, July 1.

“It has been an honor to lead such a dedicated and talented department of officers and professional staff. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident in the department’s continued success,” Chief Jones said in a statement. “Now is the right time to retire. I am grateful for the support I have received throughout my career. While I may be stepping down a few months earlier than originally planned, I won’t be far. You will still see me around, actively engaging in and contributing to the well-being of Montgomery County.”

A department press release states that the search for a new police chief will begin immediately. Chief Jones did not cite a specific reason for his retirement, nor for moving his retirement date up to July 1.

Paranormal Cirque to return to Gaithersburg this spring

The ominous Clown Castle big top tent will rise again in Gaithersburg this spring. Paranormal Cirque experienced such unnatural success with its premiere stop in the city last year that the attraction will drive stakes into the Montgomery County Fairgrounds this spring from April 4 through April 7, 2024. A combination of a circus, theatre and cabaret, Paranormal Cirque brings acrobats, illusionists, "freaks," and "mysterious creatures" together under one tent. 

DMV Empanadas opening at Gaithersburg Square

DMV Empanadas is coming soon to Gaithersburg Square, according to signage posted at its future space. Known for its savory and sweet Latin American turnovers, DMV Empanadas had an existing location at 113 E. Diamond Avenue. That store closed last month, and the new Gaithersburg Square spot will be at 560 N. Frederick Avenue. While waiting for the new location to open, you can still get your favorite DMV Empanadas at the Olney Farmers Market from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Sunday.

Robin Ficker endorses Donald Trump for President

Maryland U.S. Senate candidate Robin Ficker (R) has endorsed Donald Trump for President, the Boyds resident and attorney announced in a press release timed to coincide with Trump's second consecutive victory of the 2024 primary season. The endorsement isn't likely to help Ficker much in the general election, in a state where Trump has some of his lowest popularity numbers in the nation. But, barring former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan coming to his political senses, Ficker has a very good chance to be the GOP nominee in the race this November. He is the only declared Republican candidate in the race with statewide name recognition, as both a former elected member of the House of Delegates and a notorious Washington Bullets superfan seen on TV reports from coast to coast over the decades.

"It's time for us to coalesce behind the only Presidential Candidate capable of restoring logic to our government," Ficker said in a statement. "President Trump is the only candidate with a proven track record of historically low unemployment, safer communities, and lower energy prices. Together, President Trump and I will secure our Southern border. Together, President Trump and I will stop the flow of fentanyl across our border and onto our streets. President Trump and I will take swift and decisive action to protect our communities and secure our border.

"President Trump and I will bring the country into a new, prosperous economic age and help the United States become energy independent again, pursuing an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to our energy sector. President Biden has failed in every one of these categories. The choice is clear. Reject Biden's policies in the ballot box this November and vote for Donald J. Trump!"

Best Buy shelves growing bare as promised 2024 phaseout of physical media begins (Photos)

The DVD and Blu-Ray shelves are growing spare, if not quite bare, at Best Buy stores nationwide. The big box electronics chain announced last fall that it would phase out such physical media in 2024, and it's one New Year's resolution that's being kept. While 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD movies are still being manufactured, Best Buy won't be stocking them as they're released anymore. You can see the policy change beginning to take effect at this Best Buy store at 10901 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton. 

It's been a long time since I've bought a physical copy of a movie. For me, it wasn't so much the convenience of digital or streaming films, but the fact that fewer and fewer releases came with deluxe packaging and collectible items inside. When all you get is an expensive steelbook case and the disc(s) inside, there's little incentive to buy the physical product anymore. And behind-the-scenes features on many discs seem to get illegally uploaded to YouTube eventually, where they can be viewed for free.

Wawa Gaithersburg construction update (Photos)

Here's a look at the current status of the future Wawa convenience store and mega gas station at 405 South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. Not much has advanced since my last report, and stacks of pipes and a dumpster are still under the gas pump canopy. There isn't an opening date published on the chain's Grand Opening page, either, as of this writing. The patience of Wawa fans in Montgomery County continues to be tried mightily.

Le Macaron opens at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Le Macaron has opened at 7 Grand Corner Avenue at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The bakery has a small amount of indoor dining seating available, and appears to be doing good business so far. Curbside pickup is also offered. In addition to the "jewel of French pastries," Le Macaron also sells gelato, coffee, pastries, candy treats and special event cakes. 

Germantown Red Robin collector's item pops up on eBay

How big of a fan are you of the burgers at Red Robin in Germantown? A geographically-correct collectible for the burger restaurant, located at 20001 Century Boulevard, has popped up on eBay. The collector's pin is in the shape of Maryland, with a star designating the location of Germantown on the state map. For a mere $9.69, you could show the world you're the biggest Red Robin Germantown fan on earth, with all of the bragging rights that would entail! Don't tell the County Council!

Assault at store in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a department store in Germantown Tuesday afternoon, January 16, 2024. The assault was reported at a store in the 20900 block of Frederick Road at 3:42 PM. At least one suspect was also accused of shoplifting in the incident. There are several department stores in the Milestone Shopping Center on that block. 

Silver Diner pergola, annexation request on Gaithersburg Planning Commission agenda tonight

A long-planned pergola enclosure for the outdoor dining patio at the Silver Diner at Rio Lakefront is on the Gaithersburg Planning Commission agenda tonight, January 17, 2024, at 7:30 PM. The pergola will have guillotine-style window, and a louvered roof, which both can be remotely operated by restaurant employees to adjust to changing temperatures and weather conditions. City staff are recommending approval of the pergola, with the condition that some minor errors in the plans submitted to the City are corrected prior to issuance of the construction permit. 

Commissioners will also make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council on whether or not an unaddressed piece of land between I-370 (Sam Eig Highway) and O'Neill Drive should be annexed into the City. The Casey Foundation is making the request for annexation. Staff are recommending commissioners defer their recommendation until all public comment is received by the deadline of 5:00 PM on January 31, and then decide on their recommendation at their February 7, 2024 meeting. 

Concentra Urgent Care clinic to open at Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg

Concentra Urgent Care will open a new Gaithersburg clinic location at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center. It will be located in a portion of the former Weis Markets grocery store building, which it will now share with new anchor tenant Aldi. The center's property owner is also marketing a new "junior anchor" space on the lower level below Aldi and Concentra. Concentra's lease, and plan to share the supermarket space with Aldi, were first reported by The MoCo Show.

Indecent exposure at Gaithersburg grocery store

Gaithersburg City police responded to a report of indecent exposure at a grocery store Tuesday night, January 9, 2024. The incident was reported at a supermarket in the 18700 block N. Frederick Avenue at 8:13 PM Tuesday. A suspect was also accused of possession of amphetamines and related drug paraphernalia in the incident.

Germantown apartment complex to add Tesla charging stations

The Cherry Knoll apartments at 18832 Bent Willow Circle in Germantown will be adding infrastructure for the future in the coming months. A Tesla 200A charger will be added to the property. It will allow for the charging of 6 electric vehicles at once. The charging stations are meant for residents of the apartments.

Assault in Dickerson

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault in Dickerson this past Friday afternoon, January 5, 2024. The assault was reported in the 18000 block of Moore Road at 4:15 PM Friday. It allegedly took place in a wooded area along that stretch of Moore Road.

Strong-arm robbery in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in Montgomery Village early yesterday morning, January 4, 2024. The robbery was reported at the Cider Mill Apartments at 18205 Lost Knife Circle at 2:43 AM Thursday. Lost Knife Circle is a frequent address in Montgomery County Police Department crime reports, and is the highest-crime area of Montgomery Village, along with the adjacent Lost Knife Road.

Gaithersburg woman killed in Germantown collision

A young Gaithersburg woman has died after an automobile collision on MD 355 in Germantown. Daniela Fernanda Pineda, 20, was driving a blue 2007 Honda Civic southbound on Frederick Road around 12:16 PM on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. For reasons yet to be determined by investigators, Pineda's car crossed the median into oncoming traffic, striking a northbound 2021 Ford Transit van in the vicinity of Wheatfield Drive.

Pineda was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Tragically, she later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The driver of the van was also taken to a hospital. Montgomery County police describe his injuries as non-life-threatening.

This accident is still under active investigation by the Collision Reconstruction Unit of the Montgomery County Police Department. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact CRU detectives at (240) 773-6620. 

Gaithersburg City Council eases path to approval of Guapo's dining pier at Rio Lakefront

Gaithersburg's City Council voted 3-2 to shorten the approval process for a proposed dining pier at Guapo's at Rio Lakefront at their meeting last night. Councilmembers Neil Harris, Lisa Henderson, and Robert Wu voted in favor of the expedited process; Councilmembers Jim McNulty and Yamil Hernández cast the dissenting votes. The majority voted to approve the first of two options, declaring the pier proposal to be a change of minor effect, and allow the Planning Commission to make the final decision on the matter. Their other option would have been to declare the proposed addition to pose a detrimental impact to the property, which would trigger a longer approval process with a public hearing, and a final vote by the Council.

Opponents, and some who voted in favor, focused on two major concerns. First, the possibility that an increasing number of restaurant tenants would seek to have their own barges on the lake, thereby blocking water views for pedestrians and other tenants. And second, the possible pedestrian conflicts with servers frequently crossing the boardwalk with trays of food.

But the horse has already left the proverbial barn on this issue from a rhetorical and legal standpoint. The Mayor and Council have already approved a similar dining pier for Copper Canyon Grill at the property. Any other tenant could now cry foul with that precedent being set, and the time for hand-wringing about the potential drawbacks was when the original Copper Canyon pier was on the table for debate.

Guapo's supporters, including Mayor Jud Ashman, said they were confident that property owner Peterson Cos. would be capable of policing these questions on its own, and would be unlikely to allow actions that were detrimental to its long-term success. Ashman added that he would like to see more outdoor dining options in the city, in general. It's likely that Peterson will also benefit from higher revenues as more barges are approved, as it will be leasing additional square footage to the tenants in question.

Assault at Germantown bar

Montgomery County police were called to a bar in Germantown after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a bar in the 20000 block of Century Boulevard at 12:15 AM yesterday morning, January 1, 2024.